Inside zone is meant to be hit between the B and A gaps. In contrast, outside zone will hit in the C, D, or B gaps. The footwork between the two plays is different. When running inside zone, the players are looking to create double teams to displace the defensive lineman off the football.

Inside zone is designed to hit inside the tackles and to create movement on the first level of the defense. To do that, offenses use double teams. The primary goal of inside zone is to create first level movement while getting in position to take on second level defenders.

The basic idea of the inside zone scheme is that players will take their first step toward the same side of the field where the run play is going, and they'll do so at a 45-degree angle This means that if the offense is going to the right, their first step will be to the right and vice versa.