AMHERSTSTEELE

AlexKnipp

OhioDiv.I
Rushing&
ScoringLeader

Career:
4,345Rush
63TD
8.0avg.
5,531AllPurp.
BallStateUniv.

ImplementingtheZoneRunningGame:

TheStretchPlay

Theproblemwithmanyofusissimplythis.
welikethis,welikethat.
wegotoclinics,wetalktocoaches.
Ultimately,though,wefailtorecognizethat
successfuloffensesarepackaged.Idontcare
ifyourunwishbone,thewingt,ortheI.
YOUMUSTHAVEASYSTEM.
Askyourselfthisquestion:
DOIHAVEASYSTEM
ORJUSTACOLLECTIONOFPLAYS?
JerryHanlon,FormerOffensiveLineCoach
TheUniversityofMichigan

PresentationGoals:
1. Sharehowwewentfromacollectionofplaystoa
systemandtheresultsofourefforts.
2. Communicatewhatwebelievetobethekeystoa
successfulzonerungame.
3. Identifyandillustratethefundamentalsofthe
stretchplayforeachposition.
4. Showvideocutsillustratingourvariationsofthe
play.

TheZoneRunningGameat
AmherstSteele:
3DistinctZonePlays:
InsideZoneReadthe1stCoveredDown
Lineman.
OutsideZoneReadtheEndManonthe
LineofScrimmage
StretchReadForcePlayerGetitOutside!

TheStretchPlay20042005

178carriesfor1,840yards
21%ofouroffenseattemptsin20042005
10.3yardspercarry
73%efficient(+4)yards
53explosives(+12yardruns)
17TDs

TheStretchPlaySetsUpOur
EntireOffense!

22gamesOpenedwithStretch16times
19.9Yardaverageonopener
88%efficient(+4)yards
11explosives(+12yardruns)
1TD

Howweswitchedtothe
ZoneRunningGame
Discoveredwehadaproblemagainstoddfronts

2003 Run Efficiency vs. Even Fronts

opponent(8-3) 71%
opponent(1-9) 67%
opponent(4-6) 62%
opponent(3-7) 62%
opponent(6-4) 58%
2003 Run Efficiency vs. Odd Fronts
opponent(0-10) 53%
opponent(7-4) 50%
opponent(7-3) 44%
opponent(2-8) 38%
opponent(15-0) 33%

Howweswitchedtothe
ZoneRunningGame
Discoveredwehadaproblemagainstoddfronts
Wentbackandstudiedourselvesversusthetoptier
oftheconference20002003

OpponentStudy20002003

Record17versusopponentsstudied
40%runefficient
3.44yardspercarry
Only8total+12yardrunsin8games
32differentruncallsused
Couldnotidentifyabaseoffensefrom
whatwascalled

Howweswitchedtothe
ZoneRunningGame
Discoveredwehadaproblemagainstoddfronts
Wentbackandstudiedourselvesversusthetoptier
oftheconference20002003
Startedwithsomequestions

Conclusionsaboutour
rungame(03):

We have become scheme heavy while sacrificing

being fundamentally sound
Our schemes do not provide us with a sequence of
problems for a defense.
There is not a logical progression for us. When
one scheme does not work we just try something
else.
We cannot effectively practice all of the schemes
we have.

Conclusionsaboutour
rungame(03):
Our man scheme blocking causes our lineman to
become tentative if the defense presents a new
look or movement.
We must simplify our offense by cutting down our
schemes, but make it appear more complicated to
the defense by presenting more looks(formations,
shifts, motion).
What we have been using has not allowed us
success against the top tier of our conference.

Howweswitchedtothe
ZoneRunningGame
Discoveredwehadaproblemagainstoddfronts
Wentbackandstudiedourselvesversusthetoptier
oftheconference20002003
Startedwithsomequestions
Decidedwhatourphilosophywouldbe

2004Offense
1.AttitudeWewillattackwithapunishing
runninggamethatdestroysthedefensiveline.
2.Wewillusespreadformationstoopenupthe
run&pass.
3.Wewilluseabaseoffenseweekafterweek.
4.Wewilladjustwithformations,notbyadding
newplays.
5.Wewilltakeadvantageofourabilitieswith
personnelpackages

