ZONE OFFENSE

transcript

"On every team, there is a core group that sets the tone for everyone else. If the tone is positive, you have half the battle won. If it is negative, you are beaten before you even walk out on

the field".

- Chuck Noll 4 time Superbowl Champion

What is Zone Blocking?What is Zone Blocking?

Zone blocking is a style of blocking that allows for those blocking to block an area and not be specifically tied to a particular defender.

Two or three players work in unison to block an area for the ball carrier, rather than working alone.

Zone blocking is a style of blocking that allows for those blocking to block an area and not be specifically tied to a particular defender.

Two or three players work in unison to block an area for the ball carrier, rather than working alone.

Why the Zone Offense?Why the Zone Offense? Great for teams with low numbers on the offensive line

Very little adjustments need to be made week to week

Less pulling and individual blocks, more combo blocks= better execution in the 4th quarter

The chemistry of the line is more important than the scheme

The Zone play is an attitude play, if you do your job, we will never have runs for negative yardage

Puts the fate of the game in the hands of the Offensive Lineman

Great for teams with low numbers on the offensive line

Very little adjustments need to be made week to week

Less pulling and individual blocks, more combo blocks= better execution in the 4th quarter

The chemistry of the line is more important than the scheme

The Zone play is an attitude play, if you do your job, we will never have runs for negative yardage

Puts the fate of the game in the hands of the Offensive Lineman

Some of the teams that run the Zone scheme well: Some of the teams that run the Zone scheme well:

COLLEGES:

University of Toledo

( good example of what we’re doing)

West Virginia

Ohio State

Michigan

U.S.C.

COLLEGES:

University of Toledo

( good example of what we’re doing)

West Virginia

Ohio State

Michigan

U.S.C.

N.F.L.:

Indianapolis Colts

Denver Broncos

Pittsburgh Steelers

Washington Redskins

Minnesota Vikings

Carolina Panthers

Houston Texans

N.F.L.:

Indianapolis Colts

Denver Broncos

Pittsburgh Steelers

Washington Redskins

Minnesota Vikings

Carolina Panthers

Houston Texans

First Two StepsFirst Two StepsThe initial movement of the lineman begins with two steps. If a lineman is covered, there is a lead step and a gather step

If a lineman is uncovered, there is a lateral step (gaining ground) and a gather step

The initial movement of the lineman begins with two steps. If a lineman is covered, there is a lead step and a gather step

If a lineman is uncovered, there is a lateral step (gaining ground) and a gather step

Gap Responsibility

TETGCGTTE

Play Direction

DL Inside Technique (1)

Come off the ball with a lead step then the inside foot to the outside # Do not allow penetration.

One hand punch until help From the inside gets there.

Play Direction

This DL technique rarelyWill come across to the Outside gap, so you willprobably be working up to level 2.

DL Head Up Technique(2)

Step is straight ahead with theOutside foot at the outside #.

The DL has a 2-way go, but theOL is outside gap responsible.

If he comes outside the OL will Still have outside leverage.

If he goes inside, it is not the OL’sGap responsibility. He will punch& go to level 2.

Play Direction

DL Outside Technique (3)

Play Direction

Step at 45 degrees withThe outside foot at theDL’s outside #.

Most likely he is outsideGap responsible, so wewant a hat on his outside #.

Play-side Combo Calls• “Greg” call by the Guard for the Center to combo with

him. The call is made if there is a 2 or 1 technique.

• “Tom” call by the Tackle for the Guard to combo with him. (If DL is head up or inside Tackle)

• “TEd” call by the Tight End for the Tackle to combo with him. (if DL is head up or inside Tight End)

• Solo is a call made when no combo is needed (i.e. D.E. outside of Tight End)

All play-side Calls are Names

Backside Combo Calls• “Carolina” call from Center to BSG to

give Center help on the shaded DL or head up DL

• “Georgia” call from BSG to BST

• “Texas” Call from BST to BSE or U-Back

All Backside Calls are States

Other Calls

• DART- Call made when play calls for blocker to “Dip And Rip Through” the head up or shaded defender to allow a trap / kick out or read (i.e. backside T.E. on zone read vs. outside D.E.)

• You must use dummy calls every play

12-Deuce- Zone Right Calls vs. 5-2

“Solo”“Tom”“Carolina”“Solo”

Play Direction

“Dart”

“Solo”“Solo”“Greg”“Solo”

Play Direction

“Dart” “Solo”

“Solo”“Tom”“Carolina”

Play Direction

“Dart”

Zone Right Calls vs. 3-3

“DART” “Tom”“Carolina”

Play Direction

“Solo”

“Ted”“Greg”“Georgia”“Dart”

Play Direction

“Ted”“Greg”“Georgia”

Play Direction

N TB B

- Both G's use 6-inch Lateral (gaining ground) And one arm bench press on the near #- Head should be on the defender’s bicep to Keep eyes open for LB

Both G's execute Lateral, and climb to LB when down defender goes away

44 Zone 44 Zone

Play Direction

Who is covered ?

