WINONA STATE FOOTBALL

A.J. BlazekOffensive Line

O: (507) 457-5558C: (507) 429-4288

ablazek@winona.edu

Zone PackageScheme / Technique / Drills

1) We are a ZONE team that mixes in situational GAP schemes when to our advantage.

2) We can run INSIDE or OUTSIDE zone out of either one or two back sets.

3) We can run READ zone to threaten the defense with option responsibilities.

4) We must utilize NAKEDS, PLAY ACTIONS, & REVERSES to control the flow of the defense.

“ZONE” Package

Inside Zone Philosophy

1) Inside Zone is our BASE run scheme. We can utilize this scheme ANYWHERE on the field!

2) Our Inside Zone scheme is DOWNHILL & PHYSICAL!

3) We want to THREATEN the defenses TECHNIQUES, to press the line of scrimmage!

4) It is imperative that we keep our SHOULDERS SQUARE, and hit the line of scrimmage BETWEEN the TACKLES!

1) PHYSICALLY block with ATTITUDE!!

2) PHYSICALLY MOVE the DT’s!! (Vertical & Lateral)

3) PHYSICALLY get SQUARE & VERTICAL!!

4) PHYSICALLY CUTOFF The BACKSIDE!!

5) PHYSICALLY hit the hole from TACKLE to TACKLE!

Inside Zone Mentality

Inside vs. Outside Visual Picture

Visual for INSIDE ZONE: (Splits: 2-3 ft. / Level: 2-3)

Visual for OUTSIDE ZONE:

1) Quarterback: Open @ 11:30, get mesh-point as deep as possible allowing HB room to make read & cut. Do not push HB off path. Naked away.

2) Halfback: Toes at 7 yards. Pre-snap landmark is the inside leg of the playside Tackle. Take a lateral step, crossover step, then plant & get downhill! Read the first block past the Center to “flash.” You get 1 cut to get vertical. Press the line of scrimmage before making your cut!

3) Wide Receivers: 0-7 hole = Flatpath for “PRS.” 8-9 hole = Block Corner.

Inside Zone QB / RB / WR

1) Offensive Line: Center – Playside Gap #0 / AP = Playside # Guards – Playside Gap #1 / AP = Playside # Tackles – Playside Gap #2 / AP = Playside #

2) Tight Ends: “Y” (Strong) – Playside Gap #3 / AP = Playside

# “U” (Weak) – Playside Gap #3 / AP = Playside

# “BOSS” Playside Gap #4 (strong)

Inside Zone OL & TE

Inside Zone Over – c2

T TE ESMW

SS

FS

CC 3 3

2 2

1 1

0

YQ

HF

XZ

Center ID: “Even Ram - M”

“Sting - S”“Scoop - W”

Inside Zone 34 – c4

Tp

E E SM

W

SS

FS CC

3 32 2

1 1

0

Center ID: “Okie - Pimp Scoop”

“Triple - M & S”

YQ

HU

XZ

Inside Zone Under – c3

T TE E SMW

SS

FS CC

3 3

2

21

1

0

* 4 *

Center ID: “Odd - Pimp”

“Slip - M”“Scoop - W”

YQ

HR

XZ

1) Quarterbacks: Have to have Arm.2) Running Backs: Have to have Agility & Vision.3) Wide Receivers: Have to have Speed & Hands.4) Offensive Linemen: Have to have a HEART!!!!!

Anyone can teach “WHO” to block… It takes a COACH to teach “HOW” to

block!

Inside Zone Linemen Can Be Built!!

Inside Zone Demand Technique

1) FIRST 2 STEPS: Lightning Fast! “Position” Step: No set depth or width. Have to get OL into POSITION to get their eyes on their

aiming point. “Power” Step: This is where the block is made. Must bring BACKSIDE KNEE through the DL’s

crotch. “Throw an Uppercut” to get pad under pad & lift defender up. Run your knees through the defender.

2) EYES through AIMING POINT: Playside Number (#).

3) LEVERAGE: Vertical: Pad under pad. Horizontal: Elbows inside.

4) STRAIN with BACKSIDE KNEE: ALL vertical power derived from BS Knee. Must maintain a square base.

5) Must keep SHOULDER’S SQUARE: Do not accept position blocking.

