Evaluating the performance of offensive linemen in the nfl. No matter how big the engine is, it is not moving without the wheels. In a zone blocking scheme, fleetfootedness and athletic ability trump size as desirable qualities in offensive linemen. One of the key components of zone blocking involves combo blocks, where two linemen get movement on a defensive lineman, then one of the offensive linemen come. Alex gibbs zone blocking scheme in the mid 90s, alex gibbs put in a zone blocking scheme for the denver broncos. Those are just a few of the basic run concepts, and how linemen can use an array of skills to open holes for backs.
In todays fantasyobsessed football world, its easy to overlook the contributions of one position group. The reach block is common on run plays when the play calls for a guard to reach out and block an inside linebacker. Former offensive line coach alex gibbs created the zone blocking scheme zbs during his time with the denver broncos in the mid1990s. Clemson used to use this much more before chad morris arrived, and its an outside pull by the playside g or t to set up a slip. The next thing you need to study about the inside zone is offensive line steps and calling combination blocks. A gap blocking scheme involves the linemen blocking players in the gaps to either side of him. It is important for our offensive line to identify the difference between the defensive alignments something as simple as a 2i vs a 2 technique could signal a defensive stunt or blitz defensive alignment identification is critical in the run and pass game blocking schemes 6i 9 6 60. Offensive line blocking schemes and technique drills. The next time youre watching a game, keep your eye on the offensive line after the snap and see which type of blocking scheme the offensive line is executing. You cannot ask your linemen to pass block for too long.
Slide protection schemes and technique smart football. No longer is a center blocking back while a guard pulls to the front side. Gap blocking essentially is a hybrid of manangle and zone. The players involved, the opponents defensive strategy, the amount of time remaining before halftime or the end of the game, and the number of points needed to win the game. While the offenses for the broncos and seahawks were on opposite ends of the spectrum in super bowl xlviii in terms of style, both were rooted. Coach tom bass has been a 30year nfl coach, technical writer and advisor for usa football. Some teams employ double pulls, center pulls, cut blocks. Then we make the contact surface larger by using our forearms in conjunction with our shoulder. Quick guide to nfl tv graphics understand what the graphics on nfl television broadcasts mean and how they can help you get the most out of watching nfl games.
The whole point of the play is to block a defender where they are, and not have to move them. Dec 27, 2016 its too inform about the nuances of offensive line help and reiterate how confidence plays a huge role in the mindset of an offense lineman. An offensive lineman reaches for the next defender, meaning he doesnt block the opponent directly in front of him but moves for an opponent to either side. So the offensive line is responsible for the four dl and the mlb if he comes on a blitz. Instead, the linemen work in unison, beginning with the first step, a lateral step in the direction of the play. It is also a zone protection scheme in which each offensive linemen is responsible for blocking a specific gap. See where the players line up in pro footballs most common offensive and defensive formations. Offensive lines were having a very difficult time with all of the zone blitzing of 34 defenses, and the stunts of 43 defenses. The goal of the offense is, most generally, to score points. Blocking an important part of any offensive play is blocking. In fact, it can also be implemented into a 6, 7, 8 or 9man protection scheme. Understanding basic nfl offensive concepts new, 146 comments while the running game has very few concepts or components, the passing game has a lot of different components. If we are weaker on the offensive line we will tighten up our splits on pass plays.
Nfl pass protection is complicated, especially for young. Jul 25, 2014 while the offenses for the broncos and seahawks were on opposite ends of the spectrum in super bowl xlviii in terms of style, both were rooted in blocking scheme principals developed by alex gibbs. The legal variety is used within 3 yards of the line of scrimmage to slow the. Heres the lowdown on some of the most common block types in football.
The article goes on to explain that gases offense is more about finding ways to exploit matchups than it is defined by terms like zoneblocking scheme, but that is. May 21, 2015 a detailed look at differences in schemes for both the offensive line and the running backs as the redskins transition from zone blocking to power blocking. In a 5man blocking scheme, this is a 2on3 blocking scheme that can pick up the entire dl. The final run blocking schemes we show is zone blocking. It is an audible protection scheme versus blitz packages by the defense. Its too inform about the nuances of offensive line help and reiterate how confidence plays a huge role in the mindset of an offense lineman.
