This video presents a coaching clinic focusing on the "wide zone" running play and its philosophy, with the speaker offering to discuss other topics such as the "run and shoot" offense, the wide zone, play-action boot game, or flipping four schools in the past 12 years. The audience was then polled, and the coach decided to begin with "zone stuff" before moving to the run and shoot.

Philosophy and Applicability of Wide Zone

• The speaker notes that a majority of high schools in the 5A and 6A Texas football realm run some form of spread offense.
• Consequently, defenses are designed to stop the spread, often using a 3-4 or 4-2-5 alignment and having five defensive backs on the field.
• The wide zone scheme is preferred because it is adaptable and fits various personnel groupings and scheme changes, including five-wide, 2x2, 21, 30, and 32 personnel.
• The speaker’s offensive line focuses on "covered to uncovered" and double teams rather than down blocking, solo logs, pulling, or kick-outs. They focus on three- and four-man combos.
• The speaker has not thrown a "drop back pass" in five years, and the quarterback has not taken a drop back in six years. The team still threw for 2,600 yards the previous year.
• The speaker emphasizes that they do not want to be like everyone else and that the philosophy is about double teams. In 13 games running the wide zone the previous year, the offensive line had only nine solo blocks.
• Running backs must be aggressive and must "marry" to the wide zone, similar to how a team must be committed to the veer offense.

Running Back Responsibilities

• Identify the Mike Linebacker: The Mike linebacker is defined in a run setting as the first linebacker outside the box playside, which is the target for the first combo block.
• Aiming Point and Footwork: The running back aims at the outside foot of the tight end and turns their shoulders to the aiming point for five steps. This movement is intended to deliver the defense to the blockers.
• Reads: The first read is the defensive lineman on the line of scrimmage, not the 9-technique (which is usually responsible for containment). For a 3-4 defense, the first read would be the 4-technique or 4i. If the first read goes outside the aiming point, the running back's eyes snap to the next down lineman (e.g., the nose guard).
• The Cut: After the fifth step, the running back makes a vertical cut based on what the offensive line does to the next down lineman. The speaker notes that the cut in wide zone is a "press," not a "cut back," and that good teams' running backs often cut at the same spot every play.
• Running Back Play: Running back play is the most crucial part because the running back is "the artist that paints the picture". The running back must press the hole for the full five steps to prevent linebackers from folding back inside. There should be no jump cuts.
• Pressing and Violence: The coach emphasizes that this is a "violent play" and that the running back must put their foot in the ground and get vertical to "pierce the defense". They averaged six yards a carry in the first quarter and 19 yards a carry in the fourth quarter because "double teams and arm tacklers get real old real quick".

Offensive Line Play

The speaker provides four rules for offensive line play in the wide zone:

1. Define the Running Back's Read with Head Placement: The offensive line must define the running back's read with head placement, not hands or butts. Head placement is crucial for gaining leverage and forcing the defensive lineman to make a decision.
2. Fight Vertical and Step on D-Lineman's Toes: This is not a stretch play; the objective is to physically pierce the target and knock the defensive lineman that way. Offensive linemen must get vertical with their steps and be violent to prevent penetration.
3. Never Be Away from Help: Offensive linemen must not get beat outside and must ride the block with their combo partner. They should not "chase ghosts" or leave the block too early.
4. Splits and Depth: The speaker advises cutting splits down to around 12 inches to close daylight quickly. Getting depth (e.g., placing the hand at the shoelace) allows the offensive line to be more violent with their first step.

Backside Cut Off

The objective of the backside cut off is to neutralize the defensive lineman. The backside blocker should throw their face at the front side kneecap to get the defensive lineman to roll. The overall objective of the wide zone is to stretch the defense to the sideline and cut it in half.

Conclusion

The speaker offered to share the presentation slides via direct message on Twitter or email. An attendee, whose name is Andrew, was also thanked and mentioned in regards to the presentation's technical issues. The speaker mentioned that he will have to leave town early the next morning due to a family emergency and will not be able to attend a planned social event.