Howweswitchedtothe
ZoneRunningGame
Discoveredwehadaproblemagainstoddfronts
Wentbackandstudiedourselvesversusthetoptier
oftheconference20002003
Startedwithsomequestions
Decidedwhatourphilosophywouldbe
Decidedtochangetozone
Researchedthezonerungame

Whyweusezonerun
Can be run versus any defensive alignment.
Minimizes effectiveness of a defense that moves
by slanting and angling.
Allows emphasis on the aggressive and intense
execution of fundamentals and techniques.
Allows us to block the line of scrimmage, deny
penetration, and secure movement by using
double-team combination schemes. Distorts
and displaces the defensive front.

Whyweusezonerun
Can be used in a variety of personnel groups:

Tight End/Split End

Two Back-Two Receiver/Two

Back-Three Receiver

One Back

Shotgun Spread
Allows for personnel match-ups in game plan.

Whyweusezonerun
Run game allows toughness to permeate
the team.
High percentage passing game can be built
off the run.
Provides split end and tight end attack. Do
not need separate schemes for tight side or
split side.

Whyweusezonerun
Simple scheme-allows players to be aggressive.
Many different looks by using the same scheme
allows for many repetitions for linemen and
backs.
Do not have to be overpowering to have
success.
Limits the blitz.
Wears down the opponent.

PrimaryObjectivesoftheStretch
Play
To get the entire backfield and line on a
wide railroad track
To force the defense to stretch quickly.
To beat them to the corner with a show of
force.
to cut up in a lane they open by pursuing
incorrectly.

TechniqueStretchtheDefense
Flatteroninitialstepthaninsidezone.
Philosophyisnottoknockthemoffthe
ballgoalistostretchthedefense.
Firststepisflatbutdontallowpenetration.
Secondstepmustbequick
Linemendontturnshouldersunlessthey
hookDL.

WorstCaseScenario:
Alllinemenrunningparallelwiththelineofscrimmage

CutuplaneswillopenfortheBack.

OurTeachingProgression
Gapresponsibility

GapResponsibility
TE

PlayDirection

TE

OurTeachingProgression
Gapresponsibility
Techniqueversusdifferentalignments

OutsideTechnique
BothLinemensteplaterally

12

PlayDirection

TheoutsideOLisgoingat
theoutsidebicep;inside
OLisgoingatinside#.
Iftheinside#disappears,
theinsideOLshouldstay
flatandclimbtolevel2.
HeshouldNOTclimb
straightupfield

OutsideTechnique

12

CoachingPoints:
OLgoingto2ndlevelshould
flattenandlettheLBcome
tohim.NEVERturnback
onzoneplays.
Heshouldstayonhistracksand
continueonpastlevel2tothe
safety.
WhenblockingaLBheshouldtry
torunhimover.Attheveryworst
hewillgetintheway.

PlayDirection

HeadupTechnique
OLshouldknowthe%ofhim
cominginsideisnowgreater.

12

OutsideOLwillstepwith
outsidefootandpunch
withinsidehand.
InsideOLaimsforinside#
landmark.Heshould
attempttoovertake.
Linemanwhocomesoffshould
comeoffflatandletLBcome
tohim.

PlayDirection

InsideTechnique(uncovered)
ThisisnottheoutsideOLsgap
responsibility.

12

OutsideOLwillstepwithoutside
footandpunchwithinsidehandto
helpstoppenetration.Heshould
getthe2ndstepdownquickly.

Heshouldattempttoovertakethe
nextadjacentDLorflattenandlet
theLBcometohim.
PlayDirection

Drilloutsidetechnique;movementbyDLtooutside

12

movementbyDLtoinside

12

ReceiverBlocking
PlaysideBlockManOn.Drivehimoutof
bounds.
BacksideBlockNearSafety.
Maintainblocksuntilwhistle.
WRBlocksturnabiggainintoaTD.
Backsideblockisjustasimportant;play
maycutback.

ReceiverBlocking
Neverallowthispathby
thedefender!

Makehimbubblearound
NotThis!

Receiverneedsto
gainleverageand
dighimout
WR
Angle&#ofsteps
dependsondepthand
distance(appliestoboth

stalk&crackblocks)

FBBlockingTESidePhase1Drill

Stretchtotheperimeterfor7yards.Maintainoutsideleverage.
Whenheattacks,blockhisoutsidehalf.

