By Mike Kuchar
Senior Research Manager
X&O Labs
Twitter: @MikeKKuchar

Introduction

This report may be a zone study, but it’s essentially an advancement on running the inside zone concept. We specifically researched programs who were “hanging its hat,” as coaches say, on the inside zone concept. Specifically, we wanted to contact coaches who were finding ways to run the inside zone when they had to run the ball, which often came at the expense of seeing loaded defensive boxes.  Of course, one of their answers was to use an insert a blocker such as a fullback or H/Y off the ball. But before we address the three run concepts in this study (Divide Zone, Cut Iso and Wham Zone), we wanted to provide the framework of how coaches teach their offensive linemen who to block. We didn’t want this to be a technical report on how to block the inside zone play. Much of that has been studied and reported in the past. 

In this case, we present our research on how coaches have tweaked their zone identification to account for loaded boxes pre-snap and defensive “back gapping” post-snap. We also researched how these new box counts were correlating to the path and reads of the ball carrier. Finally, we wanted to provide a skeleton outline of how coaches were training their H back in practice to prepare him to make the necessary blocks to make these schemes productive.

Identification Systems

In most programs’ zone schemes, the quarterback or center is expected to make the front identification by identifying the play side inside linebacker (Mike) and the line will work their zone combinations to that defender. The “point” is where the center is working his combination block. In most cases, that player will be the play side (or center side) A gap defender. The count (front side and back side) occurs from there. The guard is responsible for number one (on or off the line of scrimmage), while the tackle is responsible for number two (on or off the line of scrimmage). Consider the following diagram where all defenders are accounted for on the line of scrimmage.

When second level defenders are tied into the count, they can still be given numbers. Consider the following diagram:

This common point system can be implemented against most base defensive fronts.

Consider the following point rules for one of our two-back contributors that will use a default for the center to identify second level defenders and will identify the 30-technique backers (split look) or 10-technique backers (stack look) to start his combination.

Three Down Stagnant Front Identification

There are some coaches, like Brad Davis at the University of Florida, who chooses not to run inside zone against three-down, movement based structures. “The angles are bad, particularly against two-gap defenders,” he told us. “It’s easier against four down because you can control who the quarterback reads. There is not as much fold action with the defensive end and outside linebacker.”

So when we first started conducting our research, we were curious to see how many coaches were confident in running inside zone schemes against odd fronts. We had to believe that for coaches that hang their hat on the inside zone scheme, they will make adjustments to “do what they do.” Turns out there were some concern about zoning the odd front: particularly the presence of two 4i techniques (otherwise known as the Tuff front) and the potential of movement post-snap. With movement gaps change so it’s vital to get the number count right pre-snap.

We will present our research on how coaches are addressing both 4i alignments and movement, but before we do, we’ll address how they are identifying stagnant box structures.

Base 3-3 Box (Diagram 1)

The consensus is to “own the stacks” with the Mike LB being the Mike point.

Base 3-4 Box (Diagram 2)

Here, the thought process is to push the count to the overhang rush (or Jack linebacker). Tyler Bowen, the offensive line coach at Fordham said, “we will never account for a defender outside the framework of the original six that we declare pre-snap. We will handle all other defenders with a RPO tag or feel comfortable about our matchup with the RB on their unblocked player.”

By Mike Kuchar
Senior Research Manager
X&O Labs
Twitter: @MikeKKuchar

Introduction

What separates using open formation zone concepts from H/Y off zone concepts is the addition of another gap offensively which converts to the ability to block at least six defenders. And when you add the quarterback run into the equation (which we won’t for the intent of this study), it has the ability to block seven. For all intents and purposes, the zone read component of the H/Y off run game, or commonly referred to as slip, will be left out of this report…but it’s a nasty complement to these schemes. That concept was focused on in our special report on the Pistol Formation.

This case is going to strictly focus on the divide zone (Diagram 18), which many coaches are calling the best-run concept in football for a variety of reasons. Most of which are included directly from our contributor’s testimonials on it below:

Tyler Bowen, offensive coordinator, Fordham University (NY): “You can take advantage of teams that back gap, but are late to fill the front side B/C gap area. Also against teams that back gap and fill with a 3rd level player, it can allow you to take advantage of that player with RPO tags. From a basic standpoint, split zone gives you the ability to run a split end surface run, to your tight end strength (H Back) by creating a three-man surface.”

Tom Clark, North Cobb High School (GA): “We love it out of two back formations. I like it because we run so much gap scheme out of two back, teams start over playing one side and it helps with misdirection. It gives defenses the wrong read and keeps them honest. Also helps against odd fronts that don’t know where to slant. We can cover up all the gaps and be gap sound with this scheme.”

Justin Iske, offensive line coach, Southwest Oklahoma State University: “The more a team slants/twists, the more we will work our base zone and split zone.”

