
In a man (or angle) blocking scheme, players identify the player they are responsible to block before the snap, and then they hit that guy as soon as the snap happens. It’s a power system (thus it also being called the “power-blocking scheme”), and it usually takes the 300+ pound offensive lineman to offset the defensive lineman.
What are the different types of blocking schemes?
The other type of blocking scheme is a gap blocking schemes. A gap scheme uses leverage to give the offensive linemen an advantage over physically superior defensive linemen. In a gap scheme the offensive linemen on the playside will block down, or away from the gap where the runner is going.
What is the most common blocking scheme in football?
• GOD blocking scheme (most common): Gap-On-Down means the offensive linemen is responsible for securing their inside gap first. If there is no defender in the offensive linemen’s inside gap, he blocks a defender over. If there is no defender over, the O-linemen blocks down on next defender (or even a linebacker).
What is a man blocking scheme?
Man blocking schemes gave each offensive lineman the responsibility of blocking a specific defender on every play. In theory, this was great... It simplified the roles and responsibilities for each offensive lineman since he was only asked to worry about one defender.
What is the god blocking scheme in football?
Blocking Scheme. • GOD blocking scheme (most common): Gap-On-Down means the offensive linemen is responsible for securing their inside gap first. If there is no defender in the offensive linemen’s inside gap, he blocks a defender over. If there is no defender over, the O-linemen blocks down on next defender (or even a linebacker).

How many blocking schemes are there?
In football there are two main types of blocking schemes. These two are Zone Schemes and Gap Schemes. These are both effective schemes and can be very good for teams, but as a play caller it's important to know the strengths and weaknesses of each scheme and how they fit into your toolbox as a play caller.
What is gap scheme blocking?
The gap scheme is when an offensive lineman uses leverage instead of power when blocking another player. It includes blocking a defender “down” away from the play, creating a natural wall between the defender and the ball carrier.
What are blocking rules?
Essentially, blocking is pushing, with certain restrictions; in blocking one may not grasp another player or do any sort of pulling, and the hands must not extend beyond the line of each armpit; otherwise a holding penalty will be assessed.
How do you teach zone blocking schemes?
1:072:492-Minute Drill: Basic Zone Blocking - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd get their head and eyes towards their target. As. We work to the left. Both players will eye theMoreAnd get their head and eyes towards their target. As. We work to the left. Both players will eye the potential threat once the threats declare they'll make the block.
What is God blocking in football?
GOD stands for Inside Gap, On, and Down. This is a very easy progression that our linemen use on most plays to determine who they will block.
How do you beat zone blocking?
2:1513:35How To Defend The Inside Zone - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAll right we do that because what we really want to do is funnel that guy into a hole in which weMoreAll right we do that because what we really want to do is funnel that guy into a hole in which we already know he's got to go into all right we know they want to run in front side a gap.
What are illegal blocks?
Definition. An illegal block above the waist occurs when a player blocks an opponent above the waist and on the opponents back. This block affects the movement of the opposing player and the referee will throw the flag. This penalty is most common on kick-offs and punts and is also called an illegal block in the back.
Can running backs cut block?
Comment: Since the player was not inside the zone at the snap, the contact must be made above the waist and in the front or from the side. Running Backs and Quarter Backs are never eligible for blocking rule exceptions, since they are Not on their LOS at the snap.
Can a player hit the ball twice in succession?
Player may not hit the ball twice in succession ( A block is not considered a hit ). Ball may be played off the net during a volley and on serve. A ball touching a boundary line is good.
What is the difference between zone blocking and gap blocking?
Zone asks the blockers to step in unison and work in tandem to overtake and wall off defenders while each lineman runs along their track. Gap asks lineman to block down the line of scrimmage from their initial starting spot and away from the hole, as this creates an advantage from the jump.
How do you block outside zones?
6:1219:20Blocking Outside Zone Using the Count System - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAcross his body onto the front side armpit. We want his left knee to drive through the middle of theMoreAcross his body onto the front side armpit. We want his left knee to drive through the middle of the deep the defender. We want to drive that backside knee through the crotch of this defender.
What are two different types of blocks in football?
Man-on-man blocking: The straight-ahead style of blocking by driving straight into the DL. Each OL chooses the opponent opposite him while the center helps out on either side. Slide block: The entire OL slides down the line of scrimmage — a coordinated effort by the line to go either right or left.
