Zone blocking can be a symphony of synchronized football or a disjointed mess that ends in too many drive-killing tackles for loss.
Vikings line coach and run-game coordinator Rick Dennison carries a healthy dose of it using the same schemes, techniques and teaching points first taught to him 25 years ago by Alex Gibbs, legendary line coach and godfather of the modern zone blocking.
The intricacies are many and minute. Here, for example, is a look at an outside zone run to the strong side:
• The quarterback must decide whether the front-side receiver can reach the safety to that side. If the answer is no, the quarterback changes the call.
• The tight end must widen the defensive end. If the defender sheds the block and charges inside, the play collapses.
• The five linemen must make identical steps and move in unison, blocking the next gap to the front side. If the gap is empty, go to the next level. "The first key," says offensive tackle Rashod Hill, "is getting on your horse and everybody going fast in the same direction."
• The tailback must be on a direct line behind the center. His first three steps must maintain that alignment, or the play is doomed. Hence the need for a fast center.
• The tailback must decide by his third step whether he's bouncing outside or cutting back. His plant foot must be made by his fourth or fifth step. "They have what they call the 'dot,' " coach Mike Zimmer said. "The dot is their read. They cut off the read."