Blocking 101

Every play starts with a huddle, this is where the play will be announced. The quarterback will
announce the following: the formation, motion, play, and cadence. A typical play will sound like
this:
Twins Right 18 Sweep on 2 ready break
Pistol Right Option Right on 1 ready break
Slot Left Rocket 24 Power on sound, ready break
Pro left 24 boot Pass on 1, ready break
The only thing an offensive linemen needs to listen to is the play and the cadence. (BOLD)
1. Holes
7 5 3 1 2 4 6 8


Odd numbers are to the left, even numbers are to the right.
Small numbers attack inside, large numbers attack outside.
2. Identify Fronts
a. Odd: 3-2
b. Even: 2-3, 4-1.

A front is how the defense lines up in the box. A front can either be odd or even and is
called depending on the number of defensive linemen. The first number in a front will
identify the number of defensive linemen, the second will identify how many linebackers
are in the front.
3. Blocks
a. Base- block head up to outside, block away from the hole.
b. Down- block the person inside of you away from the hole.
c. Reach- block the person outside of you, aim for outside shoulder.
d. Trap- pull down the line to block a defensive linemen out.
e. Pull- pull up and around to the second level to block a linebacker.
f. Pass block- cannot go down field, block an area not a person.

4. Blocking Schemes
a. Iso/dive- base blocking scheme
i. Attacks 1/ 2 hole
b. Power/ option- down blocking scheme leave End alone
i. Attacks 5/6 hole & 7/8 hole.
c. Toss/pitch- down blocking scheme with pulling
i. Attacks 7/8 hole
d. Sweep/Zone- reach blocking scheme
i. Attacks 7/8 hole
e. Counter/ trap- down blocking scheme with trapping
i. Attacks 3/ 4 hole
f. Reverse- twirl blocking*
i. Attacks 7/8 hole