SWANTON FOOTBALL OFFENSIVE LINE MEETING May 27 2008 ZONE OFFENSE INTRODUCTION TO ZONE BLOCKING

SWANTON FOOTBALL OFFENSIVE LINE MEETING May 27 2008 "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 INTRODUCTION TO ZONE BLOCKING

SWANTON FOOTBALL OFFENSIVE LINE MEETING May 27 2008 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. INTRODUCTION TO ZONE BLOCKING

SWANTON FOOTBALL OFFENSIVE LINE MEETING Why the Zone Offense? May 27 2008 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 INTRODUCTION TO ZONE BLOCKING

SWANTON FOOTBALL OFFENSIVE LINE MEETING Some of the teams that run the Zone scheme well: SWANTON FOOTBALL OFFENSIVE LINE MEETING May 27 2008 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 than the scheme The Zone play is an attitude play, if you do your job, we will never INTRODUCTION TO ZONE BLOCKING

SWANTON FOOTBALL OFFENSIVE LINE MEETING May 27 2008 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 INTRODUCTION TO ZONE BLOCKING

SWANTON FOOTBALL OFFENSIVE LINE MEETING May 27 2008 Gap Responsibility TE T G C G T TE Play Direction INTRODUCTION TO ZONE BLOCKING

SWANTON FOOTBALL OFFENSIVE LINE MEETING May 27 2008 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 INTRODUCTION TO ZONE BLOCKING

SWANTON FOOTBALL OFFENSIVE LINE MEETING May 27 2008 DL Head Up Technique(2) Step is straight ahead with the Outside foot at the outside #. 12 The DL has a 2-way go, but the OL is outside gap responsible. 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 INTRODUCTION TO ZONE BLOCKING

SWANTON FOOTBALL OFFENSIVE LINE MEETING May 27 2008 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 INTRODUCTION TO ZONE BLOCKING

SWANTON FOOTBALL OFFENSIVE LINE MEETING May 27 2008 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 INTRODUCTION TO ZONE BLOCKING

SWANTON FOOTBALL OFFENSIVE LINE MEETING May 27 2008 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 INTRODUCTION TO ZONE BLOCKING

SWANTON FOOTBALL OFFENSIVE LINE MEETING May 27 2008 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 INTRODUCTION TO ZONE BLOCKING

SWANTON FOOTBALL OFFENSIVE LINE MEETING May 27 2008 12-Deuce- Zone Right Calls vs. 5-2 “Dart” “Solo” “Carolina” “Tom” “Solo” Play Direction INTRODUCTION TO ZONE BLOCKING

SWANTON FOOTBALL OFFENSIVE LINE MEETING May 27 2008 12-Deuce- Zone Right Calls vs. 6-1 “Solo” “Solo” “Greg” “Dart” “Solo” “Solo” Play Direction INTRODUCTION TO ZONE BLOCKING

SWANTON FOOTBALL OFFENSIVE LINE MEETING May 27 2008 11-Deuce- Zone Right Calls vs. 5-2 “Dart” “Carolina” “Tom” “Solo” Play Direction INTRODUCTION TO ZONE BLOCKING

SWANTON FOOTBALL OFFENSIVE LINE MEETING May 27 2008 Zone Right Calls vs. 3-3 “DART” “Carolina” “Tom” “Solo” Play Direction INTRODUCTION TO ZONE BLOCKING

SWANTON FOOTBALL OFFENSIVE LINE MEETING May 27 2008 Zone Right Calls vs. 4-3 “Dart” “Georgia” “Greg” “Ted” Play Direction INTRODUCTION TO ZONE BLOCKING

SWANTON FOOTBALL OFFENSIVE LINE MEETING May 27 2008 Zone Right Calls vs. 4-4 “Greg” “Georgia” “Ted” Play Direction INTRODUCTION TO ZONE BLOCKING

B N T Play Direction 44 Zone - 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 Play Direction

SWANTON FOOTBALL OFFENSIVE LINE MEETING Who is covered ? SWANTON FOOTBALL OFFENSIVE LINE MEETING May 27 2008 INTRODUCTION TO ZONE BLOCKING

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 ?

2nd Step should always gain ground Combo Landmarks 12 C G T G: Landmark inside # 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 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 LB S C C DT NG DT DE DE C X T G G T Y Z U QB B

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. 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 1 2 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: 23/33/24/34 Zone Zone Nose (Center lets Noseguard go) 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 LB CB LB LB CB DE DT NG DT DE C BST BSG G T Y X H QB J B RB Read 2 LB CB LB LB CB RB Read 1 DE DT NG DT DE C BST BSG G T Y X H QB J B

Gun Zone Option Right FS LB CB LB LB CB DE DT NG DT DE C BST BSG G T Y RB Read 2 LB CB LB LB CB RB Read 1 DE DT NG DT DE C BST BSG G T Y X J S QB B

Gun Jet 24 Zone FS SS LB CB LB CB DE DT NG DT DE C BST BSG G T Y X J S RB Read 2 SS LB CB LB CB RB Read 1 DE DT NG DT DE C BST BSG G T Y X J S QB B

Gun 24 Zone Iso FS LB CB LB LB SS CB DE DT NG DT C BST BSG G T Y X S RB Read 2 LB CB LB LB SS CB RB Read 1 DE DT NG DT C BST BSG G T Y X S QB B H

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