Zone Lock (Zombie)

I posted a clip on twitter recently of Zone Lock from 2 Backs and commented that it seems to be the most effective run scheme on film for 2019 that I have seen so far.  The Zone Lock concept, also known as Zombie (Zone frontside, Man Backside) has been around for a while.  Here is a diagram from the 2008 Destin Glazier Clinic with former Florida OL Coach, Steve Addazio.

The play is designed to go frontside but it usually cuts back behind the Sniffer.  The Back must work playside first before cutting it back and he must read it because it can still hit frontside.  The diagram shows how an Alley is built by the blocks of the BST and the Sniffer, making a nice cutback play the majority of the time.

Here is a recent playbook diagram:

The Center will ID the first playside LB in the box from outside-in and the Sniffer will work backside to the first LB past the ID vs. a 4 man front.  Backside rules vs. a 40 Front depend on if there is a 1 or 3 tech backside.  Vs. a 1 tech backside (middle pic above), only the BST will "Lock" or man block.  Vs. a 3 tech backside (right pic above), both the BST and BSG will have a "Lock" or man block.  

Versus a 5 or 6 man front, the OL can work on tracks where everyone zone steps and blocks their playside gap and the play turns into Zone Kick as the Sniffer will kick out the EMLOS backside. 

I have almost 5 minutes of what I consider to be Install-quality film and 3 minutes of that is from 2019, and I have just started working on 2019 film, so the play is really popping right now.  Here is the video:

vs 4-2 - to 3 tech

Clip 1 (Baylor) - pretty good blocks across the board, good Dbl team and kick-out by the Sniffer and BST gets movement making the Alley even bigger.  The Sniffer's assignment on Zombie is a Nose Up Block, which is right down the middle of the LB.

Clip 2 (New Mexico St) - BSG has his hands full with a heavy 2i, BST does great job of turning his back to the Back.  Center checks A gap and then whiffs on PSLB, and deilvery of a rib sandwich by the PST on the DE. 

Clip 3 (Penn St) - PSLB walks into A gap so C, PSG, and PST all block out.  BSG does a good job vs 2i and BST turns out DE, but the BSLB almost blows this play up by scraping tight off his DT.  Sniffer looks like he cuts the LB low (aim for the thigh).

Clip 4 (LSU) - really like how the Sniffer takes a "shortcut" and takes the most direct path to the BSLB.  Good job by the Center to ID the first LB from the outside (#33) instead of the LB right in front of him.  The BSG reaches the 2i, but the beauty of this play is that it can cut back if he doesn't.  Finally, that RB #22 can put his foot in the ground about as well as anybody.

Clip 5 (UCF) - good job by the Center helping the PSG on the 3 tech.  Here is a good example of what I talked about on the last play with the BSG.  He can't reach the 2i but the Back is able to cut it behind him.  Poor job by the Safety.

Clip 6 (Ok. St) - a little window dressing is always good for inside Runs.  The BSG has a heavy 2i shade that he can't reach but the Back cuts it back.  LB #25 here needs to fill this faster.  Compare this clip to the Penn St-Michigan one earlier and there's a big difference in where the contact occurs.

Clip 7 (Ok. St) - perfect example of why you need the Back to press playside and take it there if you have it.  It's easy for the Back to just cut it back behind the Sniffer every time, but he is wrong here, especially with the help that the Center gives to the BSG.

vs 4-2 - to 1 tech

Clip 1 (Alabama) - this is as good of a Run play as you will see, beautiful!

Clip 2 (Oregon) - here is an example of an "Out" call when the LB walks up outside.  The OL will get on tracks and block their playside gap.  The BSG and BST are "Lock" man vs the 3 and 5 tech and will turn out on them.  The Sniffer makes a good block on hte LB, only because the LB waits for him instead of meeting him at the LOS like he is supposed to.

Clip 3 (W. Kentucky) - pretty good job up front across the board against some really good talent.  Love the nasty attitude.  Jeff Brohm is an Offensive mastermind and can sling it, but his staff coaches those guys up in the Run game as well.

Clip 4 (LSU) - oh mercy, what a beautiful Dbl Team!  I can watch that all day.

Clip 5 (LSU) - the Back won't cut it back much when you run this play to the 1 tech, but here the backside 3 tech works over the top of the BSG and the Sniffer and Back read it correctly.  The BSDE works himself too far upfield and could make the tackle here after a short gain.

Clip 6 (UCF vs UConn) - here is an example of a Front-Door RPO read I talked about in my previous two posts here and here.  The PST and BSG are both lazy working their feet and getting their backs to the Back.  No excuse for that on an easy block.

Clip 7 (UCF vs Pitt) - not bad up front, the Dbl Team starts out well but the Center stops his feet when he makes contact on the LB who makes the tackle along with the unblocked Safety coming down.  Solid block by the Sniffer who squares up the LB with some pop.  Good extension by the BSG in winning inside position.

Clip 8 (UCF vs Pitt) - good vision by the Back in taking this all the way outside.  The Defense brings a Safety down and are +1, LB #28 needs to stay outside.

Clip 9 (UCF vs Temple) - good job by the Back keeping it frontside and getting good yards.  Defense fitting this play up weird and not communicating.

Clip 10 (SMU) - the Back does a great job of faking outside and making the PSLB wrong.

Clip 11 (SMU) - weird Front but the NT slants to a 1 tech so I included it in here.  BSG gets beat by the 3 tech but it's still a very solid gain.

vs 3-4

Clip 1 (Memphis) - it is a 3-2 box but Iowa St has a 3rd Safety that will come down in the box quickly so the PST and PSG double the DE to the Safety.  The PSG needs to stay square so he can block the Safety but the Back made a great move on him.  The BSG and Center move the NT, and the PSLB blitzes, so a big lane opens up.  The BST does just enough to keep the DE out.

Clip 2 (Memphis) - the PSG and PST double the DE to the Safety and the PSG does a great job of staying square, allowing him to make the block on the 2nd level.  The middle gets muddy quick and the LBs might have had a Cross Dog on.  The Back is rewarded for staying playside and they hit it for a nice gain.  

vs 3-3 Stack

Clip 1 (West Virginia) - the backside runs way upfield opening up what Merril Hoge would call a "Canal-ly."  West Virginia ran so much Stretch back then that the Defense widens too much playside and the Back is able to scoot for big yards.

If you have any questions or comments, look me up me on twitter: @BarryHoover.  Also, I am going to do an online Zoom clinic with the South Dakota Coaches Association, the SoDak Sessions - Inside the Game Live Clinic.  I will talk about Creepers and Simulated Pressures and will be emptying the playbook with plenty of good video, so go check it out.