But here’s the thing: most of us are coaching in small school environments despite our classifications. This is particularly true when it comes to mentoring offensive linemen. Here at Rahway, despite being a Group 4 program we have roughly 15-20 offensive linemen on the roster.

The Basis of our Study

Recently, I conducted interviewing several “small-programs” coaches on how the methods they use to work with smaller numbers. All of our contributing coaches were working with varsity numbers that are less than 40 players yearly. With limited numbers come limited talent, and while their competition may be in the same situation during game days, how these coaches use their time efficiently during practice may make the difference between wins and losses. Since almost all of my contributors have players that go both ways, I wanted to research how they were maximizing practice time to get players trained to play multiple positions.

This week, we’re going to take a look at some methodologies small programs use to protect and preserve their offensive linemen:

Single Platoon Offensive Linemen:

One of the goals of the staff at Maplesville High School (AL) each off-season was to find six to seven players who can get the job done on the offensive line. It’s the first thing, offensively and defensively, that the staff puts together. Once these players are determined, they each learn to snap the ball at either the guard or tackle position. Coach Hubert believes in keeping the offensive linemen as offensive linemen and not rotating them. “We feel doing this it keeps them fresh late in games and limits the possibility of injuries,” he told me. To do this, he’ll start developing them at the junior high level. “We are going to get 6-7 players who we feel will be our offensive linemen, and we will watch them in the weight room with one-on-one drills,” Coach Hubert told me. “They will not play defense if at all possible. If we find a backup for them, they will rotate every series on offense. Once we get 5-6 offensive linemen, then we get our best 11 defensive guys on that side of the ball and try to be two-deep there.” In order to cross-train those players at multiple spots along the front, Coach Hubert will designate two coaches for the line. “The one coach will take the top seven, and the other coach will play catch-up a little with the other group,” he told us. “If we have one coach, we will risk having that second group stay behind. They will have to practice pre or post-practice.” Because he emphasizes offensive line play, he will often get good on good for team periods because that offensive line will be the scout team.

Flip Between a Strong Side and a Quick Side O-Line

In order to get maximum reps among the front, head coach Kurt Forrest at Mechanicsburg High School (OH) will use a strong side and a quick side offensive line. While some coaches feel it to be an archaic and predictable method, Coach Forrest swears by it. In a gap scheme offense in structure, one side of the line works doggedly on double-team blocks while the other gets an abundant amount of reps on pulls and backside hinges. “We stay away from being predictable because it puts the onus on the coaches to formation plays rather than having a kid execute an assignment he may not be comfortable with,” he told me. As a tight end-oriented, 11-personnel team that will run spread option concepts like power read and zone read, the flipping of the line helps provide for position-specific drill work. “We get so many reps with that strong side getting down blocks it’s terrific,” he told me. “It’s almost like a pride thing to be on that side of the line of scrimmage.” And just when he feels they are becoming too predictable? “One-speed option to the weak side cures all that,” he said. Coach Forrest did say that if he has a talented player who can pull on the strong side, he may run some strong side pull plays like buck sweep just to get him on the perimeter.

One of the best adjustments we made this season at Rahway was to transition to a split line format. We separated our offensive linemen into a strong side and quick side. As a primary gap scheme outfit, our strong side was continually tasked with working double teams at the point of attack while our quick side was our pullers in these schemes. I can’t tell you the advantages we reaped in practice reps alone. Our strong side continuously worked the fundamentals of double teams while our quick side amassed hundreds of reps on skip pulls and trap pulls in our gap schemes.

Teach a Spot-Blocking Philosophy:

At D2 Ferris State University, offensive line coach Sam Parker is committed solely to “spot” blocking all of his run schemes. He talks more about landmarks than defenders. “We don’t care about where defenders are pre-snap; we care about where they end up,” he told me. “At the end of the day, they have to defend six gaps.”

In order to understand how they teach spot blocking, it’s important to know that their entire call system offensively is based on two divides: a “call” side and a “run” side.

• The Call Side is where they are telling their offensive linemen where the play is hitting

• The Run Side is where the ball carrier can essentially run the ball. He doesn’t call it the backside because of they we read things.

In all of Ferris State’s run concepts, he separates the second level into the following divides:

• Run Side LB

• Call Side LB

• Run Side Edge

• Call Side Edge

The Diagram below illustrates that point:

Coach Parker admits that while spot blocking the front is player-friendly, it is not coach-friendly, especially if you are asking players to move to multiple spots on the offensive line. It is a universal language that everyone can speak. The terminology is the same for center, guard, and tackle. There are small details for each position, but the bulk 85% is transferable. Using spot blocking, you will not have to worry about a player’s capacity to only know left guard or right tackle. All five players will know exactly what the other one is doing. They will operate as one. In turn, because they know what everyone is doing due to the simplicity of the system, the game will slow down!

The Bottom Line…lineman are hard to come by. We live in a world where there are 7 on 7 camps with private training for wide receivers and quarterbacks. Now, flag football has grown exponentially to the point where there isn’t a thought about playing on the line of scrimmage. We must protect and conserve our rare species…offensive linemen.

And as I left that two-hour personal clinic with Coach Sammis two things became very clear:

1. I fell in love with wide zone that day

2. Coach Sammis may be the best teacher of wide zone that I’ve ever worked with (and I worked with hundreds of coaches in the last two decades as a football analyst).

