Outside zone

Outside zone (or “stretch”) has the whole offensive line take a hard playside lateral step in unison, reaching and sealing defenders while the run stretches toward the sideline. The back presses the edge, reads the blocks, and cuts off the first daylight — often back against the grain when the defense over-flows. It rewards athletic linemen who can move laterally and reach-block, and it's the staple of zone-running offenses.

Defined by Coach Jay Freeman — 32 years coaching the offensive and defensive line.

Related trench terms

Inside zoneO-Line

A run scheme where all blockers step playside, working combo blocks up to the linebackers.

Reach blockO-Line

A block where the lineman gets his head past the defender's playside shoulder to seal him.

Reach stepO-Line

An aggressive lateral step used in zone blocking; the foot crosses the defender's playside.

Pin-and-pullO-Line

When the playside guard pins the defensive tackle inside and the backside guard pulls around to lead.

45° setO-Line

Coach Jay's default pass set — kick on a 45° angle to close the rusher's path and meet him square at your spot, instead of dropping straight back (the vertical set).

Go deeper

• Coach Jay’s lineman training library — the technique behind the term →
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