diff --git a/pytorch_lightning/trainer/training_loop.py b/pytorch_lightning/trainer/training_loop.py
index dc84924f86769..5655b4a7f8939 100644
--- a/pytorch_lightning/trainer/training_loop.py
+++ b/pytorch_lightning/trainer/training_loop.py
@@ -829,9 +829,17 @@ def run_training_batch(self, batch, batch_idx, dataloader_idx):
                 # gradient update with accumulated gradients
                 if ((self.batch_idx + 1) % self.accumulate_grad_batches == 0
                         or (self.batch_idx + 1) == self.num_training_batches):
+                    # hook
+                    grad_norm_dic = self.train_loop.on_before_backward(batch_idx, optimizer)
+
+                    # optimizer step
+                    self.train_loop.optimizer_step(optimizer, opt_idx, batch_idx, split_batch)
+
+                    # hook
+                    self.train_loop.on_before_zero_grad(optimizer)
 
-                    # backward
-                    grad_norm_dic = self.run_batch_backward_pass(split_batch, batch_idx, opt_idx, optimizer)
+                    # clear gradients
+                    self.train_loop.optimizer_zero_grad(batch_idx, optimizer, opt_idx)
 
                     # calculate running loss for display
                     self.running_loss.append(self.batch_loss_value.mean() * self.accumulate_grad_batches)
@@ -854,15 +862,6 @@ def run_training_batch(self, batch, batch_idx, dataloader_idx):
         )
         return result
 
-    def run_batch_backward_pass(self, split_batch, batch_idx, opt_idx, optimizer):
-        # hook
-        grad_norm_dic = self.train_loop.on_before_backward(batch_idx, optimizer)
-
-        # optimizer step (TODO: decouple zero grad)
-        self.train_loop.optimizer_step(optimizer, opt_idx, batch_idx, split_batch)
-
-        return grad_norm_dic
-
     def optimizer_closure(self, split_batch, batch_idx, opt_idx, optimizer, hiddens):
         """
         wrap the forward step in a closure so second order methods work
diff --git a/pytorch_lightning/trainer/training_loop_temp.py b/pytorch_lightning/trainer/training_loop_temp.py
index 8adda56a6b3c4..8f77aa9d9e46d 100644
--- a/pytorch_lightning/trainer/training_loop_temp.py
+++ b/pytorch_lightning/trainer/training_loop_temp.py
@@ -217,7 +217,6 @@ def training_step(self, split_batch, batch_idx, opt_idx, hiddens):
     def optimizer_step(self, optimizer, opt_idx, batch_idx, split_batch):
         # calls .step(), .zero_grad()
         # override function to modify this behavior
-        model = self.trainer.get_model()
 
         with self.trainer.profiler.profile('optimizer_step'):
             lambda_closure = lambda: self.trainer.optimizer_closure(
@@ -231,11 +230,12 @@ def optimizer_step(self, optimizer, opt_idx, batch_idx, split_batch):
             # optimizer step lightningModule hook
             self.trainer.accelerator_backend.optimizer_step(optimizer, batch_idx, opt_idx, lambda_closure)
 
-            # hook
-            model.on_before_zero_grad(optimizer)
+    def on_before_zero_grad(self, optimizer):
+        model = self.trainer.get_model()
+        model.on_before_zero_grad(optimizer)
 
-            # clear gradients
-            self.trainer.accelerator_backend.optimizer_zero_grad(batch_idx, optimizer, opt_idx)
+    def optimizer_zero_grad(self, batch_idx, optimizer, opt_idx):
+        self.trainer.accelerator_backend.optimizer_zero_grad(batch_idx, optimizer, opt_idx)
 
     def on_before_backward(self, batch_idx, optimizer):
         # track gradient norms