Stretch Outside Zone Run

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16/08/14 19:47O-Line: Blocking the Stretch/Outside Zone Scheme

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X&O Labs'

Coaching Research Report #110502

O-Line: Blocking theStretch/Outside Zone Scheme

By Mike Kuchar

Senior Research Manager

X&O Labs

[email protected]

In a follow-up to the inside zone report that X&O Labs published back in early

March, we wanted to research the most productive ways coaches are teaching the

outside zone and stretch concept to their players. I've admired the way the

Indianapolis Colts ran the scheme to perfection under center with PeytonManning and with the efficiency with which Oregon ran it this year out of the

shotgun.

So when we started compiling the report, we've found that the most heated

discussion is whether or not to full zone or man block the scheme. Teams such

as the Colts, under legendary offensive line guru Howard Mudd, used to full zone

the front side of the play to provide for that fast flow displacement of the

defense. Of course, when you have backs behind Manning with the speed of

Edgerrin James and Joey Addai, getting to the perimeter of the defense is almost

guaranteed.
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Before we talk specifics, we wanted to give you a general consensus of why

teams are running the scheme. What we've found most interesting is that

unlike the inside zone, the outside zone does not have to be a cornerstone of

your offense. Truth is, 53 percent of coaches feel that it doesn't need to be a

top play in your offense for it to be successful. So why teach it? It's a

curveball, so to speak, to keep defenses off balance and on its heels. But if it's

not a base scheme, we were curious to find out why coaches are spending the

time implementing it. Here's what they told us:

Top reasons for running the outside zone/stretch scheme:

! Complements the inside zone scheme: While the inside zone

relies on vertical displacement of the defense, the outside zone relies on

horizontal displacement. The idea is to "stretch" the entire defense the

width of the field. This provides for numerous cutback lanes for the ballcarrier to insert himself. Although the play is intended to circle the

defense, it will often cut-upinstead of cutting back like inside zone

schemes.

! Similar line blocking assignments: Just like the inside zone, the

outside zone utilizes a full zone scheme. Sure, some teams have chosen to

man block the play, 73.8 percent of coaches still use a covered and

uncovered principle when running the outside zone. It's basically the

same principle X&O Labs uncovered back in March when we released ourinside zone report.

! Gets your play-makers the ball on the perimeter: Similar to the

bubble concept, this scheme pushes the ball to the perimeter of the

defense. We've found the structure the play (either in gun or under center)

dictates how fast that ball can get to the edge. Programs like Boise State

and Oregon thrive off running it from the gun, while the Colts ran it from

under center, forcing the QB to get to the landmark quickly. Our

research has shown nearly an even split on this topic, with 52.6

percent preferring to run the scheme under center.! Great against interior pressure: If you're successful with your

interior run game like the inside zone and power, chances are you'll see the

probability of interior pressure increase. Teams now use the outside zone

as a counter to this pressure by getting the ball to the edge.

! Play-action package off OZ action: Now, this is where the fun

begins. Here is where you get your money ball deep down the field. Now,

this aspect of the scheme won't be covered in this report, but please know

we are currently working on a report that outlines this package in greatdetail.


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! Various trigger concepts: By "trigger" concepts we're referring to

the actions off zone option such as the flash or speed sweep, the outside

zone option as well as the reverse package. We're talking full

displacement of defenders. Although this component won't be disclosed

below, we will be covering this aspect in depth on May 24thwhen our

Boise State/Oregon trigger concepts report debuts.

Get X&O Labs' New Report Revealing Boise State and Oregon's "Trigger"

Concepts May 24th. Click here to sign up - it's FREE!

In addition to our research, we've also consulted with over a dozen coaches on

this topic so that they can provide you with how they run the scheme. Our hope

is that after you read what they do, you find a common ground to adapt what youdo to fit your personnel, which after all, is the essence of good coaching. We're

here just to spark the debate and give you some fodder to decide how best to run

your scheme.

Case 1: "Covered" Blocking Concepts to the Play Side

Although these covered and uncovered concepts are the same ones we spoke of

on the inside zone report, we wanted to provide a quick refresher.

Covered: There is a first level defender (DLM) from my nose to the nose of theadjacent lineman play side. (Diagram 1) Can't see the diagram? Click here.
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Regardless of the defensive front, these two principles are consistent, and again,

73.8 percent of coaches use this terminology when implementing the zone

scheme. But how these coaches teach their blocking assignments will vary, as

we will explain below. The majority of coaches want their covered offensive

linemen to be able to finish at a second level defender by the time the play is

over.

When a play side lineman is covered on the outside zone or stretch play, it is his

job to handle that down lineman. How he blocks him can vary - some coaches

prefer lead or angle step up field, whereas some tell their offensive lineman to

bucket step. According to our research, 48.9 percent teach an up field, angle

step as opposed to 36 percent who teach a bucket step. We've found that the

difference lies more in philosophy than it does in technique.

