Base blocking is the most common type of block used in youth football. I rarely use any kind of base blocking in my run blocking scheme. Blocking one on one (base blocking) is an extremely difficult block for youth offensive linemen. Base blocking rules are as followed: On, Inside, backer. There are some flaws in the base blocking scheme. Base blocking is not very good on picking up the blitz. Stunting is a huge killer of base blocking. It is exceptionally difficult for a youth offensive linemen to get a push on a defensive linemen with base blocking. If you are not able to get a push on the defensive linemen, your offense will struggle to move the ball. Base blocking is pretty much useless and a very unsuccessful blocking technique in youth football.
The most successful blocking techniques in youth football are: Cross blocking, down blocking, double team blocking ( at the point of attack), cut blocking, crack blocking (sealing the edge) and trap blocking. Youth football coaches need to have a set of blocking rules. In order to have success on offense in youth football you must have a set of blocking rules for a series of plays. I run the Wing T Jet motion series with a set of blocking rules. I have a series of 5 plays that work off each other; one is used to set up the other. My blocking rules for my offensive linemen in this series are as followed: gap, down, backer with a kick out and a crack blocking on certain plays. I have been running this offense with gap-down-backer blocking scheme for the past 6 season with a lot of success. These rules worked well against any defensive look I have ever gotten.
The key to having a successful offense in youth football is to have a series of plays, not just plays. Use a double team at the point of attack, with down and kick out blocks to make easier blocking angles for your players.
-Coach Jeff
