Inside the Clemson Offense: 34/35 Zone

The bread and butter run play of the Spence, as well as most one-back, system is the zone rushing play. There are several to pick from but here we'll describe a brief introduction to zone blocking itself, then the specific play.

Why do teams run a zone scheme?
-Adapts to defenses that like to stunt and stem quite a bit. Essentially no defense in major college football runs a basic front without some stunting. If they didnt stunt, you could call base blocking (just take the man in front of you head-on) schemes all the time. Since they don't do that, you have to have a scheme that can adjsut to everything the defensive front shows you.
-You create combo blocks on the LOS (double-teams) and outnumber the defense at the point-of-attack, and that should open up more holes and get the back to the 2nd level.
-Combo blocking generally means you dont need as many of those 6'6 330lb linemen, and you can make do with a little less talent.

What is zone blocking?

I don't intend to do a step-by-step description of it, but it does not necessarily mean that guys block a "zone" or "area", although that is one technique that can be taught (an inside gap usually) and is in the video above. If there is a man over the Guard or Tackle head-up, then nearly every time he will just base block him. Zone schemes apply to uncovered linemen. If I am facing an ODD defense (Nose tackle over the Center) then one of the Guards will not be covered by the other DT (assuming a 4-man front, usually the LG with the RG facing a 3-Tech), and that uncovered Guard will be asked to help the Center block most of the time. If its an EVEN front (nobody over the Center), then the Center will combo block with one of the Guards.

What the combo Olineman will do is block the DL for a specified count, then release to hit a LB. Thats it. Hopefully you can push that DL back far enough so that he interfere's with the LB trying to get to the play, then the combo lineman will not have far to go to make his block.

Covered linemen take a step to the playside, then the 2nd between the defender's feet, keeping their shoulders as square as possible to the line. Uncovered linemen take a big scoop step playside, then a 2nd step trails and pushes upfield. Imagine it as them trying to ram into the defender's shoulder. Generally the entire line will look as if they are shifting to one direction.

If you want to go further into zone blocking itself, I recommend these links:
Rocky Top Talk on Inside zones, and Tomahawk Nation's post on understanding zone blocking.

My biggest complaint with the zone scheme is that it must be repped endlessly, and teaching it to young linemen can therefore be quite difficult. They have to be taught how long to hold their block at the POA and then how to get upfield. All of them must handle their assignment exactly, and the usage of their hands and their first two steps is of utmost importance.

As for the 34/35 Zone rush play itself, you might want to watch this description by Brian Billick of the Denver Broncos stretch zone blocking scheme.

I've discussed play numbering before, but again the "3" refers to the Back (QB is 1, H-back may be #2, RB is #3) and the "4" or "5" refers to the hole he's supposed to run through. 34 Zone is designed for the RB to take the ball up behind the RG and into the B-gap, but being a zone play, a cutback lane may open behind the Center (because of the combo block) and the RB has the option of taking it there.

Clemson runs the play from multiple formations, generally Ace Spread or Ace Pro Wing sets. In addressing the 34 specifically, you can run it on any down but should be most effective in short yardage situations. The fact that the QB's action is a bootleg keeps the sometimes-unblocked backside DE occupied long enough to get the Aceback through the LOS.


Depending on the defensive front, the Line (Center usually) makes 2 or 3 calls to control the LOS, designating who blocks whom.

Specifics:
RT: Depending on the call he will either step to the outside gap and work up to the LB, or combo block with the TE on the DE before releasing.
RG: If covered, nearly always base block. A "solid" call means he'll block to the outside gap, and a "Combo" call means he'll base block with help from the RT.
C: "Base" call=blocks the Shade/Nose Tackle. "Ram" call, if he's uncovered, would indicate he blocks to the playside gap. Other calls may indicate he could go straight to the 2nd level (e.g., "City") or to the left (Lion). He will make those calls pre-snap.
LG/LT: Either block base or "solid" meaning they'll block towards the playside gap. If the LG is covered, usually the LT will combo on the DT. The backside DE over the outside shoulder of the LT is meant to be unblocked by the LT, but this can change depending on the front they showcase (or a blitz).

H-back: Steps to the inside/playside to cut off the first man to the outside shoulder of the LT. He stays on the backside DE long enough to keep him from making the play in the backfield, then proceeds to the 2nd level to try to hit the scraping OLB.

TE/Y: Blocks base, but can adjust this based on the call between himself and the RT to help pick up any outside defender (like a blitzing OLB or SS). He aims to keep his shoulders parallel to the line, pushing towards the outside, but be aware of a pinch stunt (DE slanting inwards towards the Tackle).

