Continuing with the next part of St. Charles North’s Wildcat offensive package, today we’ll look at their usage of inside zone. In the previous report, the tackle trap concept was discussed. When St. Charles North lost their starting quarterback during week one of the season, they needed a wrinkle to ensure that their best player was touching the ball as much as possible.

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Inside Zone

The first run concept that will be discussed is the inside zone series from the wildcat. St. Charles North ran this concept from the same alignment, with different backfield action. The formation would be a typical trips alignment with an H-Back/Tight End lined up to the trips side in a wing alignment. This allows the H-Back to cut off the defensive end on the same side as him, or cross the formation and cut-off the opposite defensive end on split-zone action.

In the first clip, the offense runs a lead inside zone with the running back leading up on the mike linebacker. The offense will declare the sam linebacker as the “point”, meaning the first uncovered offensive lineman play side is working to the sam linebacker from the double team. The running back is then responsible for the mike linebacker. The backside tackle and guard will work a double team up to the will linebacker. This leaves the H-Back responsible for cutting off the backside defensive end.

The rules for blocking scheme are as follows:

• Play Side Tackle: Turn out the defensive end; Working as independent blocker
• Play Side Guard: Play side gap; If you have no threat, combo with the center to the “point” linebacker
• Center: “ID” the first LB play side. Combo with the play side guard to the “point” linebacker
• Backside Guard: Play side gap; Combo with the backside tackle to the backside linebacker
• Backside Tackle: Play side gap; Combo with the backside guard to the backside linebacker
• H-Back: Step straight downhill, cut off the C-Gap defender
• Running Back: Lead up for the middle linebacker. It is “-1” from the “point” linebacker.

What really makes this play so effective is the footwork by the quarterback before running the ball. Notice how the quarterback flash fakes as if he is going to roll out to the left before running back behind the block of the running back. This creates the linebackers to fast flow towards the fake, creating a hole in the middle of the defense.

 

 

The second clip of St. Charles North inside zone package is the “Split-Zone” concept. From the same trips alignment, the quarterback will fake the ball to the running back before running behind the double teams. With this concept, the running back is now responsible for defensive end. The play side tackle will block the defensive end while the play side guard and center will work a double team to the “point” linebacker. The “point” is the mike linebacker.

The rules for the blocking scheme are as follows:

• Play Side Tackle: Turn out the defensive end; Working as independent blocker.
• Play Side Guard: Play side gap; If you have not threat, combo with the center to the “point” linebacker
• Center: “ID” the second linebacker play side; Combo with the play side guard to the “point” linebacker
• Back Side Guard: Play side gap; Combo with the backside tackle to the backside linebacker
• Backside Tackle: Play side gap; Combo with the backside guard to the backside linebacker
• H-Back: Come across the formation and block the first linebacker play side. (+1) of the “point”.
• Running Back: Flash fake hand off from the quarterback, cut-off the backside C-Gap defender

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The backfield action really sells this play again with the flash fake to the running back before he blocks the defensive end. This holds the linebackers enough to allow the offensive lineman to get off the double teams and up to them.

 

RELATED CONTENT: Window Dressing Your Defense

Having a multitude of concepts off the same looks is what makes the wildcat package so effective for St. Charles North. We have now seen similar formations, with similar backfield action and the confusion it causes on a defense. Having the ball in your best players hands is always the key. Think players, not plays.