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Blocking Rules

Offense

also: football blocking rules · offensive line blocking rules · rule-based blocking · blocking by rule

Rules that offensive linemen follow before and at the snap to automatically select who to block regardless of where the defenders line up.

A run scheme defines the overall blocking architecture and path of a run play: where the offense attacks, whether linemen step in unison or pull into space, and how double-teams are coordinated. A blocking rule is the individual assignment decision procedure each lineman executes at the line of scrimmage to carry out that scheme against any defensive front without changing the play call.

Offenses organize run blocking around two foundational schemes:

Gap schemes
Runs where offenses attack predetermined gaps using angle down-blocks, double-teams at the point of attack, and pulling linemen to lead or kick out edge defenders.
Zone schemes
Runs where linemen step in coordinated tracks to stretch or displace the defensive front horizontally, adjusting double-teams to second-level linebackers based on flow.

Pin and Pull blends both schemes on the perimeter. It uses the covered and uncovered alignment rules of zone schemes to determine assignments, but executes them with the angle down-blocks and pulling linemen of gap schemes. When defenses widen to take away reach blocks on Outside Zone, offenses check to Pin and Pull: covered linemen down-block to pin defenders inside, while uncovered linemen pull into the alley.

Also calledfootball blocking rules, offensive line blocking rules, rule-based blocking

Blocking Rules

While a run scheme defines the play's design and path, offensive linemen execute that design through specific blocking rules. Rules give linemen an immediate pre-snap decision hierarchy so the entire unit can block odd, even, and shifted fronts without changing the call.

GDB (Gap, Down, Backer)

GDB tasks the tackle with down-blocking the inside DT while the guard climbs to the Mike linebacker and the puller kicks out the edge defender.

Gap-Down-Backer (GDB) blocking: The playside tackle down-blocks the 3-technique DT while the playside guard climbs to seal the Mike linebacker and the pulling guard kicks out the edge defender.
Gap-Down-Backer (GDB) blocking on Power: The playside tackle executes a down block on the 3-technique DT while the playside guard climbs to seal the Mike linebacker, opening the C-gap running lane.

GOD (Gap, On, Down)

GOD base-blocks the defender head-up, leaving the Mike linebacker to pursue outside where the wrapping guard meets and hits him in the alley.

Gap-On-Down (GOD) blocking on Power: The playside tackle base-blocks the defensive end under 'On', while the Mike linebacker pursues outside and the pulling guard wraps into the alley to hit him.
Gap-On-Down (GOD) blocking on Power: The playside tackle base-blocks the defensive end under the 'On' rule. With no second-level climb assigned to the tackle, the Mike linebacker pursues outside toward the alley, where the pulling backside guard wraps around the tackle's block to hit him and clear a path for the running back.

Pin and Pull

Pin and pull assigns roles by alignment: covered linemen pin inside while the uncovered tackle pulls with an opportunistic kick-or-log block on the Sam linebacker.

Pin and Pull blocking scheme: The tight end pins down inside on the edge defender, while the uncovered tackle pulls around into the alley with an opportunistic kick-out on the Sam linebacker (S).
Pin and pull: Covered linemen pin inside while the uncovered tackle pulls into the perimeter alley to kick out the Sam linebacker (S) or log him if he spills.

Inside Zone

Inside Zone pairs covered and uncovered linemen: covered blockers drive first-level defenders while uncovered partners combo before climbing to linebackers.

Inside Zone (Covered/Uncovered) blocking on a 4-2 front: Covered linemen engage down defenders while adjacent uncovered teammates take zone combo steps before climbing to second-level linebackers.
Inside Zone (Covered/Uncovered) blocking on a 4-2 front: Covered linemen step to engage down defenders on their landmark while adjacent uncovered teammates take zone combo steps before climbing to second-level linebackers.

Outside Zone

Outside Zone uses synchronized 45-degree reach steps: blockers hook defenders to seal the edge or wash them horizontally to open cutback lanes.

Outside Zone (Reach and Stretch) blocking on a 4-2 front: Linemen execute coordinated 45-degree lateral reach steps to hook perimeter defenders or wash them horizontally.
Outside Zone (Reach & Stretch) blocking on a 4-2 front: Linemen execute coordinated 45-degree lateral reach steps to hook perimeter defenders or wash them horizontally, stretching the front for the running back.
Gap-Down-Backer (GDB)
Gap scheme rule on Power and Counter that skips head-up defenders for pullers and climbs inside to linebackers.
Gap-On-Down (GOD)
Gap scheme rule on downhill dive and base runs that prioritizes immediate head-up base blocks over climbing.
Covered and Uncovered
Foundational zone rule where covered linemen drive first-level defenders while uncovered teammates combo and climb.
Inside Zone
Foundational interior zone scheme using covered/uncovered combos to climb to linebackers.
Outside Zone
Perimeter zone scheme using synchronized 45-degree lateral reach steps to stretch and hook the edge.
Pin and Pull
Hybrid perimeter scheme pairing covered/uncovered rules with down-blocks and pullers.

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