So, when I turned on the TV last Saturday to watch Coach Sammis (now the OC at TCU) line up against legendary coach Bill Belichick in Ireland to open the season, I wasn’t surprise that he would hang his hat on the wide zone run play- it’s something that Sammis believes in whole-heartedly. But, what I didn’t know is how much he was going to rely on running wide zone into the boundary.

But the reasoning of why it did it made sense to me. The former “circle the field” mantra in wide zone coaching is outdated. You are looking to stretch and puncture the defense. And if you have a tight end that can block a rush end (which most of us do in high school, considering it’s the same type of player), then you need to consider running wide zone behind him into the boundary. In fact, if you’re not running wide zone into the boundary, you’re doing a disservice to your offensive production. The common myth is that there isn’t enough space to utilize a wide zone within the boundary, but our analytics prove otherwise.

The Horned Frogs tallied 146 rushing yards vs. UNC (among the most ever generated against a Bill Belichick defense) and 103 of those yards came from running wide zone into the boundary.

Now, we all know that the greatest living coach of all time adjusted in the second half and did a better job defending it. How he did it is an article for another time.

Anyway, during the course of the game last Saturday, Coach Sammis presented 8 formation pictures into the boundary to run wide zone. I’m going to take you through each of these formations and why they were effective against UNC. The good news is, you will not be facing Coach Belichick this season so if you are a wide zone outfit, you can use each of these formation build-ins to create explosivity in your wide zone runs.

If you are a paid subscriber to Hog University, you will get full access to this study as well as all the materials I’ve accumulated in working directly with Coach Sammis on his wide zone play, including:

• The two-hour recorded session from myself and Coach Sammis talking through his wide zone build-ins which includes boundary wide and the quick game build-ins he used to control the backside

• Raw game film of all of UCONN’s wide zone concepts and layered build-ins to protect wide zone including Bob variations, double insert variations and motion variations.

• Complete access to our film and research database which includes hundreds of hours of narrated and raw game film on all run concepts such as Duo, Tight Zone, Wide Zone, Pin and Pull and Gap Schemes.

And…that includes a consultation session with me to provide any clarity on all of these pieces of information.

3x1 Trey Formation:

Why it Works:

This is the cheapest way to generate explosives in wide zone. If you are an 11-personnel offensive output, as most programs are, then it’s an easy build-in. In fact, 60% of wide zone runs from these Trey formations were explosive, and here’s why: you’re able to handle four strong defenders to the field. Coach Sammis told me that Trey was the base formation of his play for that reason. If he had more than four defenders to the strong side, he would just check the play to the weak or open side.

1x3 Attached Nub Formation:

Why it Works:

Research indicated that In 1×3 nub formations, 66.7 percent of wide zones were explosive to the boundary and to the tight end. Against Odd defenses- like UNC- you’re going to get your tight end matched on a weaker hybrid outside linebacker which is an easier matchup for you offensively.

3x1 Attached with Motion:

Why it Works:

This became another answer against man coverage. If you didn’t feel good about having the extra defender be the corner, build in motion with the flanker to alleviate the corner from his run fit. Now, you are still getting the matchup you need with the tight end on the outside linebacker.

Four-Surface Formation:

Why it Works:

This build-in allowed for two combination blocks at the point of attack: an easy combination block with both tight ends on the D-gap defensive end as well as a combination block with the play side Guard and Tackle on the 3-technique defender to the point backer.

3x1 Unbalanced Formation:

Why it Works:

Coach Sammis ran this on the goal line against UNC for good reason. The four-surface unbalanced formation created a soft edge to the tight end wing surface. This allowed for a simple combination with both tight ends and a person escort for the running back into the boundary.

3x1 Open Two Surface Formation:

Why it Works:

For 10 personnel offenses that I’ve studied, the highest explosive wide zone runs were generated to the weak side (or open side) of 3×1 open formations. It produced a 69% explosive rate against Odd fronts because it produced a three-for-three count to the open side, providing the Center can handle the Nose. That was the case for TCU last weekend when the Center and backside Guard can work to the point backer.

3x1 Open Surface Bob Play:

Why it Works:

Coach Sammis uses both strong insert and weak insert tags, but the weak insert concept is useful against odd structures where the backside guard and tackle may not be able to climb to the weak side linebacker (or minus one). It’s an automatic fan for the offensive line so they don’t get smashed in the face. It’s also strong against four surface formations because the Center and play side Guard can work to the minus one while the Y can insert to the point linebacker.

Unbalanced Two Surface Formation:

Why it Works:

This pushes the second level backers to the field, which also pushes the point backer behind the combination. This gives leverage back to the play side Guard and Tackle on their combination, alleviating an easy downhill entry point for the back.

The Bottom Line…Coaches get enamored with running wide zone to the field, but the numbers indicate that wide zone into the boundary is just as effective and even more explosive. Coaches like Gordon Sammis understand this and use it to their advantage. And you can, too!

I’ve become enamored with Pin and Pull runs simply because outside zone has become way too difficult to teach. It takes a great deal of time and effort to get the ball carrier to mesh his footwork with the offensive line. Because if he doesn’t the play won’t work. In my opinion wide zone is too expensive. Quite simply, I like “divide and conquer” rather than “stretch and puncture.”

Pin and Pull Base Line Rules:

Pin and Pull runs are so effective because the rules are so simple and adjustable.

• If I’m covered head up to backside- Choke (Down) block

• If I’m not covered head up to backside- Pull

The first puller is responsible for the kick out while the second puller is responsible for the point linebacker.

