Coach ,

One of the things that always comes through when listening to Jim McNally is how much time he spends on blocks most staffs gloss over.

In this clip from his Advanced Run Blocking Techniques clinic, he gets into the backside guard and tackle on inside zone vs a 3-tech when the ball is hitting tight.

Video: Backside Block on 3 Tech.

McNally’s starting point is the landmark. When the ball is coming up the middle, he treats this backside combination differently than when the run is stretching wider. The reason is simple: the ball has a real chance to bend back inside, and bad backside angles end up putting color in the runner’s lap.

So instead of shoving the 3-tech sideways, McNally almost treats it like a frontside double.

He wants the guard tighter to the ball, closing space and creating movement. The guard’s first two steps are about lowering his center and getting underneath the defender, not turning his pads and chasing leverage that doesn’t matter on a tight zone.

The tackle’s role is where it gets interesting.

McNally is clear that he does not want the tackle bucket-stepping or pushing the defender down the line. That collapses the lane. Instead, he teaches the tackle to fire his feet laterally, stay square, and work underneath the 3-tech with his hands. No shoulder. No turn. Just feet, base, and patience.

He even calls out the mistake most guys make here: stepping down too soon. When the tackle does that, he ends up pushing against his own body and opens the seam the defender wants.

Video: Technique Demonstration

The detail McNally keeps coming back to is timing between the two.

If the linebacker cheats or fills fast, the guard knows he may have to come off earlier. The tackle understands that means he might have to stay on the 3-tech longer, but the technique doesn’t change.

Feet keep firing. Pads stay square. Bodies move together.

A large part of what McNally teaches is staying square when in doubt. When the inside guy works with the outside guy on these tight zones—whether it’s Center/Guard or Tackle/Tight End—he has to stay square. If he shuffles deep like he’s on a wide zone, he loses too much ground.

By staying square, he can "hammer" the defender and immediately climb to the linebacker with a high leg. It keeps the entry point clean and prevents the defender from crossing his face.

Video: Staying Square on Zone

It’s not flashy. It’s not a new scheme.

It’s a veteran coach explaining why inside zone dies when the backside tries to be helpful instead of disciplined.

If you’re coaching zone and fighting run-throughs or muddy cutbacks, this clip is definitely worth your time. Thank you Coach McNally for sharing.

Learn more HERE.

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