Tandem block

A “tandem block” is a blocking scheme in American football in which two offensive linemen collaborate to tackle one or more defensive players. By widening the gap in the defensive line, the running back can make greater progress toward the line of scrimmage, which is a common goal in running plays.

Allow me to explain:

• The most typical kind of tandem block is the double-team block, in which two offensive linemen use their combined strength and leverage to overwhelm a single linebacker or defensive lineman. This works well against defensive players who are exceptionally strong or skilled.
• The use of combination blocks is another variant of tandem blocking. Here, two defensive players are initially double-teamed by two offensive lineman; however, one of the linemen separates to block a defensive back or other secondary player. Opening up defense lanes, this strategy helps rush plays get more ground.
• Tandem blocks are an integral part of zone blocking strategies, which assign linemen the responsibility of blocking zones instead of individual players. These schemes rely on the coordinated efforts of the linemen to cover every possible opponent in a given zone.

In tandem blocking, the offensive linemen work together perfectly, exchanging information and knowing whether to switch to a different defender or keep a double-team block going. The running game’s success heavily depends on how well the squad uses tandem blocks.