X/Y: Both release upfield, then stalk block their Cornerback. The term "stalk" implies there is a technique to this block, based on the defender's alignment pre-snap. If the defender is further than 5 yards off, his aiming point is the outside jersey number. If the defender is loose, he is likely the secondary run support man, meaning his primary job is not to turn the perimeter run inside, but is the second man trying to make the play turn inside. If he's playing press/bump coverage, the WR's aiming point is the inside number, because he is probably playing primary run support. If the H-back is set out in the slot, he will also stalk block his cover man instead of the DE, but this adjustment is made in tandem with the LT.

Aceback: Runs a belly action, aiming at the outside hip of the RG, then receives the handoff. Either the hole will be there or to the inside behind the Center. He must sprint to the backside of the RG and then decide on his cut and hit the hole very hard.

QB: Opens to 5:30 position with the belly action, then runs a fake bootleg to help the H-back keep the DE occupied. If the same play is run to the opposite side, he opens to 4-4:30.

The 35 Zone is essentially the same, to the opposite side. It is shown against an ODD front in the picture with 3 wide receivers. Its very useful in setting up the countertrey, the countergap, and a bootleg/waggle pass. With the same blocking scheme you can also have the back run a Counter.

The same calls are made on the Line, but the X and Slot receivers sight adjust the OLB. If the OLB is lined up on the line opposite the slot, the slot man blocks solid on him, but if he's back showing his pass coverage the X receiver runs over on a slant route to crack him. In this case, with the OLB playing off, the slotman would run a wheel route into the CB towards the boundary. If necessary, the two receivers can make a pre-snap "Check with me" call to each other to determine who to block.

Z goes vertical to attempt to stalk the SS or man on the CB, while the TE runs a crossing route to block into the FS.

The TB has the choice of hitting the outside slice, or taking his cutback behind the LG.

This video is a good description of the 35 (first play) and a 2nd play appears to be a 31 or 33 inside zone.

Defensive breakdowns against TCU: inverted veer option

Chris at Smartfootball got hold of the clip we uploaded for the TCU game review, and looked at the variation of the zone read that TCU ran against us last weekend here. Thankfully it saves me a couple hours of writing.

...Against TCU, however, in an otherwise solid defensive effort the Tigers allowed TCU’s quarterback Andy Dalton to rush 19 times for 86 yards, many of them on key conversions. After the game, Clemson defensive coordinator Kevin Steele appeared flummoxed — or at least very caught off guard — by one spread-option variant in particular that TCU used....

...I’m going to disagree with the description of the play as a variant of the zone-read, though all of these plays fall within the same spread option family. Indeed, this is a play I’ve seen Florida and Urban Meyer use before, though the pulling guard is a nice wrinkle. I call it an “inverted veer.”

In the typical veer play from a spread set, the line blocks down and double-teams the defensive linemen on up to the linebackers. They leave the defensive end unblocked (except when they run midline veer, in which case it is a defensive tackle) and read that man. If he steps down for the runningback, the QB just gives the ball and steps around him. It is just the old first-read of the triple option adapted for spread sets.

But TCU ran a variant, one I’ve seen other teams use. They just “inverted” the runningback and quarterback: The runningback runs a sweep or outside zone action laterally. If the defensive end takes him, then the quarterback shoots up inside the defensive end. If the defensive end sits for the QB, the runner should be able to hit the corner. Remember, the defensive end is often the hardest guy to block, and especially so when you want to “reach” him to seal the corner.

In that way I disagree with the characterization of the play as a fake-zone read where the QB then runs back to the other way. You can see the runner is taking a wide angle. That said, I don’t know what TCU’s read was, but this is a play I’ve seen at least for a few years. And again, Meyer uses it at Florida with his fast runners heading outside and Tebow, the better inside runner, going inside.

Finally, the one wrinkle TCU has is the pulling guard. I think that was just designed to get better blocking at the point of attack, though TCU had them so crossed up he didn’t even end up blocking anyone. This scheme has a lot of similarities with how teams block the shovel play.

I suppose the reason Steele and Clemson had so much trouble with this hinges on what his linebacker’s reads were. I take it they were reading the quarterback and thinking backside with the zone read. If they read the pulling guard, for example, there wouldn’t be an issue with where the play was going. (This is one reason the veer blocking works so well, because the line steps one way and the play hits the other. The pulling guard can give this away.) It is just like on the famous counter trey play: if the linebackers read the pullers there are no issues with stopping it (though they may be weak to some other play), but if they read the fullback blocking away they can get crossed up.

I would point out that TCU ran a traditional zone read much more than this play, about 12 times total by my count, while this play was obvious to me only 3 times. DaQuan Bowers made the correct moves on the traditional zone read, taking the RB and putting the emphasis on the LB's to scrape around and make the play. However Maye was blocked out or in bad position to make a tackle several times by the Guard to the playside, as well as Conner/Cooper or whomever was playing Money (2nd LB in Nickel) on the particular play. Notice in this play in the clip, both LBs are coming in, so we were caught totally out of position.

