Developing a High Powered Run Game Plan

with A.J. Blazek,
University of Wyoming Offensive Line Coach;
former North Dakota State University Offensive Line Coach;
helped NDSU rush for a school-record 4,601 yards in 2019 en route to a perfect 16-0 record;
led NDSU to the 4th-ranked FCS rushing offense (287.6 yards per game) in 2019; NDSU also led the FCS in tackles for loss allowed (3.56 per game);
former Rutgers University Assistant Coach/Offensive Line;
former Western Illinois Offensive Line Coach/Run Game Coordinator;
as a player, was a 2x All-Big Ten Lineman at the University of Iowa

Coach A.J. Blazek joined North Dakota State football, a powerhouse dynasty in the heartland of the country, in 2019 and proceeded to help the Bison to a perfect 16-0 record in his first season as offensive line coach. Coach Blazek has fully immersed himself in the championship culture at NDSU and is now ready to share how "the NDSU way" churns out championship seasons year after year.

This video is about building a championship run game. You'll see how to piece together a superior ground attack that you can create and recreate every year!

Building the Foundation

Blazek's first point is to build your foundation on your people. He helps define the qualities that would lead you to success when choosing gap or zone blocking for your O-line. His explanations are detailed enough to give you a direction, while avoiding taking things too far to disallow your own interpretation as a coach.

Adjustments and Drills

Coach Blazek's second focus, for once your base offense has been established, is the week-to-week adjustments you'll need to make to find success on the field. You'll discover the "where, why, how, and what" you'll need to fine-tune your offense to keep your opponent's defense on its heels. Blazek details how NDSU studies what their opponents will do so they can put their athletes and coaching staff in a position to succeed.

Finally, in his final focus within this video, Coach Blazek gives you off-season drills that NDSU uses for the development of their offensive linemen. These drills address the core components of elite linemen, including stance, posture and movement techniques.

Regardless of the style of blocking your offensive line uses, this video from Coach Blazek is a gold mine as it gives you a step-by-step breakdown of what a winning strategy looks like for one of the highest-achieving programs in college football.

64 minutes. 2020.