Zone Blocking

Sometimes we like to make things more complicated than they are. Zone running is a classic example. What is intended as a simple system designed to get combo blocks at the point of attack results in lots of confusion about who to block and where the hole is. To be honest I have gotten scared off by the zone at times, but it is definitely the dominant scheme at this time, and some teams do it better than others. This little blurb is an excellent demystification, particularly since the discussion often veers off into "if there's a 3 and a 1 tech...

Zone Blocking

Sometimes we like to make things more complicated than they are. Zone running is a classic example. What is intended as a simple system designed to get combo blocks at the point of attack results in lots of confusion about who to block and where the hole is. To be honest I have gotten scared off by the zone at times, but it is definitely the dominant scheme at this time, and some teams do it better than others. This little blurb is an excellent demystification, particularly since the discussion often veers off into "if there's a 3 and a 1 tech...

Colts Stretch Play

I got this from, guess who, Bill Mountjoy. The Colts and their offense are constantly being discussed. Obviously, they have great personnel with four very good receivers including their tight end, one of the best single backs in the league, and a $60 million quarterback to put them in the correct play every down. However, it is still worth analyzing a bit what they do.Their favorite run play is the stretch play, also known as the outside zone. They...

Colts Stretch Play

I got this from, guess who, Bill Mountjoy. The Colts and their offense are constantly being discussed. Obviously, they have great personnel with four very good receivers including their tight end, one of the best single backs in the league, and a $60 million quarterback to put them in the correct play every down. However, it is still worth analyzing a bit what they do.Their favorite run play is the stretch play, also known as the outside zone. They...

Offense: Indianapolis Colts

Quick response to a Q about the Colts's offense. I'll go ahead and say that I am not an expert on what they do, but have seen a fair amount and gotten some good feedback from others.Anyway, the Colts go to the line w/ three plays: run left, run right, and a pass. Peyton Manning selects among them.They run lots of the stretch play with pullers (similar to the Minnesota Gophers, I believe) and inside zone and a called cutback with zone action. They obviously like to runs lots of play action off the stretch and it they like to throw the post/dig combo...

Offense: Indianapolis Colts

Quick response to a Q about the Colts's offense. I'll go ahead and say that I am not an expert on what they do, but have seen a fair amount and gotten some good feedback from others.Anyway, the Colts go to the line w/ three plays: run left, run right, and a pass. Peyton Manning selects among them.They run lots of the stretch play with pullers (similar to the Minnesota Gophers, I believe) and inside zone and a called cutback with zone action. They obviously like to runs lots of play action off the stretch and it they like to throw the post/dig combo...

Charlie Weis - Run and Shooter?

Obviously Charlie Weis is not a run and shoot coach, and, having studied some of his New England stuff it does not really resemble much of the run and shoot packages. The more likely theory that his offense is sort of an amalgamation of common and traditional NFL tactics. Do it simple; do it well. Coach Mountjoy has pointed out some of the evolution in his offense that began when Weis coached with current Carolina coordinator Dan Henning, but I am not an expert.Anyway, though, this quote was interesting from a recent press conference: Q. Coach,...

Charlie Weis - Run and Shooter?

Obviously Charlie Weis is not a run and shoot coach, and, having studied some of his New England stuff it does not really resemble much of the run and shoot packages. The more likely theory that his offense is sort of an amalgamation of common and traditional NFL tactics. Do it simple; do it well. Coach Mountjoy has pointed out some of the evolution in his offense that began when Weis coached with current Carolina coordinator Dan Henning, but I am not an expert.Anyway, though, this quote was interesting from a recent press conference: Q. Coach,...

Hal Mumme's Airraid Practice Plan

I got this from Coach Mountjoy. (As I get so many good things from him. BTW he will be speaking at the upcoming MEGA Clinic, I'd suggest to anyone who can to go.)Mumme isn't having a wonderful season right now in his first season back in D-1, but it will give you pause to think that four offensive coaches from the 1997-1998 Kentucky staff are all Head Coaches: Mumme himself, Mike Leach at Texas Tech, Guy Morris at Baylor, and Coach Hatcher at Valdosta St. D-II (who is having arguably the best success of them all with a Nat'l title and currently...

Hal Mumme's Airraid Practice Plan

I got this from Coach Mountjoy. (As I get so many good things from him. BTW he will be speaking at the upcoming MEGA Clinic, I'd suggest to anyone who can to go.)Mumme isn't having a wonderful season right now in his first season back in D-1, but it will give you pause to think that four offensive coaches from the 1997-1998 Kentucky staff are all Head Coaches: Mumme himself, Mike Leach at Texas Tech, Guy Morris at Baylor, and Coach Hatcher at Valdosta St. D-II (who is having arguably the best success of them all with a Nat'l title and currently...

New link: Coach Huey's Xs and Os

I added a new site to the link's section. I added Coach Huey's Xs and Os message board. It's a really good resource for trading info and discussing with coaches both new and experienced with lots of cutting edge stuff, particularly on offense, like the jet series from under center and Gun, lots of bunch passing materials, spread offense stuff, etc. Great site. Coach Huey himself is a great resource on the passing game and offense, but there are several other coaches there who also make it a great place to talk football (it has probably distracted...

New link: Coach Huey's Xs and Os

I added a new site to the link's section. I added Coach Huey's Xs and Os message board. It's a really good resource for trading info and discussing with coaches both new and experienced with lots of cutting edge stuff, particularly on offense, like the jet series from under center and Gun, lots of bunch passing materials, spread offense stuff, etc. Great site. Coach Huey himself is a great resource on the passing game and offense, but there are several other coaches there who also make it a great place to talk football (it has probably distracted...

Stacking Receivers

Saw some message board posts and had some email questions about stacking receivers. He is a link to an old article I did on stacking receive...

Stacking Receivers

Saw some message board posts and had some email questions about stacking receivers. He is a link to an old article I did on stacking receive...

Designing a Run Game at the Youth Level

Quick note that I know my posting has been erratic. I've got lots of material that needs to go up soon. Some of it is more exposition while I really want to lay out a lot of one-back offense stuff I have and I've outlined articles on breaking down and reading coverages, but just haven't had the time. Sorry.Anyway:At the youth level I think there are three keys to designing an effective run game (arguably these are all just as important at the higher levels too), and many youth teams don't do any of them:1. Don't ask your players to move defenders...

Designing a Run Game at the Youth Level

Quick note that I know my posting has been erratic. I've got lots of material that needs to go up soon. Some of it is more exposition while I really want to lay out a lot of one-back offense stuff I have and I've outlined articles on breaking down and reading coverages, but just haven't had the time. Sorry.Anyway:At the youth level I think there are three keys to designing an effective run game (arguably these are all just as important at the higher levels too), and many youth teams don't do any of them:1. Don't ask your players to move defenders...