March 2017

 

The Inside Zone RPO is your favorite play.  This week’s Defensive coordinator knows this. So he will spend all week devising ways to take away the Inside Zone RPO. He will drill his players on how to stop the Inside Zone RPO. And his defense will stop it for a drive.

It will happen. Trust me. It’s football. But what will you do when it happens? Will you stop running the play?

Hell no.

You will run this amazing variation off of the Inside Zone RPO and have the defensive coordinator quit on the spot.

The Inside Zone RPO Blocking Scheme.

Blocking Inside Zone against an Under Front

Blocking Inside Zone Against a Shade.

The blocking scheme is the same as before. And that is what makes the Inside Zone RPO blocking scheme so amazing. It keeps things simple upfront for your offensive linemen. This lets your offensive linemen play hard, fast, and be successful

Left Tackle – You block anyone head up to outside of you.

Left Guard – You will check the play side B-gap. If there is someone there then you will block them. If there is no one there then you will check the backside A-gap. If you have someone in that gap then you will block them. If you do not have anyone in either gap then the center must be covered and you will help out the center.

Center – You will check the play side A-gap. If you have someone in the gap then you will block that person. If no one is in that gap then you will check the back side A-gap. If you have someone in that gap then you will block that person. If there is no one in either gap then that means you are covered and you will block the person over you.

Right Guard – You will check the play side A-gap. If you have someone in that gap then you will block that person. If you don’t have anyone in the play side A-gap then you will check the back side B-gap. If there is someone in that gap then you will BASE BLOCK HIM, because you are now apart of the BASE tag. If no one is in either gap then the center must be covered and you will help him.

Right Tackle – You will block anyone head up to outside of you because you are tagged with the BASE tag.

The Wide Receivers Routes in Inside Zone RPO

Spread 3 x 1 formation with the inside receivers stacked on top of each other.

Defenses will put a man right over the stack receiver.

This is where the variation comes from. If you gash the defense a couple of times with the Stick route off of the Inside Zone RPO, then the defense will put a guy on top of the Y receiver and press him at the line of scrimmage.

That’s fine. Because that will help free up the F receiver.

The Y receiver runs the flat route and the F receiver runs the stick route.

Run F Stick and have the defensive coordinator quit during the game.

 

L Receiver - You are running a hitch/fade read route. If the corner is five yards off of you then you will run a three step hitch. Expect the ball when you turn around. If the corner is in your face then you will take a mandatory outside release and run to the end zone.

Y Receiver - You are going to attack the outside shoulder of the man over you. Your job is for the man to place his hands on you. Make him turn his shoulders and chase you. If you can, grab his jersey a little bit and force him to come with you.

F Receiver - You are running five hard steps towards the inside shoulder of the defender over the Y receiver. If the Y does his job right then there shouldn’t be a defender there. Doesn’t matter. Take a mental imagine and attack the shoulder. Hitch up and look for the ball on your inside shoulder after the fifth step. The ball will be coming fast so don’t be surprise.

R Receiver - You are running a mandatory outside release vertical. You will take your man to the end zone. If you stop running and let the corner into the play then you can expect to sit the bench for the rest of the game.

Running Back Steps in the Inside Zone RPO

Running Back’s foot work is the same as before. You are taking a six inch search step with the foot closest to the quarterback. This is called a Search Step.

You will cross over with your opposite foot and point your toes towards the center’s butt on your second step. This is called a Cross Over Step.

You will come downhill towards the center’s butt on your third step. This is called the Go step.

If the quarterback pulls the ball from you then you will attack the backside linebacker.

This is a cheap way of turning the run blocking into a form of pass blocking.

Quarterback’s Read in the Inside Zone RPO

The quarterback is asking himself this question when you call the Inside Zone RPO: How many people are in the box?

Quarterback sees it is a six man box so he will throw the ball.

Quarterback’s read in the Inside Zone RPO.

If the quarterback sees six men in the box then he knows the offense doesn’t have the advantage in the run game. So he will move his read to the linebacker over the Y receiver.

If the linebacker follows the Y receiver then the quarterback will throw the ball to the F receiver. If the linebacker chases the F receiver then the quarterback will throw the ball to the Y receiver.

Quarterback sees it is a five man box so he will run the ball.

Hand the ball off against a five man box.

If the quarterback sees five defenders in the box then he knows the offense has run advantage. He will hand the ball off to the running back and FAKE A THROW to hold the secondary. This gives the running back an advantage.

That’s it

All you have to do to confuse the defense and have the defensive coordinator sweating at night is change up the wide receiver’s routes. Nothing changes for the offensive linemen or the quarterback’s read. That’s the beauty of this offense. We keep things simple so the kids can play fast and be successful.

