Outside Zone - The Running Back

I would like to dive into the running back's responsibility on Outside/Wide Zone. This isn't a Stretch Zone where you are trying to get to the edge but is more of an off tackle play with the possibility of getting to the outside. This play is designed to either go to the outside or it is going to be "Cut-Up". Many times the play looks as though the running back is cutting back but if you pay close attention the running back is actually getting north and south in a hurry.

Alex Gibbs is the grandfather of this play and the master of teaching it at the highest level of football. I have watched countless hours of Gibbs talking about the play. OZ is a very expensive (in terms of time) play to install because it takes everyone on the field to execute it to perfection. As Gibbs says: "You can't run this and run everything else... There just isn’t enough time".

Michigan State's Run Game

Here are a couple of videos that break down Michigan State's pro style running game.

Power

Power Variations

Outside Zone

Inside Zone

Here is a link to the full article: Inside the Game: MSU Run Offense

Wide Receiver Blocking

Importance of Wide Receiver Blocking

Wide receivers have a vital role on all run plays and are some of the most important blockers on the field because it takes 11 guys to make a big play. When watching an explosive run play, you will find that the wide receivers are usually busting their tail to make/hold a block so the running back can spring a big run. Russ Grimm, one of the best gap scheme coaches in the NFL, once said that when introducing a run play to his team he first addresses the wide receivers and their assignments because he knows they are important for turning the 10 yards runs into 50 yard runs. By addressing them first, he hopes it is shows them how important their blocks are in the run game. I believe that as a offensive coordinator or a wide receiver position coach, you need to set the tone that run blocking is the first thing that is looked at when it comes to playing time ("No block, No rock"). Alex Gibbs, the "Grandfather" of zone blocking, cuts very talented wide receivers that don't have the desire and will to block on run plays. Having a great desire and attitude to run block will carry over to other aspects of a wide receiver's game. Run blocking by the wide receivers isn't fun, it takes attitude, and it is very important.

10 Tips for Success in Coaching

While I work on my post for installing a pro-style running game, I am going to leave you with a piece on coaching philosophy that I found over at Coach Mike Pope's website - HAWG TUFF. You can find a lot of valuable information on his website.

Red - White System

Having an easy and efficient way to game plan is an extremely valuable asset to have on your side. It can help cut down on the amount of headache, time, and energy needed to effectively come up with a way to move the ball against your opponent. In addition, having an extremely efficient way to game plan can help you out when an opponent does something that wasn't expected. Just like the passing game and defensive coverage, you can have plans to attack certain defensive fronts in the run game. A valuable tool to do this is the "Red - White System".

Communicating Defensive Fronts

Having a way to clearly and precisely communicate to everyone (players and coaches) within your team's organization is vital to the team’s success. A communication system from team to team can and will vary, but it is important to have a system to make sure everyone is on the same page when it counts the most. The communication system within your program needs to cover everything that can be communicated on a day to day basis. From day 1, the communication system needs to be introduces and variances within the system should not be allowed. Variances within the team's communication can lead to someone never knowing what is being communicated. This in return could hurt the team if you are trying to communicate in the heat of the battle. It is important that the communication system is covered for both players and coaches. You can't assume that they know or you will find out that they don't know when it counts the most.

Introduction

This is my first attempt at a blog. I am by no way an expert, but I am choosing to past long information I have collected over the years and to share my thoughts. My goal is to have majority of the people that read this to get at least one thing out of the blog. If there are certain things you would like me to cover, please share and I will do my best to cover it.

I would like to dedicate majority this blog to the running game and more specifically a pro style running game. The pro style running attack utilizes a mix of zone and gap schemes that complement each other very well. The advantage of using these two schemes as your base running game allows an offense to be very multiple. By adding tags/tweaks to the base zone and gap schemes, you can create a new look the defense has to prepare to stop. In addition, an offense can be very multiple with personnel, formations, and motions because these two schemes can be ran out of just about any formation. I am excited to start to dig into the pro style running game.

To get started, I would like to devote the next couple of post to get some background information established. We will first dive into how to communicate and categorize defenses fronts. Second, I would like to look into how a pro style run game should be installed. Lastly, how you can simply your game planning for the run game by the use of the Red - White system. 

Again if at any time you would like to hear about a topic or have any feedback, please feel free to chime in. I am in no means an expert. However, I would like to pass along any information that could help a fellow coach.