Break it Down: Outside Zone vs USF

When Kyle Flood arrived at Rutgers as the offensive line coach in 2005, he implemented a "zone" run blocking scheme, a style of blocking that differs from the traditional "man blocking" scheme, which was much more common and widespread at the time. The Scarlet Knights had a dominant rushing attack for a while thanks to this scheme, but the ill fated experiment with the spread offense set the run game back a few years. This season, Jawan Jamison has lead a resurgence in Rutgers' rushing attack, thanks in large part to how well he fits into this scheme. In the last two games against Howard and USF, he has broken off two long runs, including a 41 yard touchdown scamper to ice the game in Tampa on the outside zone play that is the staple of this scheme.

It's a common misconception that zone blocking is a relatively new thing, but in reality some form of zone blocking has existed in football for years. Zone blocking has evolved from the single wing and wing-T offenses that were immensely popular through out the 20th century, as double teams and blocking an area were emphasized. The scheme as we know it today was probably created by legendary offensive line coach Howard Mudd when he was with the Cleveland Browns in 1985, according to Tim Layden in his excellent book Blood, Sweat, and Chalk. The Browns had a ton of success with this new zone blocking thing, and the scheme spread around the league like wild fire in the ensuing years. Jim McNally started using it with the Bengals and Anthony Munoz and they went on to two appear in two Super Bowl with it. Alex Gibbs became the zone blocking guru, installing this blocking scheme in Denver, Atlanta, Houston, and Seattle before retiring. Mudd was the Colts' line coach in the Manning years, and he runs it now with the Eagles. In the college game, zone blocking is much more common amongst spread offenses than it is with pro style offenses, but Rutgers is one of the few teams who run it out of pro style sets.

There are two different types of zone blocking plays: the inside zone and the outside zone.The inside zone play is similar to man blocking, with the only differences being the first step is always play side and double teams are utilized more often. The outside zone or stretch play is the one that is noticeably different. On the outside zone play, each lineman (and sometimes tight end) steps to the play side at a 90 degree angle, with the intent of reaching for the defender's outside shoulder and pinning him to the inside. If there is a defender lined up directly across from an offensive lineman, he will just block that guy directly on front of him. But if a lineman is uncovered, he will help out a teammate with a double team, and once that block is secured, one of the two lineman will slip off to block a linebacker at the second level, depending on who has the better angle. If the offensive player is unable to secure the defender to the inside, they can drive him out to the sideline. Often times the lineman on the backside will cut block, which is totally legal unless the defender is engaged with another blocker. There are about a million nuances to this style of blocking, but that's the general gist of it. The play can be run with or with out a fullback, and if there is a fullback, he will lead block off the edge.

The running back needs to read the defense with the ball in his hands and decide where to go. When he receives the hand off, his aiming point is off the edge, but if the end man on the line of scrimmage is driven outside, he has to read that and make a second read. If the second to last man on the line of scrimmage is pinned inside, the back will run through that hole that is created. If the second to last man on the line is also driven outside, the back will cut back and run to the opposite side of where he is originally intending to run. The back has to be patient and have good vision to execute this play.

Here's the outside zone play that Jawan Jamison scored a 41 yard touchdown on against USF diagrammed (it would make a lot more sense from an endzone camera angle, but there's no way for outsiders to access that. Click to enlarge):

Here's a video of the play.

South Florida is lined up in a 4-3 over defense against Rutgers, who has an I-left formation with twins to the right. It's tough to see from this camera angle, but South Florida has their weak side linebacker (w) on the line of scrimmage and a few steps to the outside of the rest of the line. Since right tackle R.J. Dill has the defensive end head up on him, he is unable to reach him, so he becomes the responsibility of fullback Michael Burton. The WLB does a good job keeping contain on the edge, and Jamison is forced to run to the inside of Burton's block. Dill and guard Taj Alexander do a nice job doubling the defensive end, and Dill is able to slip off of that block to the second level and block the middle linebacker (m). Betim Bujari reaches and hooks the 1 technique lined up to the play side to the inside. Antwan Lowery and Kaleb Johnson double the three technique, and Lowery slides off to seal the strong side backer (s). Brandon Coleman is able to get enough of a block on the corner to keep him out of the play and Tim Wright runs the other corner off with a fake route or stalk block. Jamison takes it from there, making a spin move to get past the safety for the score.

Rutgers blocked within the zone scheme to perfection on this play and Jamison made a great move to score. The outside zone play  iced the game on Thursday night and was otherwise a big part of their offensive game plan in Thursday night's win. With Jamison likely to get 30+ carries again on Saturday with Savon Huggins still out, expect the Knights to go to their bread and butter play a ton against Arkansas.