Leave a comment below if you do anything different with your Inside Zone RPOs. I love to hear from ya’ll. Please subscribe to my YouTube channel if you haven’t already. I put out a new video every Saturday morning. Please download my FREE One Back Power RPO eBook. The sign up is at the top of the page.

Until next week coaches, let’s continue to Master the Spread, Score Points, and Have Fun.

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Why is it that the defenses have an America blitz, but the offense doesn’t have an America Inside Zone RPO? I don’t think that’s fair. Offensive guys aren’t less American than their defensive counter parts. So today I’m going to introduce to you all the American Inside Zone RPO.

What’s the America Inside Zone RPO? It’s the Inside Zone paired with the Y-Stick quick game passing concept.

BOOM!

What now Defensive Coordinators?

What makes the Inside Zone RPO so great?

This play puts the defense in a bind. Do they cover the greatest quick game concept ever made, or do they defend the greatest running scheme ever?

Defensive coordinators will look like Dana Hogorsen  after the game because they won’t know what to do.

What formation do you run the Inside Zone RPO Out Of?

How to Screw with defensive coordinators

Trio Rt Special

I love this formation. It puts the defense in a bind. They are outnumbered at the point of attack by the two stacked wide receivers. If they want to even out the numbers they will have to do one of two things: 1) Bump a line backer out of the box, or 2) Roll down a safety.

Either way, YOU are making the defense do something. YOU are forcing their hand. YOU are taking charge of the situation and the ball game.

Isn’t that great?

The Inside Zone RPO Play.

The play is your typical Inside Zone Blocking Scheme, but with a Base Tag. In this example we will be running it to the left.

Normally, the right offensive guard will secure the B-gap and then climb to the backside linebacker if no one crosses his face in the B-gap. But he isn’t doing that on this play because of the Base Tag.

The Base Tag doesn’t change the play for the rest of the linemen. Only the backside tackle and  guard. Everyone else blocks the play normal.

Offensive Line Blocking the Inside Zone RPO

Blocking Inside Zone RPO with backside 3 Tech.

Blocking for the Inside Zone RPO is simple. Here are the rules:

Left Tackle - You block anyone head up to outside of you.

Left Guard - You will check the play side B-gap. If there is someone there then you will block them. If there is no one there then you will check the backside A-gap. If you have someone in that gap then you will block them. If you do not have anyone in either gap then the center must be covered and you will help out the center.

Center - You will check the play side A-gap. If you have someone in the gap then you will block that person. If no one is in that gap then you will check the back side A-gap. If you have someone in that gap then you will block that person. If there is no one in either gap then that means you are covered and you will block the person over you.

Right Guard - You will check the play side A-gap. If you have someone in that gap then you will block that person. If you don’t have anyone in the play side A-gap then you will check the back side B-gap. If there is someone in that gap then you will BASE BLOCK HIM, because you are now apart of the BASE tag. If no one is in either gap then the center must be covered and you will help him.

Right Tackle - You will block anyone head up to outside of you because you are tagged with the BASE tag.

Wide Receiver Routes for the Inside Zone RPO

Routes for Inside Zone RPO

The Wide Receivers are running the Air Raid Y-Stick route. Here are their rules:

R Receiver - You are running a mandatory outside release vertical. Your job is to take the corner with you. If the corner squats while you run past him then you let the coach know on the sideline. Because that corner is fixing to get burnt.

Y Receiver - You are running the stick route. You will push off hard for three steps, aiming for the outside shoulder of the man over you. On third step you will plant on your outside foot and find grass inside the man over you.

F Receiver  - You are running the shoot route. You are looking to replace the R receiver. Get there fast. Force the man over the Y to make a decision - cover you or cover the Y.

L Receiver - You are running a three step hitch. Expect the ball if the corner is five yards off of you. Spin towards the sideline if you are thrown the ball.

Running Back Steps in the Inside Zone RPO

You are taking a six inch search step with the foot closest to the quarterback. This is called a Search Step.

You will cross over with your opposite foot and point your toes towards the center’s butt on your second step. This is called a Cross Over Step.

You will come downhill towards the center’s butt on your third step. This is called the Go step.

If the quarterback pulls the ball from you then you will attack the backside linebacker.

This is a cheap way of turning the run blocking into a form of pass blocking.

Quarterback’s Read in the Inside Zone RPO

The quarterback is looking at the number of players in the box. How many are there? Five or more then you will hand the ball off. Six or more then you are throwing the ball.

Hand the Ball Off.

