THE ZONE-BLOCKING scheme is an essential part of our offensive system. We have our offensive linemen perform drills each day to enhance their zone-blocking techniques.
This zone-combo drill is a two-progression drill to get your linemen needed repetitions for inside-zone (IZ) combo technique with adjacent offensive lineman.
If zone blocking is a part of your offensive scheme, incorporate this drill into your daily practice plan.
Progression 1: 2-on-1 Zone Combo
In the IZ scheme, uncovered linemen will step to the near jersey number of the nearest defensive lineman playing a down technique. Doing so will place your linemen in position to “combo" block the down technique with adjacent offensive linemen.
Since one of these linemen will slip off the combo block to a second-level linebacker, this isn’t a double-team. Each offensive player should maintain square shoulders to the defender during all phases of the combo. In Progression 1 of the IZ combo, your linemen should focus solely on securing the first-level defensive tackle.
DIAGRAM 1: 2-On-1 Zone Combo.
Place the defensive down-technique in a shade alignment on one offensive lineman. On the snap, both offensive linemen work an IZ Combo vs. a live down-technique and should create upfield movement on the defender.
Coaches should be checking the following points of emphasis.
- Initial Step. Each offensive lineman must step with his near foot to the near number of the DT.
- Square Shoulders. An IZ combo block isn’t a double team, so there’s no down block. Each lineman must keep his shoulders square to get the upfield push on the DT.
- Three Hands On The DT. The covered offensive lineman squares on the DT and engages with two hands. The uncovered offensive lineman steps to the core of the DT and engages with his near hand. Initially, the uncovered lineman is helping to secure the first-level defender and get an upfield push.
- Eyes On Linebacker. As each offensive lineman gets square on the DT, all eyes must be on the nearest second-level defender. Both players must key the movement of the LB.
- Secure Level One First. As your linemen progress toward a second-level defender, securing level one must remain a priority over all else.
Progression 2: 2-on-2 Zone Combo
After you’ve stressed the initial phases of the IZ combo with the 2-on-1 progression, you’ll insert a LB into the drill to allow an offensive lineman to slip to the second-level.
DIAGRAM 2: 2-On-2 Zone Combo.
The points of emphasis for this stage of the drill should stay the same as in Progression 1, with a few additional things to have the coaches look for.
- Window Concept. Although the uncovered offensive lineman will usually be the player to slip off the combo and attack the LB level, it’s critical that all your linemen keep their eyes on the second-level to key LB movement. No offensive lineman should come off a combo until the LB shows in his window.
DIAGRAM 3: Window Concept.
DIAGRAM 4: Wrong Lineman Slipping The Combo. Never let your offensive lineman slip to an empty space.
DIAGRAM 5: Stack Defense. Keying LB movement is especially critical against a stack defense. Picking Up Stunts
When the defense stunts, your offensive linemen must account for these stunts with base IZ principles.
DIAGRAM 6: Stunt Pickup (A).
DIAGRAM 7: Stunt Pickup (B).
The key in blocking the IZ combo is understanding when and how to come off the combo. Only when a stunting down-technique crosses your lineman’s face or a LB shows in his window, do you allow him to slip off the combo.
DIAGRAM 8: Getting Square To Second-Level Defender.
When a linemen comes off the combo to a second-level player, instruct him to maintain a square position on the defender to get vertical movement upfield.