Offense · Run Game
The Run Game
Running the football is more than handing the ball to a running back. Every run is built around blocking rules designed to create a lane, move defenders and give the ball carrier an advantage.
Start Here
What Is It?
A running play is really a coordinated attempt to create space for the ball carrier.
The offensive line, tight ends and sometimes receivers all have blocking responsibilities. The running back has a path and a set of reads. The quarterback may simply hand the ball off — or he may have another option depending on the play.
There are many different running schemes, but the easiest place for a fan to start is with two broad families: zone concepts and gap concepts.
Zone
Blockers work according to zone rules and the defensive alignment. The running back reads how those blocks develop and finds the available lane.
Gap
The offense uses designed blocking angles and often pulling linemen to create a specific point of attack.
Football Watching 101
How It Works
Instead of trying to watch the running back first, try watching the offensive line immediately after the snap.
Do several linemen step and work in the same general direction? You may be seeing a zone concept.
Does a guard or tackle pull behind the line and lead toward a different gap? That is often a clue that you are seeing a gap concept such as Power or Counter.
Your First Run-Game Shortcut
Zone
Watch for coordinated movement across the offensive line and a running back reading where the lane develops.
Gap
Watch for down blocks, angles and especially offensive linemen pulling across the formation.
That distinction will not identify every run perfectly, but it gives you a much better starting point than simply following the football.
Simplified Zone vs. Gap
Zone Example
OL movement
Read
Gap Example
Simplified examples — real blocking rules change with the defensive front and specific play call
The Reason
Why Teams Use It
The defense has only 11 players, and each defender has a job. Running schemes are designed to manipulate those responsibilities.
Zone runs can make defenders move laterally and force them to maintain gap discipline while the running back searches for the best lane.
Gap schemes can use blocking angles and pulling linemen to create extra force at a specific point of attack.
Good offenses also make different plays look similar. A defense that reacts aggressively to one run can become vulnerable to a counter, quarterback keep, RPO or play-action pass built from a similar initial look.
Remember These
Run Concepts You'll Hear About
Inside Zone
A zone concept designed to attack the interior of the defense. The running back reads the blocks and can adjust his path depending on how defenders react.
Outside / Wide Zone
A zone concept that stretches the defense horizontally. The back presses toward the outside before choosing whether to continue outside or cut into an available lane.
Power
A classic gap concept that commonly uses down blocks and a pulling lineman to create extra force at the point of attack.
Counter
A gap concept that uses initial action in one direction before attacking another. Pulling blockers are a common visual clue.
Duo
A physical downhill concept built around double teams and vertical movement. It can resemble inside zone, but the blocking rules and running back reads are different.
Pin & Pull
Some blockers pin defenders inside while other offensive linemen pull around them to lead the run toward the perimeter.
Trap
The offense intentionally leaves a defender initially unblocked, then uses a blocker coming from another position to block him from the side.
The Cutback
The designed path may begin one way, but if defenders flow too aggressively, the running back may find open space back in the opposite direction.
Watch The Game Differently
What Should I Watch For On Saturday?
On the next running play, try something different: don't watch the running back immediately.
Watch the offensive line for the first second after the snap.
Do the linemen move together in one direction? Look for a possible zone concept. Does one lineman suddenly pull behind his teammates? Start thinking about a gap concept.
Then find the running back. Did he hit the original lane, bounce outside or cut back behind the flow of the defense?
Your sequence is: Watch the line → Find the movement → Find the running back → See where the lane appeared.
You do not need to name the exact play every time. If you begin recognizing zone movement versus pulling blockers, you're already seeing far more than you were before.
Keep Learning
Related Concepts
Lesson 05
Option Football
Learn why an offense sometimes leaves a defender unblocked on purpose and lets the quarterback decide what to do with him.