Unfortunately the reason so many kids hate playing on the oline is they are often put in nowin situations using techniques and schemes they have little or no chance succeeding with. The key to the full line protection scheme is canceling gaps. I found this excellent article that breaks it all down here. Many youth football offensive line coaches are still teaching shoulder blocks to their pee wee football players. Get our blocking diagrams to every defensive front steps and combos. Ranking the best offensive schemes bleacher report.
Jim mcnally is a former nfl offensive line coach and is also known as the zone blocking guru for his innovative. To be a good offensive line requires more than just discipline. Oct 07, 2011 so the offensive line is responsible for the four dl and the mlb if he comes on a blitz. Inside the playbook pass protection schemes maize n brew. Oct 30, 2012 falcons pat hill on difference between man and zone blocking in the offensive line.
Alex gibbs, the godfather of the modern zone blocking scheme. They block one play this way and another play that way. Regardless of the offense, most running plays can be categorized into one of three offensive line schemes. Atlanta also saw a similar transition, this time by bringing in the godfather of the zone blocking scheme, alex gibbs, whom many a defensive player can thank for a career or season ending lower leg injury.
Offensive line blocking techniques youth football online. The backs are each responsible for a side, with the fb taking the slb and the rb taking the wlb back on. Thus, i try to keep the rules and line calls simple, it will give your offensive line the chance to perfect there techniques and perform them in an aggressive manner. Simple blocking rules can take an offensive line a long way. Zone blocking is a technique that is a simple and effective scheme for creating lanes for running plays. The ultimate guide to inside zone blocking pro style spread. Six inch, 45 step playside, keeping toes pointed forward. Mar 31, 2005 houston hired joe pendry as offensive line coach and installed a zone blocking scheme for domanick davis between 2003 and 2004. This run blocking scheme is widely used in all aspects on the offensive side of football in todays game. Each offensive lineman to the call side is responsible for blocking a specific gap. In 2016, we originally wrote a football 101 breakdown of the zone blocking scheme. Inside look at the nfls most popular run blocking concepts. It is crucial the offensive linemen to the call side maintain the.
The center will make the call and the guards will echo the call. Waggle drill the offensive line waggle drill works on the proper pulling technique and path for the playside and the backside guard on the waggle play. Jul 14, 2018 in the image above, we show what blocking would like like when running a counter play to weak side of the offensive line. Well, nfl network analyst and former pro bowl center shaun ohara is. Alex gibbs, the godfather of the modern zone blocking. Notice here that the og and the oc can work together to pick up the nt and either the mlb or the wlb. Now, before you get too comfortable, there is a third option the gap blocking scheme. This is where offensive players get in the way of defensive players to prevent them from tackling the player with the ball. Offensive linemen practice plan the one pager coaching. Run blocking and pass protection are two of the most important yet unheralded skills of championship football. Some teams employ double pulls, center pulls, cut blocks and on option plays. The offensive line blocking schemes and technique drills are used to work on blocking schemes and techniques.
Understanding basic nfl offensive concepts new, 146 comments while the running game has very few concepts or components, the passing game has. Your scheme will typically determine your blocking rules. Mar 29, 2018 in this way, we can group eight inside running plays all with the same blocking assignments for the offensive line at the side of the attack. In order to accomplish this goal, coaches and players plan and execute plays based on a variety of factors.
