O n behalf of our entire staff, I would like
to thank the AFCA Summer Manual
Committee for allowing us to share our out-
side zone. We have been researching this
play for a number of years, and there are a
number of staffs and individuals who have
influenced our thoughts. I would be remiss
not to thank them as well.
In 1999, we ran the outside zone play a
total of 92 times. We ran it from our one-
back formations 48 times for a 7.11 yard
per attempt average.
From our two-back formations, we ran it
44 times for a 4.6 yard per attempt aver-
age. Combined, the play was 52 percent
efficient. An efficient play for us, is when a
run gets 4.0 yards or makes a first down on
a second or third down call.
Why We Are Committed
to the Outside Zone
1. We can run it to the tight end, or to the
split end.
2. It can be run from multiple formations
and backfield sets (Thirteen different for-
mations in ’99).
3. The play allows us to put our best
players on the field.
4. We don’t feel like we have to be physi-
cally dominant at a position to be successful.
5. We can game plan specific match-
ups, or take advantage of numbers vs.
sets. i.e. (one-back — six or seven defend-
ers in the box).
6. Our offensive line can be aggressive
throughout the scheme.
7. Assists our offensive line vs. defen-
sive line movements.
8. There is great carry-over with tech-
niques for the offensive line.
9. Because it is a staple for our offensive
run game, we feel through repetition, we
will become good at something.
Zone Teaching
When we teach this play, we want it to
be simple and taught part-to-whole
method. There are three key elements
our kids up front must know. First, you are
responsible for the down defender on our
outside (playside). Second, you must
know whether you are covered or uncov-
ered (playside or backside). Third, you
must understand the angle at which the
play is being run.
We begin teaching zone by defining the
zone or area as:
1. From the offensive linemen’s line to
the adjacent offensive linemen’s midline.
2. Working the angle or track on which
the play is being run.
3. From the down defender to the sec-
Huskie Outside Zone Play/
Zone Blocking
ond level or linebacker depth.
Diagram 1
General Coaching Points
• Eighteen-inch splits
• Offensive guard’s helmet will just
break the center’s belt line. Tackles will
align on guards, tight ends on the tackles
(Alignment off the ball).
• The offensive line will be in a right
handed stance on the right side, and a left
handed stance on the left side.
Our reasons for doing this:
We feel like we will be more accurate
with our first step, our angles for our uncov-
ered linemen will be better and we feel we
will minimize crossover steps or stepping Dan Roushar
underneath ourselves.
Offensive Coordinator/
Offensive Line Offensive Line Coach
We break it down to covered or uncov-
ered — playside or backside. We use Northern Illinois University
descriptive terms for our tandems. When at
the point of attack, we use the word thick, DeKalb, Ill.
when back-side, we use the word thin. (We
try to create an image for the linemen
through the scheme).
Teaching points for covered linemen —
Working with help (playside).
- Thick
First Step
First step is with playside shoe, it is a
lateral lead or position step (four inch-
six inch step). The angle of the first step
is determined by the alignment of the
down defender. (The wider defender,
the deeper the angle). We want the first
step to be outside the framework of the
down defender. Get the front toe, knee
and hip to open on the same line as the
target.
Coaching Point: Get the first step up
and down as quick as possible, landing on
and working off the instep or inner half of
the foot (keep knee and ankle inside of the
outside half of the shoe).
• AFCA Summer Manual — 2000 •
 Second Step
The second step is with our inside shoe.
We want to drive it through the crotch of the
down defender.
Coaching Point: Get it down! Our rea-
son for getting our second step through the
crotch of the down defender is so that we
minimize a crossover step. (We don’t want
the defender to flatten us down the line of
scrimmage).
Third Step
The third step is with the play-side foot.
We want to drive it up the field and square
to the defender.
Coaching Point: At a minimum, main-
tain the line of scrimmage covering the
down defender.
Key Coaching Point: Emphasize to
offensive linemen to keep knees over toes,
chest over knees and tail down with weight
centered (leverage).
Common Error: When reaching, line-
men tend to get upright and weight shifts
back.
Target and Contact
• Our point of aim is with our inside
shoulder through the outside number of the
down defender.
• We want to strike the defender with a
low point shoulder.
• Work the inside heel of the hand,
through the sternum of the defender
(thumb up — keeps elbow tucked).
• Emphasize tight fit — head and eyes
up the field between defender and where
the ball is being run.
• When delivering a blow, we want to
create an edge by turning his outside
shoulder (We talk in terms of dislocating
the outside shoulder).
• When we come out of our stance, we
emphasize cocking our hands to our pock-
et line.
• We coach the inside arm through the
sternum of the down defender so that we
can physically control the man in the event
he works inside, we know we will have sur-
face presence on him through the
exchange (thick).
Play-side Uncovered Man (Short Puller)
First Step (Bucket) — (Depth).
• Open toe, knee and hip so that you
are on an angle to over take down defend-
er (Get foot on the ground now!).
• Midline of body should angle toward
the sideline.
Coaching Point: May have to lose a lit- the down defender. If defender is present,
tle ground to gain ground. cut him. If defender works away, work up to
second level and cut. It is critical to attack
Second Step — Action on angles to where the defender is going to
• We refer to our second step as an be and not where he is.
action step.
• Second step is with our inside foot. Fundamental Drill Teaching
Key color of down defender, with periph- Progression
eral vision have awareness for linebacker. Covered
Drill: Covered — Align defender —
Third Step head up — outside — loose, work both
The third step will work to overtake zone directions (right and left).
tandem block or put us on our track to over- Purpose: Demonstrate proper angle of
take the linebacker. departure and technique of block.
Key: Color of the down defender. Keys: Steps — hands — shoulder
Target: Inside shoulder for playside placement — fit.
number of down defender (Keep shoulder
Diagram 2A
point down).
Coaching Points for Tandems
or Zone Combos
Uncovered
• If color works towards uncovered line-
men, overtake be thick on exchange.
• If color works away from uncovered
linemen, work angle to linebacker.
• If color is covering offensive linemen, Diagram 2B
but is present, strain through the tandem
blocking two for two.
Covered
• Covered linemen, do not come off the
down defender until you feel the short
puller.
• Come off the down defender when
linebacker’s feet cross the down defender.
• Strain vertical, through the down Diagram 2C
defender, up to the second level. Eliminate
the two-way, go for linebacker, make him
play over the top of the tandem.
Playside Note
If the offensive lineman inside of you is
covered, realize that a tandem normally
does not exist. When that occurs, all tech-
niques of a covered lineman’s block will still
be the same with regard to our footwork. Short Puller
However, we will now put our face on the Drill: Short Puller — Align defender
outside number of the down defender and (cones) at linebacker depth — adjust line-
not our inside shoulder. backers angle after quality reps.
No Trailer — No Help. Purpose: Demonstrate proper angle of
departure and technique of block.
Backside — (Thin), Backside Guard — Keys: Depth midline to sideline, angle to
Tackle — Tight End where defender is going to be (Diagram 3).
• We will cut everything on the backside
working through the zone (We do not Working Tandems
expect the ball to break back to us). Drill: Work combos.
Coaching Point: Run through the area. Purpose: Demonstrate angles of depar-
Get the backside shoulder above the hip of ture — techniques in tandems.
• AFCA Summer Manual — 2000 •
 Keys: Steps — hands — tandems.
Diagram 6: vs. Eagle Front Diagram 9: vs. 50
Diagram 3

