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Derek Warehime, O-Line Coach/Run Game Coordinator, Coastal Carolina

Full video available at: O-Line Outside Zone Technique & Fundamentals

OUTSIDE ZONE FUNDAMENTALS FOR AMERICAN FOOTBALL COACHES

This coaching video breaks down the outside zone running play, emphasizing it as a "stretch and puncture" concept rather than a traditional sweep around the edge. The coach explains this isn't about sprinting around the end but creating horizontal seams in the defense to cut it in two.

RUNNING BACK LANDMARKS AND READS

The running back's initial aiming point is the outside leg of the tight end (or "ghost tight end" if no tight end is present). The back reads one gap at a time from playside to backside, with gaps coming to him rather than cutting back. The ball may go outside when the defense pinches inside, making them pay for that aggressive alignment.

REACH BLOCKING TECHNIQUE

All playside blockers (center, guard, tackle, tight end) are reach blockers using a backside hand dominant approach. The key coaching points include gaining ground with the playside foot, eliminating second step crossover, and running with wide legs off the ball.

THREE BLOCKING OUTCOMES

The coach identifies three ways to handle defenders on reach blocks. First, get the backside hand to the defender's sternum, square shoulders, and drive the backside knee through their crotch for a vertical edge. Second, if you can't reach the sternum because the defender stays outside, drive the backside hand through their rib cage using "lift and lock" technique to torque them out. Third, if you end up nose-to-nose with the defender, you must torque them out since a nose-to-nose read creates confusion for the running back.

DEFINING READS FOR THE RUNNING BACK

The emphasis throughout is giving the running back clear, defined reads. A reached defender or torqued defender both provide clean reads, while nose-to-nose contact creates gray area that leads to negative plays. Blockers must either reach the defender or torque them out to give the back the information needed to make the correct decision with the football.

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