Implementing the Inside Zone Running Game

1. 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 theZone 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 2000-2003

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 2000-2003 • 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 theZone Running Game • Discovered we had a problem against odd fronts • Went back and studied ourselves versus the top tier of the conference 2000-2003 • 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 2000-2003 • 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. INSIDE ZONE FUNDAMENTALS & TECHNIQUES

22. Our Teaching Progression • Gap responsibility

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

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. 12 Play Direction DL Outside Technique (3) 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 #.

28. 12 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. 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.

29. 12 Play Direction DL Inside Technique (1)(Uncovered Pry Technique) Come off the ball with the Inside foot to the outside # Landmark. Do not allow Penetration. 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.

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

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

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

36. 12 Combo Blocks Landmark inside hip Landmark outside #

37. 12 Combo Blocks Landmark inside hip Landmark outside #

38. 12 Play Direction Backside Scoop Technique Punch to buy time & Get off to gap responsibility Scoop & get head In front to prevent Penetration.

39. Play Direction 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.

40. Play Direction 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.

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