INSIDE ZONE Vs. 4-3 - Hawg Tuff

Zone Blocking
Part II: Footwork,
Blocking Schemes
Ken Wilmesherr
Offensive Line Coach
Grossmont College
kwilmesh@cox.net

Inside and Outside Zone
W
E T
M
This power point is protected by copyright laws of the United States. Any unauthorized reproduction of this power point
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all rights reserved.
N
E
S

ZONE
FOOTWORK

FOOTWORK
The 1 st step is a directional step. The 2 nd step is a power step
with the emphasis getting it on the ground as soon as possible.
The footwork for zone is different than most other offensive
plays. The tighter the down defenders alignment the tighter the
steps.
Offensive linemen will step simultaneously taking
either a 6-inch lateral jab step (set to drive directional step) or a
bucket step with an angle of departure at 45 degrees (set to
reach directional step) to the left or right when executing the
footwork for the zone play. All linemen need to maintain their
directional track.

STEPS:
FOOTWORK
Covered steps for covered linemen on inside zone.
6-inch lateral jab step (set to drive).
Uncovered steps for uncovered linemen on inside zone.
Bucket step angle of departure 45 degrees (set to reach).
Steps for linemen on outside zone.
All linemen will bucket step (set to reach).

UNCOVERED
STEPS

UNCOVERED STEPS for
UNCOVERED LINEMEN
A wide defender (covered playside). An uncovered lineman in
the zone concept.
First step is a bucket step (set to reach); the angle of departure
is 45 degrees. The angle of departure will not change, but the
depth of the bucket step will depending on the alignment of the
down defender. The hip will open at a 45 degree angle to the
sideline. The target will open the hip to a 45 degree angle.
Second step is a vertical step to and through the defenders
crotch (knee to and through the crotch). The speed of the
second step is so important.
Third step will square the offensive linemen up field.

We speak in terms of “losing ground to gain
ground” for uncovered linemen.
UNCOVERED STEPS for
UNCOVERED LINEMEN
Losing ground to gain ground allows the uncovered
linemen to get on the proper angle to make the block.
UNCOVERED STEPS
2 3
1
Angle of departure 45 degrees

COVERED
STEPS

COVERED STEPS for COVERED
LINEMEN
First step is a 6-inch lateral jab step (set to drive) with the call
side foot.
Second step is a vertical step to and through the down defenders
crotch (knee to and through the crotch). The lineman’s base will
narrow slightly. It is important to get the second step in the
ground as soon as possible. The speed of the second step is
important.
Third step will square the offensive lineman up field. It is
important to keep the shoulders square.

COVERED STEPS for COVERED
LINEMEN
COVERED STEPS
2
3
1
6-inch lateral jab step
to gain width

FOOTWORK
OUTSIDE
ZONE

FOOTWORK OUTSIDE ZONE
On outside zone all linemen will take uncovered steps.
First step is a bucket step (set to reach). Angle of departure is
at a 45 degrees. The target will put lineman at a 45 degree
angle.
Second step is an outside reach step trying to step on the outside
toes of the defender.
Third step will square the offensive linemen.
Linemen are trying to rip the funnel. The funnel is the elbow,
ribs, and arm pit of the defender.
BUCKET, CROSS OVER, RIP.

FOOTWORK OUTSIDE ZONE
We speak in terms of “losing ground to gain
ground” for uncovered linemen.
Losing ground to gain ground allows the uncovered
linemen to get on the proper angle to make the block.
FOOTWORK OUTSIDE ZONE
2
1
3
Angle of departure 45 degrees

TECHNIQUE,
CALLS for
UNCOVERED
LINEMEN

It is imperative that uncovered linemen understand the down
defenders alignment (inside technique, headed up, technique or
outside technique) on the playside or call side covered lineman.
W
E T
vs. a 2i technique
2i, 4i, 7 tech call, there is a greater chance (80%) the uncovered
linemen will end up blocking the inside shaded defender (inside
shaded alignment) unless the defender sparks or buffs.

0, 2 ,4, 6 tech call, there is a half the chance (50%) the
uncovered lineman will end up blocking the head up
defender technique (head up alignment). The defender
can slant to either gap from a head up alignment.
W
E T
vs. a 2 technique
3, 5, 9 tech call, there is a slight chance (20%) the uncovered
lineman will end up blocking the 3, 5, or 9 technique (outside
shaded alignment) unless the defender sparks or buffs.
W
E T
vs. a 3 technique

TECHNIQUE CALLS
DEFENSIVE MOVEMENT:
Buff: a stunt angled movement away from where the defender
is aligned.
T
BUFF
T
Slant: a stunt to a specific gap from a head up alignment.
T SLANT
T

TECHNIQUE CALLS
DEFENSIVE MOVMENT:
Spark: a stunt angled by a defensive lineman aiming at the
ear hole of the offensive lineman to his inside or outside.
T T
SPARK

