1. SWANTON FOOTBALL OFFENSIVE LINE MEETING
May
ZONE OFFENSE
INTRODUCTION TO ZONE BLOCKING

2. SWANTON FOOTBALL OFFENSIVE LINE MEETING
May
"On every team, there is a core group that sets the tone for everyone else. If the tone is positive, you have half the battle won. If it is negative, you are beaten before you even walk out on the field".
- Chuck Noll
4 time Superbowl Champion
INTRODUCTION TO ZONE BLOCKING

3. SWANTON FOOTBALL OFFENSIVE LINE MEETING
May
What is Zone Blocking?
Zone blocking is a style of blocking that allows for those blocking to block an area and not be specifically tied to a particular defender.
Two or three players work in unison to block an area for the ball carrier, rather than working alone.
INTRODUCTION TO ZONE BLOCKING

4. SWANTON FOOTBALL OFFENSIVE LINE MEETING
Why the Zone Offense?
May
Great for teams with low numbers on the offensive line
Very little adjustments need to be made week to week
Less pulling and individual blocks, more combo blocks= better execution in the 4th quarter
The chemistry of the line is more important than the scheme
The Zone play is an attitude play, if you do your job, we will never have runs for negative yardage
Puts the fate of the game in the hands of the Offensive Lineman
INTRODUCTION TO ZONE BLOCKING

5. SWANTON FOOTBALL OFFENSIVE LINE MEETING
Some of the teams that run the Zone scheme well:
SWANTON FOOTBALL OFFENSIVE LINE MEETING
May
COLLEGES:
University of Toledo
( good example of what we’re doing)
West Virginia
Ohio State
Michigan
U.S.C.
N.F.L.:
Indianapolis Colts
Denver Broncos
Pittsburgh Steelers
Washington Redskins
Minnesota Vikings
Carolina Panthers
Houston Texans
than the scheme
The Zone play is an attitude play, if you do your job, we will never
INTRODUCTION TO ZONE BLOCKING

6. SWANTON FOOTBALL OFFENSIVE LINE MEETING
May
First Two Steps
The initial movement of the lineman begins with two steps. If a lineman is covered, there is a lead step and a gather step
If a lineman is uncovered, there is a lateral step (gaining ground) and a gather step
INTRODUCTION TO ZONE BLOCKING

7. SWANTON FOOTBALL OFFENSIVE LINE MEETING
May
Gap Responsibility TE T G C G T TE
Play Direction
INTRODUCTION TO ZONE BLOCKING

8. SWANTON FOOTBALL OFFENSIVE LINE MEETING
May
DL Inside Technique (1)
Come off the ball with a lead step then the inside foot to the outside # Do not allow penetration. 12
One hand punch until help
From the inside gets there.
This DL technique rarely
Will come across to the
Outside gap, so you will
probably be working up to level 2.
Play Direction
INTRODUCTION TO ZONE BLOCKING

9. SWANTON FOOTBALL OFFENSIVE LINE MEETING
May
DL Head Up Technique(2)
Step is straight ahead with the
Outside foot at the outside #. 12
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.
Play Direction
INTRODUCTION TO ZONE BLOCKING

10. SWANTON FOOTBALL OFFENSIVE LINE MEETING
May
DL Outside Technique (3) 12
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 #.
Play Direction
INTRODUCTION TO ZONE BLOCKING

11. SWANTON FOOTBALL OFFENSIVE LINE MEETING
May
Play-side Combo Calls
“Greg” call by the Guard for the Center to combo with him. The call is made if there is a 2 or 1 technique.
“Tom” call by the Tackle for the Guard to combo with him. (If DL is head up or inside Tackle)
“TEd” call by the Tight End for the Tackle to combo with him. (if DL is head up or inside Tight End)
Solo is a call made when no combo is needed (i.e. D.E. outside of Tight End)
All play-side Calls are Names
INTRODUCTION TO ZONE BLOCKING

