Teaching the Square Drag, Square Drag and Skip, and the Brace and Skip Technique in Zone Blocking – Some Do’s and Don’ts
Two key elements in proper zone blocking technique are keeping the shoulders square and using lateral steps to close in on the defender. In coaching the offensive line at the collegiate level for the past 23 years, I have learned that we have to adapt our teaching methods and techniques to our players. Rarely do we come across a player who has size, strength, athleticism, and intelligence. We have to adjust our techniques based upon the individual player’s physical and mental abilities, and the offensive scheme. Like all coaches, I have compiled rules and techniques by borrowing them from other coaches. I have spent years experimenting with different schemes and philosophies, attending clinics, visiting practices, and observing other offensive line coaches teach their drills and schemes. The three types of zone runs we teach at Lane College are:
1. Inside Zone: An A-gap play. Sprint spot the inside hip of the playside guard. This is usually with straight dive action.
2. Mid Zone: A B-gap play. Sprint spot the inside hip of the playside tackle. This is a press to cutback play.
3. Outside Zone: C-gap to bounce play. Sprint spot outside the EMOL.
Techniques Used to Teach the Stretch to Base Rules
Square Drag / Square Drag and Skip / Brace and Skip Technique (Bracer Skip)
NFL Coaches Jim McNally and Bill Callahan have implemented and lectured on these techniques. We have adjusted these techniques at Lane College to fit our players’ needs. The development of these techniques advanced our efficiency and development in running our zone running game.
Our inside zone still has lateral square drag and brace steps. We add a second skip step on our inside zone if needed to cover up the defender. This allows us to maintain balance while gaining ground and covering up loose technique defenders or stunting defensive fronts.
We have eliminated the bucket step technique. Logically, we do not want to use techniques that turn a lineman’s shoulders away from the defender and the LOS. The Brace and Skip technique is very simple. It adds a simple brace and skip step to our zone footwork. Why add a skip? The skip squares the shoulders and keeps the offensive lineman in a linear relationship to the defender. The brace regains balance before contact. The skip closes the distance to the defender to cover him up. Thus, it lets the lineman keep his entire body in a square position, allowing him to identify all defenders in his zone and giving him an opportunity to fit on the defender both on the LOS and at the second level.
DRILLING THE ZONE SCHEME TECHNIQUES
The Square Drag Technique
This technique is used on the mid-zone play. We use lateral steps that allow the offensive linemen to stretch the defenders.
Objective: A) Rep footwork with adjacent lineman. B) Teach timing of release to second level.
Equipment Needed: None
Coaching Points: Alignment: Off the ball. Covered: Square drag combo with adjacent OL.
Uncovered: Square drag to close the distance with adjacent OL to secure frontside gap. Climb to second level.
Technique: Lateral steps until you close the distance to the defender
Covered Lineman
DO: Keep shoulders square. Eyes locked onto area and defender(s) in target zone. Stretch the defender until you have to base block him. Fit and drive. Finish the block.
DON’T: Turn shoulders. Make sure to step and stretch the defender until you have to base block.
Uncovered Lineman
DO: Keep shoulders square. Lateral steps until space between adjacent defender is closed. Eyes locked onto area and potential targets. Be prepared to pick up any stunts or blitzes. Climb to second level when combination has secured the first level.
DON’T: Turn shoulders. Leave for the second level when the first level is secured. Drill: 3 Man-Combination – Square Drag and Skip (Diagram #2)
Diagram 2: 3-Man Combination Square Drag and Skip
Objective: A) Rep footwork with adjacent lineman. B) Teach timing of release to second level.
Equipment Needed: None
Coaching Points:
Alignment: Off the Ball
Covered: Square drag combo with adjacent OL.
Uncovered: Square drag to close the distance with adjacent OL to secure front side gap. Climb to second level.
Technique: Lateral steps until you close the distance to the defender.
Covered Lineman
DO: Keep shoulders square. Eyes locked onto area and defender(s) in target zone. Stretch the defender until you have to base block him. Fit and drive. Finish the block.
DON’T: Turn shoulders. Make sure to step and stretch the defender until you have to base block.
Uncovered Lineman
DO: Keep shoulders square. Lateral steps until space between adjacent defender is closed. Eyes locked onto area and potential targets. Be prepared to pick up any stunts or blitzes. Climb to second level when combination has secured the first level.
DON’T: Turn shoulders. Leave for the second level when the first level is secured.
Drill: Square Drag: 1-on-1 Square Drag and Brace (Diagram #3)
Diagram 3: 1-On-1 Square Drag Brace
Objective: 1) Individually teach the initial square drag and brace step. 2) Teach the base block with square shoulders after steps.
Equipment Needed: None
Coaching Points:
1. Lateral square drag steps. 2. Brace off the inside leg. 3. Fit (double under) and finish (leg drive). 4. Keep shoulders square.
Covered Lineman
DO: Align off the ball. Lateral square drag steps to stretch the defender. Brace before contact to maintain balance. Fit (double under) and finish (leg drive). Keep shoulders square.
DON’T: Align close to the defender and turn your shoulders.
Uncovered Lineman
DO: Square drag until square with the second level defender. Keep eyes up onto the second level defender. Climb and fit on the defender.
