The Drills Report - Zone Blocking: Run Game Drills

by: Ken Wilmesherr
Offensive Line Coach, Grossmont College
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In this article we will cover some of the drills we use to develop our offensive linemen for the run game. Drills are where you develop your offensive linemen into playmakers. It’s difficult to teach technique and fundamentals during team practice. Instead, in team you should see your drills being put into use.

Here are seven important points when teaching drills:
1. Teach a handful of drills.
2. Teach the fundamentals (‘Fundamentals Wins Games’).
3. Rep everything and get as many reps as possible but remember attention to detail. Repetition must be accepted as a way of life for an offensive lineman.
4. The drills you teach must transfer to the game.
5. It is important you coach the defenders in your drills.
6. Demand great effort from your players.
7. Your players must finish. Teach it. Coach it. Demand it.

The following is an overview of some offensive line drills you can do every day to work uncovered and covered steps for inside and outside zone as well as your overall run game:

A. Duck Walk Demeanor (See Diagram 1)
The purpose of the Duck Walk Demeanor drill is to teach linemen to maintain a wide base. They sink their hips and keep their weight distributed through the insteps of their feet. The feet will be slightly toed which will help them maintain their balance. They push off the insteps of their feet and take short power steps (toe to instep) while pumping their arms. Each lineman will duck walk for ten yards while maintaining the proper demeanor.

Diagram 1: Duck Walk Demeanor

Place four linemen on a line. I believe it is important to have linemen work drills on lines for reference and visual landmarks. Each lineman will start in the proper duck walk demeanor (hands are not to be placed on the tight boards) with a slight arch in the back, a wide base (feet are shoulder width apart), knees bent, feet are flat on the ground and slightly toed in with the weight on the insteps of the feet.

Give a snap count and have them duck walk for ten yards maintaining the proper demeanor while pumping the arms. This drill teaches offensive linemen to have explosive footwork (toe to instep), body position and body balance in the running game (run blocking demeanor). Weight is distributed on the insteps of the feet with the O-linemen taking power steps while driving their feet into the ground. The feet need to be explosive while driving off each step.

B. Zone Read Drill (See Diagrams 2A-2C)
The objective of this drill is to teach offensive linemen all the components of executing the zone block (inside and outside). Both the down defender and the second level defender hold a hand shield. The covered lineman will execute covered steps and one arm bench his inside arm through the outside half of the hand shield while keeping his outside hand free. If the down defender goes away he will work to the second level defender. The uncovered lineman will execute uncovered steps while reading the hips of the down defender (hand shield). If the hip comes to him, then he will take over the block. If the hip goes away, then he will work to the second level defender. The linemen practice making all their calls during this drill. The first two steps and hand placement are very important. The aiming point is the call-side armpit of the down defender. The offensive linemen must anticipate stunts and blitzes but never guess.

Diagram 2A-2C

C. Zone Drill Without A Second Level Defender (See Diagrams 3A-3C)
The objective of this drill is to teach offensive linemen to block a first level defender when executing the zone block (inside and outside). The down defender holds a hand shield. The covered lineman will execute covered steps and one arm bench his inside arm through the outside half of the hand shield while keeping his outside hand free. The uncovered lineman will execute uncovered steps maintaining leverage on the down defender.

Remember, down defenders make tackles for losses. Second level defenders make tackles. Block the first level first!

Diagram 3A-3B

D. Run Blocking Progression Chutes (See Diagrams 4 and 5)
The objective of the boards and chute drill is to work on all steps and components of zone blocking. The boards help linemen develop a good base. The chutes help linemen to keep their shoulders (pad leverage) down (power producing angles) as well as maintain hand leverage. Here are the steps to the drill:

1. One step: Off set, bucket step (set to reach) with an angle of departure at 45 degrees (use towels as visual landmark).

2. One step: 6-inch lateral jab (set to drive) step using towels as visual landmark.

3. Two step: Punch (load guns, deliver a blow up and through the defender).

4. Drive block: down the boards.

5. Finish.

Diagram 4: Run Blocking Progression Chutes-Covered Steps

Diagram 5: Run Blocking Progression Chutes-Uncovered Steps

I hope this series on zone blocking has been helpful for you. If you have any questions please e-mail me at kwilmesh@cox.net.

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Ken Wilmesherr is in his second season as Grossmont College’s offensive line coach. He previously coached at Southwestern College where he spent two seasons as the O-Line coach and one as the D-Line coach. Having 25 years of coaching experience at both the high school and college level, Wilmesherr received a Bachelor's Degree from Chapman University.

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