Zone Blocking (1 Viewer)

[milo]

We often hear about "zone blocking" as a special kind of blocking scheme. In fact the phrase is tossed around here periodically. However, I've never heard of any other types of blocking schemes. What other kinds of blocking schemes are there? Can someone explain what zone blocking is and how it differs from other schemes?

 

[offdee]

One of the simplest reasons many teams have incorporated zone blocking in their offenses is that zone blocking rules do not change based on the defensive front. In a "man block" system, blockers are paired with defenders according to certain rules to create a running lane. If the defensive front changes, or if the defense stunts or blitzes, the blocking rules may change. This requires learning multiple rules for the same play. Zone blocking uses very consistent rules that do not change according to the defensive front.

 

[massraider]

We often hear about "zone blocking" as a special kind of blocking scheme. In fact the phrase is tossed around here periodically. However, I've never heard of any other types of blocking schemes. What other kinds of blocking schemes are there? Can someone explain what zone blocking is and how it differs from other schemes?

There are resources out there that you can find an in depth breakdown, but I'll tell you what made the ZBS. Look up Terrell Davis highlights on Youtube. You'll see it over and over again.I am sure there are variations on the play, but THE zone play is actually pretty simple. The O-line fires out, and engages the DL. They are all going in one direction. So everyone fires out to the right, for example. Everything is flowing to the right. What creates the hole is that one of the front side linemen (in this case the RT, RG, or C) blocks down, or cuts, the backside DT. The back is following the flow, the OL makes that cut block, and everyone on the front side is still flowing, and the backside has stopped dead. So the runner makes that cut, a planned cut, and blast straight back to the left. It can create gaping holes in the middle of the line, and the MLB and weakside backer have got to make the play, or he's in the secondary.

Smaller, quicker linemen do well in the ZBS. The big guys can't get to the second level often enough to engage the backers, which creates the really big gains.

Those old Broncos teams (coached by Alex Gibbs) ran it much better than anyone else. You could watch the game, and pre-snap, any knucklehead knew which hole it was going to. It was that obvious sometimes. And he's get 9 yards. If I knew it, you knew the defense knew it. And they still couldn't stop it.

Another advantage to the ZBS, is that you don't need to have absurd talent as a RB to run it. You just have to be disciplined.

 

[Don Quixote]

Here is the Smartfootball blog's breakdown: http://smartfootball.com/run-game/a-very-s...nd-outside-zone

 

[Autumn Wind]

Those old Broncos teams (coached by Alex Gibbs) ran it much better than anyone else. You could watch the game, and pre-snap, any knucklehead knew which hole it was going to. It was that obvious sometimes. And he's get 9 yards. If I knew it, you knew the defense knew it. And they still couldn't stop it.

Denver also deployed the CBZ (Cut Blocking Zone), which helped.

 

[benson_will_lead_the_way]

We often hear about "zone blocking" as a special kind of blocking scheme. In fact the phrase is tossed around here periodically. However, I've never heard of any other types of blocking schemes. What other kinds of blocking schemes are there? Can someone explain what zone blocking is and how it differs from other schemes?

The easiest way to think about it is ZBS is a horizontal blocking scheme, while Power is vertical.In a ZBS....every offensive lineman's first step is playside and paralell to the LOS.-This makes the entire defensive front move with it....allowing for defenders to overpursue for easy cutback lanes.In a power scheme, you have iso, counter, power plays. Most of these are combo blocking plays that have the defenders get vertically up the field right away. So the C and G will combo the 1 technique(DT) up to the Mike, etc.

 

[pghrob]

While we are at it, there is a trapping style run blocking.

The Steelers seem to be the team that really emphasized and excelled at employing a good trap blocking scheme during the Chuck Noll and Bill Cowher eras.

The defensive team watches for a pass as a hole begins to open between the center and left guard. After the nose guard and defensive tackle are pushed apart, the left side linebacker shoots for the gap. He grabs the first guy through the hole and takes him to the ground. Is it a tackle? No. That guy doesn’t have the ball! The linebacker got caught in a trap, and the ball carrier is yards up the field for a respectable gain before anyone touches him. The trap block is a deceptive scheme that makes this work. Afterwards the running back shares a high five with the right guard that added to his stats by coming through with that trap block.

How to trap block

Step 1 - Open the hole.The quarterback lines up behind the center, and at least one running back is behind him. The center will snap the ball and lunge to block the nose guard. The left guard, on center’s left, is assigned to help by doubling up on blocking the nose guard. They’ll push the nose guard to their right. Left of the left guard is the left tackle. He blocks the defensive tackle opposite him toward the left. This initially opens the hole.

Step 2 - Bring on the pulling guard.Although the nose guard is out of the picture, the left side linebacker will notice the hole open up. He’ll be on the lookout for anyone running through. If the running back comes through with the ball now, he’ll be tackled for little or no gain. The right guard, just to the right of the center, will pull away from the defender opposite him and come through the hole first. He’ll be able to block out that linebacker, and clear the way for the ball carrier.

Step 3 - Make the pull with precision timing.The right guard must hit the hole after the center and left side linemen make their blocks, but before the running back arrives with the ball. That’s a small window. Yet the timing comes together, 1–2–3, by taking the proper steps. First the right guard steps his left foot to the left, while pivoting on his right foot. This turns his body sideways, parallel to the yard lines. With the next two steps the right guard runs behind the center and left guard. On that second step, the pulling guard plants his left foot to pivot to the right and face the line. This step should put him in front of the hole created by the center and left side linemen. Then the guard runs through and makes a block on the first guy wearing a different color jersey. The running back receives a hand off from the quarterback, and runs through the hole behind the pulling guard.