Mike Rowe, Rocori High School (MN): “We want to be able to run the ball because living in the Midwest the weather will not always be perfect. Even with all the RPO adjustments, we still find defenses will load the box on crucial run downs. By using split, iso, and wham, we are able to still gain positive yards versus these run boxes.”

Chris Fisk, offensive line coach, Central Washington University: “The entire zone game is how you control the back side C gap or D gap. You don’t want defensive linemen crashing down line of scrimmage making plays for a one or two-yard gain. Split zone controls the backside C gap effectively.”

Tagging The Divide Zone

Before we get into how teams are running these concepts against box counts, we wanted to present our research on how offensive coordinators are tagging these concepts to alert the skill players. One of the more prominent advantages to tagging these insert zone schemes is the ability to not change anything up front for the linemen. We’ve found that the path of the back doesn’t change as well. So, the onus is on the H/Y to know who he blocks based on the insert being used.

Below are anonymous responses coaches have submitted from our survey on how they “tag” the divide zone concept.

“We used two calls for this a year ago. ‘Scrape’ would indicate that the fullback or tight end/wing would insert himself to the backside of the run, kicking out the end man on the line of scrimmage (EMLOS).”

“We would call this ‘10 Kick’ (Mule for no huddle ID). The 10 tells the linemen to block inside zone to the right and the kick tells the H he is to kick out/cut off the first man outside of the midline of the back side tackle. In situations where a head up defensive end spikes inside, the back side tackle would pick him up and attempt to cut him off or ride him down the line of scrimmage leaving a bigger cutback lane and the H would lead up to the Will or first back side inside linebacker.”

“We actually make this a different scheme / code word in our system to communicate to our offensive line when we run at an A gap defender that we want the backside to cut-off.”

“It’s built into the play. That is how we teach it. The H block is called ‘Hack’.

“We simply add the word ‘kick’ to our play call. The offensive line rules do not change. We run inside zone to the right, leaving the C gap defender untouched (zone read). When we want to run cutoff/divide concept, we just call ‘zone right–kick’ and the H back or Sniffer knows he is kicking the C gap defender.”

“We tag this as a ‘BAMA’ call. This tells our back to go to the A gap and our H-Back to kick-out the defensive end. For our linemen, we keep it simple and stick to our ‘zone read’ rules. This allows multiple plays and looks out of different formations.”

“The (zone) read and cut-off is same call. Only the player responsible for that block knows from a signal.”

By Mike Kuchar
Senior Research Manager
X&O Labs
Twitter: @MikeKKuchar

Introduction

The cut iso or zone iso, as it may be called, is an insert concept that will influence the backside inside linebacker or -2 the point in zone schemes (Diagram 30). It can be run to the side of the H or away from the H who will lead block on a second level defender. It mirrors the old school isolation scheme save for one main reason: it entails zone blocking to the play side and man blocking to the backside of the concept. This means that it still relies on the displacement of defenders who are working to the zone concept and because of this it provides for a “softer” blow by the H/Y on the second level defender. We are calling it “cut” iso because the H is usually “cutting” across the formation to block the second level defender.

In this case, we will conduct our finding on how coaches are identifying the defensive front, how they are blocking the concept and how the H is taught to execute his assignment. It’s a zone concept play, so the aiming points of the back will be of the same emphasis we detailed in case one. When we asked our contributors why they packaged the cut iso, here is what they told us:

Justin Iske, offensive line coach, Southwestern Oklahoma State University: “The more static the front is, the more we will run cut iso.”

Chris Fisk, offensive line coach, Central Washington University: “Whenever that back side tackle has free access into the B gap that DE can close the hip so bad, we lose H backs to concussions. The collision is so much more doable for him (an H) to insert into a second level.”

Tyler Bowen, offensive coordinator, Fordham University (NY): “If a team is doing a great job of bend scraping on the backside of the zone, this can give you the ability to set a point on the bend defensive end and put the TE/H back on a soft scrape defender.”

Larry Hill, Smithson Valley High School (TX): “We think it marries up with the three down fronts and four down fronts equally.”

“Tagging” Cut Iso

Since many coaches package the cut iso with other insert concepts such as divide zone or zone wham, we wanted to research how they were coding the play, or labeling the play. Responses are posted anonymously below:

“We use the tag, ‘BOB’ to let the H/Y/F know that they are responsible for inserting on the backside LB.”

“We tag the backside tackle with a ‘Seal’ tag when he has a FB/wing play next to him. In conjunction with labeling a Mike (whom the center will climb to all things equal/proceeding normally), the Seal tag tells the backside tackle he is hinging back. If we want to have both the tackle and guard hinge back, a Bob call is made which directs the FB/wing to insert through them to go second level, again, keeping in mind who our designated Mike will be.”

“The back side tackle has man on. Rest of the offensive line follow inside zone rules. If the back side guard has a 3-tech, H leads up through backside A gap for the Will (linebacker).”