Pat Ruel, the assistant offensive line coach for the Seattle Seahawks, teaches a

stretch hook concept (a combo horizontal stretch and hook) for his covered

linemen to the play side of zone. He teaches his players to eye the outside armpit

of the defender with the objective to always advance to the second level. Once

the lineman is engaged with a defender, he needs to stay engaged until he feels

the next adjacent lineman take his assignment over.

Ruel's Techniques of a Stretch Hook (covered lineman):

!Short 45 degree lead step

! Rip to run on second step by driving back shoulder through defender


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- this provides for a cutoff scenario

! Get stomach up field on third step - this ensures the defender is cut-

off from his gap responsibility.

"We don't ever worry about getting beat underneath, the ball will be outside

already," said Ruel. "But we do concern ourselves with a player who lines up in

a gap position. Here we need to attack the play side armpit with the inside hand

first, then work to the second level."

Milt Tenopir, the legendary offensive line coach under Tom Osbourne at

Nebraska, believed in the same philosophy of having his covered offensive

lineman really work to get to the second level. "If our linemen is covered, we let

him cross over on his second step as long as it's up field," said Tenopir. "He

wants to get started up field because he is going to come off on the next level.

We call it a 'rip-to-reach' because we used to take the inside arm and rip it acrossthe outside arm of the defender. We are trying to put both hands on the far

shoulder pad. It keeps our shoulders pointed up field."

We've found the emphasis on the covered lineman is to have his shoulders

pointed up field at all times. This not only provides for a wider blocking surface,

but also keeps the horizontal displacement of the scheme giving the running back

more room to operate (we will explain the RB reads a bit later). As Jim

Sweeney, a 16-year NFL center tells his lineman at South Fayette HS (PA), "Wealways try to stay parallel with our shoulders because we want the back to have a

three way go. If that d-lineman comes straight ahead, his shoulders are square so

he can force a cutback (which is detrimental to the outside zone scheme) or make

the tackle. We need to turn hisshoulders and he can't turn our shoulders. We do

this by keeping both feet on ground." Sweeney recalled a story during his ten

year tenure as a center with the New York Jets when star running back Freeman

McNeil used to come over and watch the linemen during their individual session

in practice. "He was the best in the business at that time and he used to tell us he

always wanted to see our butts so that he can make the right cut."

But against stunting first level defenders, keeping both shoulders squaredbecomes a difficult fundamental to accomplish. So Herb Hand, the offensiveline coach at Vanderbilt University (who spent a good part of his coaching careerunder famed spread coaches like Rich Rodriquez and Gus Malzahn) emphasizesthe drag hand technique of the covered offensive lineman. Hand, who teaches astretch step, not a bucket step, tells his covered offensive lineman to aim for theoutside "V" of the neck of the down lineman whereas the majority of coaches

(49.1%) teach the play side armpit as the visual aiming point of the coveredlineman. "As the covered lineman takes his stretch step to the outside V of the


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neck, his back-side hand placement is the thing that will slow him down enoughto catch the five-technique defender if he slants inside," said Hand. "The aimingpoint for the drag hand is the backside pec of the defender. That movement willstop the penetration of the defender inside. The tackle cannot come off the ballwith no concern of the defender slanting inside. He uses the drag hand to catchand hold the defender so he cannot penetrate."

There are certain indicators that would "tip off" some form of angle or stunt to

the play side of zone. These indicators can include:

1. A tight or inside shade first level defender

2. A cheating second level player to the edge of the defense

Although the outside zone or stretch scheme is an outside hitting play, any

interior penetration could slow down the course of the ball carrier. Sweeneydoesn't subscribe to the "outside hand free" theory that Hand presents when

working against a slanting first level defender. Sweeney, now a high school

offensive line coach, feels it's too tough a task to accomplish. "I don't like the

theory of keeping the outside arm free - you need four hands on defender," says

Sweeney. "We must open the defender's shoulders. We need to open his

shoulders and work to the outside LB. We can't get a soft shoulder." Instead,

Sweeney spends more time alerting his lineman pre-snap about the possibilities

of a stunt or scrape. "We watch the inside foot pre-snap. If that foot is back

chances are he will slant across my face.

And if he crosses my face, I just want to continue on my path because it gives the

back more space to run."

Get X&O Labs' Coaching Research Reports FREE Every Tuesday. Click

here now!