Full line slide protection is used primarily with threestep drop passing game. We like to pick team captains from the ranks of the offensive line. Waggle drill the offensive line waggle drill works on the proper pulling technique and path for the playside and the backside guard on. Aside from zone schemes run blocking is basically driving the guy across from you off the line while pass blocking. Most of our blocking schemes use the shoulder as the primary contact surface. May 31, 2018 in 2016, we originally wrote a football 101 breakdown of the zone blocking scheme. Offensive line drills how to teach zone blocking with the sled. Too many people believe the offensive line is a passive position. Offensive line blocking schemes free download as pdf file. Aug 31, 2018 many youth football offensive line coaches are still teaching shoulder blocks to their pee wee football players. Offensive line run blocking drills football drills. Differences between the zone and power running schemes the. In the image above, we show what blocking would like like when running a counter play to weak side of the offensive line. Later, we can add a 2425 halfback dive cross, where the tackle and guard cross block with the tackle first.
In a zone blocking scheme the lineman have a direction to block and hit the first guy that come into their zone, then the running back picks a hole to hit. The easiest way to recognize zbs is that it will move. In this weeks class we will try to explain zone blocking by the offense and why it has become a common scheme used to run the football. Well, nfl network analyst and former pro bowl center shaun ohara is here. It is important for our offensive line to identify the difference between the defensive alignments something as simple as a 2i vs a 2 technique could signal a defensive stunt or blitz defensive alignment identification is critical in the run and pass game blocking schemes 15. It is called slide protection but not a full slide. Make certain that as many blocking drills as possible last 8 seconds so your blockers get used to sustaining blocks until. Ranking all 32 nfl offensive lines following the 2019. The entire offensive line slides down the line of scrimmage a coordinated effort by the line. Nov 15, 20 notice here that the og and the oc can work together to pick up the nt and either the mlb or the wlb. The offensive line, paired with scheme, was a big part of that problem.
Half of the line slides for zone blocking again usually to the backside and the other half is b. A detailed look at differences in schemes for both the offensive line and the running backs as the redskins transition from zone blocking to power blocking. The offensive line wants to build off the excellent run blocking it displayed last year once lamar jackson became the starting quarterback, and everybody is back with four of five starting spots. Its my thought that one pass protection scheme can be used for both 3 and 5 step drop back and play action schemes. Without a great offensive line no matter what offensive is run it will not be effective. Offensive line philosophy we are the most important position on the field. Jun 17, 2016 former offensive line coach alex gibbs created the zone blocking scheme zbs during his time with the denver broncos in the mid1990s. The ultimate guide to inside zone blocking pro style. Given the lack of tangible statistics for offensive linemen, the majority of football analysts have had the same difficulty that advanced football analytics has had in evaluating the performance of an individual offensive lineman. This is pretty basic, the offensive line protects the quarterback on passing plays. This offseason, however, i received requests to explain the scheme again. The larger the blocking surface, the harder it is for the. The ultimate guide to inside zone blocking share tweet buffer print email.
Differences between the zone and power running schemes. Football blocking drills archives football tutorials. Teams have way too many running plays with varying blocking schemes in their offenses. This is more than just standing in the way, this involves fast feet, strong punching and quick recognition. Aside from zone schemes run blocking is basically driving the guy across from you off the line while pass blocking the lineman drop back to form the pocket around the quarterback.
Mar 09, 2015 5 man pass protection when we talk 5 man protection these are the basic concepts that are critical for our offensive line to understand theyre critical for the quarterback to understand and also. Zone schemes vary in one huge aspect from most traditional run plays. Dec 05, 2017 in todays fantasyobsessed football world, its easy to overlook the contributions of one position group. One unit that plays together, bleeds together and works 247 together we will block until the whistle blows know your assignment 100% of the. Master 11 basic offensive line techniques and fundamentals with coach steven ciocci, who was the offensive line coach at pace university. Unfortunately the reason so many kids hate playing on the o line is they are often put in nowin situations using techniques and schemes they have little or no chance succeeding with. Knowing one type of american football block from another can help you impress a diehard fan or want to play on the offensive line. Jun 09, 2016 the article goes on to explain that gases offense is more about finding ways to exploit matchups than it is defined by terms like zone blocking scheme, but that is for another post some other time. Blockers may not hold onto defensive players making this a difficult task.
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