Second Step: Crossover and run.

Diagram 7: vs. Strong Eagle
Diagram 4 Key: Focus on end man on line of
scrimmage, if color is outside, press inside.
If no color is showing, press it outside.
Coaching Point: We are working for an
initial pace, so we tell our tailback to be
slow to hole and then be fast through. It is
important to develop trust with the quarter-
back exchange so that your course is a
straight line run, and not veered looking for
the ball.
Diagram 8: vs. Bear
Diagram 5: vs. 4-3 Front
Quarterback
Open step to 4 o’clock or 8 o’clock. On
your second step, get the ball as deep and
as wide as possible. The exchange should
take place over the tackle box.

Tailback
Alignment: Six-and-a-half to seven
yards deep (based on ability).
Steps: First step will open with playside
foot.
Point of Aim: At the inside leg of the
tight end or imaginary tight end.
Wide Receiver
As a general rule in our one-back sets, our
widest receiver at the point of attack will block
primary support. In our two-back sets, most of
the time we will block the corner. Backside
receiver will work backside cut-off.

E v e r y b o d y ’s NOT Doing It
Finger pointing and dismissing unethical acts with an “everyone’s doing it” attitude in
the public arena does nothing to help the game or the image of the football profes-
sion — your profession.

Everybody’s NOT doing it, but those who do flaunt the rules and the AFCA Code of
Ethics are only encouraged if those honest coaches in the profession treat such acts
lightly.

Stand up for your profession by acting responsibly. Lead by example and insist that
your fellow coaches adhere to strict professional standards that are outlined in the
Code of Ethics.

• AFCA Summer Manual — 2000 •