1. Inside Zone Running Game
AMHERST STEELE
Implementing the
Inside Zone Running Game

2. “The problem with many of us is simply this….
we like this, we like that….
we go to clinics, we talk to coaches….
Ultimately, though, we fail to recognize that successful offenses are ‘packaged.’ I don’t care if you run wishbone, the wing-t, or the I.
YOU MUST HAVE A SYSTEM.
Ask yourself this question:
DO I HAVE A SYSTEM…
OR JUST A COLLECTION OF PLAYS?”
Jerry Hanlon, Former Offensive Line Coach
The University of Michigan

3. Presentation Goals:
Share how we went from a collection of plays to a system and the results of our efforts.
Communicate what we believe to be the keys to a successful zone run game.
Identify and illustrate the fundamentals of the inside zone for each position.
Review our teaching progression and installation plan.
Show video cuts illustrating our variations of the play.

4. The Zone Play 105 carries for 738 yards
20% of our offense attempts in 2004
7.0 yards per carry
63% efficient (+4) yards
Zero Lost Yardage Plays
6 TD’s

5. How we switched to the Zone Running Game
Discovered we had a problem against odd fronts

6. 2003 Run Efficiency vs. Even Fronts
opponent(8-3) 71%
opponent(1-9) 67%
opponent(4-6) 62%
opponent(3-7) 62%
opponent(6-4) 58%
2003 Run Efficiency vs. Odd Fronts
opponent(0-10) 53%
opponent(7-4) 50%
opponent(7-3) 44%
opponent(2-8) 38%
opponent(15-0) 33%

7. How we switched to the Zone Running Game
Discovered we had a problem against odd fronts
Went back and studied ourselves versus the top tier of the conference

8. Opponent Study 2000-2003 Record 1-7 versus opponents studied
40% run efficient
3.44 yards per carry
Only 8 total +12 yard runs in 8 games
32 different run calls used
Could not identify a “base offense” from what was called

9. How we switched to the Zone Running Game
Discovered we had a problem against odd fronts
Went back and studied ourselves versus the top tier of the conference
Started with some questions

10. Conclusions about our run game(‘03):
We have become scheme heavy while sacrificing being fundamentally sound
Our schemes do not provide us with a sequence of problems for a defense.
There is not a logical progression for us. When one scheme does not work we just try something else.
We cannot effectively practice all of the schemes we have.

11. Conclusions about our run game(‘03):
Our man scheme blocking causes our lineman to become tentative if the defense presents a new look or movement.
We must simplify our offense by cutting down our schemes, but make it appear more complicated to the defense by presenting more looks(formations, shifts, motion).
What we have been using has not allowed us success against the top tier of our conference.

12. How we switched to the Zone Running Game
Discovered we had a problem against odd fronts
Went back and studied ourselves versus the top tier of the conference
Started with some questions
Decided what our philosophy would be

13. 2004 Offense
1. Attitude - We will attack with a punishing running game that destroys the defensive line.
2. We will use spread formations to open up the run & pass.
3. We will use a base offense week after week.
4. We will adjust with formations, not by adding new plays.
5. We will take advantage of our abilities with personnel packages

14. How we switched to the Zone Running Game
Discovered we had a problem against odd fronts
Went back and studied ourselves versus the top tier of the conference
Started with some questions
Decided what our philosophy would be
Decided to change to zone
Researched the zone run game

15. Why we use zone run Can be run versus any defensive alignment.
Minimizes effectiveness of a defense that moves by slanting and angling.
Allows emphasis on the aggressive and intense execution of fundamentals and techniques.
Allows us to block the line of scrimmage, deny penetration, and secure movement by using double-team combination schemes. Distorts and displaces the defensive front.

16. Why we use zone run Can be used in a variety of personnel groups:
Tight End/Split End
Two Back-Two Receiver/Two Back-Three Receiver
One Back
Shotgun Spread
Allows for personnel match-ups in game plan.

17. Why we use zone run Run game allows toughness to permeate the team.
High percentage passing game can be built off the run.
Provides split end and tight end attack. Do not need separate schemes for tight side or split side.

18. Why we use zone run Simple scheme-allows players to be aggressive.
Many different looks by using the same scheme allows for many repetitions for linemen and backs.
Do not have to be overpowering to have success.
Limits the blitz.
Wears down the opponent.

19. Basic Philosophy of the play:
Deny penetration and take care of level one.
Ideally we will block the DL into the LB.
Worst Case scenario is a stalemate.

