Eric Winston Talks about Zone-Blocking Against the 3-4

I think this video mainly reveals how we'll attack Dallas in the running game. Though according to Winston 3-4 is tougher to play against in a zone blocking scheme against then a 4-3. According to Winston, Shannahan likes to arrange scrimmages during camp against 3-4 teams so wouldn't be surprised to see us scrimmage the Steelers especially if we go Carlisle for camp.

For those who don't know Eric Winston is an offensive tackle for the Houston Texans.

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I'll have to check this out later; thanks for sharing.

Thanks for posting this. I am new to the zone blocking scheme and I am sure this will help me exam it a littel closer.

Thanks for posting this. I am new to the zone blocking scheme and I am sure this will help me exam it a littel closer.

Schlereth broke down the basics pretty well if you can find that.

I have heard the guys on Sirius Moving the Chains explain it a few times. I will listen a litle more now. I do know it is based off alot of pulling linemen. I did read the article about Shanny liking lighter more athletic guys who can run and pull well. I guess depending on the play would determine which direction the gaurd or tackle will pull.

Pete Carroll used the zone blocking schemes at USC, as a matter of fact he sought help to perfect the scheme from both Alex Gibbs and Jon Gruden. WVU and a few others also use a lot of zone technique but many colleges do not see a lot of 3-4 defenses.

From watching the scheme it involves a lot of 1st and 2nd step press blocking. Footwork would appear to be an essential element to it's perfection. It requires agility and the ability to run and rip-thru block on stretch plays, being able to get to the second level quickly. It can be a very effective scheme if you have the kind of linemen needed to perfect it.

I know this topic is how does the zone blocking play against the 3-4, but this article breaks down the 3-4 and talks about it's strengths and weaknesses.

Football 101: Defensive Line Alignments (http://www.football.calsci.com/DefensiveLine3.html)

This was at the end of the article:

The 3-4 defense can have trouble matching up against a very fast offense. It's important for the success of the 3-4 in these cases for the defense to play an extremely physical game, jamming the receivers hard at the line of scrimmage. In the 2002 superbowl, the Patriots looked like their defense matched up poorly with the numerous fast receivers of the Rams, but by playing an intensely physical game the Patriots managed to slow the Rams enough to eke out a win. Similarly, in the 2004 playoffs the Patriots hosted the Colts, and again it looked like a bad match up for the Patriots. But by making the Colts play a more physical game than they were used to, the Patriots managed to almost completely shut down the Colts offense. Had this game been played indoors in Indianapolis on carpet instead of outdoors on grass in cold weather, it's quite plausible the Colts would have found a way to exploit the lack of speed in the Patriots secondary.

So in summary, the more traditional 4-3 defense seems better suited to the modern pass-friendly NFL rules, while the 3-4 defense seems more geared to stop the run based offenses of the 70s and 80s. However, by mixing up the rushers and zone coverages to confuse the quarterback and by forcing the receivers to play a far more physical game than they would wish, the 3-4 has been successful at the highest levels, in spite of its apparent drawbacks.

Kinda lengthy but this is what you wanted to know. I think.

Zone Blocking Tutorial: Inside Zone Runs - Rocky Top Talk (http://www.rockytoptalk.com/2009/3/31/815874/zone-blocking-tutorial-inside-zone)

^^ good read

I dont like the 3-4 defense. The best way to attack the 3-4 is with 2 TE set. Take the cowboys 3-4 when a team goes 2TE against themit forces Ware into coverage and he cant rush the passer.

I really dont care what blocking scheme we use as long it has a max protect call. I do hope we keep the 4-3 on defense.