Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Blast – Linemen execute conservative blocking with backside guard running an inside
Seal. Designated lineman will Release defender on LOS; fullback kicks out.
Buck – Linemen execute liberal blocking. As fullback dives the opposite direction
lead running back will utilize the fullback’s liberal responsibilities.
Counter – Linemen will utilize counter blocking. Backfield will use counter
responsibilities AWAY from the hole.
Dive – Linemen will utilize quick liberal blocking. Called player will dive into the
hole; rest of backfield will flow to the side of the hole called.
G – Linemen will utilize conservative blocking with PS guard kicking out the
FMOTE. Backfield will either run a fullback dive option or the fullback will
get the ball.
Sweep – Linemen and backfield will utilize their respected blocking: responsibilities
depend on type of sweep.
Trap – Linemen will utilize counter responsibilities. Backfield will mirror this TO the
hole.
Veer – Linemen will utilize liberal blocking with the hole man (lineman who’s
number is called) releasing their lineman. Backfield will run Veer
responsibilities.
Coaching Point: The words “Conservative” and “Liberal” aren’t used in play
calling, but “Zone” and “Counter” are.
Relations to Backfield
It is essential that the players in the backfield and linemen are on the same
page. The word Power calls for all players to utilize Conservative schemes. ‘Bone
Left 45 Power’ would not work if the backfield utilized Liberal responsibilities for a
play that they should be using Conservative responsibilities.
The backfield will read the lineman whose hole is the last number in the play. Sense
this is a 42 they will read the right guard. Sense the guard is blocking down they will
run in B gap. If the guard blocked out it would be considered A gap, although
nothing in this case would change.
Coaching Point: Don’t spend too much time going over who blocks who
against what defenses, etc. Linebackers shift too much for the backfield to keep track,
and keeping track may indeed give the play away. For them to know the basic “first
man inside the gap” and “first man over the gap” is raw, but highly effective.
Types of Blocks
Starting with the linemen, we have a simple down block. This is utilized in
just about every kind of blocking scheme, but it is more prominent in the
Conservative scheme. If blocking down on a head up defender, one should be aware
if the player the defender is on is blocking as well.
The combo block is a big part of the Liberal blocking scheme. The covered
player should take a 45 power step followed by a contact step downfield. His third
step should hook the defender. The uncovered player, if he is combo blocking in,
should aid the covered player and move to the second level backside defender.
The reach block is a lot like the Combo block in that we are trying to hook a
covered player. The difference is that the covered player will take a lateral step play
side and hook his defender. Penetration is unacceptable. ‘Zone Reaching’ is staying
along the LOS, double teaming a lineman with both hands and with both eyes on the
linebacker. The lineman should only block the linebacker when he attacks the LOS.
The stretch block is used primarily with Zone schemes. It is a tough, but not
impossible block to make. Uncovered players take a quick bucket step (4 or 8 o’clock)
and proceed to the covered man’s defender. If he is unsuccessful he should reach
downfield inside or, if possible, outside the covered man – who we want to go second
level.
There are words that describe blocks that the tight end and lead back carry
out. Most of these blocks are used in option plays. Whereas all can be called in the
huddle, some are automatic depending on the defense. Those exceptions will be
demonstrated with the play. The following is a diagram of the blocks specified for the
lead back and tight end/tight slot. When sky blocking, make sure second level is
secure first before going to the safety.
Rows 1, 3, and 5 are play side right. Rows 2 and 4 are play side left.
Notes: 4A is a ‘Cross’ block by the PS Tackle and Guard. On the split-end side
the tackle has two people to block and he is the hole man so he calls ‘Out’.
Note: Because of its uniqueness, the 6/7 Hole can differ very much in the
kinds of things that the tight end does. On ‘46/47 Power’ he will base his man, on
‘46/47 Off-tackle’ and ‘46/47 Blast’ he will Release if no 4 or 5, and on ‘36/37 G’ he
will block down, releasing the man on him.