So, essentially, it’s the Guard who needs to figure out if he’s the first or second puller. If you know those two things, you can block this play a ton of different ways.

Soft Edge= No Immediate Force Defender

For most programs like mine, the pin/pull is used continuously as a nub side run and if you get presented with a 7-technique (inside shoulder of tight end) with no immediate force defender that’s a situation we all love. In these situations, the first puller must be taught to get his eyes “up and inside” to block the support defender if there is nothing in the flat.

One of the advantages in using Pin/Pull as a nub side run is that often times the corner who is not a traditional run fitter, will misfit the scheme.

But one of the most common answers for a defense is to present a hard edge to prevent those pin and pull runs from getting north to south. This hard edge typically comes in the form of a walk-up outside linebacker on the tight end or a 9-technique defender.

In this article, I’m going to provide with three solid answer to handle hard edges to keep your Pin and Pull running efficiently.

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My Credentials:

First and foremost, I’m a coach at heart spending 25+ years at the high school ranks mainly as an offensive line coach and run game coordinator.

• Secondly, I’ve spent two decades researching the game of football. My writing career has taken me from ESPN Magazine to American Football Monthly to the New York Times to The Athletic. My work has been featured various national networks and podcasts. As Coach Cignetti would say… “google me” and you can read about me for yourself. I’ve talked to literally thousands of coaches particularly about about offensive line play and I’m excited to bring all of those conversations to all of you this season.

What Paid Subscribers Get from “Hog U” In-Season:

• Every week I will be providing you with fresh offensive line content. I spent over 25 years coaching line play and talking with others who coach this great position across the country. I’m happy finally to write directly about a position I covet dearly, the offensive line.

• Full access to my entire film library of drill and concept film. This film isn’t bootlegged or digitally traded like some other sources. It’s all material I acquired from working with my sources for over two decades.

• An inside look at how me and my sources game plan against various defensive fronts and defensive personnel. I’m thrilled to present this material directly to you.

• How my sources and I layered run concepts with complementary RPO’s to help protect their top runs and how you can do the same this fall.

• The weekly drill work that focuses exactly on your offensive menu. If you’re looking for generic offensive line drills, then go search YouTube. But, if you want drills catered specifically to what you’re teaching I can help. My sources have already done that and I will share it with you.

• Monthly private chalk talk sessions with me for those of you who want more access, more information and more clarification on the research and materials I cover.

What Not to Expect from Hog U:

• I don’t have all the answers- just the ones that have worked for me and the coaches I have worked with over the last two decades. While I do implement a lot of what I learn from them I don’t implement all of it. But, I do know exacty how they did it. So, I have to give the ole Fan Duel gambling disclaimer…what works for me may not always work for you.

• The subscription price is the subscription price- I’m way too busy in-season to navigate cost ratio. If you’re like what you’re reading then subscribe. You will get a lot more than you bargained for! If not, that’s fine too.

Finally, best of luck to all of you this football season! You’ll be hearing from me.

Sincerely,

Mike Kuchar

Hog University

For years, I’ve always evaluated my offensive linemen on whether or not they made the block and completed their assignment. But as my experience developed, I realized that I had to find other ways to provide feedback to my players. Then, one spring a few years back I took a trip to Austin, Texas to visit with the Longhorns former tight ends coach Derek Warehime. And I was sitting in one of his meetings he said something that struck me to his unit. “You’re either eliminating your defender from making the tackle or you’re chasing another defender who can.” Everything else is a minus.

So, I took that premise and built out what I called the “Defender Affect” grade. Not only did I start grading my lineman on whether or not they executed their block, but I took it a step further by tracking how many times the defender they were supposed to block affected the running back on the run play. My rules for affecting the running back was simple: if the defender either made the tackle or get the back to stop his feet it became a minus.

In the image below, the right Guard from Florida State (#63) poorly executes a reach block caused the back to stop his feet and change his momentum. This would result in a minus grade for that player.

So, as we roll the film I chart both a technique grade and a defender affect grade for each play.

If we play on Friday night, all grades will be finalized and shared with the offensive line unit via Google Drive. It would look like what is presented below:

How To Evaluate the Defender Affect Grade?

Here’s where the fundamental tie in corresponds with each individual block you are teaching. For example, I teach an individual aiming point for each block in our run game.

See below for some examples of how block destruction failures:

• Angle Drive Block- aiming point of backside “V” of the neck with head across.

• Base Drive Block- aiming point of inside “V” of the neck of the defender.

• Open (Trap) Pull Block- inside aiming point, defender must get kicked (no exceptions and no logs allowed)

• Shuffle Pull Block- front up defender; do not allow a two-way go

• Gap Combination Blocks- backside linebacker must be accounted for in double team.

• Zone Combination Block- play side linebacker must be accounted for in double team.

How it Ties into Evaluations:

Using the blocking principles above, I evaluate whether not by lineman made the block based on two distinct possibilites:

• If that aiming point on the defender is not attained then it affects players “block percentage” grade

• If the aiming point on the defender is attained, but the defender affects the play by those two principles above, then it affects their defender affect grade.

What’s an Adequate Defender Affect Grade?

Ideally, that defender affect grade needs to be at 10% or lower. That means, that the defender you are assigned to only affected the play one out of ten times. Now, that is not always the case. There have been numerous times in my career where a fullback was responsible for a defender affect grade of nearly 20%! It makes sense considering that fullback is traditionally at the point of attack.