THIN and
THICK
CALLS

THIN & THICK
Covered linemen will make a “thin” or “thick” calls. These
calls are determined by the LB’s alignment at depth. For
example, if the defensive structure is a 4-3, the center will
make a defensive recognition call to alert the entire line. The
backside guard will then make a co-op call to alert the
backside tackle. The covered lineman will make a “thick” or
“thin” call at the L.O.S..
E T
“THIN”
W W
E T
“THICK”

THICK
“Thick” call the backside tackle and guard are blocking the 2
or 3 techniques to the WILL LB (4i at depth), the WILL is
thick on the 2 or 3 techniques (the WILL is stacked on the
END or in the C gap on the backside) the backside guard
will hang getting vertical push on the down defender (1st
level defender) creating a double team until the WILL LB
commits.
W
E T
WILL LB is thick
BST & BSG “Thick Call”

THIN
“Thin” call the WILL LB (3 technique at depth) is splitting
the crotch or stacked over the 2 or 3 technique, the guard
will make a thin call to alert the tackle that he will not hang
on the 1st level defender. The footwork will also change
on a thin call the guard will take uncovered steps.
WILL LB is Thin MIKE LB is Thick
W M
E T T
BST & BSG “Thin Call”/ C & PSG “Thick Call”

THIN & THICK
If the linebacker is aligned over the call side linemen he will
make a thin call to alert the backside lineman he will have very
little to no help on the down defender. Both linemen will
execute a bucket (set to reach) step aiming for the call side
shoulders of the defenders.
If the linebacker is aligned over the backside lineman the call
side lineman will make a thick call and hang on the down
defender one arm benching, maintaining pressure and inside
leverage as both linemen work to the second level defender.

CO-OPS

CO-OPS
Co-ops in the zone concept are defined as two or more adjacent
linemen working together on a down defender on level one to
a second defender on level two.
There are playside and backside co-ops.
The line calls start from the call side out and working in to the
backside.
Thin and thick calls are made depending on the alignment of
the second level defender.

BACKSIDE
CO-OPS

BACKSIDE CO-OPS:
CO-OPS
Slug: Backside TE and Backside Tackle.
Buzz: Backside TE and Backside Tackle working to a Safety
on the second level.
Swap: Backside Tackle and Backside Guard.
Scoop: Backside Guard and Center.
Solid: Backside TE, Backside Tackle and Backside Guard.
Trip: Backside Tackle, Backside Guard and Center.

Backside co-op between the Backside TE and the
Backside Tackle. Slug Call.
W
E
SLUG
Backside co-op between the Backside TE and the Backside
Tackle working to a Safety on the second level. Buzz Call.
W
SS
E
BUZZ

Backside co-op between the Backside Tackle and the
Backside Guard. Swap Call.
W
E T
SWAP
Backside co-op between the Backside Guard and the Center.
Scoop Call.
M
N
SCOOP

Backside co-op between the Backside TE, Backside Tackle
and the Backside Guard. Solid Call.
M
W
E T
SOLID
Backside co-op between the Backside Tackle, Backside Guard
and the Center. Trip Call.
E T
W
N
TRIP

PLAYSIDE
CO-OPS

PLAYSIDE CO-OPS:
CO-OPS
Single: Center and Playside Guard.
Double: Playside Guard and Playside Tackle.
Triple: Playside Tackle and Playside TE.
Gang: Backside Tackle, Backside Guard, Center, and Playside
Guard.
Trio: Playside Guard, Center, and Backside Guard.
Triplet: Playside Guard, Playside Tackle, and Playside TE.

Playside co-op between the Center and the Playside Guard.
Single Call.
M
T
SINGLE
Playside co-op between the Playside Guard and the Playside
Tackle. Double Call.
N
M
E
DOUBLE

Playside co-op between the Playside Tackle and the
Playside TE. Triple Call.
S
T E
TRIPLE
Playside co-op between the Backside Tackle, Backside
Guard, Center, and Playside Guard. Gang Call.
T
M
N
T
GANG

Playside co-op between the Backside Guard, Center, and
Playside Guard. Trio Call.
M
N
TRIO
Playside co-op between the Playside Guard, Playside Tackle,
and the Playside TE. Triplet Call.
N
M
E
T
S
TRIPLET

ZONE
SCHEMES

SCHEME
Scheme is defined as a
combination of blocks in
either the running game or
passing game.