“We tag our zone call with ‘BOB’ (Big on Big). When the linemen hear the ‘BOB’ tag, they know they are responsible for the 4 down linemen plus the “Mike” (3 down linemen and OLB if an ODD look). The QB sets the ‘Mike’ call at the LOS and we base our combos on that call.”

“We tag our blocking call with a ‘T’ to tell the BST (and sometimes the BSG) they are base blocking, not zone blocking.”

“For us, we call this ‘wham’ which is nothing more that inside zone on the play side and iso rules on back side. Our play side offensive tackle just knows he has to drive block the defensive end.”

“To our linemen, this is ‘Boston’ which to them is our code word for locking on the defensive end. This also tells our H-back to block B-gap backer whether play side or backside.”

“We would call this ‘zipper’ insert. We signal the concept to the offensive line, so we would signal in zipper lock, telling the left tackle that he’s locked on the end.”

“We use a ‘B’ word to tell the line that the Y has linebacker level (first linebacker outside center away from the call). Basically becomes an iso.”

Three Down Front Play Design

The cut iso is a six-box run concept, particularly out of 11 personnel Y off groupings, which 65 percent of coaches say is their most productive Y off personnel grouping. The advantage of running the cut iso against three man front six boxes is the ability to out block on both the 3 or 4i-technique defensive tackle and Jack linebacker, while inserting into a second level player. Which means that there is one underlying question to using this concept against odd fronts, can your center handle the nose? If he can, great. If not, this may not be a good concept against odd.

By Mike Kuchar
Senior Research Manager
X&O Labs
Twitter: @MikeKKuchar

Introduction

The final insert concept of this special report is the wham concept, which is essentially a trap block on the -1 defender on the backside of the zone (Diagram 38). Although 46 percent of the coaches surveyed say they run this concept, we found it to be the most under utilized concept among this focus group. In fact, while conducting our research, it was a common declaration for many of our contributors to say, “we wish we ran it more.” Because when run correctly, the play can be dynamic.

While it can be dynamic, there is that ever-present concern that an H back cannot effectively block a first level interior defensive lineman, which is what the job description entails. Sure, a tight end on a defensive end on split zone can be managed, but a face first block on a 3-technique or what’s worse, nose? You can’t be serious. Well, our contributors are not only serious but they’re adamant about running the wham to both an odd and even front.

In this case, we’ll share our finding on how coaches are identifying whom their target is, because the beauty of the scheme is manipulating whom you want to trap. We also present our research on how they are blocking the concept and how the H is taught to execute his assignment. It’s a zone concept play, so the aiming points of the back will be of the same emphasis we detailed in case one. When we asked our contributors why they packaged the wham with their inside zone concepts, here is what they told us:

Tyler Bowen, offensive coordinator, Fordham University (NY): “If you’re running zone, the toughest block on the field is the backside tackle on that 4i defender so the zone wham is an answer. We have a better angle to wham him than cut him off.”

Tom Clark, offensive coordinator, North Cobb High School (GA): “The best part is it doesn’t change anything for our offensive line zone principles and it allows me to block six or seven in the box. We don’t have to worry about brining an extra lineman in to block seven in the box.”

Justin Iske, offensive line coach, Southwestern Oklahoma State University: “It’s a way to run trap without teaching trap.”

Tagging Wham Concepts

Since many coaches package the zone wham with other insert concepts such as divide zone or cut iso, we wanted to research how they were coding the play, or labeling the play. Responses are posted anonymously below:

“This is a ‘wham’ tag for us. The H/F/Y is responsible for the first down defender past the center.”

“By how we align our back, or the formation, and where that sets everyone, the wham call will always apply to an A gap threat on the backside of the call.”

“The first man past the nose of the center is not blocked. Backside tackle has defender on line of scrimmage. Backside guard has best path to linebacker.”

“We tag ‘wham’ or ‘nose wham’ to our zone call. Wham is a front side wham and Nose Wham is a backside wham. These are interior defensive line tags. Linemen know to fan/rip-under the side of the wham. Combos remain the same as zone unless your combo defensive lineman is getting the wham block.”

“We actually have a play call for this play. This is 40/41 for us. Which is inside zone front side, fan backside and the H lines up base on the call. Against an even front will always wham the nose or shade technique. Against an odd front, we have whammed the nose, or a defensive end.”

“We will only wham a 3-technique. We’ll give a Tom, Tommy, or Thomas call along with our zone call to indicate to the OL that front side is blocking inside zone and backside guard and backside tackle have linebacker and defensive end. The ‘Tom’ call tells backside not to block the DT backside.”

Play Design vs. Four-Down Fronts

We found the majority of coaches will prefer to run the wham concept against a 3-techinque mainly because of the aggressive nature of that player and a higher tendency of an up field charge, both of which complements the purpose of utilizing the wham scheme.

Scott Wooster, the offensive line coach at Wayne State University prefers to run the wham concept at the 3-technique in four down fronts mainly because of those aforementioned reasons. Often times he will do it with H motion in order to get him on the outside leg of the guard to get the right leverage on the block (Diagram 39).