How to Protect Your Player From His Vulnerabilities:

At this point in the season, you should have a good idea of what each of your linemen does well. I take it a step further by actually listing out the skill sets of each of my lineman by categorizing them into what their top primary skill set is and what their secondary skill set is. It helps me organize the run game around their strengths.

The image below is a good illustration of that build out:

Now, if you have a player that continually produces a defender affect grade of over 10%, there are several things you can do (besides benching him all together):

1. Limit yourself from putting him at the point of attack in the run game. This can mean playing with a strong side and quick side offensive line (which I’ve done numerous times in my career). That way, you can hide him on the backside of your vital runs.

2. Only work the specific blocks you will use with him. So, if you position him to the play side of zone schemes, then spend more time working those base drive blocks or zone combination blocks. Or, if he’s a better puller at the point of attack then work him on the back side of these schemes where he’s only working those trap pulls and open pulls above.

Bottom Line…the number one premise of coaching is to not put your players in a position to fail. In order to do that, you will need to coach to their strengths. And this simple pre-season evaluation allows you to do just that.

At Rahway High School (NJ) where I coach we only pulled one player on power. We ran it both ways, but the puller would just start on the weak side. The offense knew it, the defense knew it, the crowd knew it. But guess what? It didn’t matter. As an offensive line coach I believe in simplicity over scheme and this player must have repped hundreds of snaps performing this skill. So, we trusted him to execute the proper technique based on how the defense presents itself.

Coach Scott Fuchs (while at the University of Wyoming) taught his backside Guards to understand the difference between defenders spilling the football and spilling the block. “I try to get my players to understand where the football is (not where it’s going to be) because a spill player might actually lever (box) the ball,” he told me. “He’s looking to lever the football not the blocker. He’s eying the football. If we don’t know where the ball is going to be, we can get too far out there on the block. We have to know where the play is going to be and for this play it’s a play side A or backside A gap play. It’s not like he (the defender) is spilling you, he’s taking an aiming point to the football. When you’re running a gap scheme play, you should know whom the spill guy is and whom the lever player is. For us, we treat everyone like a lever player which forces us to get our hat on the inside all the time. If he’s a spill player he’s already in the right spot.”

Before We Go Any Further…

Most programs that I’ve worked with during my research have moved away from the traditional skip pull in favor of a shuffle technique, and for similar reasons. The reasoning? It tended to get the guard too loose and not tight enough through the gap — plus it demanded a wider split that made the center’s back block harder. The fix? Kick the foot back, shuffle down the line, keep the eyes working. Simple enough that it doesn’t take three years to coach up.

I know at the University of Wisconsin Whitewater, offensive line coach Tim Shields teaches the same shuffle philosophy but adds a few more coaching points to the checklist: clear the center’s hip, get a bit of depth off the line, tuck the chin to the shoulder pad, and immediately diagnose whether the fullback has the C-gap defender handled. In both systems, the non-negotiable is square shoulders — the guard should never turn his back to the play, because that’s how he gets spilled and the whole concept collapses.

In order to reinforce this methodology, coaches that run the A-gap power play classify the pull technique for the backside guard into the following techniques:

In this post, I’m going to take you through each of these scenarios on how to teach the backside Guard to be the “fixer” in the A-gap power play. I also present drill video that corresponds with the proper techinque

If you are a paid subscriber Hog University’s Substack Page you now have access to our complete Installation Series which includes these on the following run concepts: Gap Schemes, Duo Run Schemes, Tight Zone Run Schemes, Pin and Pull Run Schemes and Wide Zone Run Schemes:

· Individual Drill work block progression and complementary videos

· Combination Drill work block progression and complementary videos

· Raw game film cutups of various programs (including mine)

· The layering catalog, where you can build off the base concepts in these schemes

· The complementary RPO’s built off these run schemes

· The “read to use” camp installation schedule for this pre-season for each of these run schemes.

· Monthly “chalk talk” session with Hog University to assist in any of the aspects above

Read more

One of the beauties of the A-gap power concept is that the backside linebacker can never be right. If he gets downhill in a hurry, he’ll get picked off on combination blocks front side. And if he hesitates or backfits, the play is going to hit inside him directly in the A-gap. The A-gap power needs to be run correctly, not necessarily perfectly. As Coach Shields will often say, it’s the operation time, the path of the ball carrier, and the tight insert of the pulling Guard that makes it so hard to defend.

This week I want to take you four pillars you need to teach in order to get your Power play to hit in the A-gap.

Pillar 1: Build Lateral (not Vertical) Double Teams

Remember that you want to crease the A-gap on these Power runs, so you have to teach lateral double teams, not vertical double teams. The emphasis is to eliminate run through lanes and make the minus one (or backside LB) makes a quick decision. The focal point is the A-gap.

In most cases, the drive man (or PST Tackle) will use an angle drive or hip skip vs. a 3-technique defender. For any defender that is not a 3-technique, he will use a gallop. Tim Shields, the offensive line coach at Wisconsin Whitewater talks about being flat enough to handle any run-throughs.

The horizontal combination puts an extreme amount of stress on the backside linebacker who essentially has two choices:

• If he plays behind the double team, he will get absorbed by the play side Tackle who is working horizontally to him.

The illustration below will reference this point:

• If he scrapes over the top, the ball carrier is already inside him and his out-leveraged by the back who is cutting right where he is vacated from.

