We previously broke down split zone, Chris Ault’s version of inside zone with an H-back blocking the backside edge player. Today we’re looking at split zone against an odd front, because the numbers in the box can change blocking assignments.
Play Concept
The play concept for split zone is fairly simply, all offensive linemen zone block in one direction, H-back comes across the formation and blocks the backside edge. Split zone against an odd front changes potential blocking assignments based on defensive alignment.
Here we’re looking at a defense running a 33 Stack where they moved the stack backers to the line of scrimmage. The two backers aligned as apex edges turn this into a 5-1 front. Boundary receiver pushes vertical and stalk blocks. RT blocks the strongside edge. RG blocks the strong DE. Center blocks the NG aligned head up on him. LG has a key block, as he zones with NG to ensure he controls 0-tech but looks to climb to MLB. LT blocks weakside DE. TE comes across the formation and slice blocks the weakside edge. RB meshes with QB, takes handoff, and makes Bang-Bounce-Bend read. Field slot pushes vertical and stalk blocks. Field receiver pushes vertical and stalk blocks.
Executing Split Zone Against An Odd Front
Mississippi State comes out in a 3-3-5 alignment and both LBs creep to the outside before the snap. Jalen Preston is the boundary receiver aligned inside the numbers. Ainias Smith is the field slot and Demond Demas is the field receiver. Jalen Wydermyer is the TE making the slice block on the play. At the snap, RT Reuben Fatheree kicks out the strongside edge. Fatheree’s kickout gives RB Devon Achane the option of running midzone strongside. State’s NG and strongside DE run a stunt, and RG Layden Robinson comes out too wide when the DE slants away. The NG is able to get under his wide alignment, closing down the option of midzone strongside.
Bryce Foster zones right to take on the NG and picks up the SDE’s stunt right into him. LG Kenyon Green ensures Foster is okay then hinges backside to ensure LT Jahmir Johnson has the weak DE. Achane meshes with Zach Calzada, takes the ball, sees the NG closing the weakside, and bangs it inside into the hole opened by Foster and Green.
The lone State LB tries to play outside-in, and is reading Wydermyer’s slice block on the weakside edge. His weakside flow puts him out of position when Achane bangs it inside, and he is lost in the traffic. Result of the play is an 18 yard gain and a first down.
End Zone View
You can see the blocking angles better from the end zone view.
