A Browns site does a nice job breaking down what the term ‘zone blocking’ means. This is the kind of scheme the Colts use.
2. Allow running backs to play instinctively and quickly.
Unlike other runs, there is no predetermined gap through which the ballcarrier is looking to run in the stretch play. The running back has an “aiming point” where he will begin running, but is coached to survey the line quickly, then plant his playside foot and make one cut vertically up the field through the gap of his choice as described above. He simply runs to daylight; wherever a defender is not fulfilling his gap responsibility, the running back makes him pay.
3. Take advantage of a defense’s under- or over-aggressiveness.
As explained above, if a defense plays too aggressively or not aggressively enough, they lose. The defense must play with balance and controlled aggression to win.
3. Outrun, out-athlete, and out-maneuver the DL laterally.
Often, teams with lighter, weaker, but more agile blockers are the ones who run the zone runs with a lot of success. This certainly used to be the case in Denver. Teams who run the zone runs often can afford to have lighter, more agile players because they are looking to double-team the bigger defenders and spreading the defense horizontally to create running lanes. This is as opposed to “normal” runs, where the offensive line is trying to push the defensive line vertically off the ball.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