12. SWANTON FOOTBALL OFFENSIVE LINE MEETING
May
Backside Combo Calls
“Carolina” call from Center to BSG to give Center help on the shaded DL or head up DL
“Georgia” call from BSG to BST
“Texas” Call from BST to BSE or U-Back
All Backside Calls are States
INTRODUCTION TO ZONE BLOCKING

13. SWANTON FOOTBALL OFFENSIVE LINE MEETING
May
Other Calls
DART- Call made when play calls for blocker to “Dip And Rip Through” the head up or shaded defender to allow a trap / kick out or read (i.e. backside T.E. on zone read vs. outside D.E.)
You must use dummy calls every play
INTRODUCTION TO ZONE BLOCKING

14. SWANTON FOOTBALL OFFENSIVE LINE MEETING
May
12-Deuce- Zone Right Calls vs. 5-2
“Dart”
“Solo”
“Carolina”
“Tom”
“Solo”
Play Direction
INTRODUCTION TO ZONE BLOCKING

15. SWANTON FOOTBALL OFFENSIVE LINE MEETING
May
12-Deuce- Zone Right Calls vs. 6-1
“Solo”
“Solo”
“Greg”
“Dart”
“Solo”
“Solo”
Play Direction
INTRODUCTION TO ZONE BLOCKING

16. SWANTON FOOTBALL OFFENSIVE LINE MEETING
May
11-Deuce- Zone Right Calls vs. 5-2
“Dart”
“Carolina”
“Tom”
“Solo”
Play Direction
INTRODUCTION TO ZONE BLOCKING

17. SWANTON FOOTBALL OFFENSIVE LINE MEETING
May
Zone Right Calls vs. 3-3
“DART”
“Carolina”
“Tom”
“Solo”
Play Direction
INTRODUCTION TO ZONE BLOCKING

18. SWANTON FOOTBALL OFFENSIVE LINE MEETING
May
Zone Right Calls vs. 4-3
“Dart”
“Georgia”
“Greg”
“Ted”
Play Direction
INTRODUCTION TO ZONE BLOCKING

19. SWANTON FOOTBALL OFFENSIVE LINE MEETING
May
Zone Right Calls vs. 4-4
“Greg”
“Georgia”
“Ted”
Play Direction
INTRODUCTION TO ZONE BLOCKING

20. B N T Play Direction 44 Zone
- Both G's use 6-inch Lateral (gaining ground)
And one arm bench press on the near #
- Head should be on the defender’s bicep to
Keep eyes open for LB
Both G's execute Lateral, and climb to LB
when down defender goes away
44 Zone
Play Direction

21. SWANTON FOOTBALL OFFENSIVE LINE MEETING
Who is covered ?
SWANTON FOOTBALL OFFENSIVE LINE MEETING
May
INTRODUCTION TO ZONE BLOCKING

22. Zone Left, Who are you working with ?

23. Zone Right, Who are you working with ?

24. Zone Right, Who are you working with ?

25. Zone Right, Who are you working with ?

26. Zone Right, Who are you working with ?

27. 2nd Step should always gain ground
Combo Landmarks 12 C G T
G: Landmark inside #
T: Landmark outside #
2nd Step should always gain ground

28. Combo Blocks 12 G T
G: Landmark inside #
T: Landmark outside #

29. Uncovered Backside Tackle (No Georgia Call from BSG) = Dart
Linebacker
DE moves away from play.
LB becomes most dangerous.
Tackle
Play Direction

30. Uncovered Backside Tackle (No Georgia Call from BSG) = Solo
Step with near foot to
Stop penetration, then
Block most dangerous
Man in your area
DE slants to play
2. DE becomes most dangerous.
3. Drive DE up the field with your
head on the play-side
Play Direction

31. What TB is reading on Zone :
1st DL past Center (shade does not count).
Do not be concerned with 2nd level defenders but keep eyes open for them as you combo block
Driving the DL into 2nd level causes creases to open for the ball carrier

