Are you looking for something along the lines of an Inside Zone Blocking Rules PDF? Get 2 of them here!
I’m going to give them both to you absolutely free of charge!
That’s because there are multiple ways to block the Inside Zone Run Play.
And unless you have been coaching it and have decided which method is best for you and your players, you should look at all the different ways of teaching Inside Zone.
The Counting System
One of the simplest methods of blocking Inside Zone is by using the Counting Method.
All your players need is to be able to count to 3 to be able to find who they are blocking. And every player defensively is always accounted from from the inside out.
This could present issues against a defense that has more then you can block – so most teams will assign that player to be optioned.
How do you count them?
First you have to find the “Mike”. He’s the player that you start counting from. You should always label the Mike as the player who is the nearest threat to the Play Side A Gap. If it’s an odd front like a 3-4, he’s the Defensive Nose. In an even front like the 4-3 defense, he’s the Middle Line Backer.
Then the Guards count outside from the “Mike” who is labeled a “0” in the count system. They have the #1 to their side.
Next the Tackles have the #2 to their side and lastly, the Tight Ends have the #3 to their side or the #3 is assigned to the QB to option him in a Read Option Play.
If you want to learn more about this system, there is none better than Cody Wilson who has an excellent course detailing all the blocking assignments, combos, techniques, and drills. Here’s a preview of the blocking system and a link to his course if you are interested.
Want to learn more about Coach Wilson’s Inside Zone Course? Click this button here:
Want to download all the alignments of Coach Wilson’s Inside Zone Counting System? Download them here:
The Point System
A few years back I found a fantastic example of a way to block inside zone using what I call the Point System. This method makes it simple to call out where double teams are happening and which linebacker they are working to.
It’s been very popular on YouTube and I’ve had many requests for this PDF download.
The essence of this method is that the Center determines first who the “0” point is in the defensive alignment.
Then the Center will call out his first double team – either to a player on his right or left.
Once this is called, the rest of the line now knows who can work together and which linebackers they should set up the following double teams.
It’s best explained in my video here where I explain how easy it is to teach Zone Blocking Assigments in 10 minutes:
Unfortunately, I do not have a course or more examples for how to expand on this strategy, but it is still one of my most requested Inside Zone Blocking Rules PDF.
The Covered and Uncovered System
Last but not least is the Covered and Uncovered System.
This was one of the first systems that I studied and attempted when I was a coordinator at my local High School.
It is a straightforward system of every player identifying if they are covered, then they will block that man, but if they are uncovered, they will double to a Linebacker.
I moved away from this method because I wanted something more concrete, but I now know that the advantage of this style is the speed at which teams can identify who to block when defenses are moving and changing rapidly.
If you want to run an uptempo no huddle attack, this is a system you should look into.
It is also the system used by some of the most knowledgable Offensive Line Coaches in College and Professional Football today.
Just recently one of the top O-line gurus released a series of courses giving massive overview of everything Inside Zone you would ever need to know to run his system.
His name is Allen Rudolph and you can find out more here:
https://coachtube.com/bundles/inside-zone-series?ambassador=HjCH8mSEZgdib7nCiZJ22FAZ
I personally know a coach who has studied under him and he swears by this system being the ultimate for any offensive line coach.
Here is an overview of his offensive line rules:
Conclusion
There are many great ways to execute offensive line blocking schemes. I could honestly see myself using any of the three depending on what style of offense we are running and how frequently I thought we would be running inside zone.
Make sure you download the Inside Zone Blocking Rules PDF that is shared above in the files buttons. Then adapt them to make them your own!
