Coach ,

The outside zone/stretch play is a play that is trending at every level because it is very difficult to defend.  The premise of the play is to stretch and distort the defense, get reach blocks across the front and allow the back to patiently move the second level and then back a cut up to gain yards.

Of course, the defense wants to keep the play constricted and penetrate lanes to allow little room for the back to make his moves.

Winning Upfront

The Reach

The reach block is essential for the play’s success.  It starts upfront and the offensive line needs to understand gap responsibility as well as the footwork and technique that will allow them to defeat the block.

Former Notre Dame offensive line coach Jeff Quinn illustrates the technique of the offensive line in this video (click on image for video):

Video: Playside Reach

Defeating the Reach

Out of his base defense, Assistant Head Coach for Defense/DL Coach at Wake Forest David Cohen likes to use a technique with his defensive line to defeat the reach block on stretch/outside zone.

The idea is to attack the blocker where he is weak, meaning away from his movement.  To start with, the defensive lineman will take a tight alignment in base. When the defensive lineman sees a block at him, he will attack the backside of the defender (many call this backdooring the block) and get vertical.  While he puts himself in a position to be reached, the footwork of the offensive lineman makes him vulnerable and allows the defender to get into the backfield.  

In the example Coach Cohen shows, the defensive lineman is able to penetrate the line of scrimmage with this technique, essentially killing the play. Notice this is a reaction to the offensive lineman’s movement rather than something he does on the snap of the ball (click image for video):

Video: Get Reached

Of course with improper 2nd level fits, this technique can make a defense susceptible if the linebackers are not fitting to help close down what a back door may open up.  More on this later.

Winning on Level 2

Running Backs 

The running back must be patient in his attack.  He wants to press to the heels of the offensive linemen, chasing his aim point and moving the second-level defenders with his path.

Nordonia High School head coach Jeff Fox calls this the “path of trust.” He wants the running back to chase the aim point and trust that it will take him to the running lane.  Many young running backs are impatient with this and cut too soon right into a linebacker, making his job much easier. He explains the path here (click on image for video):

Video: Path of Trust Film

Linebackers

The fit of the linebacker.  With a stretch play, gaps are moving and it is critical for linebackers to fit correctly or it will result in a big play.  Fordham defensive assistant Vince DiGaetano believes in utilizing several different techniques for linebackers like “Brace” and “Pullaway.” Brace allows the linebacker to constrict a lane or gap, and pullaway allows him to defeat the climbing blocker and make the tackle while engaged.

In this example, Coach Dig illustrates another technique he calls the “running 1-arm” with level 1 and level 2 defenders on the stretch.   The defender is able to keep power and wedge the play to close the seam and get two at the point of contact with the running back.

Video: Engaged Tackle Clip #19

The stretch play is good against a variety of schemes and techniques.  Any defense and its techniques can be put together to stop the stretch.  In the chess game of this play, the technique ultimately will be the deciding factor.

This play is certainly worth a deep dive into your research and there are plenty of resources to study.

Always be growing!

Coach Grabowski