Reach Block

A reach block asks an offensive lineman to block a defender who is aligned to his playside gap or shading his outside shoulder (such as a 5-technique defensive end on an offensive tackle). Because the defender starts closer to the sideline, the defense possesses natural outside leverage. The blocker must win a horizontal race to get his helmet and body between the defender and the perimeter.

Technique and footwork progression:

First Step (The 45-Degree Bucket Step)

The blocker opens his playside foot at a flat, 45-degree lateral angle (a 6-inch bucket step), gaining immediate outside width without giving up ground to the line of scrimmage.

Second Step (The Crossover / Drive Step)

The blocker drives his backside foot through the defender's midline/crotch, establishing a wide base and closing the horizontal distance.

Upper Body (Club & Rip)

The blocker punches his inside hand into the defender's sternum while violently ripping his outside arm under the defender's outside armpit, turning his hips to get his helmet across the defender's outside shoulder plate.

The dual outcome built into zone schemes:

The Hook / Seal

If the defender pinches inside or hesitates, the lineman gets his helmet outside and hooks the defender's outside shoulder, sealing him inside. The running back bounces the ball around the sealed corner (Stretch / Bounce).

The Wash

If the defender sprints laterally to defend his outside contain, the lineman cannot hook him without risking a holding penalty. Instead, he drives his hands into the defender's chest and washes him horizontally toward the sideline. This opens a massive vertical seam inside the block for the back to plant his outside foot and cut downhill (One-Cut / Insert).

How reach blocks compare to other edge assignments:

Reach Block vs. Log Block

Both blocks achieve the exact same finish, sealing an edge defender *inside* to spring the ball carrier *outside*. The difference is alignment and scheme: a reach block is executed at the snap from a stationary stance by an on-the-line blocker (zone scheme), while a log block is executed on the move by a pulling lineman, fullback, or sniffer when a crashing defender spills inside (gap scheme).

Reach Block vs. Kick-Out Block

A kick-out block drives an edge defender *out* to create an inside alley; a reach block hooks the defender *in* to create an outside alley.

Reach Block vs. J-Block

While a reach block directly attacks and engages the edge defender on the line of scrimmage, a J-block intentionally bypasses the edge defender to arc upfield and seal a second-level linebacker or safety.

Reach Block vs. Pin and Pull

Because reach-blocking athletic edge defenders with wide alignment is exceptionally difficult and carries high risk of holding penalties, zone offenses check to Pin and Pull to replace difficult reach blocks with easy down-blocks and perimeter pulls.