The illustration below will reference this point:

Pillar 2: Teach a 3-Step Rule for Kickout Blocker (FB)

In A-Gap power, the fullback is responsible for kicking out the EMLOS. But this doesn’t need to be a “kick-ass” block and you don’t need a gladiator to do it. If you got a guy that can swipe on inside zone then you have one that can run three steps into the line of scrimmage and make a kick out block.

But he has to be in an immediate pre-snap position to make the kick out block. Coach Shields teaches a three-step rule on the kick-out block, where the fullback/TE will step with his outside foot first, then inside foot and finally deliver a near foot, near shoulder strike with his outside foot on the C gap defender. You have to get vertical on the kick out block and play on the defensive side of the line of scrimmage.

The illustration below will reference this point:

Pillar 3: Teach a Shuffle Pull Tech for the Backside Guard

This is where the A-Gap power gets expensive. So much of prying the A gap rests on the play of the puller, or backside Guard. That is why the skip pull technique is not advantageous for A-Gap power. It’s more appropriate to use a shuffle pull technique. Instead of moving your backside foot first, you move your play side foot first.

Coach Shields and others teaches a square shuffle pull so that he can easily redirect if need be. He’s taught to clear the hip of the Center, get depth off the line of scrimmage, get his chin to his shoulder pad, and immediately identify if the fullback has the defensive end managed or not. Again, the puller is tasked with opening the A gap.

While there may be a menu of about seven techniques, there are two main ones that occur most frequently: the double bump and the lead.

Double Bump Technique:

This happens when the fullback doesn’t have the C gap defender kicked out and is another way to put color back on the fullback. Once that happens, the Guard inserts north and south.

The illustration below will reference this point:

Lead Pull Technique:

The lead pull technique is used if the FB has the C gap managed. This is an inside out pull where the puller scrapes paint off the offensive Tackle’s butt (Coach Shields calls it striking a match) where the puller has to be inside out on the point linebacker.

The illustration below will reference this point:

Pillar 4: Ball Carrier Must “Run through the Smoke”

More is placed on the ball carrier in A-gap power than any other concept because the ball could hit from the play side A gap to the backside A gap. He cannot work outside the puller.

So, to do that he must keep his shoulders squared through the mesh, which can be a challenge in off-set alignments. If he stays inside the puller, it eliminates any defender who is outside the kick out block a potential tackler. Most of these programs that run A-gap power, don’t get concerned with anyone outside the puller.

The illustration below will reference this point:

Bottom Line: If you are going to make a choice to install A-Gap power (and it is a choice) than these are the coaching points you will need to emphasize to run it efficiently. Next week I’ll be providing the five scenarios to teach the backside Guard in A-Gap Power.

See, most tight zone (and Duo for that matter) run schemes are built off the cutback, or wind back. And if the B gap is dented, it will prevent any success you have with the play. I’ve found that in most cases, that B gap is dented because of a poor combination with the backside Guard and Tackle. And that combination is most commonly called the “B Block.”

For Clarification: The Components of the “B-Block (named because of the B gap)

• The Post player: In the “B-block,” the post player will be the backside guard. The post players job is to step with his play side foot & stand up the defensive lineman.

• The drive player: In the “B-block,” the drive player will be the backside tackle. The drive player’s job is to deliver force and continue driving into the defensive lineman, helping create vertical movement.

The General rules of the “B-block” are to never leave a down lineman to chase a linebacker. Offensive linemen are responsible for creating vertical movement at the point of attack and for securing the first level before come off to a linebacker when he flows. It’s important not come off until he unstacks or threatens our front side gap. If the 3-technique slants across our face, we must collect and two-hand overtake with a strong play side hand, and the adjacent offensive lineman will foot fire up to the declared Linebacker.

Before getting into the specific techniques of the "B-Block," linemen must be taught to understand if the play side linebacker is "plussed" or "minused" in his leverage. See below for illustration.

If you are a paid subscriber Hog University’s Substack Page you now have access to our complete Installation Series which includes these on the following run concepts: Gap Schemes, Duo Run Schemes, Tight Zone Run Schemes, Pin and Pull Run Schemes and Wide Zone Run Schemes:

· Individual Drill work block progression and complementary videos

· Combination Drill work block progression and complementary videos

· Raw game film cutups of various programs (including mine)

· The layering catalog, where you can build off the base concepts in these schemes

· The complementary RPO’s built off these run schemes

· The “read to use” camp installation schedule for this pre-season for each of these run schemes.

· Monthly “chalk talk” session with Hog University to assist in any of the aspects above

Post Player (Guard) Option 1: Jab and Crotch Technique

The backside Buard will use the Jab & crotch technique when there is a 3 technique and the Will LB is in a minused position. The first step is with the play side foot forward while keeping a big bent knee and loading up with a single arm flipper (or under). The second step is a vertical step, getting the foot in the ground as quick as possible and through the midline of the defender while keeping the backside shoulder firm and square. After the initial two steps, the linemen will transition into a high leg (staggered feet), keeping a strong leg nearest to the down lineman. The play side arm will be uninvolved & pumping with 2 eyes on the declared linebacker. Both the Guard and tackle must be Hip to Hip with shoulders square, with four eyes on the linebacker.

