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Oregon uses inside zone as their main running scheme. My
previous article details an example of this, with the quarterback running it in
an empty backfield.
Oregon will use the inside zone scheme over and over when
they are operating at a high tempo. Naturally, the Ducks use a sweep play to
keep the defense from keying on their base scheme. The figure below shows
Oregon lined up in a formation that they typically use for their inside zone
scheme with a bubble screen attached. The play diagrammed is a sweep play that
the Ducks like to use to the closed side of the formation. Up to this point in
the drive, the Ducks has successfully used inside zone multiple times.
Mariota is reading the #3 defender at the top of the screen
to see if he should throw the bubble. Florida State accounts for all three
receivers and Mariota properly hands the ball off.
The linebackers are sent on an inside run blitz in order to
be in a better position for the inside zone scheme. The Ducks guessed right, as
you can see in the figure below, the linebackers are unblocked and will not
make a play on the running back.
Both the right guard and the
center will lead through the C gap. The center peels back to pick up one of the
blitzing linebackers. As you can see below, the running back has plenty of
space to operate in.
It is important to make your secondary plays look like your
base scheme, both in formation and initial movements. Your secondary plays must
create hesitation in the defenders that are disrupting your main plays. Your
secondary plays serve to take advantage of nosy defenders for big plays as well
as open up your base scheme.
