Inside Run – Inside Zone

How to run it

Offensive line, tight end, quarterback and running back against a 4-3 front. The line works on zone steps and double teams that climb to the linebackers, the back reads and cuts back, and the defense works on filling its gaps and tackling.

Set-up

Five linemen, the tight end on the right, the quarterback under center and the back 7 yards deep. Defense: four linemen and three linebackers. The ball in the middle of the field.

Instructions

1. 1Offense and defense line up. Everyone is set and still before the snap.
2. 2Snap to the quarterback under center.
3. 3Zone step to the right: the line takes its first step play-side and meets the defenders, with two double teams. The quarterback opens and hands off at the mesh.
4. 4The back presses the play-side gap. The double teams climb to the linebackers: the center to the Mike, the right guard to the Sam, the right tackle and the left guard take over the tackles. The quarterback fakes a bootleg.
5. 5The back reads it and cuts back through the backside A-gap.
6. 6The backside linebacker comes free, fills the gap and makes the tackle. A gain of about six yards.
7. 7The ball carrier and the tackler get up. Everyone else lines up again in the mirror formation – tight end on the left.
8. 8The back gives the ball to the center. The linebackers go to their spots.
9. 9The back takes his depth behind the quarterback.
10. 10Snap again.
11. 11Zone step to the left and the hand-off at the mesh.
12. 12The back presses, the double teams climb to the second level.
13. 13Cutback through the backside A-gap.
14. 14The backside linebacker fills and makes the tackle.

Coaching points

• Line: the first step short and play-side, then hip to hip in the double team until the linebacker shows.
• The back aims for the outside hip of the guard and reads the first defender past the center – one cut, then up the field.
• Defense: every player owns a gap. A player who runs out of his gap opens the cutback.
• Use the contact level the coach has decided (thud or full contact), always with Heads Up technique.

Variations

Equipment

• 2 × Markers