Wisconsin Run Game Part 2- Offensive Line Play in the Inside Zone

Wisconsin offensive line play in the Inside Zone

Building on top of Wisconsin’s success is their offensive line play.  A local offensive lineman recruit in the state of Illinois already committed to the University of Wisconsin verbally for next year.  When asked why, he responded, “Wisconsin knows how to develop their offensive linemen.”  This is a feeling that is clearly shared across the Big 10 and the country.  Wisconsin knows how to develop their offensive line, and they use the inside zone play as the basis for their success. 

To start, the basic Inside Zone Play is shown below out of the Pro-I formation.

The key to the offensive line play is the 1st two steps!  If the lineman is covered, he will use a lead step and a gather step.  If the lineman is uncovered, the lineman will take a lateral step to gain ground and a gather step.  

A key term that line coaches use is what is called a COMBO Block.  Combo blocks are short for combination blocks, which are two offensive lineman on one defensive lineman.  Once one offensive lineman is able to handle a defensive lineman, the can move onto the next level (usually a linebacker).  An example is below.

Zone is based off of the simple principal of COVERED vs. UNCOVERED.

• If the Lineman is covered, he is to expect help from the inside on a Combo Block.
• If the Lineman is uncovered, he is zone (combo) with his teammate to the playside.

Because the zone is so simple to use, all positions are interchangeable.  Offensive line coaches use what is called the Lineman progression when teaching inside zone.  The progression is below.  

This is the main reason why inside zone plays are so effective.  Teams are able to keep the rules consistent, no matter who the opponent or defense is that week.  Through using the zone principles and spending time working on combo blocks, Wisconsin was able to have one of the most successful running games in the country.

Next up.... Using formations to set up the Inside Zone.

As always, for the best breakdown of football on the web, check out www.chiefpigskin.com

Wisconsin Run Game Part 1

I apologize that it has been some time getting back to the blogging.  I was wrapping up the wrestling season, and was able to bring home a state champion in the process!  At the same time, I was prepping for my first public speaking in St. Louis.  It was a great experience, and I applaud the hospitality of the people of St. Louie!

Speaking of St. Louie, I enjoyed listening to one of my favorites, Nelly, the whole ride down.

Now back to business.  Breaking down the University of Wisconsin's running game during the 2010-11 Rose Bowl season.  Wisconsin used a variety of traditional plays out of the Pro-I playbook.  During this breakdown, I will be going over the variety of ways the Badgers use formations and motions to cause confusion for Big-10 defenses.  

Wisconsin and offensive coordinator Paul Chryst like to implement a zone-based offense. 

There are multiple reasons that people like to use the zone offense:

1.  Simplicity-  Very little adjustments need to be made week to week.  Zone plays are very simple for offensive linemen to execute.  If a player goes down with an injury, it is often very easy to substitute because rules of uncovered vs. covered do not vary by position.  

2.  Limits Negative Plays-  Because there is little confusion with the blocking scheme, there are often no missed assignments.  This limits the negative plays.

3.  Play Action-  The zone running plays are great play action plays.  When teams are getting hammered by the zone play, the linebackers and safeties will cheat up on running plays.  This opens up big time homerun opportunities for the play action deep pass. 

4.  Zone plays are attitude plays.  If the job gets done across the line of scrimmage, there will not be plays for negative yardage. 

Throughout 2010, Wisconsin was one of the highest scoring offenses in the NCAA.  They employed three main running backs, James White, John Clay and Montee Ball.  These running backs each spent a lot of time in the backfield and brought different skills to the team, but one thing remained the same, the zone running plays. 

There are three parts of the zone offense, the inside zone, outside zone and stretch play.  For this post I am going to break down one of Wisconsin’s base plays, the Stretch.  The stretch is set up to move the defense horizontally, allowing the TB to stretch the play outside or cut up the alley.  

18/19 Stretch

Flanker-  Crack block and set the edge of the play.  Wall off the inside threat.

TE-  Covered rule-  Reach block the man head on or outside.  Work to get head across the defender.  Continue until the whistle is blown.  Uncovered rule-  If no on threat, look to block down to DE/LB with tackle. 

PST- Covered rule-  Combo block the man head on or outside.  Work to get head across the defender.  Continue until the whistle is blown.  Uncovered rule-  If not covered, pull outside and turn up the hole looking inside out. 

PSG- Covered rule-  Block the man head on or outside.  Work to get head across the defender.  Continue until the whistle is blown.  Uncovered rule-  If not covered, pull outside and turn up the hole looking inside out.

C- Covered rule-  Combo block the man head on or outside.  Work to get head across the defender.  Continue until the whistle is blown.  Uncovered rule-  If not covered, pull outside and turn up the hole looking inside out.

BSG-  Covered rule-  Combo block the man head on or outside.  Work to get head across the defender.  Continue until the whistle is blown.  Uncovered rule-  If not covered, pull outside and turn up the hole looking inside out.

BST-  Covered rule-  Combo block the man head on or outside.  Work to get head across the defender.  Continue until the whistle is blown.  Uncovered rule-  If not covered, pull outside and turn up the hole looking inside out.

F- Downfield block to safety.

SE-  Downfield block to safety.

QB-  Open at a steep 5 O’Clock step and get ball to back.  Continue boot to hold DE/OLB.

TB- Take first step laterally, reading the 2nd playside down defender.  If his helmet goes inside, push the vertical seam.  If his helmet goes outside, head for the sideline outside of him.  Make one cut and explode! 

Again, the best thing about zone it that the offensive line's rules remain so similar that if there was an injury, there is not a lot of confusion if the offensive line coach has to shuffle everyone around.  Notice, the rules remain the same v. a 3-5 Stack Defense.

and the Under (5-2) defense.

This is the first installment of the Wisconsin Running Game.  More to follow.  As always, check out chiefpigskin.com for the best analysis of football around!