Zone Blocking, Part III – Proper Stances and Footwork

It doesn’t matter what scheme you run if your line isn’t fundamentally sound. In Part III of this series, we will cover the stances we use to develop our offensive linemen. As we master our techniques, the stance is the foundation we build great blocking on. 

STANCE

You cannot overestimate the importance of the stance. A poor stance equals a poor start.
 
Key Components

We use both the three-point and two-point stances. Here are the key components of both stances:
 
Bunch your stance. We want a slightly tightened stance (feet under the armpits) to allow for controlled stepping. The proper foot alignment generates the proper footwork and the proper power.

Balance your stance. A wide stance, or too much weight forward, will cause linemen to false step or hop, which doesn’t allow for controlled stepping. A balanced stance is the key (weight should be evenly distributed on all three points). 
 
Instep to toe. We want an approximate instep to toe relationship (45-degree angle) between the set foot and the post foot. The body generates the most power and strength in a staggered position. Toes should be pointed straight upfield. If the toes are pointed out, it takes away from the power generated to produce an efficient block. 
 
Five-finger bridge. Fingers (5-finger bridge) of the down hand (same hand as the set foot) are placed on the ground in front of the post-foot toes and slightly outside the set-foot eye.
 
Parallel back. The back is parallel to the ground, or the back is a slight angle with the butt higher than the shoulders. Weight is slightly forward (may vary for pass).

Rock the weight. Rocking the weight forward slightly provides power-producing angles at the ankles, knees, and hips. Knees are over the toes and hips are over the ankles. The heel of the post foot is slightly off the ground. It is imperative that the knees stay in line with the feet and the hips.
 
Head up. Keep the head up (look through the eyebrows) to allow as much visioning of the defender as possible. The eyes need to scan the defense. Attempt to rotate the head 180 degrees. 
 
Off hand. The elbow of the off hand is placed outside the knee, which will square the shoulders. The hand is open and relaxed and ready to strike the defender.

Weight distribution. Weight is distributed on the insteps or the mid-foot below the balls of the feet. If linemen play flat footed, they will stick and stay, becoming un-explosive.

Stance and Get Off

For an offensive lineman to be an effective blocker, he must be in the correct stance with proper alignments both vertically and horizontally. On the snap count, the offensive lineman must be explosive and instantaneous to be effective. Time of domination is imperative for the success of any block. 

On contact, the proper hand and pad leverage must be established and maintained throughout the block. Poor body angles along with poor footwork will defuse the power needed to generate an effective block. 

Three-Point Stance

The three-point stance is designed to give an offensive lineman the best body position for blocking. An offensive lineman must be able to move in seven directions with the same efficiency: forward, backward, inside, outside, pull left, pull right, and pass set for pass protection.

A balanced staggered stance is imperative. Therefore, a balanced staggered stance will allow for proper weight distribution on all three points (feet and down hand). Weight and poor angle distribution can be adjusted by an offensive lineman simply shifting his weight.
 
Here are the components of the
three-point stance:

1. Feet shoulder width.

2. Instep to toe or heel relationship (45-degree stagger). The stagger will put the body in a configuration that will generate the most power. 

3. Squeeze the knees.

4. Toes are aligned straight ahead with weight on the insteps of the feet (the mid-foot or right below the balls of the feet – Diagram 1).

5. Flat back, parallel to the ground.

6. Five-finger bridge.

7. Off arm is placed on the outside of the knee with hand open and ready to strike. 

8. Look through the eyebrows and scan the defense for 180 degrees.
 

Diagram 1.

Two-Point Stance

The key points of the two-point stance are similar to the three-point stance with the obvious difference of not having a down hand.
 
Here are the components of the
two-point stance:

1. Feet shoulder width.

2. Instep to toe or heel relationship, (post foot and set foot aligned at a 45-degree stagger). The stagger may vary. Weight distribution is on the insteps of the feet or the mid-foot below the balls of the feet.

3. Toes on set foot back and slightly out (toe out slightly) while the post foot toe is aligned straight ahead.

4. Inside hand, forearm on thigh board with open hand relaxed and ready to strike. 

5. Outside hand on thigh board.

6. Flat back (find the wall).

7. Head is up to scan the defense.

8. Chin is tucked.

Components to the Center’s Stance

The center’s stance is different from his teammates on the line for obvious reasons. His feet are parallel and slightly toed out with the weight on the insteps. This generates power and allows the center to make blocking adjustments. There is a little heel rise and weight is balanced (Diagram 2).

Diagram 2.

Stretch the ball out as far as possible. Have the center pick the ball up from his stance. If he cannot pick the ball up, there is too much weight on the ball and the center needs to adjust his weight distribution. Place the thumb on the second lace of the ball.

The off hand is similar to that of the other offensive linemen. The elbow of the off hand is placed outside of the knee of the set foot, which will square the shoulders while the hand is relaxed and ready to strike. The center needs to strike with the off hand first because the other hand is used to snap the ball, which puts the center at a disadvantage. The center’s rhythm is punch, punch.
 
The Center’s Punch

Defenders will try to attack the snap hand of the center; therefore, he is at a slight disadvantage. Have the center punch with the off hand, or the non-snapping hand first. Then the center will punch with the snap hand. This will be a punch, punch on the defender. 

Have your center get extra work in early outs on his snapping and his punch, punch. This is a hard technique to master, but through hard work it can be done. Give the centers their own footballs and have them work on snapping, stepping, and punching in your run and pass fundamental periods.
 
Four-Step Teaching Progression

Here is the four-step teaching progression for the offensive line:
 
1. Check your feet: should be under the armpits.
2. Stagger: 45 degree stagger.
3. Sit: place forearms on thigh boards.
4. Reach out: reach out placing down hand slightly outside the set foot eye and inside the set foot knee.
 
A Balanced Staggered Stance

An offensive lineman must maintain a balanced staggered stance in both the run and pass game. A balanced staggered stance is key because a lineman must be able to move in many possible directions; right or left from a right or left-handed stance.

A balanced staggered stance by an offensive lineman will not tip off his intentions or assignment to the defense. A balanced staggered stance is having the proper weight distribution on all three points – the insteps of the feet and the down hand.

Here is an overview of the seven direction steps from the balanced staggered stance (Diagrams 3-9).

Diagram 3.  Drive step or drive block straight ahead from a left or right handed stance.

Diagram 4. Down block or angle block to the right.

Diagram 5. Lateral jab step, post step with the post foot to the right or a pull to the right.

Diagram 6.  Bucket step or a kick step with the set foot to the right.

Diagram 7. Straight back or drop cross over to the right or left side from a right or left handed stance

Diagram 8.  Bucket step or kick step with the set foot to the left.

Diagram 9. Lateral jab step, post step with the post foot to the left or a pull to the left.

Want more articles on this subject?

Drills Report: the ‘W’ Drill for the Offensive Line – March, 2010
   
Developing the Zone Scheme Using Man Blocking Principles – August, 2008
   
Offensive Line Drills for the Inside Zone – July, 2008

Looking Back at the Backside Tackle – August, 2012

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About the Author: A frequent contributor to both American Football Monthly and Gridiron Strategies, Ken Wilmesherr is the Offensive Line Coach at Grossmont College. He has over 30 years of coaching experience on the high school and college level. Wilmesheer previously coached at Southwestern College  and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Chapman College.