FBBlockingTESidePhase2Drill

Stretchtotheperimeterfor7yards.Fightforoutsideleverage.
Continuestretchinguntilyougettothenumbers,thenkickout.

FBBlockingTESideForceshowsimmediately.Phase3Drill

Arctobeginstretchtoperimeter.Attempttopinhimin,
butkickoutifyoumust.

FBTECHNIQUE
SESTRETCH

SplitEndStretch

NoforceinalleyFBcanchiptheedge
Untilforceshows.

Phase4:Stretch
Setupperimeterblockdrill
Keepinsidehiprelationship
Tosetuphookblock.When
FBblocksoutsidehalf,makemove.

QuickTime and a
TIFF (L ZW) decompre s s or
are needed to s ee this picture .

GetontheFBs
Insidehip

Phase4:Stretch
Setupperimeterblockdrill
Keepinsidehiprelationship
Tosetuphookblock.Ifdefendercomesacrosshard
LetFBkickout,makemoveN/Sandget
backoutside.

QuickTime and a
TIFF (L ZW) decompre s s or
are needed to s ee this picture .

GetontheFBs
Insidehip

Phase5:StretchOneback
Setupperimeterblockdrill(withWR)
SS

AlsoDrillTwoback&StalkCB

Phase5:StretchOneback
Setupperimeterblockdrill(withWR)
SS

AlsoDrillTwoback&StalkCB

SprinttoMeshPointPhase1

QBwillopenat4oclock(8oclock)
Fullyextendballandreachtothecone.
Hewillsprintthroughthemeshpoint.
Emphasisisopeningcorrectlyandsprintingtheballback.

SprinttoMeshPointPhase2

QBwillopenat4oclock(8oclock)
Fullyextendballandreachtothecone.
Hewillsprinttothemeshpoint(4quicksteps).
Gatherhisfeetandballhimselfup.
Emphasisongettinghisfeetgatheredandballingup.

C.P.Ballingupmakeshimlookthesamewhetherhehasballornot.

SprinttoMeshPointPhase3

QBwillopenat4oclock(8oclock)
Fullyextendballandreachtothecone.
Hewillsprinttothemeshpoint.
Gatherhisfeetandballhimselfup.
FakeHandoffandgetdepthstep,naturalarc
tobootleg.

C.P.Snapheadandshouldersafterdepthstep
Arcshouldbedeepenoughtoescapeend,
butnotwasteenergybygettingtoomuch
depth.

