• Defensive Keys and Run Fits vs Inside Zone


    Before going any further I would like to cover the defense’s reaction to the different types of blocks seen in the zone scheme. You will also notice I did not cover the interior of the Odd Stack Front (linemen and linebackers), this is because in this defense the down linemen slant on every play and depending on the gap assigned to the down linemen the linebacker will fill the next gap opposite of the lineman’s slant.

    Nose Guard

    Scoop and Reach Block:

    The nose guard must flatten the center down the line of scrimmage. This makes it very difficult for the center to get to the linebacker. The nose guard should grab cloth and squeeze the center through the play side A-gap for two steps, use a pull/rip technique to shed the center which will disrupt the center’s path to the inside linebacker. It will also make it challenging for the offensive guard to get in position to block the nose guard.

    Defensive Tackle

    Outside Reach block:

    After the initial step with his inside foot, the tackle should widen with his outside foot and press the line of scrimmage with his inside foot. Pressing with his inside foot will keep his shoulders square. Pressing the line of scrimmage will also turn the guard’s body perpendicular to the line of scrimmage. If the guard does get his helmet to the tackles outside shoulder, the tackle must press the press the guard’s body into the B-gap. This will close the B-gap with the guard’s body and is equally effective in controlling the B-gap. By knocking the guard backward, it will force the ball carrier deep and wide or force him to cut back deep in the backfield. The tackle should then lock his arms out, creating separation, and disengage to pursue the ball carrier.

    Inside Reach/Scoop Block:

    The defensive tackle uses the same initial fundamentals as when he is taking on a base block. As the tackle attacks and reads the offensive guard taking an inside release to the linebacker or inside shoulder, the tackle should adjust his course inside to put him in position to jam and squeeze the guard into the A-gap. The tackle’s goal is to keep the guard on the line of scrimmage for two steps, closing the A-gap with the guard’s body. After two steps, the tackle should disengage with a pull/rip technique and pursue the ball carrier. At the very least, the tackle should maintain the line of scrimmage and disrupt the guard’s path to the linebacker. Squeezing the guard will also keep the tackle’s body away from the offensive tackle.

    Combo Block:

    The defensive tackle should fight to stay on his feet and should stay low so that he doesn’t get knocked off the line of scrimmage. He needs to fight to keep his body square to the line of scrimmage. The defensive tackle must defeat the guard’s block first. He should fight the secondary blocker’s pressure. When the secondary blocker slips off to block the linebacker, the defensive tackle should throw his body into his gap responsibility.

    Defensive End

    Base Block:

    The defensive end should attack the offensive tackle by stepping first with his inside foot, maintain a low pad level and explode under the pads of the blocker. As he makes contact with the blocker, he should deliver a hand shiver up through the blocker’s breastplates. The end should grab cloth and lock his arms out, creating separation and keeping his head in his gap. He should then disengage and pursue the football. If the ball goes away from the end, he should squeeze the blocker, clear a reverse or bootleg, and then disengage from the blocker to pursue the ball carrier.

    Combo Block:

    The defensive end should fight to stay on his feet. He should stay low and stay on the line of scrimmage. The defensive end needs to fight the secondary blocker’s pressure and keep square on the line of scrimmage. When the blocker slips off the defensive end to block the linebacker, the defensive end should throw his body into his gap.

    Veer Release:

    When a defensive end recognizes a veer release (inside release) by the offensive tackle, the defensive end should squeeze the offensive tackle, disrupting his path to the inside linebacker. He should then continue to squeeze and close the B-gap. The inside linebacker will replace the defensive end in the C-gap.

    As the defensive end closes inside, his eyes should immediately go to the first threat to block him (a near back), then to the second threat (the front-side guard). The defensive end’s third and most likely blocking threat is the back-side guard, who will pull and execute a trap block on the defensive end. Whichever blocker comes for the defensive end, the end should continue to flatten inside and spill the play by attacking the inside two thirds of the blocker. This will force the ball carrier to spill to the outside, where a linebacker should be in the C-gap.

    If the defensive end does not see a lead or trap block he will not squeeze and close hard inside versus a veer block by the offensive tackle. He will close and constrict the B-gap, but he does so with his shoulders staying square to the line of scrimmage. By not turning his shoulders, he is able to keep in position to react to the bootleg or reverse and to take the quarterback versus an option play.

    Rush End/Bandit

    Base Block:

    The rush end/bandit should attack the tight end by stepping first with his outside foot. When in a two-point stance, a rush end/bandit will snap into the base block after he reads the blockers intent. He must maintain a low pad level and explode under the pads of the blocker. As he makes contact with the blocker, he should deliver a hand shiver up through the blocker’s breastplates. The rush end/bandit should grab cloth and lock his arms out, creating separation and keeping his head in his gap. He should then disengage and pursue the football. If the ball goes away from the rush end/bandit, he should squeeze the blocker, clear a reverse or bootleg, and then disengage from the blocker to pursue the ball carrier.

    Veer Release:

    Because the rush end/bandit aligns next to a 3-technique defensive tackle, the rush end does not squeeze and close hard versus a veer block by the offensive tackle. The rush end does close and constrict the C-gap, but he does so with his shoulders staying square to the line of scrimmage. He does not turn his shoulders, which keeps him in position to react to the bootleg or reverse and to take the quarterback versus an option play.

    Strong Safety in an Even or Odd Stack Front or Sam Linebacker in an Odd Front

    Versus any inside zone play when the tight end is attempting to execute a base block on this defender, he should attack the tight end with leverage and a wide base. After stopping the tight end’s initial charge, he should lock his arms out, creating separation from the tight end and squeeze the C-gap while maintaining outside leverage on the ball carrier. He needs to be in position to make the tackle if the ball carrier bounces outside.

    Will Linebacker in an Odd Front

    As the Will linebacker reads the offensive guard stepping inside on a scoop course, he should press the A-gap and take on the guard with his inside arm.

    Will Linebacker in an Even Front

    As the Will linebacker reads the offensive guard taking a flat zone step, he should step and stack behind the defensive tackle or nose guard and be prepared to react to the ball carrier on a potential cutback.

    Will Linebacker in an Even Stack Front

    As the Will linebacker reads the guard on his flat zone step he should shuffle two steps towards the play drawing the offensive tackle’s block then come back outside and protect the C-gap against split flow. Versus full flow the Will linebacker should shuffle to the ball, staying on the back hip of the ball carrier and keep his outside arm free. If the ball carrier cuts all the way back behind the defensive end, the Will linebacker is responsible for containing and tackling the ball carrier.

    Inside Linebacker in an Odd Front

    As the Inside linebacker reads the offensive guard attempting to execute a reach block, he should shuffle, stun the guard, and control the B-gap, keeping his outside arm free.

    Inside Linebacker in an Even Front

    The inside linebacker will read the offensive guard attacking the defensive tackle, when this occurs he should stack behind the defensive tackle and be ready to shuffle back into the A-gap anticipating a cutback.

    Mike Linebacker in an Even Stack Front

    The Mike linebacker should stack behind the defensive tackle and be ready to shuffle back into the A-gap, anticipating a cutback.

    Sam Linebacker in an Even Stack Front

    As the Sam linebacker reads the offensive tackle attempting to execute a reach block, he should shuffle, stun the tackle, and control the C-gap, keeping his outside arm free.


    Weak Safety in an Even or Odd Stack Front

    He will read the offensive tackle taking a flat release inside, he should shuffle toward the ball, maintaining an inside-out relationship on the ball carrier. This will put him in position to make the tackle if the ball carrier does cut back. He also has to be aware of a possible bootleg pass/quarterback run.

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