Below is drill video from Tusculum University on the Jab and Crotch Technique

Post Player (Guard) Option 2: Brace and Power Technique

The backside Guard will use the brace & power with a “B- Quick” call against a “plussed” linebacker. The guard will brace for wide and depth, dependent on the linebacker’s location, with his play side foot while loading up with a single arm flipper (or under). The off knee will pivot in and the hips will open up at his angle of departure, the second step becomes the power high leg, with the backside shoulder firm and square. The play side arm will be uninvolved & pumping with two eyes on the linebacker.

Below is drill video from Tusculum University on the Brace and Power Technique

Drive Player (Tackle) Option 1: Near Foot and Vertical Scoop

The backside Tackle will use the near foot when there is a 3-technique and the Will LB is in a minsued position. The tackle will step with his play side foot while grabbing grass at the V of the neck of the 3-technique. The near hand will load in single arm flipper (or under). The second step is work vertically as quickly as possible while keeping a high leg into the down lineman. The backside arm will be uninvolved and pumping with two eyes on the linebacker. Both the Guard and tackle must be Hip to Hip, with shoulders square, with four eyes on the linebacker.

Drive Player Option 2: The Vertical Scoop

The backside Tackle will use the vertical scoop with a “B- Quick” call when linebacker is plused over the Guard. He knows that he will be two hands in. The Tackle will brace for width & depth on the first step, and the second step will go through the midline of the defender with a double hand punch. This will create overlap between the backside guard and tackle. This will put the tackle in a better position to two-hand overtake the 3 technique. We get back square on our 3rd and 4th step.

Below is drill video from Tusculum University on the Near Foot and Vertical Scoop Technique

Before getting into the concepts, it’s important first to analyze the 4i personnel you will be facing. No two 4i’s are alike, some are better with their hands, some are better being read, some are stronger and some are more athletic. And the beauty in game planning against the Odd front is that most DC’s will not switch those defenders- one plays right and one plays left. So, essentially you’ll need to either ‘read ‘em, ‘wham ‘em, ‘combo ‘em, rip ‘em or reach ‘em.

Figuring all that out is the fun part! And I can help you do just that.

Option 1: “Combo ‘Em”:

Concept: Duo Pull Variants (Tight Zone Scheme Family)

Call it inside zone, call it Duo, call it what you want but this is the best way to protect your tight zone play against those nasty Mint fronts. I just spent over a month researching this concept, talking to programs like North Texas, UC Davis and William and Mary to name a few. And it started because when you run Duo or inside zone against a Mint front, the Tackle becomes useless to the two-surface side of the formation. So, why not have him pull and add on to the backside of Duo? Now, you bring an extra hat to the party and create an extra gap.

The first thing you do is create a four or five man surface by attaching one or two tight ends at the end of the line of scrimmage This provides for “Trey” (Tight End and Tackle) combination on the 4i defender to the backside of Duo- where the ball hits. Now, you pull the opposite Tackle who is responsible for the first defender off the edge of the tight end. The best part is, nothing changes for the back. He is still on an A-gap track with a “bang” or “bend” read off the backside linebacker. The only difference is the quarterback now opens to the two-surface side and reads the C-gap defender because the Tackle has vacated. If you’re QB is not a runner, don’t worry. I’ve studied hundreds of these clips and the QB rarely pulls the ball (unless he’s the QB from Tennessee).

Option 2: “Rip ‘Em”:

Concept: Counter (Gap Scheme Family)

I learned this in talking with the University of Central Arkansas. If your Tackle is quick enough to get inside the 4i technique defender, you can have the first puller can kick him out. It’s something that is only done to a 4i, not a tight 3-technique defender. “We talk about staying square, dipping shoulders and getting through the inside of the 4i technique,” offensive line coach Gunnar Boykin told me. “I can leave two outside of me because I have two pullers. If he reduces tightly into the B gap, then it becomes a reach block. I take him down the line of scrimmage and the first puller blocks the first color outside me.” But the Tackle does have to make a call so the first puller knows the play will hit a bit tighter.

Option 3: “Read ‘Em”

Power Read or Jet Read (Gap Scheme Family)

If you run Power read or Jet read, why block the 4i technique if you don’t have to? Working with Division 2 national powerhouse Ferris State, offensive line coach Sam Parker said the speed sweep/jet read marriage was built out of necessity to attack Mint front structure with the presence of 4i techniques at the line of scrimmage. For years, Ferris State used arc releases against 4i techniques in jet read concepts counting him as the read. “He works a three-step wide fundamental to stretch the end before working to the second level to lock the box,” Coach Parker told me.

Option 4: “Wham ‘Em:”

Tight Zone Family

Mint or Bear fronts buts a ton of pressure on the backside B gap combination block in tight zone runs. Often times, the backside Guard cannot find his way to backside linebacker because of a heavy 3-technique that can squeeze the combination block.

So, in order for offenses to get traction in the run game it becomes vital to split the front at the seams. And perhaps the best way to do so is by using some form of a B-gap divide principle, or better known as the “Wham” concept. Monmouth University under the direction of offensive line coach Brian Gabriel has majored in it for years.

The concept is built off tight zone by dividing the backside B gap or A-gap defender, rather than the C-gap defender most common in divide zone schemes. “We feel like we needed another way to divide the defense, rather than having the backside Tackle/Guard cut off the B gap,” Coach Gabriel told me. “So, we divide at the 3-technique rather than the 5-technique. Some of the A gap divide worked us as well. Now, instead of the tight end kicking out the C gap defender- as he normally would in split zone- he kicks out the B gap defender.

