By now, you should know that the Bucs have hired Coach Jeff Jagodzinski to manage the offense. You should also know that they plan to run a zone scheme. We hear quite a bit about how a zone scheme is popular with running backs, simply because it get’s them their yards and money. Also, you should have heard by now that the Bucs have a monster of a depth chart at the running back position. Derrick Ward, Earnest Graham and Carnell Williams highlight their backfield. With the quarterback position in limbo, the Bucs will rely heavily on their running game. So, what is a zone run? We accept that it is running back friendly and that Denver made a living out of it…but do we really “get” it? Hopefully after reading this article you will….

First, this includes quite a bit of x’s and o’s speak. If you are not into that, I suggest you click that little X at the top/Right of your screen. Second, this is pulled from quite a few sources and research. The Bucs have been a little hush hush as to what exactly it will look like, and to be honest, those who have been at camp have not reported much on their zone-running scheme. It just doesn’t get the readers like “The Quarterback Battle” will. Lets be real… whoever it is, won’t matter much.

A zone-running game is more of a reference to the blocking scheme. While a traditional offense relies heavily on the offensive lineman to “make” the holes, a zone-scheme allows the holes to open. The offensive lineman are to recognize where the defensive lineman are trying to go. Instead of trying to muscle them to go a different way, they allow it. However, once that defensive lineman makes that initial move, the OL is then asked to seal it. It is NOT just a free rush/stunt for the Lineman. You have consistently heard that it takes more athletic offensive lineman. That is because if the DL is trying to go somewhere, the OL can stay with him (and in front of him) and seal him. The Offensive Lineman are blocking a zone instead of a man (hence Zone-Run).

There are two types of zone running plays. The Stretch (Outside Zone…The Colts perfected this with Edge) and the Inside Zone or “Bend” play. We will look at this more in-depth in a minute, but neither typically have “Holes” assigned to them. That is because it is up to the Defensive Lineman. Where the hole opens, that is where the running back will go. It takes extremely intelligent running backs (which is not a concern for Tampa) and intelligent offensive lineman.

It starts with offensive lineman working together. They come off in double teams. As you will see below the Tackle and Guards are working together (it doesn’t have to be the case) and double teaming a DT and a DE. The Center is working alone “sealing” the Tackle. Once the LG and RT have there shoulder square, the LT and RG are helping ‘chip’ the down lineman in their zone. However, they are also watching what the backers do. This is what largely dictates the hole. It is imperative that the lineman whose responsibility is to ‘help’ the main blocker (it is usually done by doing a one armed bench press on the down lineman) their eyes are following any backer in their zone and they HAVE to get to the second level to seal the backers.

For a great video i want you to watch this and PAUSE at 2:28. In this you will see the Guard and Center working together. The Center chips the down-lineman and his zone, finds the hole and seals the Mike backer who finds his way into the Centers “Zone”. This is why the zone scheme is so successful. It hardly ever looses yardage. This all illustrates the inside zone, which will mostly be used in Tampa, esp with Graham and Ward.

For a Change of pace with Cady or Cliffton Smith may be used on a stretch play. In this, the running back can NOT cut back because of a pursuing Defensive End that is running unblocked (unless the Full back is used to cut him). This is also illustrated below.

I hope this was a clear explanation of the Bucs Zone Scheme for you. Jags is a very excellent coach who has taught this to college students for a long time. If he can teach it in college, he can teach it in the pros. There are several variations of the zone, and many play actions can be run out of this. It does involve some mis-directon but only at the discretion of the defense (if you understand this, you understand zone blocking).Below are all of the picture (it is near impossible to insert them into the middle of the post. Enjoy and I hope you have learned something. For any questions, just leave a comment and I will do my best to answer them.