Introduction to the Dairy Raid Offense - Chapter 3

Inside Zone

In Chapter 2 of the Introduction to the Dairy Raid Offense we wrapped up our look at the base passing game by talking about the role of checkdowns and screens in the offense. 

Now in Chapter 3 it's time to transition focus to the run game, starting with the inside zone scheme. While initially associated with prolific passing offenses, the Air Raid philosophy has evolved to incorporate a balanced offensive approach, recognizing the importance of a well-rounded attack. The integration of traditional Wisconsin values with the Air Raid concept hinges on establishing a balanced rushing game, which stresses defenses both horizontally and vertically, creating conflicts in assignments.

The inside zone scheme, a staple of modern spread offenses, relies on coordinated double teams at the line of scrimmage and the running back's patience in reading blocks to create running lanes, making it a versatile and effective component of a team's offensive strategy, particularly for teams emphasizing physicality and dominance in the trenches.

Let's take this to the classroom. We'll break down the scheme and how to install it followed by film to show us how Phil Longo and the Badgers used the inside zone as a base scheme to build off of.

Building the Wisconsin Football Modern Run Game With Inside Zone