Inside the Clemson offense: Spiller's TD Play, Pro Wing X Over

Here we have a breakdown of the TD play to CJ Spiller last week.


The Play
In this "Ace X Over" or "Pro Wing X over" play, the number one receiver (X) runs inside to a deep post over the top to exploit the defensive coverage. X is normally the first QB read on the play, and is meant to draw the FS and CB away from the sideline; if he's open the QB is meant to hit him. His side is the two-WR side, so the progression is likely deep-to-short.

Specifics
X (Jacoby) runs a post, which is a straight run 10-12 yards and then a 45 degree cut inside. The CB on him might be playing zone, but is responsible for the deep post and must stay with him. It is a route used to stretch the defense vertically and open holes underneath.

The H-back follows underneath on a wheel route. A wheel route is simply that the RB runs out on a little flare route (a little curve to the sidelines) and then runs vertical. A flare would be to run out and stop, while the wheel continues. Wheels are useful because the defender will bite when the guy turns around to look at the QB, and come in thinking its just a little dump pass, then the receiver runs right by him. As such, its very useful when they are trying to jump your "out" routes.

The Z receiver (Ashe) runs a Dig/Square-In route. Off the line, he is trying to sell a GO route (straight vertical) and then when he gets to the route depth (10-15 short dig, 15-18 deep) he cuts inwards parallel to the LOS on the Square-In. A dig is just a little different, in that he cuts to show a post initially and then parallel inwards, but we cant tell from this footage.

The TE and Taylor stay in to block. Taylor decleats the blitzing LB. The play is designed to look deep and then short, as most pass plays are, but the QB progression through his reads can change, in general, based on his presnap coverage read (e.g., out to in, or long to short).

A simple variation, if they could handle the DE better, would be to run Ashe a little deeper on his Square-In, and run the TE on the same route (a drag) underneath him.

The Defense
Watch closely what the defense is doing in the play. They align in a 4-3, with the FS aligned about 10-12 deep and over the TE, and the SS about 4x6 off the line (6 off and 4 yards wide). At the last second, GT shows their hand and the WILL comes up to show a zone blitz.

On the snap, this initially looks like straight Cover 3 to both of us, but watch the rest of the play and that FS. The SAM reads run first, and sits over in the flat zone. The FS aligns over the top of the TE, and isnt watching the post at all. If anything this might be 1/2, 1/4, 1/4 Cover 3, but perhaps a combo coverage (zone + man). His hips open to the strong side (he would never focus that much on one side of the field in a straight 3) and he sits instead of backpedalling. They have to be playing zone (on the TE's side) because the strongside corner is not to be found on the dig route and the FS's head is on a swivel (and looking into the backfield) and eventually turning to run with the Z when he comes across the field.

Then watch the Wolf (GT's LB/SS hybrid). His eyes start in the backfield and he immediately moves with Spiller. We don't think the GT defense realized that Spiller was lined up in a wing spot when this defense was called. They probably saw Taylor come in and checked to this play without looking to see he was the tailback. By the time the SS realized what was going on, Spiller had his shoulders turned up field and the defender was totally screwed.

A very similar play (with the TE running underneath) is used by USC in this video on QB Reads, check it out.

Inside the Clemson offense: HB Power/Trap

Each week we're going to try to highlight one or two specific plays that either resulted in scores or were run very often by the team. This week, since Clemson showed so much I-formation running for the first time in years, we'll go over the HB Power and the Trap. Since we havent covered offensive plays before, the first topic to cover is the terminology. Have you ever wondered why a play has a complicated name like "Spread left 24 draw"?

The "Spread Left" indicates the formation and the strength. Spread is a generic term, and could be a 2 or 3 WR set on the left. It could be "I right/left" indicating that the TE or two-WR side is the right or left side in the I-formation. "I right motion" would mean that one WR could be moving from the Flanker to the slot. The specifics depend on the particular offense you run, and the coach who built it up, but the same plays are there in various formations in every offense.

To understand the numbers, you have to know the offensive numbering system. The first number in "24" refers to the numbering of the offensive back, the 2nd to the lane where the ball is supposed to go. The QB is designated "1", the RB "2" or "3" and the FB usually "2", "4" might be an H-back or 3rd RB in the Power-I formation (I with 2 FBs/1 RB) and so on, and sometimes will be the tailback. Running lanes go from Center to the sidelines, and are assigned a number. Each gap between offensive players is assigned a number, even on the right, odd on the left. So the A-gap is "3" or "2", B-gap "3" or "5", and so on. "0" and "1" are directly behind the Center, like a right/left QB Sneak.


