Luke Meadows, Northern Illinois, O-Line Coach Full video on Glazier Drive
Full video on Glazier Drive: O-Line Outside Zone Play vs. Odd Fronts
This article was originally posted on the Glazier Coaching Blog.
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WIDE ZONE VS ODD FRONT – COACHING BREAKDOWN
This transcript covers the wide zone running play (concept 9) against odd defensive fronts, focusing on blocking assignments and execution.
BASIC CONCEPT
The play targets the C gap region (outside hip of playside tackle). Against odd fronts with four interior defenders, most offensive linemen are “covered” (have a defender in their gap). The left guard is typically the only uncovered player when running left.
BLOCKING CLUSTERS
The offensive line works in three groups:
- Toga: Playside tackle and guard (T-O-G-A indicates tackle-guard working an outside play)
- Scuba: Center and backside guard (S-C-U-B-A indicates center working backside on an outside play)
- Solid: Backside tackle, sometimes with tight end
ASSIGNMENT RULES
The blocking rule for wide zone versus odd is “first thing head up back.” The center identifies the front and makes calls:
- Center calls “odd scuba” to the backside linebacker
- Frontside calls “toga” to their defender
- Backside tackle calls “solid” when working alone
TOGA TECHNIQUE (PLAYSIDE)
The playside tackle reaches his defender to move him off the spot, using tight zone footwork with his head to the outside. The guard takes one step to open hips, then three steps to clear for potential slants before working up to the playside linebacker while maintaining C gap leverage.
SCUBA TECHNIQUE (CENTER/BACKSIDE GUARD)
The center’s job on a head-up nose guard is to turn his shoulders from facing one direction to the other, helping the backside guard. The backside guard uses similar technique to backside tackle—get over the pipe and run flat for three steps before pressing vertical.
SOLID TECHNIQUE (BACKSIDE TACKLE)
Similar to running against a three-technique: first step over the pipe, run flat for three steps, win the gap by forcing the defender to go behind. Getting the helmet frontside on the third step is critical—if the defender goes behind, you win.
ADJUSTMENTS (438 VS 439)
On play 438 (versus 439), when there’s a defender outside, the toga becomes a “fan” block instead of working to the linebacker. The tackle and guard both reach their playside defenders. The fullback fits on the playside linebacker. This allows the backside tackle to run solid since the scuba is occupied elsewhere.
KEY COACHING POINTS
- Playside tackle must be quicker off the ball with proper tightness
- Guard keys the defender’s near foot for slant reads
- Center must create shoulder turn on head-up techniques
- Backside tackle needs all three steps before attempting to reach
- On fan blocks, playside tackle has no help and must reach independently