What it is

In zone blocking, offensive linemen block an area instead of a particular defender, and move together in one direction as a unit.

In a game

The running back reads the blocks and cuts to the opening that appears. The scheme rewards quick, athletic linemen and patient runners.

More detail

Teams use the inside zone, where the line blocks straight ahead, and the outside zone, where it stretches the defense toward the sideline. The back reads the first down lineman and cuts. The scheme depends on a quick first step, and offenses often combine it with play-action passes.

Animated diagram

1. All the linemen step in the same direction at the snap, and each takes the defender in his area.
2. The defense flows with the blockers toward the sideline.
3. The running back reads the flow and cuts back through the lane that opens on the other side.