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| May 2004 | Zone Read
Zone Read
Upper Iowa University's
Chris Hutchings
Running Backs Coach,
Upper Iowa University
The
theory behind the Zone Read Play:
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Simple in its’ scheme
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Can be run to the TE or SE side
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Can be used out of a one or two back set
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May be run out of a variety of formations
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Offensive line does not need to be overpowering to be effective
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Can be used easily in play action pass game
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Allows coaches to control unblocked backside defensive end
The Zone Play, whether it is inside or outside, is a front side gap scheme. The
advantage of the zone blocking scheme, compared to man blocking schemes, is that
it gives the offensive line a way to handle a tough defender and it eliminates
one-on-one match ups for your linemen. When possible, we work this as a two-man
scheme. This allows our linemen to come off of the ball and be aggressive. Since
the linemen are working in pairs, the only thing they need be concerned with
is: 1. Am I covered or uncovered? and 2. Am I on the front side or backside?
The basic premise behind working in pairs is it allows us to work to gain outside
leverage on the down defenders, while giving us clear alleys to the second level
defenders. We always attempt to secure the down defender first while we try to
get the second level defenders to the ground in order to eliminate pursuit. (See
Diagram 1.)
Diagram 1. Zone Combo Blocks
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The inherent problem with running the inside zone play from a
one back set is that all of the defenders on the line of scrimmage
are not blocked. When running
the zone play out of a two back set, this man can be controlled by the second
back or a combination of the back and the offensive line. Most teams in a one-back
set will attempt to control the backside defensive end with some sort of naked
fake or naked run by the quarterback.
Diagram 2. Backfield Alignment
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Coaches were finding that it was a guessing game trying to determine if the
backside end was going to close down every time on the inside zone play or
if he was indeed
going to respect the quarterback as a possible threat. The Zone Read has taken
the guessing game out of the play and has given teams a viable way to control
the un-blocked man in the zone scheme. (See Diagram 2.)
Diagram 3. 42 Zone Read
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The quarterback in the shotgun formation should be aligned with his heels at
five and a half yards from the football. The running back should be aligned
with his heels at 5 yards deep in the B Gap to the opposite side he will be
running
the ball. Example: If you want the Zone Read to be run to the right side, the
running back should be aligned to the left of the quarterback and vice versa.
This alignment will put the back just a little in front of the quarterback.
It is important to note that the depth we set for both the quarterback and
the running
back are what we have found works well for us. You may want to experiment with
the depth of the quarterback and the running back depending on your personnel
and what works well with your players. This alignment is a general rule of
thumb and will vary slightly depending on what other plays that you will be
running
from this backfield set. (See Diagram 3.) Quarterback Technique in the Zone Read
Many of you will find that the technique employed by the Quarterback
and Running Back on this play is very similar to the technique
used in the triple option
scheme. The most important thing for the quarterback is to secure the snap.
In the event of a bad snap the read is automatically off and he is left with
two
choices, either make sure of the handoff with the back and execute a naked
bootleg, or, keep the ball himself and follow the zone blocking and try and
get positive
yards. The running back is not to start on his path until the snap is completed.
Once the quarterback has secured the snap he will take a short step at a
45-degree angle to the side of the running back. He must step forward while
extending
the football, “reach and ride”. The ride portion of the play is the time
in which the ball is in the belly of the running back and the quarterback is
making his read. The quarterback should not “ride” the running back
past his belt buckle. The farther he comes past his belt buckle the greater the
chance of a fumble. The quarterbacks’ thought process on this particular
play is give, give, give, unless the defensive end closes down flat to take
the running back.
Diagram 4. Two off of the weak side edge
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Defenses will make several adjustments in order to counter this play. One
of the most widely used is wrapping the linebacker outside the defensive
end,
essentially bringing an extra man off of the edge. If that extra man is a
defender out of
the front, the quarterback needs to know that this situation dictates that
the play is an automatic give to the running back. (See Diagram 4.)
The running backs – in taking the handoff – will soft fold over the
ball until he feels the quarterback press the ball against his stomach. It is
the quarterbacks’ job, if he decides to give the football, to slide
out the hand that is on the running backs belly and push the ball in his
stomach
with his outside hand. Make no doubt in the running backs mind that you
are giving him the football.
Running Back Footwork
The running back footwork on the zone read play begins with the running
back pivoting on the foot that is the closest to the quarterback. This
pivot is
nothing more than a position step. The second step for the running back
will be with
his outside foot. This step is at a 45-degree angle, which takes the running
back in front of the quarterback. The third step is at approximately a
30-degree angle. This step works to get the running backs’ shoulders
parallel with the line of scrimmage, so that on his fourth step he is square
and is
able
to see and make the cutback. The inside zone read will many times be a
cutback run.
Adding a Pitch Back with Orbit Motion
Diagram 5. Orbit Motion
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The use of “Orbit Motion” will allow a receiver to quickly
go in motion and give the offense the threat of a pitch back if the quarterback
makes
the decision to keep the ball on his zone read. It is important for both
the quarterback and receiver to properly time the motion so that the
back is in
the ideal position to maintain a proper pitch relationship with the quarterback.
Once the quarterback has decided to keep the ball, he must attack downhill
and
be ready to pitch off of the next color that shows. We like to have our
pitch
backs out in front of the quarterback, almost to the point that it is
a forward pitch behind the LOS. (See Diagram 5.)
Running back/quarterback: practice time
It is a necessity to drill the running backs on this footwork individually
as well as incorporating some read drills with the quarterbacks. If you are,
or
at some point in time were, a triple option player this drill will be very
familiar to you. This drill is a fundamental part of learning and teaching
the zone read.
It is a very simple drill to set up and it allows for a maximum number of
repetitions in a short amount of time. This is an excellent drill to hone
the quarterbacks
read and the running backs technique out of the one back shotgun set.
Quarterback Zone Read Drill
Diagram 6. Read Drill
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The Quarterback Zone Read Drill is designed to give the quarterback and the
running back a large number of repetitions in a short amount of time with
the zone read
play. This drill is very simple to implement and carry out. It can be managed
by only one coach or can be expanded to include both the running backs and
quarterbacks coaches.
The starting point for the quarterback read drill is to simply place two
defenders as defensive ends at their proper width from the center. Either
the quarterbacks
or running backs can play the defensive ends. One quarterback must be on
a knee to snap the football. (See Diagram 6.)
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With this drill set up, it is possible to run one repetition directly after the
other. It is the job of the quarterbacks coach to face the drill and watch the
eyes of the quarterback to ensure that his focus is on the read defender and
that he is not guessing with his read. The QB coach standing on the defensive
side of the ball can also signal the back to make and practice cutback runs.
It is the job of the running back coach to stand behind the backfield to direct
the drill and to control the read player. The running backs coach must focus
on the backs footwork and be aware of the QB/RB mesh point. Remember: No Footballs
on the ground!
About the author
Chris Hutchings
Coach Hutchings just completed his first season at Upper Iowa University as the
running backs coach. Coach Hutchings was the offensive coordinator at Highland
Community College and coached the wide receivers.
Prior to Highland Community
College, Hutchings was an assistant football coach at Greencastle High School
from 1991-98 and served as the defensive coordinator in 1997.Hutchings received
his bachelor degree from Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Ind. |