In the example above the quarterback sees there are only five defenders in the box so he will hand the ball off. He will FAKE A THROW once he hands the ball off. It is very important he does this because it will freeze the defenders - giving the running back an opportunity for more yards.

Read the Outside Linebacker.

What does the quarterback do when he sees six defenders in the box?

He changes the read to the defender over the Y receiver. The quarterback still puts the ball in the running back’s stomach, but he’s reading the outside linebacker:

The outside linebacker jams the Y receiver then the quarterback will throw it to the F.

The outside linebacker takes the F on the shoot route then he will throw the ball to the Y.

It’s that simple.

That’s how we teach the Inside Zone RPO.

Leave a comment below if you do anything different with your Inside Zone RPOs. I love to hear from ya’ll. Please subscribe to my YouTube channel if you haven’t already. I put out a new video every Saturday morning. Please download my FREE One Back Power RPO eBook. The sign up is at the top of the page.

Until next week coaches, let’s continue to Master the Spread, Score Points, and Have Fun.

 

 

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Everyone loves the Inside Zone in football. Everyone also loves using Tight Ends in the Spread. So it’s only natural to incorporate your Tight Ends into your Inside Zone scheme.

Yet, some coaches don’t know how to do this. They ask themselves, “Do we put him on the line and have him combo with the tackle? Or do we throw him the ball and never use him to block? Should we Flex him out or put him in the backfield?”

I don’t have all the answers, but I do have one formation and one play that utilizes the Tight End and makes the defense pay.

The Formation

Trey Formation - 3 x 1 with a tight end

This is it  The formation that scares defensive coordinators. The combination of power and speed. It’s a 3 x 1 set with an attached Tight End to the two receiver side.

Defenses don’t know what to do with it. Specially if they are running an Even man front. Most defensive coordinators will utilize two different fronts: an Over Front or an Under Front.

Over Front - 3 Tech is Over the Tight End’s Side

This is an Over Front. Notice how the 3-tech is over on the Tight End’s side? That’s how I remember this is called an Over Front. I know it sounds stupid, but it works for me. Please don’t judge me.

The 3 Tech is away from the Tight End.

Here is an Under Front. Notice how the 3-tech is away from the Tight End’s side? That’s how I remember this is called an Under Front. Again, don’t judge me.

The Play

Trey Zelda Dump - Great Play Name

I like to keep our concepts simple. I subscribe to the K.I.S.S method of play calling. I also like to tweak things because I am human and enjoy installing things I see on Saturday.

How do I get the best of both worlds? By TAGGING our base concept and changing the assignment of one or two people. That’s what we do here. We are running our base Inside Zone to the left, and TAGGING the play with Base.

What does the ‘Base’ tag do? It tells the backside tackle he is base blocking anyone head up to outside of him, and that the backside guard will base block a defender IF the defender is lined up head up to outside of him.

Inside Zone Blocking Rules

Left Tackle: Block anyone head up to outside of you.

Left Guard: If someone is in the play side B-Gap then you block him. If someone is in your backside A-Gap then you will block him. If no one is in either gap then you will help the center and climb to the front side Linebacker.

Center: If someone is in the play side A-Gap then you block him. If someone is in your back side A-Gap then you will block him.

Wide Receiver Rules

L Receiver - You are by yourself. You will run the gift route. If you have five or more yards of cushion then you will run a three step hitch. If you are getting pressed coverage then you will run a vertical.

Y Receiver - You are running the dump route. You are running an outside release vertical. If you had grass then you will slow down and stay in the grass. Most of the time you will not get the choice of slowing down because the quarterback will hit you in stride.

F Receiver - You are running the Key Screen. Take one step forward then backpedal to the side line. DO NOT STOP BACKPEDALING. Force that Line Backer to defend you.

R Receiver - You are blocking the corner.

Quarterback Rules

First thing - can you throw the hitch to the L receiver?

Yes - then throw that junk.

No - then go to your read key.

You are reading the first linebacker on the same side as the running back. If he fills for the run then you will throw the DUMP pass to the Tight End. Make sure you do not lob the ball to him, because he will end up on the safety’s highlight reel. If another defender comes into the window of the DUMP pass then flip your hips and throw the Key Screen to the F receiver.

If the line backer drops back to cover the pass then you hand the ball off.

It’s that simple.

Please subscribe to my YouTube channel if you learning about the Spread Offense. Please grab my FREE One Back Power RPO eBook. It’s located in the top right corner of the site.

And until next week, let’s continue to Master the Spread, Score Points, and Have Fun.