Case 2: "Uncovered" Blocking Concepts to the Play Side (Reach and

Overtake)

Uncovered: There is no first level defender (DLM) from my nose to the nose of

the adjacent lineman play side. (Diagram 2) Can't see the diagram? Click

here.
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For all intents and purposes, the objective of the uncovered offensive lineman in

the outside zone scheme is to take over the play side down lineman while the

covered offensive lineman works up to linebacker level (Diagram 3). While we

found the objective clear, the methodology or technique that is used by that

uncovered player varied among coaches. Again, the purpose of the outside zone

is to show a horizontal stretch on the defense. Tenopir talks about the pull and

overtake method by the uncovered lineman. "When we put the lead foot where itis supposed to be, the rest of the body will come with you," said Tenopir. "We

want the pulling guard (or whoever is uncovered) to get depth and distance on the

pull. He picks the foot up and puts it in the direction we want him to go. We tell

our guard he must get beyond the man (far jersey number) before he can come

back on him. If he tries to pull and come around the back-side number of the

tackle, he will never get it done. He cannot get the linebacker until he gets

there." Can't see the diagram? Click here.
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Ruel calls his uncovered technique a "stretch scoop." His objective is to get to

the next adjacent down lineman's play side number with the purpose of taking

him over.

Ruel's Techniques of a Stretch Scoop (uncovered lineman):

Short 45 degree step, target is play side number of adjacent down lineman

Rip off hand and shoulder though his play side armpit (rip and run)

Hook him using your shoulders and butt by leaning into him, not by turning

your shoulders

That last coaching point is the golden nugget. Ruel stresses the idea of keeping

his lineman's shoulders square and getting the stomach up field to guarantee the

defender gets hooked. "If we don't get engagement by ripping to play side

number, then we automatically climb to the second level," he said. Although

Ruel doesn't teach a bucket step for those uncovered offensive linemen,

we've found that the majority of coaches, 32.8 percent, teach a bucket step

for that uncovered lineman. Sometimes that deep step is needed to take over

the next down lineman.

Perhaps no other coach knows the zone scheme better than Stan Zweifel. He's

authored dozens of clinic articles and published numerous videos on the outside

zone. Zweifel tells his uncovered linemen first to take a deep drop step to gaindepth with the second step being a crossover to try to get on line to overtake next


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down defender. If by the third step, the offensive lineman is not in a position to

overtake the down lineman, he's up on the next path to cutoff whatever comes.

Everything that Zweifel teaches in his outside zone progression is based upon

the "reach and overtake" mantra that he drills into his linemen from day one.

Their objective is to reach and overtake the next down lineman play side. If by

the third step, the lineman cannot over take the down defender, he will work up

to the next level play side.

Case 3: Back-side Blocking Schemes (To Cut or Not to Cut)

This particular topic was highly debatable among coaches we spoke with. On

most outside zone schemes, particularly ones run at the higher levels of football,

offensive lineman would cut block defenders on the back-side of the play -

regardless of whether that player was a first or second level defender. But when

we conducted our research, we've found that the majority of coaches we

polled (37.8 %) do not teach the cut block back-side. They teach a run to riptechnique, similar to the responsibility of the uncovered lineman to the front

side of the play. There were numerous reasons as to why high school coaches

don't tell their kids to cut block, but perhaps no other coach was more

straightforward about it then Sweeney. According to Sweeney, four things can

happen when you cut on the back-side and none are good:

Sweeney's negatives of cut-blocking on the back-side of OZ:

1. If you're on the ground, defender can get up first and make the play

2. You will miss the cut

3. They can still go over you and make a play on the QB or RB

4. Puts your head in a bad position

Now we realize that we may be biased in these numbers. Truth is, 80.8 percent

of those that took our outside zone survey were high school coaches. At the

high school level, it is illegal to cut block at the second level so why teach it? So

when we asked Zweifel the same question of whether or not his kids cut on theback-side, we expected a different answer. But what we got surprised us. "We

used to cut those defenders such as a back-side shade technique, but now our

guard will try to take a deep drop step and take him over," he says. "When you

cut on the back-side of zone you knock off the rest of the offensive lineman that

are trying to trail the play." He even tells his back-side tackle on zone to execute

a "swoop technique" (Diagram 4) with the intentions of getting all the way to the

play side of the zone. "We tell him to take a deep drop step and come out on the

strong side A gap. If any wrong color jersey crosses his face on that path, cut it.

If not, run to the strong side A gap and cut off anything you could possibly see.

We have even told him sometimes to cut the front side 3-tech." Yes, he did just


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say front side A gap. That 3-technique would be the next adjacent down lineman.

It's all doable depending on the path of the back which Zweifel explains. "We're

a dinosaur when it comes to our path. Our landmark for our back is three yards

outside the tight end and one yard deep," he says. "So we think there is no

chance anyone from the play side A gap back can make a play on the outside

zone. The ball carrier is sprinting to get out there." Can't see the diagram?

Click here.

