"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?
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?
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:
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
First Two Steps
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
TE
T
G
C
Play Direction
G
T
TE
DL Inside Technique (1)
Come off the ball with a lead step
then the inside foot to the outside #
Do not allow penetration.
12
One hand punch until help
From the inside gets there.
This DL technique rarely
Will come across to the
Outside gap, so you will
probably be working up to level 2.
Play Direction
DL Head Up Technique(2)
Step is straight ahead with the
Outside foot at the outside #.
The DL has a 2-way go, but the
OL is outside gap responsible.
12
If he comes outside the OL will
Still have outside leverage.
If he goes inside, it is not the OL’s
Gap responsibility. He will punch
& go to level 2.
Play Direction
DL Outside Technique (3)
12
Step at 45 degrees with
The outside foot at the
DL’s outside #.
Most likely he is outside
Gap responsible, so we
want a hat on his outside #.
Play Direction
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 UBack
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
“Dart” “Solo” “Carolina”
Play Direction
“Tom”
“Solo”
12-Deuce- Zone Right Calls
vs. 6-1
“Dart” “Solo” “Solo” “Greg”
Play Direction
“Solo”
“Solo”
11-Deuce- Zone Right Calls
vs. 5-2
“Dart”
“Carolina”
Play Direction
“Tom”
“Solo”
Zone Right Calls vs. 3-3
“DART” “Carolina”
Play Direction
“Tom”
“Solo”
Zone Right Calls vs. 4-3
“Dart”
“Georgia”
“Greg”
Play Direction
“Ted”
Zone Right Calls vs. 4-4
“Georgia”
“Greg”
Play Direction
“Ted”
44 Zone
44 Zone
B
B
N
B
N
T
- 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
B
T
Both G's execute Lateral, and climb to LB
when down defender goes away
Play Direction
Who is covered ?
Zone Left, Who are you working with ?
Zone Right, Who are you working with ?
Zone Right, Who are you working with ?
Zone Right, Who are you working with ?
Zone Right, Who are you working with ?
Combo Landmarks
12
C
G
G: Landmark inside #
T
T: Landmark outside #
2nd Step should always gain ground
Combo Blocks
12
G
T
G: Landmark inside #
T: Landmark outside #
Uncovered Backside Tackle
(No Georgia Call from BSG) = Dart
Linebacker
DE moves away from play.
LB becomes most dangerous.
Tackle
Play Direction
Uncovered Backside Tackle
(No Georgia Call from BSG) = Solo
Step with near foot to
Stop penetration, then
Block 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 :
F
LB
C
S
C
DE
X
LB
DT
T
NG
G
C
DT
G
T
DE
Y
Z
U
B
QB
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)
Common Questions on Zone Play:
•
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
Lineman Eye Progression:
If you are confused on your assignment when, use this simple progression:
3
1
1. Man (Imaginary 2x2 box in front of you)
2
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. Linebacker
Remember: 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
24 Zone
FS
RB Read 2
DE
X
LB
LB
CB
DT
BST BSG
RB Read
1
NG
C
LB
DT
G
T
CB
DE
Y
H
QB
B
J
Gun Zone Option Right
FS
RB Read 2
CB
DE
CB
RB Read
1
NG
DT
BST BSG
X
LB
LB
LB
C
DT
G
T
DE
Y
J
S
B
QB
Gun Jet 24 Zone
FS
RB Read 2
SS
DE
X
LB
LB
CB
CB
RB Read
1
NG
DT
BST BSG
C
DT
G
T
DE
Y
J
S
B
QB
Gun 24 Zone Iso
FS
RB Read 2
CB
DE
DT
BST BSG
X
LB
LB
LB
SS
NG
C
DT
G
T
S
B
QB
CB
RB Read
1
H
Y
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