Playing Zone Offense

We usually think of zones as defensive schemes. In American football, secondaries may employ zone coverage depending on individual match-ups, on philosophies, or, especially, to contain opponents' gains when they trail toward the end of a game, and a spectacular pass might steal a victory.

In basketball, the zone defense is more often a component of an over-riding philosophy, but may recognize individual match-up challenges. It is often used to vary the pace and tempo of a game, and to force an opponent into using a different set of offensive tactics. Or, it may be as simple as just interrupting the opponent's scoring run, and giving the defense a chance to gather itself.

But, the zone terminology is also used to indicate scoring - offensive - possibilities, as when a football team finds itself in the Red Zone, within twenty yards of the opponent's goal line. In our supply chain environment, we have a tendency to operate within our comfort zones, using the tried and true, applying what's always (as far as we know) worked.

The family pet also has a comfort zone, generally a few feet this side of the invisible fence line, and understands that there is discomfort involved in violating the zone's boundaries. But, a lovesick Labrador is often willing to venture, with some pain, into the unknown in search of its heart's desire. To its amazement, once past the pain point, freedom to explore, to seek, to wander, to discover, to reach goals spreads out - without pain and with every chance for reward - ahead to the horizon.

So it can also be for us, if we are willing to risk a little pain and face the unknown. Ultimate success is not guaranteed, but it is a reasonable possibility. We'll never know if we don't make the leap.

Down the road, we'll discover that the future belongs, not to those who stayed within the lines, but to those who dared - and dared again until they succeeded.