Assignment 48Stretch
CoachingPoint
Assignment
Coaching Point
Covered:makecalltoT
Punch1tech.beforegoing
TE(Y)
Covered: Make Trey call
Punch
on a 1 technique before
TE
Uncovered: work your track to level 2 going to level 2. Duece call
Uncovered:workyourtrackto
tolevel2.CallbyT
overrides
your
Trey call.
Assignment
CoachingPoint
Assignment
CoachingPoint
Assignment
CoachingPoint
RT
Covered: Make a Duece call
Punch and work
to level 2 if
Uncovered:
Listen
for
T
riple
call
uncovered
and
no
call made. Ace
level2
Overridesyourcall.
Covered:makecalltoC
Punch1tech.beforegoing
Covered:makecalltoPSG
Punch1tech.beforegoing
overrides
Duece
Covered:makecalltoBSG Trey-aimPunchshadebeforegoing
PSG
PST
for hip of DL
C Uncovered:Listentocallfrom
tolevel2.CallfromC
Uncovered:Listentocallfrom
tolevel2.CallbyG
RG Assignment
Covered: Make a Ace call
Duece-aim
for
hip of DL, Can Punch
CoachingPoint
Uncovered:Listentocallfrom
tolevel2.
Uncovered: Listen for Double call
on a 1 tech. before moving
PST;workyourtracks.
Overridesyourcall.
TE;workyourtracks.
Overridesyourcall.
C
Covered: Make a Charlie call
Ace-aim
for hip
of DL, Can Punch on
Covered:makecalltoBST
Canpunchona3tech
Assignment
CoachingPoint
PSG;workyourtracks.
Uncovered:
Listen
for
Ace
call
a
shade
tech.
before
moving
BSG
LG
Covered: Make a George call
Charlie-aim
for hip of DL, Can punch
Uncovered:Listentocallfrom
Beforegoingtolevel2.
Covered:makecalltoBSTE
Punchshadebeforegoing
Uncovered:
Listen
for
Charlie
call
on
a
3
tech.
before
moving.
BST
LT
Covered: Make a Tom call if you
Sift: gettolevel2.
on your track and block most
C;workyourtracks.
Uncovered:Listentocallfrom
Assignment
have a backside TE. No TE you are
dangerous.CoachingPoint
on your own. Uncovered: Sift, listen
George-aim for hip of DL
PSG;workyourtracks.
for
George
call
Trytomaintainoutside
Blockoutsidehalfofforce
FB
Open and get on track(outside of
BlockLeverage.Ifheflowsout,
outside half of force defender
F Defender.ToSEsideblock
TE/ghost TE). Block force defender. with inside
half of your body. Try to
To SE side block overhang player.
maintain
outside
leverage. If he flows
Drivehimoutofbounds.
(see HB assignment for 38 Stretch)
outside,
drive him out of bounds.
Open2ndstep&getontrack.
Bepatientandletblocks
Overhangplayer.
Bongo
technique to SE side.
Bongotech.ToSEside.
Assignment
CoachingPoint
HB
Open-2nd
step get on track at your
Be patient
and let
blocks develop. If
Aimat2yardsoutsideTEor
Develop.StayontheFBs
landmark(2
yards
outside
TE/ghost
the
LBs
press,
puch
helmet to
Assignment
CoachingPoint
H GhostTE.Stayonpathuntil
TE).
Stay
on
path
until
4
yard
crease
covered
linemans
outside
leg. Chase
Possiblecrackorother
Stalkonplayside/Crossfield
Insidehipandcutoffofhis
opens
or
a
wrong
colored
jersey
the
leg
if
no
color
shows.
Cut
back if
Z Stalkonplayside/Crossfield
Possiblecrackorother
shows. Cut Nort & South.
LBs get
over
top.
Adjustmentplaysideby
Onbackside.
Block.
X 4yardcreaseopensorwrong
Z
Stalk on playside/Cross Field on
Possible
crack or other blocking
Assignment
CoachingPoint
Onbackside.
Adjustmentplaysideby
backside.
adjustment
playside
by game
Gameplan
. plan
Coloredjerseyshowsinpath.
X
Stalk on playside/Cross Field on
Possible crack or other blocking
EyeupbacksideDE.Heis
Opento4OClock.Sprintto
Gameplan.
backside.
adjustment
playside by game plan
QB CutNorth&South.
QB
Open to 4 oclock. Sprint ball to TB, Eye upYourman.GunreadDE,
the backside DE. He is your
TB.Gather&getdepth;naked
gather get depth and naked fake after man. Gun-read DE, if he close down
hand-off.
line pull & keep around end.
Ifheclosespull&keep.
Afterfake.

StretchTESidevs.52
FS

C
R
X

W
E

SS

T
Y

Z
F

StretchTESidevs.43
FS

W
T

SS

T
Y

Z
F

StretchTESidevs.44
FS

C
B

B
E

Y
Z
F

StretchSESidevs.43
FS

W
T

SS

T
Y

Z
F

StretchSESidevs.52
FS

B
E T

B
N

SS
E

Y
Z
F

StretchSESidevs.44
FS

E
Y
Z

RESULTS2004RunEfficiencyImprovedinAlmostEveryGame

2003
71%L
67%W
62%W
62%W
58%W
53%W
50%L
44%W
38%W
33%L

2004
67%W
86%W
68%W
56%W
60%W
78%W
58%W
55%W
73%W
47%L

Improvement
-4%
+19%
+6%
-6%
+2%
+25%
+8%
+11%
+35%
+14%

Avg. 10 Games +11.0% per game

RESULTS20042005

Broke every school rushing

category record in 2004.
(records held since 1980s)
Then, broke them again in
2005.
Countys 1st back-to-back
2,000 yard rusher.
Led the county in rushing.
Ohio Div. I Rushing &
Scoring Leader

KeithGrabowski
grabkj@gmail.com
(440)9307461