32. What TB is reading on 24 Zone :F LB LB S C C DT NG DT DE DE C X T G G T Y Z U QB B

33. The Basics: DETERMINE WHETHER YOU ARE COVERED OR UNCOVERED:
If you are UNCOVERED – ZONE WITH YOUR TEAMMATE TO PLAYSIDE.
If you are COVERED, look at your teammate to the inside
If inside teammate is UNCOVERED, zone with him (he will combo with you to LB)
If inside teammate is COVERED, solo block (no help from him)
KNOW YOUR CALLS:
All back side combo calls are states
All play side calls are names
Once you come to the line, if you are covered, look backside and if your teammate is uncovered make the appropriate call
PLAY CALLING SEQUENCE:
Formation – Motion (if any)- Ball Carrier – Hole Number – Blocking Scheme / Play
EXAMPLE: Deuce 23 Zone
If you do not hear Zone , you will either Red, White, or Blue block according to the defense
The only exception to this rule is if the play is a SWEEP (i.e. 28 Jet Sweep)

34. Common Questions on Zone Play:
When do I come off the double team to the Linebacker ?
Do not worry about the linebacker unless he is directly head up on you. As you are combo blocking with your teammate, when the linebacker invades your personal space (2-3 feet) is when you would come off and get your hands on his near number and drive him backwards.
When do I stop chasing the Defensive Lineman if he slants away from me ?
If the defensive lineman slants away from you into the backside gap (for example, you’re a O-T and the D-Lineman slants into the B gap), you would NOT chase him. If the defensive lineman slants into your gap , you will stay on him trying to keep your shoulders as square to the line of scrimmage as possible.
If I am uncovered, and my teammate to the play-side is covered, and the D.L. on him slants into the gap away from me, what do I do?
Keep your eyes open for a stunt. If no stunt, you would then continue on your tracks, protecting your gap while keeping an eye on the linebacker. Remember in every solid defense, some defender is responsible for every gap.
Where should I line up ?
We are going to line up as far off the ball as legally possible. Your helmet should be parallel to the center’s hip. If you are covered, you may put a little weight on your hands in your stance. Splits are 18 inches

35. Lineman Eye Progression:
If you are confused on your assignment when, use this simple progression: 3
1. Man (Imaginary 2x2 box in front of you)
2. Near knee of next down defender (to the play-side)
-If it comes near you, its going in your gap
and will be your responsibility
- If it goes away from you, into another gap,
then it is your teammate's 1 2
3. Linebacker
Remember: every sound defense has someone
responsible for each gap, if the next down defender
goes into a gap away from you, the LB probably has
your gap
Play Direction

36. 2008 Zone Plays: 23/33/24/34 Zone Zone Nose (Center lets Noseguard go)
All of these will be using the same zone blocking scheme (nothing changes for you morons):
23/33/24/34 Zone
Zone Nose (Center lets Noseguard go)
Zone Tackle (Backside Tackle lets DT go)
Zone End (Backside End/Wing lets DE go)
Zone Iso
Zone Read
Zone Option

37. 24 Zone FS LB CB LB LB CB DE DT NG DT DE C BST BSG G T Y X H QB J B
RB Read 2 LB CB LB LB CB
RB Read 1 DE DT NG DT DE C
BST
BSG G T Y X H QB J B

38. Gun Zone Option Right FS LB CB LB LB CB DE DT NG DT DE C BST BSG G T Y
RB Read 2 LB CB LB LB CB
RB Read 1 DE DT NG DT DE C
BST
BSG G T Y X J S QB B

39. Gun Jet 24 Zone FS SS LB CB LB CB DE DT NG DT DE C BST BSG G T Y X J S
RB Read 2 SS LB CB LB CB
RB Read 1 DE DT NG DT DE C
BST
BSG G T Y X J S QB B

40. Gun 24 Zone Iso FS LB CB LB LB SS CB DE DT NG DT C BST BSG G T Y X S
RB Read 2 LB CB LB LB SS CB
RB Read 1 DE DT NG DT C
BST
BSG G T Y X S QB B H

41. Special Thanks To: Kory Allen, University of Findlay
Kevin Boyd, Mantiboa H.S.
Keith Grabowski, Lakeside H.S.
Paul Schudel, Albion College
Nick Tabacca, Defiance College