Note: If the hole man (in this case the Guard) letting go of the down lineman
has a man head up and outside shade he should block the head up player.
Note: If the hole man (in this case the Tackle) letting go of the down lineman
has a man head up and outside shade he should block the head up player.
Notes: In diagram 3A the tight end makes an outside release to the invert.
This is not a standard release, but it can be done against a basic 44 defense. If the hole
man (in this case the tight end) letting go of the down lineman has a man head up and
outside shade he should block the head up player.
Note: If the hole man (in this case the wing) letting go of the down lineman
has a man head up and outside shade he should block the head up player.
6/7 G Assignments
BS End – Reach
BS Tackle – Reach
BS Guard – Reach
Center – Reach
PS Guard – Pull, kick out man on TE
PS Tackle – Block down
PS End – Block down, let man on go
Note: The tight end does not have to block down on a 7. Essentially he will
be making a Sax block to the middle linebacker.
Note: The lineman with Combo man responsibilities will essentially base a
man on him.
Notes: Remember, if the man inside you calls stack, block down. The
exception is the center, who won’t block down.
Notes: There is a ‘Stack’ call, but instead of the outside man blocking down he
will combo with the man who called ‘Stack’. This means the BS man must effectively
reach his man without combo help from the man who called ‘Stack’. The designated
hole man will not call ‘Stack’, only those linemen inside him will.
Notes: Remember, the Dive scheme is very much like the Liberal scheme,
except that everyone backside of the hole is more aggressive in their cut off blocking.
Note: If the hole man (in this case the Center) letting go of the down lineman
has a man head up and outside shade he should block the head up player.
Note: If the hole man (in this case the Guard) letting go of the down lineman
has a man head up and outside shade he should block the head up player.
Note: If the hole man (in this case the tackle) letting go of the down lineman
has a man head up and outside shade he should block the head up player.
Note: If the hole man (in this case the tight end) letting go of the down
lineman has a man head up and outside shade he should block the head up player.
Notes: Zone Combo is blocked the same as a Combo block, only in that the
uncovered lineman works back to his zone instead of backside. The only ‘Stack’ call
that matters is the one from the hole man.
2/3 Veer
BS End – Base Reach
BS Tackle – Base Reach
BS Guard – Reach
Center – Combo in
PS Guard – Combo 0 and 1, Down on 2i, Release 2 and 3.
PS Tackle – Combo out, Release inside if no 2 or 3.
PS End – Base man out; Fold on 7 and 6 if Tackle is uncovered.
Note: Sense the Guard and Tackle share B gap, the person releasing depends
on the defense. If A gap is filled then the Tackle will release. If the B gap is filled
then the Guard will release.
4/5 Veer
BS End – Reach
BS Tackle – Reach
BS Guard – Reach
Center – Reach
PS Guard – Combo in
PS Tackle – Combo 2 and 3, Down on 4i, Release 4 and 5
PS End – Corner: Stalk. Tight end: If no 4 or 5: Release. If there is a 4 or 5,
block inside invert to safety.
Notes: Stack is called during the Veer series. The Center and BS Guard will
Combo backside. Tight end will Release when ‘Goal Line’ is called. He will also arc
to weak invert to inside invert if there are 3 LOS defenders from the tackle outward.
6/7 Veer
BS End – Reach
BS Tackle – Reach
BS Guard – Reach
Center – Reach
PS Guard – Reach
PS Tackle – Combo in
PS End – Combo 4 and 5, Down on 7, Release 6 and 9.
Notes: In all of column B we have the Loop scheme in progress against the
Odd fronts. The Loop vs. the 1 Tech Odd defense is hard to do but it can work. The
best way to do it is to have the Center take the 1 tech and the BS Guard pull
underneath. The Quarterback will call “Odd” or “Even”.
Notes: The offensive line must know if the defense is in an Odd or Even front.
It is Even when the play side guard is covered. Split end side tackle will make a
cautious sky block if it is an Even front.