Zone Blocking Manual BASH
Zone Blocking Manual BASH
Zone Blocking Manual BASH
MANUAL
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Run Blocking Techniques
GENERAL INFORMATION
A A
STEP CHART B B
C C
L
D D
A. Drive Step E E
-6 inch directional step toward Aiming Point.
Usually used for Base block.
B. Lead Step
-6 inch directional step toward Aiming Point.
Used for an inside Zone, Down or Chip block
C. Slide Step
-6 inch directional step toward Aiming Point.
Used for Outside Zone Blocking when covered with a HEAD UP defender.
D. Drop Step
-6 inch directional step toward Aiming Point.
Used for Outside Zone Blocking when covered and
facing an OUTSIDE SHADE defender.
E. Bucket Step
-6 inch directional step toward Aiming Point. Used
for Outside Zone Blocking when uncovered.
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Run Blocking Techniques
I. BASE Block
The base block is the heart of any blocking scheme and the most important to mas-
ter. This technique will be used by linemen MOSTLY on our Inside Zone (Base) play
when they are covered and their inside teammate is also covered. It is important to note
that our linemen will have the option of blocking the defender any way the defender
wishes to go. The most important aspect is to get movement upfield, laterally, or both
and to STAY ENGAGED(Be a part of the Tackle) until the play is over. In our offense
the BASE call means that the lineman will not be involved in a combination or Zone
block but, instead, he will be working alone.
A. Aiming Point
On each of our blocks, the linemen will be given an aiming point. The line-
man must get his head gear to that aiming point and fight to keep it there through the exe-
cution of his block. The aiming point for the Base block is;
00 AP
The Sternum or point between the numbers of the defender.
All linemen will keep their shoulders parallel to the path of the ball carrier.
This will prevent linebacker run throughs by allowing the linemen to see the defensive
movement.
B. Approach (Seek)
Always explode off the line of scrimmage on the correct snap count. This is
accomplished by knowing you responsibilities and ALWAYS taking the correct initial
step. Your initial step in a Base block will be with the foot nearest the defender you are
blocking. After this step you must roll off the takeoff foot aggressively and with your
head up. By keeping your head up and your back flat, you will better be able to get under
the defender‘s pads. Aim the “nose” of your helmet (crosshairs) for the proper aiming
point. This can only be accomplished with your HEAD AND EYES UP.
A. Uncovered Lineman:
00
AP
00 Play Direction
Take a slide step and catch up with your covered teammate as you READ the near
Knee of the down lineman on him. As you work through your playside gap, if the Knee
comes toward you, block his INSIDE number & fit him sliding in the direction he is
going. (eyeball LB in case he comes inside).
If the Knee doesn’t come towards you, work up on LB. You have only two options and
both depend on reading the defender‘s reaction:
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2. Knee comes to you.
(Diagram 2)
a. Continue to work to your aiming point on the
down lineman.
b. Fight to gain control of the down lineman and push the out
-side blocker off of the Down Lineman
c. KEEPYOUR FEET MOVING
d. Engage the Down lineman and STAY ON THE
BLOCK UNTIL THE WHISTLE.
LB LB
T T
Diagram 1 Diagram 2
B. Covered lineman
00 AP
Aiming Point is
Outside Number
00 Play Direction
Take a lead step with your outside foot while eyeballing the outside
number of the defender. Throw your second step through the crotch of the Down
Lineman. You must think man block and only go to the LB when pushed off the
block by your teammate You have only two options and both depend on reading the
defender’s reaction:
rule:
POWER ZONE w/ OUTSIDE LM B
N T E
Play Direction
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B. BACKSIDE
1. GUARD
rule: rule:
POWER ZONE w/ CENTER REACH PLAYSIDE GAP TO LB
B B
T N E T N
2. TACKLE
rule: rule:
REACH PLAYSIDE GAP TO LB 1st DOWN LM HEAD UP TO
OUTSIDE OF GUARD
B B
E T N E T N
3. TIGHT END
rule: rule:
POWER ZONE w/ TACKLE REACH TO LB
B B B B
E T N E T N
B B B B B
E T N T E E T T E
52 43
B B B B B B
E T T E E T N T E
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TECHNIQUES AND PRE-SNAP READS
By learning the defensive line techniques, offensive linemen can get a very
good idea who they will end up blocking on inside zone plays. If the Offensive line-
man can master the 10-50-90 rule, he will make himself a much more effective
blocker and will make us a much better team.
DEFENSIVE TECHNIQUES
8 9 6 7 5 4 4I 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4I 4 5 7 6 9 8
10-50-90 RULE
IF THE COVERED LINEMAN HAS AN OUTSIDE SHADE;
The same rules as Inside Zone but the aiming points and steps will
change.