WEAK
INSIDE ZONE
vs. 5-3

WEAK INSIDE ZONE
Vs. 5-3
TE: Set to Reach; (Buzz call) with the Tackle
SST: Set to Drive; “Thick” (Buzz call) with TE
SSG: Set to Drive; (Scoop call) with Center
C: Set to Reach; “Thick” (Scoop call) with SSG
BSG: Set to Drive; maintain inside leverage
BST: Set to Drive; maintain inside leverage

W
WEAK INSIDE ZONE
E T
Vs. 5-3
M
N
T
SS
S

W
WEAK INSIDE ZONE
E T
Vs. 5-3
M
N
T
SS
S

W
WEAK INSIDE ZONE
E T
Vs. 5-3
M
N
T
SS
S

W
WEAK INSIDE ZONE
E T
Vs. 5-3
M
N
T
SS
S

W
WEAK INSIDE ZONE
E T
Vs. 5-3
M
SCOOP BUZZ
N
T
SS
S

OUTSIDE
ZONE vs. 4-3

OUTSIDE ZONE
Vs. 4-3
TE: Set to Reach; (Triple call) with the Tackle
SST: Set to Reach; (Triple call) with TE
SSG: Set to Reach; (Single call) with Center
C: Set to Reach; (Single call) with SSG
BSG: Set to Reach; (Swap call) with BST
BST: Set to Reach; (Swap call) with BSG

W
E T
OUTSIDE ZONE
Vs. 4-3
M
T
S
E

W
E T
OUTSIDE ZONE
Vs. 4-3
M
T
S
E

W
E T
OUTSIDE ZONE
Vs. 4-3
M
T
S
E

W
E T
OUTSIDE ZONE
Vs. 4-3
M
T
S
E

W
E T
OUTSIDE ZONE
Vs. 4-3
M
T
S
E

W
E T
OUTSIDE ZONE
Vs. 4-3
M
SWAP SINGLE TRIPLE
T
S
E

INSIDE ZONE
vs. 4-3

INSIDE ZONE
Vs. 4-3
TE: Set to Drive; “Thick” (Triple call) with the Tackle
SST: Set to Reach; (Triple call) with TE
SSG: Set to Drive; “Thick” (Single call) with Center
C: Set to Reach; (Single call) with SSG
BSG: Set to Drive; “Thick” (Swap call) with BST
BST: Set to Reach; (Swap call) with BSG

W
E T
INSIDE ZONE
Vs. 4-3
M
T
S
E

W
E T
INSIDE ZONE
Vs. 4-3
M
T
S
E

W
E T
INSIDE ZONE
Vs. 4-3
M
T
S
E

W
E T
INSIDE ZONE
Vs. 4-3
M
T
S
E

W
E T
INSIDE ZONE
Vs. 4-3
M
T
S
E

W
E T
INSIDE ZONE
Vs. 4-3
M
SWAP SINGLE TRIPLE
T
S
E

OUTSIDE
ZONE vs.
EAGLE WEAK

OUTSIDE ZONE
Vs. Eagle Weak
TE: Set to Reach; Maintain inside leverage, possible Triplet
with Tackle and Guard
SST: Set to Reach; Maintain inside leverage, possible Triplet
with TE and Guard or possible Double with Guard
SSG: Set to Reach; possible Triplet with TE and Tackle or
possible Double with Tackle
C: Set to Reach; (Scoop call) with BSG
BSG: Set to Reach; (Scoop call) with Center
BST: Cut the 3 technique

OUTSIDE ZONE
W
E T
Vs. Eagle Weak
N
M
E S

OUTSIDE ZONE
W
E T
Vs. Eagle Weak
N
M
E S

OUTSIDE ZONE
W
E T
Vs. Eagle Weak
N
M
E S

OUTSIDE ZONE
W
E T
Vs. Eagle Weak
N
M
E S

OUTSIDE ZONE
W
E T
Vs. Eagle Weak
N
M
E S

OUTSIDE ZONE
W
E T
Vs. Eagle Weak
N
M
E S

INSIDE ZONE
vs. EAGLE
WEAK

INSIDE ZONE
Vs. Eagle Weak
TE: Set to Drive; Maintain inside leverage
SST: Set to Drive; Maintain inside leverage, possible double
with SSG
SSG: Set to Drive; “Thin” (Single call) with Center, or
possible Double with SST

INSIDE ZONE
Vs. Eagle Weak Cont.
C: Set to Reach; (Single call) with SSG or a possible Trip call
with the BSG and BST
BSG: Set to Reach; “Thin” (Swap call) with Tackle or a
possible Trip call with Center and BST
BST: Set to Reach; (Swap call) with BSG or a Trip call with
the Center and BSG

W
E T
INSIDE ZONE
Vs. Eagle Weak
N
M
E S

W
E T
INSIDE ZONE
Vs. Eagle Weak
N
M
E S

W
E T
INSIDE ZONE
Vs. Eagle Weak
N
M
E S

W
E T
INSIDE ZONE
Vs. Eagle Weak
N
M
E S

CONTACT INFORMATION
KEN WILMESHERR
OFFENSIVE LINE COACH
GROSSMONT COLLEGE
8800 GROSSMONT COLLEGE DRIVE
EL CAJON, CA 92020-1799
kwilmesh@cox.net
Copyright © 2006, Ken Wilmesherr and Grossmont College.
All rights reserved