I've enjoyed all your videos and ideas. The Rewind technique seems fraught with communication, timing, and positioning issues requiring endless reps, especially at the HS level. The PSG has to punch the NT, be in position for a DE move inside, and account for the PSLB - that's a lot. If the defense runs this stunt, a simpler solution would be to give the PST a mandatory Match block (don't let him cross-face) and have the PSG available to combo with the center up to the PSLB. Then they can handle the NT and PSLB with their regular techniques. I like your idea of staying on the combo blocks longer until the LB commits. It is like inside zone.
Thank you for the kind words! It definitely takes reps and communication, hence why I don't think true Outside/Wide Zone can be an auxiliary run. If it's going to be run correctly, it has to be the base run play for the system. To be the devil's advocate, I think the way you described may be a little more difficult, personally. I like to give my players rules - if this, do that; if not that, do this. Your idea would force the OL to recognize each front and how they are going to block it. The way I coach mine, if they're covered on the play-side, they have a hook (unless the DE is too wide - then it's a match). If they are uncovered, they have the deep shuffle read on the LB. I actually practiced it half-line a few hours ago at practice. I took 3 linemen, put a DL outside the play-side OL, a DL between the middle and back-side OL, and a LB over the middle OL. For example, say it's an Outside Zone weak to the left, it would simulate running to a B gap bubble with a 5T outside the LT and a 1T in the A gap. LT and C both have hooks (covered on the play-side), LG has the deep shuffle read. I just pointed for the LB to either scrape, fill, or fall back, and the hook players know if the uncovered OL combos with them that they are then trying to pick up the LB, whether it's a combo to a scraping LB or rewinding to a fallback LB. Then I put in the RT/RG/C and ran it to the right. After that, I put in the LG/C/RG, and it simulated the interior of the OL when running to a 3T. It's a bit more work on the front end teaching how to sort combos mid-play, but the way I operate and practice, that's a more worthwhile investment for me than teaching different fronts. I get to fronts in-season, showing my guys how we expect the opponent to line up, then I have them try and tell me how it should be blocked up based on our rules. That could just be me, though. I appreciate your thoughts!
Hi Coach, great stuff. 1 question I have. Vs a Bear front that sports a DE wide enough to force a match, a 3-tech, a 0-nose and a LB stacked atop of him, I'm wondering how you work to get to the LB. If the C and BSG are working on the Nose to the LB, the problem I see is that it leaves the PSG manned up against the 3-tech, which bothers me because if he spikes inside and PSG pins him in, that leaves the LB free to flow to that B-Gap and collect the tackle. Meanwhile, asking the C, who has a 0-tech in his face to help the PSG with the 3-tech who goes inside like a tough, and perhaps the toughest one of all would be to ask the PSG to block the 0-tech alone. Any miracle cures, or do you go with the least awful scenario (which, to me, would be the first one)?
Yes sir! Need to add a gap into the box, whether it’s a fullback that can isolate the play-side LB or a tight end to allow the tackle to be uncovered, shuffling deep, and keying that LB.
The 1st of the FST, do you feel like its better to scooting or go wide for the playside number? Or is it based on how the edge align? but it will also change the RB perception on whether the ball will stay on the path or bounce out?
I teach play-side number for first steps across the board. The difference between a match and a hook is more where the force with the hands is and the feet after contact. A match block is going to have that torque right away; there is no thought about getting outside. Contrast to a hook, you’re taking the EDGE where he wants to go, potentially with help from the FSG. The biggest thing is that if you don’t have the guard’s help, the EDGE can’t cross the face of the FST.
These techniques were learned from Coach Jim McNally, legendary NFL OL coach. I wouldn’t know nearly as much about OL play if not for him!
Coach, could the (Hook Block) be dangerously close to being called a Holding penalty by the referee, on the torque?
Your vids are absolute 🔥
I appreciate it!
I've enjoyed all your videos and ideas. The Rewind technique seems fraught with communication, timing, and positioning issues requiring endless reps, especially at the HS level. The PSG has to punch the NT, be in position for a DE move inside, and account for the PSLB - that's a lot. If the defense runs this stunt, a simpler solution would be to give the PST a mandatory Match block (don't let him cross-face) and have the PSG available to combo with the center up to the PSLB. Then they can handle the NT and PSLB with their regular techniques.
I like your idea of staying on the combo blocks longer until the LB commits. It is like inside zone.
Thank you for the kind words! It definitely takes reps and communication, hence why I don't think true Outside/Wide Zone can be an auxiliary run. If it's going to be run correctly, it has to be the base run play for the system.
To be the devil's advocate, I think the way you described may be a little more difficult, personally. I like to give my players rules - if this, do that; if not that, do this. Your idea would force the OL to recognize each front and how they are going to block it. The way I coach mine, if they're covered on the play-side, they have a hook (unless the DE is too wide - then it's a match). If they are uncovered, they have the deep shuffle read on the LB. I actually practiced it half-line a few hours ago at practice. I took 3 linemen, put a DL outside the play-side OL, a DL between the middle and back-side OL, and a LB over the middle OL. For example, say it's an Outside Zone weak to the left, it would simulate running to a B gap bubble with a 5T outside the LT and a 1T in the A gap. LT and C both have hooks (covered on the play-side), LG has the deep shuffle read. I just pointed for the LB to either scrape, fill, or fall back, and the hook players know if the uncovered OL combos with them that they are then trying to pick up the LB, whether it's a combo to a scraping LB or rewinding to a fallback LB. Then I put in the RT/RG/C and ran it to the right. After that, I put in the LG/C/RG, and it simulated the interior of the OL when running to a 3T.
It's a bit more work on the front end teaching how to sort combos mid-play, but the way I operate and practice, that's a more worthwhile investment for me than teaching different fronts. I get to fronts in-season, showing my guys how we expect the opponent to line up, then I have them try and tell me how it should be blocked up based on our rules. That could just be me, though. I appreciate your thoughts!
Hi Coach, great stuff. 1 question I have. Vs a Bear front that sports a DE wide enough to force a match, a 3-tech, a 0-nose and a LB stacked atop of him, I'm wondering how you work to get to the LB. If the C and BSG are working on the Nose to the LB, the problem I see is that it leaves the PSG manned up against the 3-tech, which bothers me because if he spikes inside and PSG pins him in, that leaves the LB free to flow to that B-Gap and collect the tackle. Meanwhile, asking the C, who has a 0-tech in his face to help the PSG with the 3-tech who goes inside like a tough, and perhaps the toughest one of all would be to ask the PSG to block the 0-tech alone. Any miracle cures, or do you go with the least awful scenario (which, to me, would be the first one)?
Yes sir! Need to add a gap into the box, whether it’s a fullback that can isolate the play-side LB or a tight end to allow the tackle to be uncovered, shuffling deep, and keying that LB.
The 1st of the FST, do you feel like its better to scooting or go wide for the playside number?
Or is it based on how the edge align? but it will also change the RB perception on whether the ball will stay on the path or bounce out?
I teach play-side number for first steps across the board. The difference between a match and a hook is more where the force with the hands is and the feet after contact. A match block is going to have that torque right away; there is no thought about getting outside. Contrast to a hook, you’re taking the EDGE where he wants to go, potentially with help from the FSG. The biggest thing is that if you don’t have the guard’s help, the EDGE can’t cross the face of the FST.
I do like your content sir keep doing your thing but these guys are just making mistakes.... That's all.