Zone Blocking in Football

Steve Addazzio - University of Florida

Notes by Hez Butler for GridironChat.com from the 2008 Atlanta Glazier ClinicFootball Coaching Philosophy.

“Florida Zone Blocking presented by Steve Addazio at the 2008 Atlanta Glazier Clinic. Coach Addazio spoke on the Tight Zone, Stretch and Outside Zone as they are run at Florida. There is especially good information on the Offensive Line details for the zone running offense. (Coach

Butler)”

1. Fox Hole

a. Can I trust you? (can't trust = can't coach)

b. Do you care?

2. What we say here, stays here, when we leave here.

3. Relentless effort to be great!

4. Tool Box - Learn your trade.

5. Ego Away

6. Meeting Room

a. Have fun:  work when time

7. Be the Head Coach of position.

 

 Offensive Line Techniques

Mate Blocking  = gap-zone; combo/double team blockingPrinciples must be worked and preached everyday for zone blocking.

1. Hip 2 Hip

2. 4 eyes on LB

3. OL to side of LB working to deliver ball w/ shoulder

4. Cover/Uncovered w/ indicator system

5. Step to LB

6. Arm to LB free

o Deliver Guy = guy coming off (inside hand push off)

o Take over Guy = guy who takes over

  

Deliver/Take Over

Drills = pre-fit, stance to pre-fit, stance to live (Step near foot to LB; combo to)

 Zone Blocking Concept

1. Zone:  2-3-4; OL & TE working together

2. Evolution

A. Attack ODD/Slanting

B. Gives angles/advantages

C. Run-off/no worry

3. Numbering System

A. Center ID's = find "0"

B. Finds by on or over playside player

C. Rules:

i. PSTE - PS gap to #3

ii. PST - PS gap to #2

iii. PSG - PS gap to #1

iv. C - PS gap to #0

v. BSG - PS gap to #1

vi. BST - PS gap to #2

 Covered/Uncovered

1. Covered = outside shade/head up inside

2. Uncovered = is the DL on the covered man shaded to you or away

 

Align

1. Covered - up as close to LOS as possible

2. Uncovered as deep off the LOS as possible

 If you get an outside shade:Away:  from the run = Wedge Step/1 hand onTo:  the run = 2 hands on 

Zone Running Plays

Tight Zone

Covered Uncovered

Aim outside # Wedge/90 degree, aim near hip

Footwork wedge step PS/Backside 90 degrees

 

Stretch

Cov. Uncov.

Aim Outside armpit Screws on Screws

Footwork Wide wedge; Back knee through crotch

Wide wedge; 3 hard & KNOCKOUT! / up to LB

 

OZ  Seal Front; "Lock the Box"

. Cov. Uncov.

Aim Outside # Get Face across

Footwork Rip-Reach-Overtake = wide wedge (open pull), cross over, punch w/off arm, get shoulders vert

Big Reach-rip-run

 

Offensive Line Zone Blocking Drills

Boards = steps, contactDrive LBGet offSift How to handle extra defender?

Weak side:1. Read Wk. Defender 2. Extra blocker 3. Naked

 Strong side:

1. Pitch 2. Extra Defender

  Need to give a little, to enter square