man vs zone pass coverage

Question
Can you explain the factors that best determine when you use zone/man coverage schemes.  Also, what process do you use providing instruction on how to play these schemes?
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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
I see that many colleges and professional teams use a zone blocking scheme for their running attack.  Although I am somewhat familiar with this concept, I am not convinced that the AVERAGE high school lineman has the conceptual understanding (blocking an area, breaking off and attacking the next level)to become proficient at this schedule.  Perhaps you can clarify my understanding of this scheme and discuss the pros/cons of using this scheme.

Coach Carter
-----Answer-----
Coach Carter -

Thanks for the question.  Well, I really do think it depends on several factors.  Zone blocking is a very complex system, that does rely on having not only athletic linemen, but intelligent linemen as well.  A lot of the techniques and responsibilities go against everything most linemen have been taught their whole lives.  SO it does take some time to learn, and make effective.

Zone blocking is a modern concept that asks linemen to do a lot of things they never have considered before.  While straight up man / down blocking needs linemen who can fire off the ball, and physically move a defensive player out of the way of the intended hole, zone blocking allows linemen to take the defensive player where he wants to go, and just asks that he seals him off once they get there.  RBs in a zone scheme have more responsibility as well.  In a man scheme, there is usually a designated hole he has to run through.  Zone, the RB has to have great vision, and must be able to see holes opening up in the flow of the line.  A lot of the running plays are just called to a side, and leaves the hole up to physics.  Also, like you mentioned, the line in a zone scheme are asked to try and break off and get to the 2nd level as well.  This takes speed and smarts.  Basically, a good way to look at this scheme is to think of boxing out in a basketball game.  Think of a smaller front line in basketball.  If they try to out jump the other team, they will be out of luck.  However, if taught properly, and box out the opposing team, they can 100% manipulate the boards.  Same for a zone scheme in football.  It asks for the same thing.  You arent sure where the back is going, so your job is to seal the defensive player in an area he wants to be, just like when a basketball is about to hit off of the rim and you arent sure where it is going to go.

Pros are that it is very effective, allows for many more running options for a good RB, it is hard to defend if done right, and really sets up play action passes because keying linemen is difficult in this system.

Cons are it is hard to learn, calls for specific needs in choosing linemen, makes linemen re-learn a completely new way of thinking, and if it is done poorly it will be a disaster.

Overall, if it were me, I would study up on the scheme in general first.  Learn as much as you can.  Then, next season, try installing just a few plays with zone schemes in 2 a days.  See how the line and RB respond.  If they arent picking it up, I wouldnt install it as your base scheme.  Now if they do pick it up, you have something.  As the season goes along, keep putting more zone plays in weekly.  By the end of the season, your line will have the basics.  At that point, you can strongly consider installing it for the next season.  This is especially good if you have a large amount of young linemen on the team.  If they can learn it early, you will be in good shape.

I am not sure exactly what position you hold, but if you are in a spot that has some power over the school systems program, MAKE SURE AND HAVE THE COACHES OF THE YOUNGER TEAMS (7TH 8TH GRADE, 9TH, JV)TEACH A LITTLE OF THIS AS WELL!!  The biggest mistake would be for you to be teaching this scheme, want to install it in a year or two, only to find out the players of the future have no idea what to do.  That puts you right back to square one.

I hope this did something for you.  I just took it from a general standpoint.  If you are interested in doing this, and want to get into the specifics of a zone scheme, please feel free to write back and we can do exactly that.  

Best of Luck in your decision

Coach Perl

Answer
Coach Carter -

Well, I would like to be able to sit here and give you a list of factors that tell when to use what scheme.  But unfortunately, the answer is nothing more than an opinion.  The fact is that most coaches choose coverages for one or both of these 2 reasons:  One is that it fits their base scheme best; Second is it is what they are most familiar with.  As a coach, you know that we are more often than not prone to install plays, formations, and schemes that fit our personal knowledge of the game.  So lets say you are a D Coordinator, and for most of your life you have run a man coveerage scheme.  Chances are that is what you will continue doing. Also, coaches choose coverages that fit their base schemes.  If you run a 4-3, and love to blitz on most plays, you have to be careful about calling a man coverage, because you might not have enough players in coverages depending on the amount of blitzing players.  And of course, you have to look at what type of talent you have.  If you do not  have players that have the physical talent to match up man-to-man, zone might be your only option.

On how to train for each, nothing really changes.  The truth is that both are the same thing, just performed differently.  A big misconception is that zone coverages defend an area.  That isnt quite true.  Zone defenders cover a MAN in their specific area. So basically, zone defenders are "manning up", they just dont know who they are covering before the snap. As a player runs into their area, they cover that player as they would in a man defense. If that player runs through it and into another area, the defender allows him to leave and stays put, waiting for a second receiver to arrive.  So the training is no different in physical terms. The only difference is making sure they have the mental knowledge they need.  Just making sure they know their responsibilities is the big task.  Covering a pass, whether in man or zone, takes the same physical skills.  So your training should remain consistent.  Just make sure they know their assignments on each play, and you should be ok.

I hope this helped you out.  Remember, use what you know.  Use what best suits your team's talents, and your team's overall basic defensive scheme.  IF you do these you will find success in either you choose.

Best wishes

Coach Perl