GOM Blocking Scheme For Youth Football

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I begin by detailing one of the more talked about blocking assignments some coaches are using in youth football. Each play you plan to use can only have success if the blocking schemes are solid and executed correctly. As a coach it is your job to make sure all of your linemen understand which defender they are required to block on each and every play.

The rules change depending on the situations, of which a few are explained below:

The Specific Offensive formation we are using The individual Offense scheme we are using If this is a run or pass play How the Defensive team is aligned Scouting report What kind of ability does our team have this year How much talent our opponents have Listed above are just a few of the major factors you must take into account when deciding the suitable blocking assignments to teach your youth football team. Another important area of consideration is how easy the scheme will be to teach your players. Take special care in making the assignments easy for your young kids.

The Gap On Man blocking scheme seeks to give a solid set of rules each offensive lineman should follow on each play. In the real world this is impossible, but many coaches will use GOM (Gap on man abbreviated) for a generic run-blocking strategy.

The GOM base rules explain that each offensive lineman will make his determination on who to block based on the set of the rules. All decisions every player makes start on where the center is lined up, on his right or left. GOM base rules instruct each lineman to block the first defender that fits a rule in order.

Beneath is the exact rules, in order, that each lineman will base his decision on. These descriptions are if you are playing a guard:

GAP - if there is an opposing player set up in the GAP (the gap is the region between the center and the guard), this is the primary rule and the player you should block ON - if there is no opposing player in the GAP, but a player is lined up straight across from you, this is your primary block.

MAN - if there is neither an opposing player on defense in the GAP or set up straight across from you, or ON, your rule is to block the first MAN (player) in front of you. This can be a linebacker, defensive end or safety. Gap On Man may appear to be the answer to your prays since it seems to be easy to teach and appears to have a simple answer on who to block no matter how the defense lines up. Your line will have to work as a group and have faith their fellow linemen, trusting they will be blocking the correct players on defense.