The inside zone blocking scheme makes it easier for offensive linemen to pick up blocks and identify their assignment at all times -- no matter how the defense lines up. That's because offensive linemen only have to block players they see in a certain area -- rather than trying to pick up a specific player.

Zone blocking schemes create flexibility against different fronts. The offense can use the alignment and leverage of a defender against them. If they are aligned on the inside shoulder, the offense will move them further inside and it’s up to the running back to be able to read and run off of that movement.

With zone blocking, all the offensive linemen will work in tandem to block the defenders, rather than each lineman being responsible to block an individual defender. Depending on the offensive play called, at least two offensive linemen will work together in their blocking scheme on each side of the field.

The inside zone play can be run out of the I-formation in which the fullback goes to the backside of the play as a cutoff blocker. The inside zone play is also run with the fullback leading to the play side as an extra blocker. When this is done, we use motion to put a wide receiver or H back in position to be the cut blocker backside.