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Inside Zone Variations

by: Todd Stratton
Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator Whittier College
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The proper adjustment to what the defense shows  gives the quarterback specific options in running the inside zone.

While some elements of the spread offense have been seen for some time, there are many variations of the spread offense that utilize different personnel groupings and formations. But the one constant in any spread offense is the inside zone running game. I’ll examine the inside zone and its variations from a 10 personnel grouping.

Inside Zone - 10 Personnel

The inside zone can be run from a 2 x 2 set or a 3 x 1 set. Although there are various philosophies in running the inside zone, we believe our system gives us every opportunity to take advantage of the defensive structure and their adjustments.

Diagram 1.

In diagram 1, a 3 x 1 formation is shown vs. an over front. Although some coaches prefer to run the inside zone toward the 1 technique, we will always run away from the shade or 1 technique in combination with a two-high look. With a six-man box, the defense is truly at a disadvantage. The running back is given two choices – to bend the ball under the 5 technique or bang the ball strong into the A or B gap. The bend example is shown in diagram 2. There are two important keys to the bend. The first is the running back must aim for the strong side hip of the center. This is a quick hitting play and the running back cannot drift to the strong side A gap. The second key is the running back must make his cut close to the LOS to influence the MLB who has the A gap run fit. If the running back cuts too soon, the MLB can flow easily over the top. The read key for the quarterback is the DE or 5 technique. If the DE crashes, the QB will pull the ball and attack outside.

Diagram 2.

One important coaching point is the onside offensive tackle. Many teams will teach a “flow” technique for the line in which everyone is moving in the direction of the play and the onside tackle overruns the WLB. The backside tackle must be taught a “slip “ technique or “shadow “ technique. If the DE crashes and the quarterback pulls the ball, many times the tackle will overrun the play, leaving the quarterback one-on-one with the WLB.
  
Inside Zone Isolation

A key adjustment for the defense in stopping the inside zone run game is a “gap exchange”. The WLB and the DE will switch gaps. The DE will crash hard with no containment rules. The WLB will extend to the C gap on the snap of the ball. The quarterback is taught to pull the ball anytime the DE crashes; however, vs. the gap exchange, it is exactly what the defense wants the quarterback to do. The gap exchange is shown in diagram 3. One way to counter the gap exchange and continue to run your zone read is the “inside zone isolation”.

Diagram 3.

The inside zone isolation takes advantage of the gap exchange. The zone isolation refers to purposely not blocking an interior lineman. When the defense gives you a two-high look in combination with the over or under front, they are vulnerable to the zone isolation play.

There are three keys that are vastly different from the inside zone but produce the same results. The first key is the running back must take three lateral steps to the call side and plant his foot downhill. In the zone read play, the running back takes a small angle step and gets downhill quickly. The three lateral steps are critical to maximizing as much space between the running back and the interior lineman that is being isolated. Most lineman who are not blocked have a tendency to chase the ball carrier, which in turn leaves a huge hole in the middle of the defense. The quarterback simply reads the interior lineman. If he “sits in the hole” the quarterback will give the ball. If the interior lineman chases the back, the quarterback will attack the interior of the A or B gap.

The other two keys are the backside guard and tackle. Although the call side is to the right, both the tackle and guard are going to step to the opposite of the call. If the defense has a gap exchange called, the DE will step directly to the guard and the WLB will step directly to the tackle. In diagram 4, the nose guard chases the running back, leaving the quarterback to attack the A gap.

Diagram 4.

Quarterbacks in our system are given the option to audible to the zone isolation if the DE is aligned head up or inside the offensive tackle. If the DE is aligned outside, the quarterback will stay with the zone read unless the WLB is aligned outside .

In diagram 5, the zone isolation is shown vs. an under front isolating the 3 technique. The isolation can occur inside vs. a shade or 1 technique or outside vs. a 3 technique.

Diagram 5.


Box Manipulation

By utilizing shifts and/or motions, the offense can attempt to manipulate the movements of the inside or outside defensive personnel. In diagram 6, the use of motion showing a potential reverse can be enough to slow or alter the movements of the defensive end.

The defense must make certain adjustments to stop the zone run game. If the defense stays in the two-high look, the use of “skip” motion can cause problems. By utilizing the skip motion, the WR runs a bubble route in combination with a zone give option. The quarterback reads the WLB. If he sits in the hole, the quarterback will throw the bubble. If the WLB turns his hips to run to the perimeter, the quarterback will give the ball to the running back, utilizing a bend technique. The quarterback must give a “base” call to the tackle. This will alert the tackle to base block the DE. This example is shown in diagram 7.


About the Author: Todd Stratton served as interim head coach at Whittier College last fall and was appointed permanent head coach in December. Whittier last season had the #4 rated offense in the nation, averaging 528 yards per game and 40.2 points per game, breaking 18 school records in the process.


Coach Stratton answers your questions on Facebook - just go to to

https://www.facebook.com/AmericanFootballMonthly/

More articles on this subject can be found here:

Looking Back at the Backside Tackle – August/September, 2012
Triple Option Football Out of the spread Offense – March, 2010
Skill Drills: The Zone Read, Tunnel Screen, and Bubble Screen – May, 2010







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