DON’T: Climb too fast to the second level. Secure first level.
Drill: 1-on-1 Square Drag Skip (Diagram #4)
Diagram 4: 1-On-1 Square Drag Skip
Objective: 1) To individually teach the initial square drag / brace and skip step. 2) To teach the base block with square shoulders after the steps.
Equipment Needed: None
Coaching Points:
1. Lateral square drag steps. 2. Brace off the inside leg. 3. Skip to cover the defender. 4. Fit (double under) and finish (leg drive) 5. Keep shoulders square.
Covered Lineman
DO: Align off the ball. Lateral square drag steps to stretch the defender. Brace before contact to maintain balance. Fit (double under) and finish (leg drive). Keep shoulders square.
DON’T: Align close to the defender and turn your shoulders.
Uncovered Lineman
DO: Square drag until square with the second level defender. Keep eyes up on the second level defender. Climb and fit on the defender.
DON’T: Climb too fast to the second level. Secure first level.
The Brace and Skip Technique
Drill: 2-Man Combination Bracer Skip (Diagram #5)
Diagram 5: 2-Man Combination Bracer Skip
Objective: A) Rep footwork with adjacent lineman. B) Teach timing of release to second level.
Equipment Needed: None
Coaching Points:
Alignment: Off the Ball.
Covered: Brace and skip combo with adjacent OL.
Uncovered: Brace and skip to close the distance with adjacent OL to secure frontside gap. Climb to second level.
Technique: Brace and skip until you close the distance to the defender.
Covered Lineman
DO: Keep shoulders square. Eyes locked onto area and defender(s) in target zone. Stretch the defender until you have to base block him. Fit and drive. Finish the block.
DON’T: Turn shoulders. Make sure to step and stretch the defender until you have to base block.
Uncovered Lineman
DO: Keep shoulders square. Brace and skip steps will close the space between adjacent defender. Eyes locked onto area and potential targets. Be prepared to pick up any stunts or blitzes. Climb to second level when combination has secured the first level.
DON’T: Turn shoulders. Leave for the second level when the first level is secured.
Objective: A) Rep footwork with adjacent lineman. B) Teach timing of release to second level.
Equipment Needed: None
Coaching Points:
1. Alignment: Off the ball.
2. Covered: Brace and skip combo with adjacent OL.
3. Uncovered: Brace and skip to close the distance with adjacent OL to secure frontside gap. Climb to second level.
Technique: Brace and skip until you close the distance to the defender.
Covered Lineman
DO: Keep shoulders square. Eyes locked onto area and defender(s) in target zone. Stretch the defender until you have to base block him. Fit and drive. Finish the block.
DON’T: Turn shoulders. Make sure to step and stretch the defender until you have to base block.
Uncovered Lineman
DO: Keep shoulders square. Brace and skip steps will close the space between adjacent defender. Eyes locked onto area and potential targets. Be prepared to pick up any stunts or blitzes. Climb to second level when combination has secured the first level.
DON’T: Turn shoulders. Leave for the second level when the first level is secured. Drill: One-on-One Brace and Skip Drill (Diagram #7)
Diagram 7: 1-On-1 Brace and Skip Drill
Objective: 1) Individually teach the initial brace and skip steps. 2) Teach the base block with square shoulders.
Equipment Needed: None
Coaching Points: 1. Open and brace step. 2. Skip off the inside leg. 3. Fit (double under) and finish (leg drive). 4. Keep your shoulders square.
Covered Lineman
DO: Align off the ball. Brace and skip to stretch the defender. Brace before contact to maintain balance. Skip to cover up the defender. Fit (double under) and finish (leg drive). Keep shoulders square.
DON’T: Align close to the defender and turn your shoulders.
Uncovered Lineman
DO: Brace and skip to square with the second level defender and gain ground on the defender. Keep eyes up onto the second level defender. Climb and fit on the defender.
DON’T: Climb too fast to the second level. Secure first level.
Drill: Brace and Skip vs. Sled (Diagram #8)
Diagram 8: Brace and Skip vs. Sled Drill
Objective: 1) To teach the coordination of the bracer skip steps for all linemen to practice as a unit. 2) Conditioning drill.
Equipment Needed: 5 or 7-man blocking sled.
Coaching Points: 1. Brace and skip steps. 2. Brace off inside leg, skip off frontside leg. 3. Fit (double under) and finish (leg drive) for 10 yards. Call out your cadence during the drill. 4. Keep your shoulders square.
DO: Align off and one pad offset the sled. Brace and skip to the sled pad. Fit (double under) and finish (leg drive) for 10 yards. Keep shoulders square.
DON’T: Align too close to the sled.
About the Author: Dan Dieringer is in his second season as offensive line coach at Lane College. He has 23 years of coaching experience with the offensive line and previously was both the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at the South Dakota School of Mines. A 1991 graduate of Pacific University (OR), Dieringer was a four-year letterman on the defensive line.
Coach Dieringer answers your questions on Facebook - just go to https://www.facebook.com/AmericanFootballMonthly/
More Articles on this topic:
Offensive Line Drills for the Inside Zone – July, 2008 The Drills Report – Zone Blocking Run Game Drills – December, 2007 LSU’s Offensive Line Drills, July, 2003
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