When a team is known for running outside zone or stretch, a common adjustment by opposing defenses is to widen the alignment of their defensive ends. The first goal on stretch is to reach the defensive end so moving him further outside complicates this task. The adjustment by offensive teams is to run midzone. (Note: Football terminology differs from coach to coach, some coaches still call midzone outside zone. I call it midzone because of the slight change in tactics from outside zone.)
Play Concept
As you recall from reading previously about stretch, the goal of outside zone is for the tight end or weakside tackle to reach the defense’s EMLOS and RB to run outside the reach block. The RB is reading the helmet of the TE or weak tackle, if helmet is outside, RB runs outside. If the TE or weak tackle helmet is inside, the RB shifts his read inside to the next offensive lineman, the strong tackle or weak guard, and reads his helmet. Since the defensive end’s wide alignment is eliminating the stretch play, the RB’s read on midzone starts one player in. A simple way of saying it is the RB is reading the first lineman playside past the center.
Instead of reading the block on the EMLOS, the RB reads the block on the defensive tackle. Whereas on stretch the read progression is Bounce (it outside), Bang (it inside), or Bend (it backside), the read on midzone is Bang it inside or Bend it backside. The RB’s aiming point on midzone is the tackle’s inside leg.
The weak tackle obviously has a key block on this play, he needs to seal out the wide EMLOS. The weak guard reaches the 1-tech defensive tackle but has some help with combo from the center. The strong guard goes second level to block the playside linebacker. Another key block is the strong tackle, he must be able to reach and seal 3-tech defensive tackle. This block is key because it helps seal the backside for if the RB makes a Bend read.
The boundary receiver goes vertical and stalk blocks. Slot receiver backside runs a smoke route while the field receiver blocks defensive back covering the slot. This is the WR screen portion of the RPO on the play. Every play in A&M’s pro-option offense has an attached RPO.
Executing Midzone
A&M is in 20 personnel, Zach Calzada in shotgun, Isaiah Spiller aligned to his left and Devon Achane aligned to his right. Chase Lane is the lone boundary receiver and Caleb Chapman is the field receiver with Ainias Smith in the slot. Colorado is showing a 4-2 box with three secondary defenders aligned to the field. The weakside end (OLB Jamar Montgomery) is so wide he is basically a 7 technique. This alignment makes it virtually impossible to reach him so it is an ideal time to run midzone weakside.
At the snap, LT Jahmir Johnson easily takes Montgomery outside. LG Aki Ogunbiyi and center Bryce Foster combo the 1-tech and open the tunnel. Notice Ogunbiyi’s helmet it outside the 1-tech so it is a Bang read for midzone. RG Layden Robinson goes second level and blocks the BSLB, sealing him outside. RT Kenyon Green reaches the 3-tech and seals him outside. Spiller sees Ogunbiyi’s helmet is outside, runs off his outside hip and leads on the play, sealing the PSLB outside. Achane meshes in front of Calzada, takes the handoff, and runs behind Spiller’s block. When the offense’s six (5 OL and 1 RB) blocks the defense’s six in the box, you’re going to have a successful play. Result of the play is a 15 yard gain and a first down.
Odd Front
Here A&M is in 11 personnel with Chase Lane to the field and Moose Muhammad III and Demond Demas to the boundary. Jalen Wydermyer is in-line at TE, Zach Calzada is aligned in shotgun, and Devon Achane is behind him in the Pistol. New Mexico runs a 33 Stack defensive scheme because coordinator Rocky Long is one of the creators of the scheme and a well-known defensive guru. New Mexico is in an Okie front with a 1-tech shaded strongside, the weakside end on the outside eye of the RT (5i), and the strongside end aligned on the outside shoulder of the TE.
At the snap, New Mexico runs a nose-end stunt strongside and the weakside end slants outside. RT Blake Trainor doesn’t do a great job reacting to the slant but he recovers well enough to put him outside. New Mexico blitzes their weak stack backer and center Bryce Foster does a good job reaching him and getting his helmet outside. RG Layden Robinson climbs second level and seals the middle linebacker inside. Between Trainor, Foster, and Robinson, a tunnel is created.
Demas runs a fade and Muhammad stalk blocks the safety. Chase Lane runs a crossing route. LG Aki Ogunbiyi goes second level but can’t find anyone to block. LT Jahmir Johnson and TE Wydermyer do a good job against the nose-end stunt and Johnson tries to climb third level to block a safety. Respect the effort. Achane takes the handoff from Calzada, runs through the tunnel, and is tackled 18 yards down field.
All The Pros Are Doing It
Bonus content: Los Angeles Rams run midzone against the San Francisco 49ers.
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