(note the picture is from the defense's perspective and uses their numbering for plays)
Your wide running plays will be run in the 8 or 9 holes, your off-tackle plays will be run in the 6 or 7 holes, while your dive, lead, slant plays will be run in the 4 or 5 holes. All of what Clemson ran in the I-formation against MTSU were basic plays that every offense has within it, within some formation. What we're going to highlight here is the Lead Trap and the HB Lead Power, both plays that involve pulling Guards with a Lead blocking FB.

The Trap
The play shown here is an I-Right 36 Trap:

The term trap comes from the idea that a lineman is left unblocked by the playside G/T and thinks he's home free until he is walloped by the pulling guard....i.e., trapped. In the play above, it is the OLB/DE who gets trapped because the TE doesnt try to hit him, and he thinks he's free. In this play, the backside LT blocks down on any defender capable of shooting the open gap behind the pulling LG, thats his chief task. Anyone who can shoot the gap will stop the play for a loss. He blocks the End first and then releases to a DT if he comes free. Hopefully that DT gets picked up by the Center, even against a 4 man front, and this call is made at the line. The RT and TE double-team the DE in this 3-4/5-2 front diagram, and the LG pulls out and blocks the OLB/DE. Against a 4-man front it will change of course, but its pretty easy to see how given that most 4-3 teams use a shifted front.

The TE only stays on the End for a count of one or two, then releases him to take on a LB. The FB charges up the 6 hole between the RT/TE to hit the first man he sees to come free, either outside or inside, hopefully a SS or scraping LB. Recall that its a trap, and the Guard is following him into the hole to take on that outside Backer/DE. The RB takes the ball and charges right behind him into the hole that should be open. WRs are either charged to block their man, pushing him to the boundary, or occasionally put in motion to help chip an End or OLB, while the QB should be taught to pretend like he still has the ball and sometimes fakes a throw to a WR running a Go route to draw the safety deeper.

Inside traps are the same concept. The Center takes on the DT across from the LG, and the RG backs away from his DT for a count, leaving him unblocked until he gets slammed by the LG pulling across behind the Center. The RG then continues upfield into a LB. In I-formation, the FB steps up into MIKE and the RB follows him through the hole.



The Off-Tackle Power plays are run alot within Clemson's offense, from various formations. Its basically a gap-scheme, and the OL angle-down blocks anyone and the pulling LG takes on a LB, and somebody is going to get double-teamed on the defensive front. You would try this play to neutralize a very good 3-technique DT, for example. As a fan, watching the line, you'll see them suddenly go left, pushing the defense to the side away from the play and the Guard pulls out to take either an End or LB depending on whether its a type of inside or OT power play. The TE and RT are meant to double-team their DE, and the FB runs out to hit SAM. The RB follows his FB to the OT-TE area in this "36 Power" play.
Specifics...
The QB is coached to open to his right and hit the RB in-stride and then continue as if he's rolling out to the left.

The TE, after double-teaming the DE to get him out of the way, releases and jumps onto the first scraping LB he sees, opening a funnel on the strongside. Your TE cant release too soon, or he sacrifices technique. He cant release too slow either, because the LB is coming. So the player is taught to block the DE into the LB, and then release, same as the Trap. Depending on the front, the TE can immediately release to an inside LB, if its a 3-man or 4 man shifted to the weakside, for example.

The LT stays on his End, if he's the only man out there, and the C-RG can either double-team the Nose or angle-down the man across from them. The FB is taught to step towards the inside leg of the TE and play inside-out leverage (pinning his opponent outside of the lane) on the biggest threat to the play he sees, usually a scraping LB or a SS. However, his first step is actually straight ahead, feinting a lead play to the left, before taking his step right into his defender. If a defender jumps into the lane, the FB is told to pin his shoulder and push him inside, letting the RB bump outside. Of course one must adjust to what the defense is doing, e.g. blitzing a safety or shifting their front, and the FB is generally told to hit the first guy he sees that can threaten the play and the Guard is as well.

Against this 4-3 stack front, the RG and RT are double-teaming the DT and the TE takes the DE. Its still an I-right 36 Power, but the assignments have changed.

(courtesy Trojan Football Analysis)

The blocking scheme call for the OL is usually very simple on Power plays: Gap, On/Over, Down; Gap, Down, Backer. The Gap rule basically means that the RG and RT are to allow NO penetration to their inside gap, its a generic term. On means to block anyone anywhere on your pads. Over/Backer basically mean to move to the second level and find a linebacker to block. Down means to block the defender across from the OLman to your inside. You can see how this will form a double-team on someone on the right side of the defense.

Much of this video is simply various power plays.


If executed perfectly, the RB gets into the secondary and will have only one or two men to beat one-on-one.