A. Uncovered Blocker
Use a “Bucket Step”, and crossover to Piggyback your covered
teammate.(aim for the shoulder pad of your teammate) Uncovered blocker will stay
on a down lineman on your covered teammate. FORCED THE SWITCH. Don’t
block LB unless he is even with your inside shoulder and threatening the gap.
B. Covered Blocker
Use a “Slide Step” to the DLM’s outside shoulder when the
defender is head up. Use a “Drop Step” to the DLM’s outside shoulder when the
defender is shaded to the outside. Run through the playside shoulder and get on the
LBer.
ALWAYS BECOME
PART OF THE
TACKLE!!! stay on your block
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V. Counter Principles and Rules
1. Covered
a. Lineman to your inside is Covered
2. Uncovered
a. Lineman to your inside is Covered
RULE: Work Track Zone with your inside teammate to the backside LB
RULE: Work Track Zone from inside gap to Backside LB-build a wall.
B. CENTER
1st man on the LOS to the offside
C. OFFSIDE GUARD
Pull through the football. There is no read---KICK OUT the End Man
on the Line(EMOL)
D. OFFSIDE TACKLE
COUNTER: Pull 1 yard deeper and on the hip of the Offside Guard.
Dip upfield directly off of the playside double-team and look over your inside shoul-
der for the playside LB. DON’T SLOW DOWN!! If the LB runs through, Trap him.
LEAD: #2 Down lineman to your side
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COUNTER & LEAD
B B SS B B SS
E T N T E E T N T E
Counter 52 Lead
B B B B B B
E T N T E E T N T E
Counter 53 Lead
B B B B B B
E N T E E N T E
Counter 43 Lead
B B B B B B B B
E T T E E T T E
Counter 44 Lead
B B B B B B
B B
E N E B E N E B
Counter 33 Lead
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VI. Man Blocking
Man blocking requires that the lineman memorize a set of RULES for each
man blocking play. He must also know that those terms need to be followed
in the order they occur. The following example should help you to under-
stand how these terms work.
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LINE TERMS
ACE (G-Covered, C-Uncovered)
Combination block between the Center and the Guard used to handle a 0 to 3
technique lineman on the playside. Initial call will be made by the Guard. The Center
will add a “RAM” call if he combos with the right Guard, or a “LION” call if he com-
bos with the left Guard.(see page 20)
LION
Call associated with ACE. LION will tell the Left Guard that he will be working
in tandem with the Center on an ACE zone block. Call will be made by the Center or
Guard.(see page 20)
RAM
Call associated with ACE. RAM will tell the Right Guard that he will be work-
ing in tandem with the Center on an ACE zone block. Call will be made by the Center
or Guard.(see page 20)
COUNTER
Blocking scheme in which both the backside Guard and the backside Tackle pull
to the called side. The Guard will trap block the first defender to show and the Tackle
will lead on the first linebacker. All playside linemen will block Zone Counter
rules.(see page 23) . COUNTER is not only the blocking scheme, it is also the play
name.
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TAIL (Tackle Lead)
Backside Tackle leads through the playside hole to a linebacker. This call will
usually occur on a Wrap Play when the Guard is covered.
GUS (G-Block)
Playside Guard will pull and kick out the EMOL(end man on line)
LOG
Block executed by a pulling lineman to seal the EMOL(end man on line) to the
inside.
COVERED
Alignment of a defensive linemen head-up or on either shoulder of the Offensive
lineman on the Line of Scrimmage. Defender is usually in a 3 or 4 point stance.(see
pages 18-19)
UNCOVERED
Indicates the same as COVERED except the defender is off the Line of Scrim-
mage by 1 or more yards. Defender is usually standing up.(see pages 18-19)
TRACK ZONE
Counter and Lead Zone blocking AWAY from the play side. Same covered and
uncovered rules are applied, but the uncovered man helps the next teammate away from
playside. This is an outside-in Zone. (see page 23)
SLIP
Backside zone blocking technique. Tells the backside linemen they are blocking
their backside rules. (see page 19)
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LEAD
Counter blocking schem e in which the Backside back will lead through hole
on linebacker instead of the backside Tackle. Backside Tackle blocks the #2 lineman
to the Backside. (see page 24)
ON
Base block on a down defender. Offensive lineman is covered.
O VER
Base block on a LB who is playing off ball from inside to outside shoulder of
the offensive linem an.
FRED
Fold block in which the outside man blocks down and the inside m an folds to
the outside. The down blocker always goes first.
W ILMA
Fold block in which the inside m an blocks out and the outside m an folds to the
inside. The out blocker always goes first.
RE ACH
Block on a defensive linem an who is shaded to your playside. A drop or buck-
et step is used depending on how far the defender is shaded. OLM should attem pt to
REAC H the playside shoulder of the defender and maintain contact.
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