Does the size of your linemen matter in a zone blocking scheme?

Question

I realize that offensive line calls for some copious amounts of bulk, but our team runs a zone blocking scheme and this year's offensive line is a lot smaller than last year's. Last year our offensive line average six foot one and 240 pounds, whereas this year we average around five eleven to six foot and 210 pounds.

I'm the smallest starting linemen at around five foot nine 190-195 pounds, and I man the left guard spot. I'm also the fastest as I run maybe a high 4.8 to a low 4.9. Our left tackle is the second largest, six foot two 220 pounds, and he's second fastest with his best forty maybe a high 4.9. All together the left side of our line is pretty damned fast and also relatively strong (I deadlifted 455 pretty easily last time I checked, and our LT can break 500). Our center is the meat of the line, at 230-235 pounds, and is something around five foot seven. He also is the strongest, as he not only deadlifts something like 550 but also benches 315. He just lacks endurance, but can one on one noseguards without a problem, leaving our guards to attack linebackers.

Right guard is largely unresolved, but I figured coach would insert a kid whose six foot one 215 pounds in who plays basketball. Naturally he's pretty quick and getting strong. Our right tackle is around the same size, slightly lighter, also plays basketball, and is very quick on his feet.

As you can tell our line is mostly composed of athletic, quick linemen, not huge meaty run blockers who maul defenders for fun. In our league the average defensive lineman is on average 220 pounds. Our line last year, despite its size, couldn't get the run game started against sometimes undersized dlineman. They also ran the same scheme.

So once again, what matters more: bulk or athleticism? Thanks.

Answer 1

atleticism is always more important than pure bulk.  

look at the oline at WVU.  they run zone blocking  schemes in the spread offense  their lineman are rarely  'huge' but they put an emphasis on speed.  WVU lineman tend to run  the 40 in under 5.0.  and wvu ran for 297 yds per game last year

Answer 2

Lineman need to be bruisers. Not fast, not athletic (like a quarterback), but BIG. The best lineman (especially the center) are BIG and smart.  

Answer 3

In a zone scheme for high school it's all about technique and foot speed. A quick and fundamentally sound lineman can beat a larger slower player the vast majority of time. Remember, you know the snap count. Now, weather or not you ball carrier can pick the proper hole is another discussion.

Answer 4

In theory, you should almost always have a double team on the down defensive linemen in a zone blocking scheme. Thus a smaller, more athletic line should be fine. However, in reality, a good defensive lineman will "blow-up" a smaller offensive lineman and push him backwards. This penetration kills the zone. I prefer aggresive run line blocking with a smaller athletic line. You can create angles of attach to take advantage of your quickness and agility.

Answer 5

Visit the Denver Broncos. They have employed a zone blocking scheme for years. Take guys like Olandas Gary, Mike Anderson, Tatum Bell....and turned them all into 1000 yd rushers... The zone blocking scheme needs a strong athletic line. In a zone blocking scheme size isn't a issue, it's the ability to spread out the opposing d-line. For example...Denver has what they call a "Y" play. All offensive lineman line up and at the snap the shift to the right side blocking the respective d-lineman, they have a full back reading the blocks finds the weak spot and explodes the hole for the RB to gain a easy 6 yards.

Answer 6

im a fellow linemen too and we break down on hogs for a reason and coaches call us the fat kids for a reason (i myself am not just slow in a spread offense so i got bumped to o-line) but no matter what sport or position you play you have to be athletic just at linemen u can sacrifice some of that for ur size

Answer 7

UMM i have no clue what grade u r in but no i think a highly athletic O-Line men that is strong beats a bruiser any day.