Option 5: “Reach ‘Em:”

Wide Zone Family

If you’re an outside zone team, like the offense at UT Martin, than you may want to consider having the play side Tackle reach the 4i technique defender. It helps the ball get to the perimeter more quickly. According to former offensive line coach Matt Jones “Mint” fronts are ideal to run the wide zone because you’re able to keep the backside Guard backside for the point combination with the Center. This allows the play side Guard and Tackle to combo block the 4i to 30 technique linebacker (+1) while the tight end blocks +2. The 4i is too far removed backside to be a factor. “The play was made for that defensive structure because it is like the play side Tackle has already reached the defensive end in a 4i so that alignment has given you the best leverage to flood the ball in the play side C gap,” he told me. “The box is targeted and the closest free hitter is the far safety.”

The Bottom Line: Don't let those 4i's alter your run game. Build a catalog to go after them and start building it now in the summer so it can be refined this fall!

So Why Teach Both?

Quite simply, a distinction needs to be made on whether your linemen are working to the play side linebacker or the backside linebacker:

1. If you’re working to a backside linebacker you have to create lateral distortion across the line of scrimmage. This comes in the form of a lateral double team.

2. If you’re working to a play side linebacker, you have to create vertical distortion across the line of scrimmage. This comes in the form of a vertical double team.

   Technique Specifics

   Lateral Double Teams- Lateral double teams are best used in pure gap schemes like A-gap power or counter. These are combined with pullers, where double teams work back to the backside linebacker. At Rahway, we call this “snapping back” to the backside linebacker.

   Vertical Double Teams- Vertical double teams are best used in tight zone runs like inside zone and Duo, where there are no pullers. Double teams work up to the playside linebacker. At Rahway, we call this “snapping up” to the play side linebacker.

If you are a paid subscriber Hog University’s Substack Page you now have access to our complete Installation Series which includes these on the following run concepts: Gap Schemes, Duo Run Schemes, Tight Zone Run Schemes, Pin and Pull Run Schemes and Wide Zone Run Schemes:

• Individual Drill work block progression and complementary videos

• Combination Drill work block progression and complementary videos

• Raw game film cutups of various programs (including mine)

• The layering catalog, where you can build off the base concepts in these schemes

• The complementary RPO’s built off these run schemes

• The “read to use” camp installation schedule for this pre-season for each of these run schemes.

• Monthly “chalk talk” session with Hog University to assist in any of the aspects above

Read more

Like most sophomore starters, they struggled with not just confidence but an identify. By the time pre-season camp rolled around in August their heads were spinning. They couldn’t believe they were tasked with not just playing varsity, but being varsity starters. I knew I had to take drastic action. So I took it upon myself to push the issue by creating an identity for them. Since they were so young, I had to give them a singleness of purpose. Something they could hold to give them at least a shot at being producive. So, in order to do that I had to simplify their job descriptions without asking them to do so much.

So, here’s what I decided to do. I created a profile slide for each of my offensive lineman that included the following:

• A cool nickname- something that best encapsulated my future image of them.

• A picture that I can find on their socials or in the school website.

• Their job description- what, exactly, we needed them to do to be successful.

• What specific skill sets they needed to master for us to become successful.

• What baseline run concepts did they have to master for us to be successful.

• And finally what additional skill sets could they develop by seasons end for us to be dominant (I guess the icing on the cake).

  

  I even used that cheesy “special set of skills” clip from Liam Neason in “Taken” to emphasize my point, which was simply rely on what your special set of skills are. And after the first week of pre-season camp, we met in my classroom where I presented my little project on each of those players.

It was my way of helping them understand what what was expected of them for us to be not yet successful, but serviceable. I told them my expectations equal the skills they will master, and why they were asked to master them. I kept reinforcing the fact that I will not ask them to do something that they were not athletically or mentally capable of. And that, in turn, gave them confidence.

2025 turned out to be a magical season for all of us. Our front five helped produce the leading rusher in the history of our high school, a school that has been around since the 1930’s, and we finished in the top 3 in rushing the state. None of my lineman earned all conference status, but they didn’t need to nor did they care to. This unit was so tight it was elected the collective MVP’s of the team, a fitting recognition for such an unselfish unit.

More importantly, they bonded quickly, essentially becoming a band of brothers. So much so that they even began referring to each other by the nicknames that I gave them! Now, that’s ownership!

Long story short…here’s what I found. I found that when you produce clarity in job description, players will meet expectations close to 100 percent of the time. And when you give them the confidence that they can exceed their own expectations of themselves, well that’s where the magic happens.

At least that was the case for me. And I certainly hope it’s the case for you this fall. Try it. It takes a little work but it’s worth it.

If you are a paid subscriber Hog University’s Substack Page you now have access to our complete Installation Series which includes these on the following run concepts: Gap Schemes, Duo Run Schemes, Tight Zone Run Schemes, Pin and Pull Run Schemes and Wide Zone Run Schemes:

• Individual Drill work block progression and complementary videos

• Combination Drill work block progression and complementary videos

• Raw game film cutups of various programs (including mine)

• The layering catalog, where you can build off the base concepts in these schemes

• The complementary RPO’s built off these run schemes

• The “read to use” camp installation schedule for this pre-season for each of these run schemes.