Zone Left, Who are you working with ?

Zone Right, Who are you working with ?

Combo Landmarks

T: Landmark outside #G: Landmark inside #

2nd Step should always gain ground

Combo Blocks

T: Landmark outside #G: Landmark inside #

Uncovered Backside Tackle(No Georgia Call from BSG) = Dart

Linebacker

DE moves away from play.LB becomes most dangerous.

Play Direction

Tackle

Uncovered Backside Tackle(No Georgia Call from BSG) = Solo

Step with near foot toStop penetration, thenBlock most dangerous Man in your area

1. DE slants to play

2. DE becomes most dangerous.3. Drive DE up the field with your head on the play-side

Play Direction

What TB is reading on Zone :

• 1st DL past Center (shade does not count).

• Do not be concerned with 2nd level defenders but keep eyes open for them as you combo block

• Driving the DL into 2nd level causes creases to open for the ball carrier

What TB is reading on 24 Zone :

NG DT DE

The Basics:

DETERMINE WHETHER YOU ARE COVERED OR UNCOVERED: • If you are UNCOVERED – ZONE WITH YOUR TEAMMATE TO PLAYSIDE.

• If you are COVERED, look at your teammate to the inside

• If inside teammate is UNCOVERED, zone with him (he will combo with you to LB)

• If inside teammate is COVERED, solo block (no help from him)

KNOW YOUR CALLS:• All back side combo calls are states

• All play side calls are names

• Once you come to the line, if you are covered, look backside and if your teammate is uncovered make the appropriate call

PLAY CALLING SEQUENCE:• Formation – Motion (if any)- Ball Carrier – Hole Number – Blocking Scheme / Play

• EXAMPLE: Deuce 23 Zone

- If you do not hear Zone , you will either Red, White, or Blue block according to the defense

- The only exception to this rule is if the play is a SWEEP (i.e. 28 Jet Sweep)

• When do I come off the double team to the Linebacker ?Do not worry about the linebacker unless he is directly head up on you. As you are combo blocking with your teammate, when the linebacker invades your personal space (2-3 feet) is when you would come off and get your hands on his near number and drive him backwards.

• When do I stop chasing the Defensive Lineman if he slants away from me ?If the defensive lineman slants away from you into the backside gap (for example, you’re a O-T and the D-Lineman slants into the B gap), you would NOT chase him. If the defensive lineman slants into your gap , you will stay on him trying to keep your shoulders as square to the line of scrimmage as possible.

• If I am uncovered, and my teammate to the play-side is covered, and the D.L. on him slants into the gap away from me, what do I do?Keep your eyes open for a stunt. If no stunt, you would then continue on your tracks, protecting your gap while keeping an eye on the linebacker. Remember in every solid defense, some defender is responsible for every gap.

• Where should I line up ?We are going to line up as far off the ball as legally possible. Your helmet should be parallel to the center’s hip. If you are covered, you may put a little weight on your hands in your stance. Splits are 18 inches

Common Questions on Zone Play:

Lineman Eye Progression:If you are confused on your assignment when, use this simple progression:

3 1. Man (Imaginary 2x2 box in front of you)

2. Near knee of next down defender (to the play-side)-If it comes near you, its going in your gap and will be your responsibility- If it goes away from you, into another gap, then it is your teammate's

3. LinebackerRemember: every sound defense has someone responsible for each gap, if the next down defender goes into a gap away from you, the LB probably has your gap

Play Direction

2008 Zone Plays:All of these will be using the same zone blocking scheme (nothing changes for you morons):

• 23/33/24/34 Zone • Zone Nose (Center lets Noseguard go)• Zone Tackle (Backside Tackle lets DT go)• Zone End (Backside End/Wing lets DE go)• Zone Iso • Zone Read• Zone Option

DT NGDE DT DE

BST BSG TG YC

LB LB LB

24 Zone

RB Read 1

RB Read 2

DT NGDE DT DE

BST BSG TG YC

LB LBLB

Gun Zone Option Right

RB Read 1

RB Read 2

DT NGDE DT DE

BST BSG TG YC

LB LBSS

Gun Jet 24 Zone

RB Read 1

RB Read 2

DT NGDE DT

BST BSG TG YC

LB LBLB

Gun 24 Zone Iso

RB Read 1

RB Read 2

Special Thanks To:• Kory Allen, University of Findlay

• Kevin Boyd, Mantiboa H.S.

• Keith Grabowski, Lakeside H.S.

• Paul Schudel, Albion College

• Nick Tabacca, Defiance College

ZONE OFFENSE

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