Zone Read

The theory behind the Zone Read Play:
• Simple in its’ scheme
• Can be run to the TE or SE side
• Can be used out of a one or two back set
• May be run out of a variety of formations
• Offensive line does not need to be overpowering to be effective
• Can be used easily in play action pass game
• 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.)

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.

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.)

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.

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

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

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.)

If you liked this article, here are three others just like it: 1. History of the Wing-T, June, 2003 2. Tiger Attack, April, 2003 3. West Coast Offense-East Coast System, Dec., 2002

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.