ZONE SCHEMES
INSIDE ZONE
Downhill zone creating vertical movement inside.
Best vs Fronts: 3-man surface & Even Fronts
OL Assignments:
Covered/uncovered rules
Double teams → LB
Vertical movement
Designed Hit: A-gap → backside A/B
RB Job: Bang, Bend, or Bounce
OUTSIDE (WIDE) ZONE
Stretch run forcing horizontal flow.
Best vs Fronts: 4-down, Wide alignments
OL Assignments:
Reach / stretch blocks
Win outside leverage
Designed Hit: C-gap → edge → cutback
RB Job: Press, read edge, cut upfield
ZONE READ
Inside zone with QB reading edge man.
Best vs Fronts: 4-down
OL Assignments:
Inside zone rules
Leave edge unblocked
Designed Hit: A/B-gap (RB),
QB reads backside Edge: gives if Edge sits, pulls if Edge crashes
RB Job: Same as inside zone, Trust read
SPLIT ZONE
Inside zone with backside edge control.
Best vs Fronts: Wide 9, 4-down
OL Assignments:
Inside zone rules
Split block on backside DE
Designed Hit: A-gap → backside cut
RB Job: Bang, Bend, or Bounce
MID ZONE
Hybrid zone hitting just outside tackle.
Best vs Fronts: Balanced fronts
OL Assignments:
Combo blocks
Vertical / slight lateral movement
Designed Hit: B-gap
RB Job: Press B-gap, Cut vertical
MIDLINE READ
Read interior DL.
Best vs Fronts: 3-tech
OL Assignments:
Inside zone rules
Leave DT unblocked
Designed Hit: A-gap
QB reads interior DL: gives if DL sits, pulls if DL crashes
RB Job: Hit downhill fast, No hesitation
