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AFM Magazine


The Clemson Zone Combo Package

by: John Turner
Offensive Assistant, Clemson University
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The Clemson Tigers offensive style of football was developed in accordance with and is a reflection of head coach Tommy Bowdenís personality. The offense was designed as an aggressive, up tempo, attacking style that continuously applies pressure to the defense. This attitude has produced one of the most balanced offensive attacks in the nation over the last four years. His teams have consistently averaged more than 190 yards, both rushing and passing, and have generated on average more than 440 yards per game. In addition to the rushing and passing statistics, his teams have also been ranked in the top 15 in point production, averaging more than 35.0 points per game over the last four years. This production has often been attributed to his ability to group plays together into a cohesive package. This package provides the offense with the flexibility to change the play based on defensive alignment and, therefore, minimize the chances of a negative play.

The Package

In game planning for an opponent, we will often carry several different types of packages into a game. One package that has consistently yielded effective results in offensive production is our Zone Combo Package. This four play package out of a 3 x 1 set features both strong and weak runs combined with a high percentage quick throw and a home run ball. The basic play we try to establish is the zone play strong and it is paired, along with the bubble screen, into the Trips formation. The Counter Trey provides us with an effective weakside run away from Trips and the Quick Game fade often provides big play possibilities. We feel that this combination of plays works best for us out of the TE Trips alignment.


Diagram 1

The Personnel

We align by setting the formation to the field. The offensive line will start by taking horizontal splits of two feet and vertically aligning in a three-point stance with hands on the center's toes. The split end side tackle will remain in a two-point racehorse stance. We feel this gives him an advantage in pass protection, thus enabling him with the ability to vertical set much quicker. He also benefits from seeing the defensive alignment and possible blitz threats that can sometimes be difficult to recognize while in the down position.

The TE will assume the same alignment as the offensive lineman. He is down in a three-point stance with the same two foot horizontal splits. He will also vertically align with his down hand on the center's toes.

Assuming the ball is on the hash mark, the Y receiver will align in a two-point stance, inside foot up and outside foot back on the opposite hashmark. The type of athlete that we try to place in the Y receiver position is a speedier, sleeker type of athlete. In addition to his athletic skills, we also look for an athlete who gives tremendous effort and takes personal pride in his blocking.

The Z receiver will align at the bottom of the numbers using the same stance as the Y receiver. The Z receiver is usually a larger more physical athlete who is often matched against smaller corners and thus provides us with a possible advantage when we throw the bubble screen.

The X receiver will align on the bottom of the numbers into the boundary, using the same stance as the Y and Z receivers. We will often place our best one on one receiver at X, this often allows big play possibilities when defenses rotate to the T.E.Trips or decide to blitz. This leaves the X receiver one-on-one against the corner who is often playing in these situations man-to-man. Also, by placing him into the boundary, this allows us to take advantage of one of our three-step rules which is, the shortest throw for the QB.

The QB will align behind the center at a depth of five yards from the ball. He will have his arms out and elbows bent to receive the snap and his stance will be slightly staggered. Although his feet will be in this staggered position, he must maintain no more than a heel-toe relationship and his feet will be no wider than armpit width.

The F back will also align five yards deep directly behind the split end side tackle. He will align in a two point stance, toes parallel, bent over so that his hands will rest upon his kneepads. It must be noted that although Clemson University runs this package from the shotgun formation, it can also be executed quite effectively from under center.

Zone Play

The basic concept of this package is to establish the Zone Play into the TE Trips alignment. We feel that we can attack any defensive configuration with our six in the box rules. The QB must first determine the defensive structure and pinpoint the position of the defender located with regard to our Y receiver. If the Y receiver feels that the defender is blockable in his presnap alignment, then we stay with the play. Basic rules are as follows.


Diagram 2

Bubble Screen

The next play in our package is the Bubble Screen into our TE Trips alignment. The QB begins the same progression as he did for the zone play. He first identifies the defensive structure and locates the cover down defender with regard to our Y receiver. If the cover down defender has aligned himself in an unblockable position for our Y receiver, then the QB checks the play. Our Y receiver makes the decision as to whether he is able to make the block on the cover down defender. Once he communicates that to the QB, the QB will change the play to the bubble screen. Basic rules are as follows.
Diagram 3

Counter Trey

When the structure of the defense dictates that we no longer have the numbers we like to the strongside, we must then develop a weakside game. The play we like best is the Counter Trey. We feel that we can run this play into any weakside looks. As in the previous plays, the QB determines the structure of the defense. Immediately upon recognizing one deep safety the QB identifies the box defenders. With six in the box as with eight man fronts, (Diagram 4) we will continue to work the ball to the TE Trips side. Versus seven in the box and one deep safety, we now feel the defense has positioned itself to stop the strongside game. Therefore, we now look to the Counter Trey as an effective weakside play we can now establish. Basic rules are as follows. (Diagrams 5 & 6)


Diagram 4


Diagram 5


Diagram 6

Fade

The last play in our zone combo package is the fade to the X receiver. The fade is often thought of as a low percentage play, but it can yield high rewards. As with the previous plays in the package, the QB will first survey the defense. When the defense structures itself in such a way that there are no deep safety's and the corners are applying press coverage then we believe the possibility of blitz is imminent. This is the time when we feel that the defense is most vulnerable to big plays. Basic rules are as follows.


Diagram 7

Notes: We put an orange line on our practice fields five yards from the sidelines so our wide receivers and QB's will know their landmarks of the fade route.

We believe that the Zone Combo Package has proven to be a highly effective weapon in our offensive arsenal. By using this package as part of an overall gameplan, Coach Bowden's teams have produced some remarkable numbers over the last four years:

In conclusion, we feel that almost any team on any level can execute this package successfully and that it can be adapted to fit any style of offense.

Bowden Offense Production Chart
Category
Total
Per Game
Points
1612
35.0
Touchdowns
209
4.54
Rushing Offense
8738
190.0
Passing Offense
11,133
242.0
Total Offenses
19,871
432.0
Total Plays
3458
75.2
Rushing Plays
1990
43.3
Pass Attempts
1468
31.9
Completions
863
18.8
First Downs
1065
23.2





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