implementing the inside zone running game amherst steele

Implementing the

Inside Zone Running Game

AMHERST STEELE

“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 CoachThe University of Michigan

Presentation Goals:

1. Share how we went from a collection of plays to a system and the results of our efforts.

2. Communicate what we believe to be the keys to a successful zone run game.

3. Identify and illustrate the fundamentals of the inside zone for each position.

4. Review our teaching progression and installation plan.

5. Show video cuts illustrating our variations of the play.

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

How we switched to theZone Running Game

• Discovered we had a problem against odd fronts

2003 Run Efficiency vs. Even Frontsopponent(8-3) 71%opponent(1-9) 67%opponent(4-6) 62%opponent(3-7) 62%opponent(6-4) 58%

2003 Run Efficiency vs. Odd Frontsopponent(0-10) 53%opponent(7-4) 50%opponent(7-3) 44%opponent(2-8) 38%opponent(15-0) 33%

How we switched to the Zone Running Game


• Went back and studied ourselves versus the top tier of the conference 2000-2003

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




• Started with some questions

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.

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.

How we switched to theZone Running Game




• Decided what our philosophy would be

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





• Decided what our philosophy would be

• Decided to change to zone

• Researched the zone run game

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.

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.

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.

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.

• Deny penetration and take care of level one.• Ideally we will block the DL into the LB.• Worst Case scenario is a stalemate.

Basic Philosophy of the play:

• 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.

The primary objectives of the play are:

INSIDE ZONE

FUNDAMENTALS & TECHNIQUES

Our Teaching Progression

• Gap responsibility

Gap Responsibility

TETGCGTTE

Play Direction



• Defensive Technique Identification

Defensive Technique Identification

2

31 1

2

33

2

1R0

L

2

132

1313

2

1 = inside technique

2=head up technique

3 = outside technique

Center has 0 head up,Right & Left




• Landmarks & Technique against different alignments

DL Outside Technique (3)

12

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 #.

DL Head Up Technique(2)

12

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 Inside Technique (1)(Uncovered Pry Technique)

12

Come off the ball with theInside foot to the outside #Landmark. Do not allowPenetration.

One hand punch until help From the inside gets there.

Play Direction

This DL technique rarelyWill come across to the Outside gap, so OL willBe working up to level 2.




• Landmarks & Technique against different alignments

• Combinations

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.

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)

Combo Calls

Play Direction

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (LZW) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

“Tackle”“Center”“Tackle”

Combo Calls

Play Direction



“Tackle”“Guard”“Guard”

Combo Blocks

Landmark outside #Landmark inside hip

12

Backside Scoop Technique

12

Play Direction

Punch to buy time &Get off to gap responsibility

Scoop & get headIn front to preventPenetration.

Uncovered Backside Tackle(No Call from BSG) = Sift Tech.

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

DE moves away from play.

LB becomes most dangerous.

Play Direction

Uncovered Backside Tackle(No Call from BSG) = Sift Tech.

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

DE slants to play.

DE becomes most dangerous.

Play Direction

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.

TB Reads

Read the outside hip of the firstCovered lineman playside.

React to what he does. In this exampleCut inside.

TB Reads

Jump Cut Drill

TB Footwork DrillPurpose: Teach the back to Make a quick lateral move(simulate cut behind OL) andThen burst.

Can vary direction after lateral Move. Coach can stand at top Of drill and point, or have aPlayer simulate an LB. Other Variations are to add yards after Contact moves.



Inside ZonePress the Line Drill

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.

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.)

Gun QB Read DrillQB reads shoulders of DEShoulders upfield, end across-give to TB

Gun QB Read DrillQB reads shoulders of DEShoulders turn, end down line-pull and keep

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.

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.

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.

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

Double safety look-block safety

Listen for BST call if in slot position.

Eye up the backside DE. He is your man.

Double safety look-block safety

Block backside edge off of BST.

Sift: get on your track and block most dangerous.BSG call-aim for hip of DL

C call-aim for hip of DL, Can pry on a 3 tech. before moving.

Covered: Make a call to BSTUncovered: Listen for Center call

PSG call-aim for hip of DL, Can Pry on a shade tech. before moving

Covered: Make a call to BSGUncovered: Listen for call from PSG

Call from PST-aim for hip of DL, Can Pry on a 1 tech. before moving

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

Covered: Make call to CenterUncovered: Listen for PST call

Covered: Make a “Tom” call if you have a backside TE. No TE you are on your own. Uncovered: Sift, listen for “George” call

“Pry” on a 1 technique before going to level 2. PST call overrides your call.

Open to 5 o’clock. Gather, get depth and naked fake after hand-off.

Be patient and let blocks develop. If the LB’s press, puch helmet to covered lineman’s outside leg. Chase the leg if no color shows. Cut back if LB’s get over top.

Stalk on playside/Cross Field on backside.


Open-crossover-plant. Get on track at your landmark(outside hip of 1st covered OL). Continue on path and “feel” the rest.

Covered: Make a call to PSGUncovered: Listen for TE call

Covered: Make call to PSTUncovered: work your track to level 2

QB

X

Z

HB

FB

BST

BSG

C

PSG

PST

TE(Y)

Coaching PointAssignment

44/45 ZoneAssignment Coaching Point

Covered: Make call to PSTUncovered: 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 PSGUncovered: 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 CenterUncovered: Listen for PST call

Call from PST-aim for hip of DL, Can Pry on a 1 tech. Before moving

PSG


Covered: Make a call to BSGUncovered: Listen for call from PSG

PSG call-aim for hip of DL, Can Pry on a shade tech. before Moving to level 2

C


Covered: Make a call to BSTUncovered: Listen for Center call

C call-aim for hip of DL, Can pry on a 3 tech. before moving to level 2.

BSGAssignment Coaching Point

Covered: Make a call to TE if you have a backside TE. No TE you are on yourown. 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


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.

TBAssignment Coaching Point


Double safety look-block safetyX/Z


Open to 5 o’clock. Gather, get depth and naked fake after hand-off.

Eye up the backside DE. He is your man.QB

44 Zone vs. 5-2

XT N TE

B B

E

C

F

C

H

SS

Z

FS

Pro Ace vs. 5-2

"guard" "guard"

44 Zone vs. 4-4

E T T

B B B

E

C

F

C

H

B

FS

tackle center

44 Zone vs. 4-3

E T T

B B B

E

C

F

C

H

SSFSOff Pro vs. 4-3

tackle guard

45 Zone Lead vs. 5-2

XT N TE

B B

E

C

F

C

H

SS

Z

FS

Pro Ace vs. 5-2

guard guard TE


E T T

B B B

E

C

F

C

H

SSFSOff Pro vs. 4-3

Center


E T T

B B B

E

C

F

C

H

B

FS

Center Tackle

Pro vs. 4-4

2003 2004 Improvement71%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

RESULTS - Run Efficiency Improved in Almost Every Game

Keith GrabowskiSchool (440)[email protected]

Mini-camp:June 2-4

Camp: July 25-28

implementing the inside zone running game amherst steele

Documents