1standgoalat1
Banned
From a runnig back's perspective, what is the difference? How can a fan tell the play watching TV?
What is iso or power? Same questions.
outside zone vs inside zone vs iso or power
- Thread starter 1standgoalat1
- Start date
From a runnig back's perspective, what is the difference? How can a fan tell the play watching TV?
What is iso or power? Same questions.
99topdawg
Well-Known Member
A iso is where the fullback is isolated on a linebacker, hence the name. The difference between an outside zone and inside zone for a running back is the point of attack and angle of attack. On an inside zone, it's a quicker read to find the hole, but he is essentially reading the linebacker's first step and going opposite to set up a block, make him prsue laterally and gain a few yards. The outside zone has the running back running to the point where the line of scrimmage meets the sideline. He reads the linebackers, waits for them to commit, overplay, or sit, and hits a hole. You can tell it's an outside zone by watching the linemen, especially the playside guys, kick-step to try to reach block. There are many ways to teach it, and there's a lot more to it than I've written, but it's how I teach/coach it.
Also, power typically involves a slight delay by the back (often a small counter-step), and the backside guard pulls and leads up the hole (usually along with a fullback).
Last edited:
1standgoalat1
Banned
I'm guessing that the running back more-or-ess aims at the tackle in the inside zone and in either zone an upfield cut is made at an opening. Thanks for the education.
99topdawg
Well-Known Member
Yes, teams block it different ways, starting with double-teaming the d-linemen at the point of attack. Some will stick with the double teams and have the rb read the lb. Others will use a double-team combo block where one of the guys double-teaming the d-lineman will leave the dt and go block the lb. Other teams will use fold blocks (similar to. a cross-block, with one guy blocking the dt at an angle, and the other going crossing behind and leading up to lead up on the lb) on an inside zone to create good blocking angles. Again, teams do it differently, and there are a lot of different ways to do it. A great book that explains this all very well and in great detail is called Assembly Line by Milt Tenopir, the OL coach for Tom Osbourne.
And yes, the aiming point on an inside zone is typically the guard-tackle gap, but again, it can be run differently, with aiming points at the guard, or even the guard-center gap.
Smart football is another great resource, and they have a pretty easy to understand explanation of the basics of zone running schemes.
Outside zone. Note the linemen and FB all trying to seal to the inside. The H-back (Brandon Myers) kicks out because his man scrapes hard to the outside. The alley is a diagonal towards the sideline.
99topdawg
Well-Known Member
It's definitely an iso, and it looks like there is an outside zone scheme. What tells me this is that the linemen block man on to outside, kick-stepping playside. What sold me on this is watching the left tackle. He appears to go out to double-team the end man on the LOS, but that guy slants out and a LB fills/blitzes, so he does a slight change of direction and blocks him instead. The guards and center all block playside and the FB isolates on the LB. The RB had the easy job with blocking like that.
I will defer to the coach here. I was not thinking iso because I did not think the FB had a specific defender that he was attacking, but rather I felt that he was hitting the edge and sealing whatever showed to the inside.
99topdawg
Well-Known Member
I'm going to say inside zone, but it's kind of hard to tell the angle/point of attack, because it was stuffed on the right side. I say. inside zone, because if you watch the center and left guard, they double team the DT and combo off to the LB, which is a typical block on an inside zone play.
99topdawg
Well-Known Member
I agree that it is tough to tell, but I was thinking iso, because the playside LB was unblocked, but, because it got stuffed at the LOS, it really is tough to tell the design of the play. I wouldn't argue iso, though. He most certainly could be targeting the first color that showed at the point of attack as you stated.
hawkfan2679
Well-Known Member
I am going to say inside zone on that one, but I will be interested to see what Coach says. Note that they block the backside DE on this play (will typically leave him unblocked in OZ because he should not be fast enough to make the play). Also note the crease breaks backside. Because there is a FB you could perhaps say iso again, but I think the FB is blocking a zone, not a man.
Here is a great, recent example of inside zone from this year's Wisconsin game:
[video=youtube;NGb2WXNtpfw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGb2WXNtpfw[/video]
NCHawker
Well-Known Member
This video actually has both plays. Shoud have just posted this one.
The first play at 8:15 looks like it is designed to go right but SG cuts it back - would you agree? or was it designed that way?
hawkfan2679
Well-Known Member
Couple of reasons I assume inside zone lead:
1) The little step by Greene was subtle (and he almost turns his pads parallel to the sideline), but something I noticed he did quite frequently to "time up" the play. I don't know if that was something he did or something that was coached, but from memory, he's the one that springs to mind when I think of that timing step. He generally didn't do that on OS zone because he needed to get to his spot ASAP.
2) The track taken by both the FB (Morse that year?) and Greene. Inside leg of the guard, split the guard, outside leg of the guard, however Iowa teaches it.
3) The cutback...generally speaking OS zone is a 2 way go. You either get a seam when you get to the edge or you bounce it around the edge. The play where Greene scored is an easy example of getting a seam before you reach the edge, banging it up inside, and having a hole the size of a truck to run through. IS zone is a 3 way go...the same options as the OS zone (bang it up inside or bounce it), but also the cutback is the 3rd option. For some good ol' fashioned tail whipping, watch Bruggeman on the 1-tech NT. That guy tried to cross Brugg's face and he paid for it, which opened up the cutback lane. LB's keying guards to FB flowed, leaving another sizable hole.
99topdawg
Well-Known Member
Never mind. Was talking about a different play with regards to it being stuffed. I do think the first play was an iso, because they left the playside. backer unblocked. However, with the defense PSU had called, I would say that you are right, he was blocking the first color that showed. It's tough to tell in a zone blocking scheme the fb's intent, but it is usually not a true iso, like it would be in man blocking.
PhoenixHawk
Well-Known Member
So what a lot of people call a 'stretch' play would be properly termed an outside zone?