Inside Zone Leverage

1) Vertical Leverage: Pad under pad! Eyes Split the Jersey Numbers. Backside Knee under chin.

2) Horizontal Leverage: Elbows inside! Should not be able to see elbows from behind or in front.

3) Defense: Let offense get set, then place hands on OL’s shoulder pads. Kick feet back and apply great pressure to OL. Maintain pressure throughout drill.

Inside Zone Goal Line

1) 3-Point Start 3-point, balanced stance. Each OL must be able to play from a right & left handed

stance.

2) Explode into Leverage Fit Step directly to crotch. Drive backside knee from start

3) Defense: Alignment: Head up. Both sides are OL. Create Competition (Cage Matches).

Inside Zone Tight Reach

1) Inside Zone – Base Block / Covered Lineman Emphasize Footwork & Low, Square Pads. The OL’s position step must put the OL in a position to get his eyes on

the DL’s playside #. Eyes playside will threaten the technique of the DL and get him to literally turn & run back to their gap responsibility.

2) Coaching Points1) Position Step – Quick! Put OL in position to drive through PS #.2) Backside Knee & Elbow – Deliver blow down DL crotch / white line.3) Square Pad Level – Defender keeps OL pad level.4) Decent Base – Most DL are better athlete’s than OL. Must Run!!

3) Defense: Alignment: Straddle OL’s playside leg / white line. 4-Point Stance by DL will force OL to keep pad level down. You must

literally coach the DL as hard as the OL to force pad level.

Inside Zone Blade

1) Inside Zone - Combination Block – Level 1 Emphasizes tight fits for powerful double team. Beginning progression drill for combination blocks.

2) Coaching Points: Both OL must align 6 in. from vertical white line. 1st step for both OL must together & up field. OL must be connected @ Ankle / Knee / Hip / Shoulders! Outside arm free & “pumping.”

3) Defense: Alignment: Split white line / both OL. 4-Point stance & compete to split the OL.

Inside Zone Zone Blade

1) Inside Zone - Combination Block – Level 2 Emphasizes 2 & 3-man combination blocks. Secondary progression drill to practice DL & LB movement.

2) Coaching Points: Teach covered & uncovered OL principles (Same as Tight

Reach) Covered OL: Must attack square & aggressive with help inside. Uncovered OL: Check near knee of combination DL. Must

protect self vs. spike with depth. Depth is OK. Must stay square! Knee Away: Press vertical. Knee To: Overtake square. Grey Area: Punch across covered OL & press vertical.

Inside Zone Pods vs. Defense

1) Inside Zone - Combination Block – Level 3 Operate Zone Blades vs. full speed defensive players.

2) Coaching Points: Teach covered & uncovered OL principles (Same as Tight

Reach) Covered OL: Must attack square & aggressive with help inside. Uncovered OL: Check near knee of combination DL. Must

protect self vs. spike with depth. Must stay square! Knee Away: Press vertical. Knee To: Overtake square. Grey Area: Punch across covered OL & press vertical.

3) Defense: Alignment: Defensive coaches get work the looks they want.

Inside Zone Compliments

1) “CHOICE”: Run or Pass Option off of the Playside Alley Defender / Full

Zone

2) “G”: Playside “G” Scheme vs. 2 High Shell / “3 on 3” / Full Zone,

Wide Reach the Backside.

3) “ORBIT”: Full Flow / Orbit Motion WR to slow flow of the BSDE & LB’s.

4) “READ”: Option off Weak DE / Full Zone / Backside: Leave EMOL

Inside Zone Counters

1) “NAKED”: Zone Action with QB gaining perimeter AWAY from the play.

This allows us to attack fast flow defenses.

2) “BOOT”: Zone Action with QB gaining perimeter AWAY from the play

with an offensive lineman out lead blocking for him. This allows us to attack fast flow defense that may have an extra hit man in the backside alley.

3) “POCKET”: Zone Action with QB faking naked and setting up behind the

BSG/BST. This allows us to attack Safeties that are getting down too tight into the box.

Winona State Football

A.J. BlazekWinona State University

Warrior FootballPO Box 5838

Winona, MN 55987

Office: 507-457-5558Cell: 507-429-4288

ablazek@winona.edu