Several folks have reached out offline to ask me to explain how I evaluate specific blocking techniques. The technique I am usually most critical of is the reach block, which I often describe as the backside scoop block.
The scoop block is utilized on the backside of a running play. The goal of the offensive lineman is to inundate himself in the pursuit angle of the defender and either seal the defender off or drive him across any potential cutback lane.
In order to be effective, the blocker must take a quick initial lateral step to the play side with the foot closest to the intended path of the running back. The blocker must contact the pursuing defender with the "V" created between his neck and his outside shoulder. The aiming point should be the defender's hip or rib cage on the side closest to the intended path of the ball carrier.
I found a wonderful example from some classic film (the 1988 NFC championship game between the Bears and Forty-Niners. Please note the right guard and right tackle.
The right guard is tasked with scooping the inside linebacker. The guard takes a quick lateral step to the left and then angles to where the linebacker is going, not where he is. The linebacker does a good job of crossing the guard's face. However, the guard maintains his feet and drives the linebacker across the hole to create a small cutback lane.
The right tackle does an even better job. He also takes a lateral first step and gets his head cleanly to the inside of the defensive end. When the end starts to roll off the block, the tackle turns his body to wall off the end. As result, a small bubble is created where, if the back can step through the bubble, he is one on one with the safety. As an offensive line, this is the goal of every running play.
Comments
unfortunately for the RB in this particular game, that safety is Ronnie Lott
Yep. Neal Anderson (very solid) versus elite (Lott) doesn't work out too well.
I had a Neal Anderson Bears jersey when I was a kid! It was in lieu of the Dennis McKinnon or Dennis Gentry jersey I ACTUALLY wanted, because kids, generally, are idiots.
Should have owned a Dan Hampton or Richard Dent
According to Tecmo Bowl you are selling Ronnie way to short as elite. He is an entire defense in that game.
For a point of reference and connecting with your reviews, how is VT teaching scoop blocks? Are the lineman doing them at all?
Poor fundamentally. They are connecting mid chest and not getting their head past the man far too often. A great deal of that comes from taking a false step. For example, if we replayed the above clip, on occasions the VT OL is stepping with their right foot or stepping forward instead of laterally with their left foot.
got it. Thanks.
That's something I've noticed too.. there's seems to be all kinds of 'influence blocking' 'false key' bullshit going on with our OL and TE's. They take dummy steps or 'widen out' far too often... so often I can't imagine that its not part of the blocking scheme. Then they end up out of position when the defenders ignore the the window dressing and go straight after the QB/RB. (side note when watching our D it seems like they attack the blockers sometimes, instead of the gaps.. maybe our OL suffers from practicing against defenders who buy their BS influence blocks and *try* to engage them in order to maintain gap integrity )
There's also seems to be some basic common sense issues in the execution by our players. I recall a play where our RT took a step ahead and inside to 'run block' on an RPO when lined up against a 7 tech DE. I can't imagine what he was thinking because the TE had the near LB and the near DT was in a 3 tech making him easily blocked away by the RG. The DE proceeded to blast straight toward the QB/mesh point while #60 scrambled to recover. Luckily Willis avoided an interception, somehow threading the needle with a DE in his face on a pass into traffic for a first down. (note the RG got blown up, so the H-B ended up blocking the DT.. but still the RT didn't need to leave the edge clear for the DE to attack the mesh unabated.. .
Got time for a tutoring session with an o line in blacksburg? Asking for a bunch of friends
Great article. I love seeing stuff like this on here.
Been teaching 10 year olds to block where the defender is going to be versus where he is. I get a look like I have two heads. Luckily we mostly block down which is way easier than a reach block.
What I'm beginning to conclude about Vance Vice is that he is an excellent evaluator and recruiter. We have landed some of the best offensive linemen in the program's history ratings wise, and the lower ranked ones have been very productive. I believe as an offensive line coach, though, he is average. French has detailed his concerns with the technique the offensive line uses and is taught. We haven't been able to run the ball very well since 2011, but I think our line is better now than they have been since then, yet we still can't run.
As bad as the scoop blocking has been, nothing, absolutely nothing, drives me more crazy to see a pulling guard pull up and drop his butt like he is pass blocking instead of taking away the space of the defender and driving him out of the hole. And it freaking happens ALL THE TIME. Even Teller got reigned in and started doing it his last season.
as brief as it was, I miss Grimes
the Kansas - BC game showed what can happen when you drive people off the LOS.
OL need to play like "Tops", we teach them to play like "Bottoms".