Outside Gap Scheme Runs and Gap Circuit Drills

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

Going 16-0 in 2019 and winning eight national titles in nine years doesn't happen unless you're doing something right as a program. Ask A.J. Blazek, the offensive line coach at North Dakota State University, and he'll tell you it starts on the line and running the football. A-Gap Power is the staple at NDSU, but to keep the ball moving against good defenses, the Bison also need some effective, complementary plays.

Going through almost an hour of film footage, Coach Blazek explains the unique principles, rules, and techniques of the C-Gap Power play and counter. The off-tackle power play is one of the most popular plays in football, and Blazek will teach it to you like it's brand new by introducing the effective coaching points that make it work at NDSU.

Hit Them Where They Ain't!

The plays in this video are designed to complement A-Gap Power. When opposing defenses commit to stop the A-gap run game, the perimeter will be wide open. Similar to inside and outside zone schemes, defenders are put in conflict when they try to find the point of attack. They must make a split-second decision on if the ball going inside or outside. Coach Blazek explains:

• How to use your plays to set up the defense to play base.
• How to get your offensive line to lead.
• How to tighten up techniques for continued success, play after play.

Circuit Drills

To have a dominant running game requires attention to detail in the technique department. That is why this video includes key circuit work to develop powerful gap blocking. Gap blocking requires the right mindset. To get your team in that right mindset, you will want to rep the base drills until the technique is perfect.

Coach Blazek walks you through circuit drills such as:

Every successful team has to have a dependable run game. In this video and his A-Gap Power video, Coach Blazek provides all the material you'll need to acquire a dominant run game. Hit defenses with a one-two punch that they won't be able to stop!

58 minutes. 2020.