Blocking Rules Free For All

DC,

I have found if SAB is taught properly it is very effective with splits (ask Mike Mahonz and JC).

The key is teaching that all important first step. My thought on teaching it now is to teach it bird dog, 1st step, 2nd step, then 3rd step, then full speed. I have found if I can correct all the footwork errors by the first three steps I am going to get some nice blocks and some huge holes.

As far as blocking goes...you of course already know this but I thought I would post it for every one else.

1) BASE Blocking rules

OIL - ON INSIDE LINE BACKER - classic drive blocking rules

There are other basic rules but all are about the same as oil.

2) Double Team Schemes

GOD - Gap On Down - always attempts a double team on the inside and a kick out on the outside.

GOL - Gap On Linebacker - same as above but you tend to have more one on one blocks at the POA and at points you can have seams int the LOS due to the LINEBACER call.

GOA - Gap On Area - same as above...more concerned with protecting the LOS from leakage then sealing a linebacker off to backside.

(I prefer GOD as it allows you to get effective double teams/combos and allows you to seal up to the backside 2nd level.)

3) Down blocking Scheme

Basically the playside down blocks at the POA. Either a pulling guard or back kicks out. Called SLAM blocking in the early days. It is easy to teach but also easy to defend as the Defense can scrape down (follow) the down block into the play.

4) Zone schemes - Inside, Outside, Stretch.

Very diffcult to teach kids IMO...passive aggressive blocking. Requires the blocker to allow the defender to first move and then take the defender to where he is moving but farther away to great seams for the runner. You have to have runner with field vision and the ability to hit the open hole and cut back against the grain. Requires a deeper set by the back and greater backside protection and the ability to absorb up leakage backside. Also requires you to teach DRIVE, REACH, COMBO, SCOOP, and DOUBLE TEAMS to your lineman.

5) SAB (my preference with kids under 13).

Angle blocking scheme that allows you to angle blocking inward (SAB IN), outward (SAB OUT), or to PART as seam in the playside. Very effective with no real "rules". Allows you to teach a track to block on the playside.

6) Reach scheme - JET/ROCKET/traditional outside scheme -

Playside reach blocks defenders on playside and the backside bumps and release upfield to second level and seals off backside pursuit to playside.

With that comes additional items you can add or must add due to your schemes:

Line Splits - in my opinion splits are product of two things: lineman's level of athletic ability (ability to move laterally), and their blocking fundamentals; second on your offensive philosophy of blitz pick up and leakage as well as primary Point of Attack. If your running an inside veer or option attack you really have to have splits to be effective. But if your main focus is the off tackle hole or outside then tight line splits are better.

With that being said you can have an inside running game with tight splits but it is not DIVE or BLAST based (BASE BLOCKING) but INSIDE TRAP and WEDGE based.

Line Depth - some teams prefer to crowd the LOS, others prefer to mid point, others prefer to be as far back as possible. I prefer a mid point and then be able to adjust up or down if I need to (but rarely have to).

Pulling Lineman - Pulling front or back side. Pulling backside is more diffcult but less of chance of playside leakage (backside leakage pickup is a problem though). Pulling playside is easier but more of a chance of playside leakage. With this comes three types of pulling -

Pull to trap/kick out - easy to teach - simply teach the lineman to pull semi-flat (pointed at the LOS but angling upfield) and hit the first unblocked defender to cross your face.

Pull to Seal - this is diffcult to teach - I use two rules to teach my lineman. One on my POWER SCHEME they (BSG/BST) pull INSIDE OUTSIDE...as they pull they look inside and as soon as they hit daylight work up field and seal the first defender they see from inside out. On my COUNTER SCHEME the BSG pulls and kicks out and the BST pulls and seals outside in. This is because some sort of misdiretion is being applied to force the defense to move backside or sit. So my BST is concerned with playside run force first (he looks outside inside). Requires a lot of footwork, body control, and teaching on the coaching staff's part.

Pull and LOG - This is really a sweep concept. You lineman pull under reach or down blocks and then work to get to the outside shoulder of the far first unblocked defender they come to and work up field. Not easy to teach and requires a lot of work and athletic lineman (back up backs).

Pass pro blocking - Waste of time in my opinion below 10 and diffcult to teach from 11-13. Requires a blocker to absorb and fight a defender off has be backs up in confined space. Requires him to understand inside gap/head up protection. Would rather teach an aggressive run blocking scheme with a PASS caveat to stop on third step and seal.

Slide protection - this is a pass protection where the line slides to playside and a back picks up the backside pass rusher.

Hinge protection - two variations really - One is a BASE HINGE scheme where the front side pass protects or base blocks to three steps and the backside (BSG/BST) hinge blocks to the inside to absorb up the backside pressure. THe other is DOWN scheme playside with HINGE backside. THe playside outside defender is accounted for my the backfield.

I use SAB/WEDGE with my group with a reach scheme as we progress with my Buck Wedge and Rocket series.

I use WEDGE Pass pro on quick and 3 step drops with the backfield picking up edge rushers.

I use SAB Pass pro (SAB out) on any roll or boot pass with BST hinging and the BSG pulling and logging under to playside.

I also use a SHINE pass pro (where everyone crabs towards playside against aggressive fronts to get off quick step and 3 step passes as well. BAck field is taught to pick up garbage inside out. ( I don't use this hardly at all but I have it to use).

I prefer good old fashion playaction passing.

That is my list

Jack