20. The primary objectives of the play are:
To secure movement along the line of scrimmage while accounting for blitzes, stunts, slants, and stems.
To create running lanes for the running back by distorting and displacing the defense.
To block zone to call allowing for a double team along the line of scrimmage.
To force the defense to guess where the ball is going to be run, while forcing them to be wrong.

21. FUNDAMENTALS & TECHNIQUES
INSIDE ZONE
FUNDAMENTALS & TECHNIQUES

22. Our Teaching Progression
Gap responsibility

23. Gap Responsibility TE T G C G T TE
Play Direction

24. Our Teaching Progression
Gap responsibility
Defensive Technique Identification

25. Defensive Technique Identification
Center has 0 head up,
Right & Left
1 = inside technique
2=head up technique
3 = outside technique

26. Our Teaching Progression
Gap responsibility
Defensive Technique Identification
Landmarks & Technique against different alignments

27. 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

28. 12 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

29. DL Inside Technique (1) (Uncovered Pry Technique)
Come off the ball with the
Inside foot to the outside #
Landmark. 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 OL will
Be working up to level 2.
Play Direction

30. Our Teaching Progression
Gap responsibility
Defensive Technique Identification
Landmarks & Technique against different alignments
Combinations

31. Frontside Combo Calls
Call by the Guard for the Center to combo with him. Made if there is a 2 or 1.
Call by the Tackle for the Guard to combo with him. Only vs. 50 (2 or 3)
Call by the Tight End for the Tackle to combo with him. Vs. 2 or 3.

32. Backside Combo Calls
Call between C & BSG to give BSG help on the shade(1 technique)
Call between BSG & BST
Call between BST & BSTE (if there is a TE backside only)

33. Combo Calls
“Tackle”
“Center”
“Tackle”
Play Direction

34. Combo Calls
“Tackle”
“Center”
“Tackle”
Play Direction

35. Combo Calls
“Guard”
“Tackle”
“Guard”
Play Direction

36. Combo Blocks 12
Landmark inside hip
Landmark outside #

37. Combo Blocks 12
Landmark inside hip
Landmark outside #

38. Backside Scoop Technique
Punch to buy time &
Get off to gap responsibility 12
Scoop & get head
In front to prevent
Penetration.
Dip& rip, grab grass get the shoulder underneath. The T is trying to scoop him or drive him down the line if he can not get him scooped. The guard takes a short step but does not get too occupied with 3 technique. Worst case scenario should be a stalemate.
Play Direction

39. Uncovered Backside Tackle (No Call from BSG) = Sift Tech.
Step with near foot to
Stop penetration, then
Block most dangerous
Man in your area
DE moves away from play.
LB becomes most dangerous.
Play Direction

40. Uncovered Backside Tackle (No Call from BSG) = Sift Tech.
Step with near foot to
Stop penetration, then
Block most dangerous
Man in your area
DE slants to play.
DE becomes most dangerous.
Play Direction

41. TB Coaching Points
No parameters except on down & distance situations(know how much you need)
1st step is open and 2nd is at landmark. Get Shoulders pointed to sideline. Make the LB’s move.
Where the back goes after that is up to him. If you need to be coached a lot,you are not a TB! (YOU MUST HAVE VISION!)
Goal is 3.5 yards minimum every play.

42. TB Reads Read the outside hip of the first Covered lineman playside.
React to what he does. In this example
Cut inside.

43. TB Reads

44. Jump Cut Drill

45. TB Footwork Drill
Purpose: Teach the back to
Make a quick lateral move
(simulate cut behind OL) and
Then burst.
Can vary direction after lateral
Move. Coach can stand at top
Of drill and point, or have a
Player simulate an LB. Other
Variations are to add yards after
Contact moves.

46. Inside Zone
Press the Line Drill

47. Inside Zone
Press the Line Drill

48. QB Coaching Points Open at 5 O’clock (7 O’clock to the left).
QB’s job is to get the ball to the TB as deep as possible.
QB is always the adjuster.

49. QB Footwork/technique:
Open at 5
Extend the ball
Give
Gather
Depth Step(5-1/2 to 6 yards deep)
Naked
Block the DE(get eyes around and be able to tell what he is doing on every play.)

