Mount Union Offensive Line

Mount Union’s run game is primarily based on the zone run play. At Mount Union, we drill the fundamentals of zone blocking at each practice. By understanding the fundamentals, our linemen are able to execute these drills in practice and use them in a game setting. The three main components of the zone run play are:
1. Step
2. Hands (punch)
3. Feet (finish)

I’ve included four zone blocking drills that practice the fundamentals of zone blocking: Run Progression, Zone Doubles, Leverage Drill and Lev Sled.

1. Run Progression
Purpose: To include all the zone blocking fundamentals. It will force players to have low pad levels and keep their eyes on the target.

Drill: This drill can be done in the chutes or out on a line. The progression starts with a lineman on offense in a two-point fit position on the defensive lineman. The lineman’s feet should be wider than shoulder width apart with their butt down, a slight bend in their back, head up just a couple of inches from the defensive lineman’s breast plate. On the whistle or cadence, the offensive lineman drives his man five yards, pounding his feet into the ground and maintaining a good, wide base. The next progression is the same, but after five yards the offensive lineman finishes with their feet and hands through ten yards. The next progression starts in a 3-point stance. The lineman takes the first two steps to punch. The key emphasis with this step is gaining ground on the first step and violently punching with the hands with the second step. This progression has just two steps and a punch. The last progression puts all the steps together. The offensive lineman starts in a 3-point stance and gains ground on the first step. The lineman must punch as he takes his second step then finally drive with a good, wide base in a good fit position. The lineman will finish with his feet then hands through ten yards. This is a good drill to pick up the tempo of an individual period.

2. Zone Doubles
Purpose: To include the zone blocking fundamentals to simulate covered and uncovered principles of the zone play.

Drill: Zone double-teams are very important to having a successful zone play. The best way to drill this concept is to put the centers and guards together and the tackles and tight ends together. Two defensive linemen and two offensive linemen are aligned on a line. The down defensive lineman is head up on the outside offensive lineman and a linebacker stacked overtop. The offense begins the drill by going to the right. On cadence, both offensive players will step with their play-side foot. The covered man takes an aiming point at the defenders outside number. The inside man steps at the near number and reads the hip of the defender. If the hip stays, the lineman will get hip to hip with the other offensive player and drive the defender back into the linebacker. The linebacker then either shows over top or underneath of the double team. The uncovered lineman should keep his inside hands out of the block and be sure his body is square to the line of scrimmage, making it easier to climb to the linebacker. The linemen then switch positions so they are exposed to being both covered and uncovered. The next time through, the defenders will move. The defensive lineman will either move inside or outside. The linebacker will fill the opposite gap. The drill is then repeated stepping to the left. In this drill, it is important that the fundamentals are stressed the entire time.

3. Leverage Drill
Purpose: To emphasize hand placement and pad levels in any run blocking scheme. It is important to keep a good, wide base and be sure the lineman is bending at the knees.

Drill: This drill can be done on the boards or on a line. This drill should be done at a high level of intensity. Two linemen will pair up and start at one end of the board. One of the linemen will start on offense in the fit position on the defensive lineman. This is the same fit position that is used in the run progression drill. On the whistle, the lineman on offense will drive the defender backwards while using good resistance; forcing the offensive lineman to work hard. Once the defensive lineman reaches the end of the board, the linemen switch roles. The defender then knocks the offensive lineman’s hands down and violently replaces his hands on the offensive lineman. The lineman will get back to a fit position and drive the defender to the other end of the board. This drill should continue for 20 to 30 seconds and be repeated three to four times.

4. Lev Sled
Purpose: To focus on the zone blocking fundamentals. The linemen should be able to gain ground on their first step, punch the bag and then finish with their feet. The sled is something that Mount Union does on a daily basis to practice the zone fundamentals.

Drill: This drill can be done on any three or five-man sled. Three linemen will get on the sled, shading the bag to the left. On the cadence, the linemen should zone step to the right, bringing a violent punch with the second step. The linemen should then roll their hips through the bag and finish by buzzing the feet. The next time through, the linemen will shade the bag to the right and then step to the left. After that, the linemen should step back about four yards from the sled and shade the sled to the left. This simulates climbing to the linebacker. The linemen will then take a zone step to the right while keeping a good, wide base up to the bag. The linemen will sink their hips and violently punch the bag. They will finish by rolling their hips and buzzing their feet. This step is then repeated the opposite direction.

Jason Lewis is in his second year as an assistant coach at Mount Union and works with the offensive line. A 2007 Mount Union graduate, Lewis was a two-time winner of the OAC’s Mike Gregory Award given to the conference’s most outstanding offensive lineman. A two-time All-OAC and All-American selection, he also was a member of the 2005 and 2006 National Championship teams.