What is the difference between Gap and zone blocking?
Zone asks the blockers to step in unison and work in tandem to overtake and wall off defenders while each lineman runs along their track. Gap asks lineman to block down the line of scrimmage from their initial starting spot and away from the hole, as this creates an advantage from the jump.
What are the defensive gaps in football?
Gaps are the space between the offensive lineman. Between the center and the guard is the A-Gap, between the guard and tackle is the B-Gap, between the tackle and tight end is the C-Gap, and outside out the tight end is the D-gap. Defenses must cover these gaps to stop an effective rushing attack.
What does gap down backer mean?
Simply, Down-Gap-Backer means the first responsibility is a down block. If there is no down block to be made, protect your inside gap. If there is no one shooting this gap, move on to the next level. Gap-Down-Backer makes gap protection a higher priority than the down block.
What does gap on Backer mean?
1:124:52What does gap-down-backer mean? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo we can see here there's nobody in his gap. There's nobody head up the tackle. So there's no downMoreSo we can see here there's nobody in his gap. There's nobody head up the tackle. So there's no down call there so he's going to go to backer.
What is a gap blocking scheme?
In a gap scheme the offensive linemen on the playside will block down, or away from the gap where the runner is going. This will leave one defender unaccounted for outside of the gap where the ball is going. The offense will pull a lineman from the backside of the play to block this defender out. The result is a hole that develops between the pulling offensive lineman and the down blocks that should combine to form a wall.
What are the two types of blocking schemes in football?
In football there are two main types of blocking schemes. These two are Zone Schemes and Gap Schemes . These are both effective schemes and can be very good for teams, but as a play caller it’s important to know the strengths and weaknesses of each scheme and how they fit into your toolbox as a play caller.
Why are gap schemes important?
As a general rule Gap schemes are more effective if your offensive linemen are not physically as strong as the defensive linemen and can help to deal with stunts and twists. Zone Schemes are great ways to feature a runner with great vision and punish fast flowing linebackers.
What is zone scheme?
A Zone scheme is based around the idea that the line will be responsible for the gap to the side the play is going. They are not blocking a man but an area. This means that they will run their path and deal with any defender that shows up. The idea with this scheme is for the offensive linemen to stay attached to the defender that is in their zone.
What did defensive coaches do?
By slanting the defensive linemen a certain direction, it’d cause the offensive linemen to follow them, which would then cut off other offensive linemen from being able to block linebackers.
What is man blocking scheme?
Man blocking schemes gave each offensive lineman the responsibility of blocking a specific defender on every play. In theory, this was great... It simplified the roles and responsibilities for each offensive lineman since he was only asked to worry about one defender.
How many offensive linemen work together in zone blocking?
Depending on the offensive play called, at least two offensive linemen will work together in their blocking scheme on each side of the field.
What is zone blocking?
Zone blocking is a style of blocking for offensive linemen that was created by offensive coaches in response to a new style of defense that had emerged. For years, offensive linemen were given man blocking responsibilities. This was very similar to a man-to-man defense.
Which side of the line does Mike double team?
On the left side of the line, they'll double team the defensive tackle. On the right side, they'll double team the defensive end. What you'll see in this illustration is that there’s no set blocking responsibility for either the Mike or Will linebackers.
Is man blocking harder to learn than offensive blocking?
It provides a lot of advantages for offensive linemen, no matter what defensive play is called. While it’s a little more complicat ed to teach and learn than the man blocking scheme, it isn't too difficult that it’d be hard for younger players to learn.
What is the ZBS blocking rule?
The blocking rules allow the linemen to figure out who they are blocking quickly which is a major advantage, however the linemen have to be aware enough to know if they are the ones who peel off from the initial double team or if their teammate should.
What is the inside zone in football?
The inside zone is one of the main inside plays of the zone blocking scheme. This play is diagramed against the 3-4 front. The playside TE zone steps and kicks out the SOLB making sure his shoulders are parallel to the runner's original path. The playside tackle zone steps to the DE again kicking him sideways with his shoulders parallel to the runner's path. The playside guard bucket steps and aims back shoulder of the defender he chips the DE and continues at that angle looking inside for the Buck LB when at the second level he will wall of the Buck.
What is Trey in football?
Trey is a combination block between the playside tackle and TE. It is called by the TE but only against a seven technique. This block is rarely used since the defensive end is rarely in the seven technique on the strongside.