50. Gun QB Read Drill
QB reads shoulders of DE
Shoulders upfield, end across-give to TB

51. Gun QB Read Drill
QB reads shoulders of DE
Shoulders turn, end down line-pull and keep

52. Receiver Blocking
Playside - Block Man On. Drive him out of bounds. 2 safety look block near safety.
Backside - Block Near Safety.
Maintain blocks until whistle.
WR Blocks turn a big gain into a TD.
Backside block is just as important; play may cut back.

53. Installation of Play 1. Introduce in meeting.
2. Drill techniques for play
3. 1st Group Run & Team periods we will go against a head up technique that tries to come straight across. OL will not come off of double team yet. They will attempt to drive DL into LB.

54. Installation of the Play
4. 1st group & team period it will be the TB’s job to beat the LB’s. OL will not come off of combo. TB must press the line, move the LB and make his read/cut. He should rip through the hip socket of any LB attacking him. We tell the pad holders to give the TB a shot.
5. Now we teach a head-up that moves. One OL will now take the block over and the other step off to level 2 LB. We still want them working the block up to level 2 and stepping off when the LB is to them. We want 4 hands on the DL and 4 eyes on the LB. We will put cones out to indicate when they should step off to LB.
6. 2nd Day of Group and Team we will have the DL move & we will step off to LB’s.

55. Inside Zone Plays in Our Offense
TB Zone to TE. FB blocks backside edge
TB Zone to TE. FB iso blocks FSLB
TB Zone to SE. FB blocks overhang
FB Zone to TE(can run to SE if OLB is removed by alignment)
QB Zone from gun with FB lead block

56. Assignment Coaching Point TE Assignment Coaching Point PST
44/45 Zone
Assignment Coaching Point
Covered: Make call to PST
Uncovered: work your track to level 2
“Pry” on a 1 technique before
going to level 2.
PST call overrides your call. TE
Assignment Coaching Point
Covered: Make a call to PSG
Uncovered: Listen for TE call
Pry and work to level 2 if
uncovered and no call made.
Inside call from PSG overrides
your call. Call from TE-aim for hip
of DL
PST
Assignment Coaching Point
Covered: Make call to Center
Uncovered: Listen for PST call
Call from PST-aim for hip of DL,
Can Pry on a 1 tech. Before
moving
PSG
Assignment Coaching Point
Covered: Make a call to BSG
Uncovered: Listen for call from PSG
PSG call-aim for hip of DL, Can
Pry on a shade tech. before
Moving to level 2 C
Assignment Coaching Point
Covered: Make a call to BST
Uncovered: Listen for Center call
C call-aim for hip of DL, Can pry
on a 3 tech. before moving to
level 2.
BSG
Assignment Coaching Point
Covered: Make a call to TE if you have
a backside TE. No TE you are on your
own. Uncovered: Sift, listen for
BSG call
Sift: get on your track and block
most dangerous. BSG call-aim
for hip of DL
BST
Assignment Coaching Point
Block backside edge off of BST.
Listen for BST call if in
slot position. FB
Assignment Coaching Point
Open-crossover-plant. Get on track at
your landmark(outside hip of 1st
covered OL). Continue on path and
“feel” the rest.
Be patient and let blocks develop.
If the LB’s press, push helmet to
covered lineman’s outside leg.
Chase the leg if no color shows.
Cut back if LB’s get over top. TB
Assignment Coaching Point
Stalk on playside/Cross Field on
backside.
Double safety look-block safety
X/Z
Assignment Coaching Point
Open to 5 o’clock. Gather, get depth
and naked fake after hand-off.
Eye up the backside DE.
He is your man. QB

57. 44 Zone vs. 5-2

58. 44 Zone vs. 4-4

59. 44 Zone vs. 4-3

60. 45 Zone Lead vs. 5-2

61. 45 Zone Lead vs. 4-3

62. 45 Zone Lead vs. 4-4

63. 2004 Improvement 71%L 67%W -4% 67%W 86%W +19% 62%W 68%W +6%
RESULTS - Run Efficiency Improved in Almost Every Game
2004 Improvement
71%L 67%W -4%
67%W 86%W +19%
62%W 68%W +6%
62%W 56%W -6%
58%W 60%W +2%
53%W 78%W +25%
50%L 58%W +8%
44%W 55%W +11%
38%W 73%W +35%
33%L 47%L +14%
Avg. 10 Games +11.0% per game

64. Keith Grabowski School (440)988-4433 keith_grabowski@amherst.k12.oh.us
Mini-camp:
June 2-4
Camp:
July 25-28