Case 4: The Path/Reads of the Ball Carrier

Although this topic was not in our original survey, we did do our research to find

the most common aiming points of the ball carrier. While they ranged from 1-3

yards outside the tight end or EMLOS, we selected two of the more specific

responses we received. Hand tells us the specifics of his ball carrier's path in

outside zone from the shotgun formation.

Herb Hand, Vanderbilt University (Bounce, Bang, Bend)

RB aligns behind the tackle to his side, five yards off the ball in gun so we

can stretch the defense. If the running back aligns even with the QB on the

exchange, the running back automatically gets pushed downhill toward the

line of scrimmage. We want the running back coming straight across and

pressing his outside read.

The aiming point is to track the outside hip of the play side tackle (note:

Hand does not play with a tight end). The defense needs to stretch. Theidea is to stretch the front side and get a cutoff somewhere on the back-side


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to split the defense.

The aiming point of the back is chasing the outside hip of the tackle. His

first read is the first DL on our outside the tackle. His second read is the

next down lineman inside the tackle.

If the first read is reached, the back bouncesand goes outside (Diagram 5).

Can't see the diagram? Click here.

If the first read is not reached, but is stretched and running outside, the back

looks for the second read. If the next down defender is reached, the back

runs a bang(Diagram 6) Can't see the diagram? Click here.
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The bendoccurs when the first and second read are both stretching and

running outside. In order to get a bend, someone on the back-side must get

a cutoff block (Diagram 7) Can't see the diagram? Click here.

Forward This Report to Coaches Using Our Easy Form.

Keith Grabowski, the offensive coordinator at Baldwin Wallace College (OH)

teaches his tailback the six second rule. He will identify the force player then


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make the decision on whether or not that player can make the play based on his

leverage on the player who is blocking him. In Grabowski's scheme, the fullback

or H block gets assigned for force. It is very similar to what Hand teaches, but

his rules refer more to the perimeter defenders than to first level defensive

linemen. For clarification, the first blocker is the tight end, the second blocker is

the fullback and the third blocker is the wide receiver play side.

Diagrams 8-10 (Keith Grabowski's RB reads on force defender) Can't see

the diagram? Click here.


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Case 5: Problem Areas Among the Front (Pin and Pull Technique)


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The last thing we wanted to address were the various "pin and pull" techniques

that some coaches are using to get to the perimeter. Unlike a full zone principle,

this scheme involves down blocks and pulls at the point of attack. It is used

when lineman struggle with reaching the down defender in front of them, so help

is needed by the next adjacent lineman. When we conducting our research, we've

found there are three particular scenarios in which coaches are using the pin and

pull technique.

Versus a dominant nose or 2i technique (Diagram 11)

Tenopir used to call this the "play boy" scheme because it's a fold block with the

center and play side guard. If the center can't get the nose reached, he asks for

help. The play side guard blocks down on the nose and the center pulls around

the guards block and up on the backer. The center goes through or pulls for the

Mike LB. If the center can reach the nose he will make a "you" call to the strong

guard telling the strong guard to pull and block the play side linebacker. If thecenter cannot reach the nose, he will make a "me" call to the strong guard telling

him to block the nose and the center will pull to block the MLB. Can't see the

diagram? Click here.

Versus 3/7 Play Side (Diagram 12)

Zweifel will do this when he sees a C gap down defender to the play side. "We

got it from Glen Mason while he was at the University of Minnesota. They

called it the 28/29 Edge play. It gave the OZ play a chance to cut into C gap. It's

used against and eight man front. We base block the TE, block back on the 3-

technique, pull the guard, and the center. The Center has B gap entry. We take

the fullback on force. The TB chases the butt of the tight end on this. It's not as


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wide. Take the first available running lane. Stick your foot in the ground and

making a slashing cut north and south. Any time you run and pin and pull, it is a

cut on the back-side - no scoop. We will cut the one technique back-side with the

back-side guard or if he has a three technique, we'll cut it with the tackle. We

need to cut on this scheme because we think the 5-tech can run the play down on

the edge technique." Can't see the diagram? Click here.

According to Zweifel and other coaches we spoke with, the problem with running

both the pin and pull and zone schemes is not having the practice time to devote

to it. "When you do both you're marrying two different principles so we need to

really work on this. If I were going to run both schemes, it would be all I would

do during inside run sessions. I would have no other time to run other schemes."

Concluding Report

Once again, it was a pleasure to report on the offensive line principles in the zonescheme. It's a terrific complement to the inside zone and the myriad of schemes

that come off the zone concept can provide the defense with tremendous

conflicts. We hope that you can take a couple things from this report and bring it

back to your program to become more successful.

If you would like to discuss this topic further with Mike Kuchar, Senior

Research Manager, X&O Labs, please feel free to email him at

[email protected].
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Copyright 2011 X&O Labs

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