Why do zone blocking coaches use two TE sets?
The two TE set is preferred by some zone blocking coaches because there are multiple plays that can be run out of it and the plays can be run to either side , Note the similarity in ever play and that is the lineman from the inside shade of the backside guard to the lineman on the outside shade of the tackle will always be double teamed to start the play. Remember zone scheme don't want to allow and penetration across the line.
What is ZBS dance?
The ZBS scheme relies on angles to win not power. The footwork of the men in the trenches is vital to establishing these angles. When executed perfectly the ZBS scheme appears to be a synchronized dance. However you can't dance until you know the steps.
What is the foundation of ZBS?
On the individual level, the foundation of the ZBS is footwork, blocking rules and communication along the offensive line. As a whole the ZBS is founded on the principles of getting movement either laterally, vertically or both along the defensive front.
What happens if a lineman is covered in a block?
Regardless the lineman who is covered will at least chip the defender to allow for the uncovered lineman to get to the block. If the defender is on the inside shade of the lineman, the lineman on the inside will be responsible for him 90% of the time.
How to discourage interior penetration?
To discourage interior penetration you can move your line splits down to 1 foot or to zero splits and have the linemen step down. We usually are at 2 foot splits. If we are weaker on the offensive line we will tighten up our splits on pass plays. This will suck the defense in.
What is line split?
Line splits are a vital aspect of offensive line blocking techniques. Credit Image: beaumontenterprise.com. • If you are undersized up front, choose a blocking scheme that will utilize double team blocks. • Bring the splits down to 1 foot or to zero. This will allow you to double team interior defensive linemen.
How to slow down the defensive rush?
If you practice it enough your players will learn not to go off-sides. • Slow down the defensive rush by mixing up your snap counts. Make the defense watch the ball rather than just allowing the defense to react and time your snap count.
Can offensive linemen go down the field?
Even though offensive linemen cannot go down field, that doesn’t mean they can’t step into the defender. We tell our kids to step into the defenders. Many times when youth football linemen step back to pass block, they will get bulled over. Attack the block, do not step back.
Is zero line splits good?
Sometimes going zero line splits is not a good idea. It will suck the entire defense inside. This will sometimes create a mess inside- making it difficult to find running room inside. • It is your job as the coach to select the proper line splits for your offensive linemen.
What is gap blocking?
Gap blocking essentially is a hybrid of Man/Angle and Zone. A gap blocking scheme involves the linemen blocking players in the “gaps” to either side of him. A guard might pull through to create a hole for a running back. In a Gap Scheme, blockers have a responsibility for the gaps between them and the next blocker to either side.
What is gap scheme?
In a Gap Scheme, blockers have a responsibility for the gaps between them and the next blocker to either side. Today, teams will generally have a concept that they prefer, which allows them to pursue players that best fit for the system. And some teams have started to use big, physical lineman that you would generally use in ...
Who put in the zone blocking scheme for the Denver Broncos?
In the mid 90’s, Alex Gibbs put in a zone blocking scheme for the Denver Broncos. Offensive lines were having a very difficult time with all of the zone blitzing of 3-4 defenses, and the stunts of 4-3 defenses. It was extremely difficult to figure out who was blitzing, who was dropping into coverage, and who was just maintaining their gaps.
How does gap scheme work?
Gap Schemes work against any front. The more defensive lineman, the better , as it decreases the chances of a down block being missed. With 3 man fronts, it requires a lineman to get to the second level, which increases the chance of a block being missed. Choose Your FREE Position Guide!
What side does the offensive line block?
As you can see, the play is being run to the left side. The offensive line will block the player that is in the gap opposite the play (the right side). The two tackles and center will block the defensive lineman away from the play. The H-back will also block down on the play-side defensive end. The tricky block is the guards getting to ...
How to lose in a down block?
In order to lose in a down-block situation, the defender must either fight over it or fight around it. 90% of the time when the defender fights around it, they will take themselves out of the play. As a defender, fighting over a down block requires practice time and quick reaction skills. It’s a skill that even professional players have ...
Can a H back block down?
The H-back will also block down on the play-side defensive end. The tricky block is the guards getting to the linebackers. In years past, players could cut block at the second level, making this block a bit easier. Because of the rule changes, players must take a better angle to the linebackers to make the block.
