Tite Front vs. Zone Read Arc

A previous post about playing zone read from the Tite front was featured here.

An OT cutting off a 4i is difficult which was illustrated in the prior post.

The ILB is able to stack and fall back protected from the OT by the 4i.

Many offensive coaches have borrowed a solution from veer option teams, arc block the OT to the ILB.

The theory is simple. The 4i is the read key, the OT will outside (arc) release the 4i allowing a free climb to the ILB.

The assumption is the defense is playing scrape exchange which should result in easy blocks.

The offense is assuming the 4i will chase the dive, causing a keep from the QB. The ILB should be getting a face full of OT creating a tough run fit for the defense.

The reality is many 4i's and LB's are reading the blocking scheme. Against the cutoff block as in the first diagram the 4i will look to beat the cutoff and chase the dive. The result is the scrape exchange with the ILB. However against the OT on an arc block the 4i many not chase the dive.

The 4i is keying the OT. When the OT arcs the 4i can widen. For the QB the read key widens which should trigger a give read. The 4i widens playing square to controlling for the QB and cutback. The ILB sees the B gap widen as the 4i widens, triggering a fill read. The arc block of the OT is wasted when the ILB doesn't scrape outside and instead fills.

Here is a good example from LSU

The arc blocking scheme is negated by the 4i and ILB reading the blocking scheme. The ball is handed into a loaded box look for a minimal gain.

Good stuff from LSU and former defensive coordinator Dave Aranda. 

Tite Front vs. Zone Read

First the coverage is a one high post defense. The beauty of the concept is the three wide outs are all covered down. The alignment discourages screens, quick game, or RPO concepts to the trips side. The OLB weak is walked out to reroute the X receiver creating a 2 over 1 effect and discouraging any isolation pass concepts to the X.

In the box the DL does an excellent job staying square. The left DE strikes the OT and has a great pad level to handle the block from the adjacent OG. The DE controls any movement and works an escape to maintain control of the B gap.

The Nose is playing the front side A gap on the zone. By controlling the front side gap the run is forced to wind back.

The wind back runs into the right DE. The DE sees the OT and feels the OG. When the DE feels the OG zone away the DE works an escape while staying square to win in the B gap.

Both ILB are patient and fall back with the RB when the zone run winds back. The front forces the ball to wind back to a difficult to block 4i and two fall LB's.

Excellent scheme and execution from Boise St. Really well coached defense from Co-Coordinators Jeff Schmedding and Spencer Danielson.