• Monthly “chalk talk” session with Hog University to assist in any of the aspects above

For starters, Duo is built as a backside (or cutback) run scheme. Which means, you want to place as many bodies (aka hats) to the backside as possible allowing a backside entry point. This allows for multiple double teams at the point of attack so that the back can wind back for a explosive run. But in order to teach the back the proper entry point, you’re going to have to teach him to read the backside inside linebacker.

Duo is the only run concept I can think of where the read key gets blocked, so the reaction of that backside linebacker isn’t always clear. That’s why it’s important to spend the time teaching that back to identify and react accordingly off his movement.

Essentially, there are two distinct reads that the back will have off the backside inside linebacker: a bend or bang read.

“Bend Read”- This is the most common type of read in Duo. Here the backside inside linebacker triggers downhill immediately (looking to draw off double teams) prompting the back to cut the back back behind him for a significant gain. Many of the coaches I spoke with talk about the back “riding the wave” here and insert into the first sight of daylight.

“Bang” Read: This is where the backside linebacker is slow to fit behind the combination. In this situation, the back will continue his downhill track through the A-gap. And if there is any grey area for the back, he will cram the ball vertically and get downhill.

Sounds simple enough, right? But a great deal of coaching goes into teaching that back to make the right read. That’s why I’m providing a ready to use install for you to provide your backs with the proper instruction on how to read the Duo play. It’s free for subscribers as is all of the drill work on our Duo installation series.

And as a subscriber to “Hog University’s” Substack page, you will have full access to our complete Duo Installation Series which includes:

• Individual Drill work block progression and complementary videos

• Combination Drill work block progression and complementary videos

• Raw game film cutups of programs (including mine) running the Duo play

• The Duo layering catalog- which includes insert, tracer and pull variants to protect the backside of Duo

• The complementary RPO’s built off the Duo play, including the post-snap bubble control which helps widen the read and soften the cutback.

• The “read to use” camp Duo installation schedule for this pre-season

  Subscribe now

Read more

First of all, I want to thank all of you for reading my first post on substack. What you will get here is a “meat sandwich” of offensive line play- from techniques to fundamentals to personnel to philosophy. Consider it your one-stop shopping for offensive line play. My background in coaching and researching offensive line has stretched for over two decades and I’m thrilled to share my knowledge with all of you.

Having said that, I do not have all the answers. In fact, I inquire about them every day. My entire purpose around building this forum is to create and share ideas. So, I welcome you to do that in this dynamic. Alright…let’s get to work.

Today I want to talk to you about the open-toe down block technique. It’s a relatively new technique to offensive line play that helps negate penetration at the first level. I have diagrams and videos to share with you on this fundamental. But first, an introduction is needed to where I researched it.

I taught the down block simply as a 45-degree step with the inside foot for two decades and didn't think much about it. But last year a conversation with then Kent State offensive line coach Bill O'Boyle completely changed my thought process on the down block. Rather than teach a play side open step as some coaches do, Coach O’Boyle teaches an open foot movement with the inside foot to protect any potential movement across the line of scrimmage. Coach O’Boyle calls it “opening the knee" and it's completely eliminated penetration at the first level. “We want to swing the knee open, with the purpose of our momentum and strong base getting defenders upfield,” he told me. “We have to be able to adjust off the drive block.”

As a subscriber to “Hog University’s” Substack page, you will have full access to our complete Gap Scheme Installation series, which includes:

• Individual Drill work block progression and complementary videos

• Combination Drill work block progression and complementary videos

• Raw game film cutups of programs (including mine) running these gap schemes

• The Gap Scheme layering catalog- which includes leverage pull variants and various counter adjustments.

• The complementary RPO’s built off gap scheme runs

• The “ready to use” gap scheme installation schedule for this pre-season

Subscribe now

The Down Block Fundamental:

The gapping unit starts with the down block to protect the inside gap. But rather than teach a play side open step as some coaches do, Coach O’Boyle teaches what he calls an open foot movement with the inside foot to protect any potential movement across the line of scrimmage. Coach O’Boyle calls it “opening the knee.” He used to teach a drive step but that step became too narrow, forcing the second step to crossover allowing a defender to backdoor the block. “By the time you make contact, you give the defensive lineman a two-way go,” he told me. “He can go upfield or underneath me. I wind up turning my shoulders, and he can backdoor me.” And as far as strike point goes, Coach O’Boyle teaches a shoulder tip-to-chin landmark on the defender, no hands. “We talk about not letting our face leave the jersey of the defender,” he said. “We want to knock the hips two gaps across our face.”

In order to rep this, he’ll have a defender place a med ball on his hip so that lineman can use their backside hand as a “thumb lift” to knock it vertically on a 45-degree angle. Coach O’Boyle calls this a launch to simulate ripping a sink out of the wall." The drill work he uses to teach the technique is called "The Launch Drill," and the coaching points are below:

The “Launch” Drill

This drill work emphasizes the open-toe angle drive footwork with the shoulder tip-to-chin landmark on contact. Watch how Kent State’s offensive linemen swing their inside knee open to get them on the right path on the block. It’s done with med balls so the blocker can use a “thumb lift” to knock the defender vertically on a 45-degree angle.

I can tell you, that we worked the open-toe angle drive exclusively at Rahway High School (NJ) this season and had a great deal of success using it to stop penetration at the first level. I'd suggest you find a way to work it in this pre-season and see how it goes.

If there are any questions on this technique or anything else related to offensive line play, feel free to contact me directly! Remember- you're getting this email because you coach the most important position in football...the offensive line!