 

 

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Ah, the 3-3 Stack. A balanced defense that allows defensive coordinators the chance to stop the Spread Offense by bringing exotic stunts and blitzes.

It’s an offensive coordinator’s worst nightmare.

But should it be?

No, it shouldn’t.

That’s why I’m going to go over one of the ways we attack the 3-3 Stack using our inside zone play.

How to Screw with defensive coordinators

Yes I stole this formation from Baylor. Sue me.

When you go against the 3-3 Stack you need to get out of your normal 2 x 2 formation mindset. The 3-3 Stack is designed to go up against those formations. You are making the defenses job easier when you sit in a static, balanced formation.

We want to get into some form of 3 x 1. The above formation is one of my favorites. We call it Trio Rt Special. The ‘Special’ tag tells the F to line up behind the Y in a Stack alignment.

How does this formation cause problems for the defense? The defense is out numbered two to one by our stacked wide receivers.

“But Coach McKie,” you ask. “Won’t the defense just roll down the safety and go cover one when they see this formation?”

Nope.

Defensive coordinators are in love with Palm’s coverage the same way Spread coaches are in love with the Run Pass Options. They are going to stay in two high until their Lord Saban tells them it is okay to roll down against 3 x 1 formations.

But, defensive coaches aren’t completely stupid. They are still going to try to dictate who is going to keep the ball on the zone read. That’s why they will put their defensive ends in a 4i.

Now, the defense is forcing the quarterback to pull the ball since the ‘read’ key is slanting inside to take away the dive. This puts the Outside Linebacker  as the quarterback player.

That’s okay though. Let the defensive coordinators think they’ve won this battle. It will make their tears that sweeter when we score a rushing touchdown on them.

How We Combat This Strategy

We have our backside tackle arc release to the Outside Linebacker that’s head up to outside of him and have the Quarterback read the 4i. (Note: You can either teach it this way or make it a call from the sideline.)

How do you like me now Defensive Coordinators?

Why do we do this instead of having our tackle wash down the 4i? Because our tackles aren’t that good at washing down 4is. So instead of banging my head against the wall and wailing to the football gods for cursing me with offensive linemen that can’t wash anyone down, I instead teach them to arc release to the second level and have our Quarterback read the 4i trying to make the play.

It’s a win-win situation for the tackle and myself. He doesn’t have to hear me screaming at him during practice, and I don’t have to get a headache.

Blocking Scheme

Left Tackle: You have someone head up to outside of you so you will base block that man.

Left Guard: You don’t have a defender in your play side B-Gap, nor do you have a defender in your back side A-gap. So you will help the center double team the nose, while having your eyes on the Front Side Linebacker. Once the Front Side Linebacker triggers towards the line of scrimmage then you will come off the double team and block him.

Center: You are covered. Therefore you will block the nose guard. Easy.

Right Guard: You do not have anyone in your front side A-Gap. You do have a B-gap defender in the back side B-Gap, BUT you know the center is covered. So you will double the nose with your eyes on the Back Side Linebacker/Middle Linebacker. When the Back Side Linebacker/Middle Linebacker triggers towards the line of scrimmage then you will come off the double team and block him.

Right Tackle: You have a 4i and you know that the center is covered. So you will arc release - meaning you will not block the guy in the play side B-Gap - and immediately block the linebacker that is head up to outside of you.

Quarterback Reads

You are reading the B-Gap defender. If the B-Gap defender runs straight at you then you will hand the ball off to the Running Back. If the B-Gap defender flies towards the Running Back then you will pull the ball and chase the butt of the Right Tackle.

If the Outside Linebacker lined up over the Y comes to tackle you then you will flip the ball out to the F receiver running the key screen. If the Outside Linebacker lined up over the Y chases the key screen then you will turn up and score.

Wide Receivers

You will be running our normal quick screen.

The R recevier will block the corner.

The Y receiver will block the Outside Linebacker over him. If the Outside Linebacker chases the Quarterback then you will turn up and block the first different colored jersey you see.

The F receiver will take one step forward and then back pedal. You are looking for the ball. If you get it then you will put your foot in the ground and get North and South.

Running Back

Your steps are as followed: Open, Cross Over, Bang it behind the Center’s butt.

That’s the play.

You need to realize that this is one of the two running plays we have, before you tell me that it isn’t an easy play. I am a firm believer of Less is More.

So there you have it. That is one of the ways we attack the 3-3 Stack using our Inside zone. If you do anything different then please leave a comment below. I love hearing from ya’ll.

Also, please Check out my FREE One Back Power eBook if you haven’t already. You can sign up on the side of my webpage.

And until next week, let’s Master the Spread, Score Points, and Have Fun!

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