One of the most frequently asked questions flag football coaches ask is how to attack a zone defense. In fact, it was that very question that led me to start selling my Headache Offense and Unbeatable Defense online over a decade ago. I decided to come up with a set of plays just for this article to show how easy it really is to beat a zone defense.
Here is an example of how you can move the ball vs. a 2-3-2 zone in a 7-man blocking league. All three plays attack the “bubble” under Safety and between the Linebacker and Cornerback. This is a very vulnerable part of zone defense.
play #1
[Link to play diagrams found at bottom of article]
LSE – Post-corner run with the initial break at a depth of about 7 meters. Make sure the pole portion of the route points to the opposite sideline at a depth of about 20-25 yards. This is important, as you will see in the next move.
CSR – Route of the pole with the break at a depth of 5-7 meters.
RWO – Square en route about 5 meters deep. The ball will be thrown into the “bubble” area.
Hub – After an initial block, execute a hook route 5 yards above the LT.
Quarterback – The readings are simple.
1) Look at the “bubble” first and if it’s open, move to the RWO that meets it.
2) If the LB threatens the bubble, go to the center. If the Safety threatens the bubble, move to the RSE position in the shaded area of the diagram. Pass a bullet calmly.
3) If the FS moves to help cover the RSE, just drop to the back corner of the LSE.
Now, what happens if the strongside Corner follows the RWO, anticipating the route? That brings us to the next move.
play #2
[Link to play diagrams found at bottom of article]
LSE – Exactly like the post-corner of the previous play, but without the second serve. Continue posting through the field until you are out of bounds.
CSR – Run a post exactly as you did on the previous play, except about 12-15 yards away it breaks off the sideline at a point 2-3 yards below your break.
RWO – Run a square as before, but before reaching the center of the field, turn around and sit in the “bubble”.
Hub – Same as the previous move.
Quarterback – Execute this play only when looking at the corner following the RWO in the inning box.
1) Read the RWO first and make sure the Corner follows it. If it doesn’t, go to the RWO in the “bubble”. If you do, read the SS.
2) If Safety is not in position to defend the RSE’s outside opening, pass him. Since the Corner vacated the outside area, it should be open.
3) If the Safety is in tight cover with the RSE on his break, pass the LSE downfield for a big win! Make sure you hit it slow.
If the LI is inside the “bubble”, move to Center. If the corner backs into his zone before going to the RSE, go to the RWO in the “bubble.”
play #3
[Link to play diagrams found at bottom of article]
Here’s another way to attack that same “bubble”.
LSE – Execute either a streak or a post similar to the previous play.
CSR – Execute a 5-7 yard hook.
RWO – Execute a 5-yard hook, bandage by squaring the shoulders and making eye contact with the QB. Then quickly break the field upstairs on a streak.
Hub – Same as the previous move.
Quarterback –
1) Start by reading the RWO and (assuming it’s not open) faking the hook.
2) Then read the SS. If you’re not in a position to plug the “bubble”, move on to the CSR. If the SS is in a position to cover it, read the scratched RWO. The safety read needs to be very quick as you don’t have much time to get to the hook and go.
Of course, if the LB is in the “bubble” it goes to the Center. And if both the RSE and RWO are covered, skip to the LSE downfield.
As with any game, you need to practice with every possible read the QB can do so that the reads become second nature. That way you don’t have to “think”, you just have to “react”. If you just put a QB under center with no detailed reads, you’re bound to miss. You can’t expect a quarterback to be able to look at 4 or 5 different receivers and find the open guy (unless, of course, he has a Joe Montana on his team). It’s like telling a checkers player to “get the king” in a game of chess!
But, if you teach your quarterback exactly what to read and how to react, then you don’t have to have a brilliant caller, you just need to have one who is willing to practice. Of course, that means you can’t have too many moves or you won’t be able to execute them properly. That’s why you should pick the most powerful plays that can be effective when played over and over again vs. the same team
Beating a zone defense is about strategy, not athletics. It’s about thinking better than your opponent. Start drawing zone defenses on pieces of paper and try to find the weaknesses in them and brainstorm how to exploit them. If you start using your brain, you can easily dismantle any defense zone you face!
[Play diagrams can be viewed HERE]
