How To Read Coverages
How To Read Coverages
•• One important thing a good passing quarterback needs One important thing a good passing quarterback needs to know is how to to know is how to readread defensive coverages.
defensive coverages.
••
Identify the coverages using the following numerical terms:
Identify the coverages using the following numerical terms:
0
0 ‑‑ Man Man man ‑‑ man by by all all LB’s, LB’s, Corners Corners and and Safeties. Safeties. (expect (expect a a multiple multiple blitz blitz in in zerozero coverage)
coverage)
1
1 ‑‑ Man Man Free Free man b‑‑ man by boy both Corners th Corners and the and the $/LB’s but $/LB’s but the Free the Free Safety is Safety is in ain a zone coverage.
zone coverage.
2
2 ‑‑ Two Deep Two Deep Zone Zone $ and ‑‑ $ and FS are FS are both deep both deep and the and the Corners & Corners & LB’s are LB’s are in ain a zone coverage.
zone coverage.
3
3 ‑‑ Three DeeThree Deep Zone p Zone both Corn‑‑ both Corners and ers and the FS the FS are are deep deep with zowith zone coverane coveragege underneath.
underneath.
3Squat
3Squat ‑‑ Robber – A cover 3 shell with the $ squatting in tRobber – A cover 3 shell with the $ squatting in the seam / hook area.he seam / hook area.
4
4 -- Four Deep ¼ Zone - a corner and a safety cover ½ Four Deep ¼ Zone - a corner and a safety cover ½ of the deep field to theof the deep field to the strength and the other corner covering t
strength and the other corner covering the other ½.he other ½.
5
5 ‑‑ Two Deep Man Under – Deep zone by the Safeties and Man by the LB’s andTwo Deep Man Under – Deep zone by the Safeties and Man by the LB’s and the Corners.
the Corners.
•• To tell the To tell the difference between these coverages we will use a phrase call "difference between these coverages we will use a phrase call "Box Box D.E.A
D.E.A..", which stands for Men in the", which stands for Men in the BoxBox,, DDepth of corners,epth of corners, EEyes of the Defensiveyes of the Defensive Backs, and
Pre-snap reads
Pre-snap reads
•• To tell the difference between these coverages
To tell the difference between these coverages
we will use a phrase call "
we will use a phrase call "
Box D.E.A
Box D.E.A
.
.", which
", which
stands for:
stands for:
•• Men in the
Men in the
Box
Box
,,
••
D
D
epth of corners,
epth of corners,
••
E
E
yes of the Defensive Backs, and
yes of the Defensive Backs, and
••
A
A
lignment of Defensive Backs.
lignment of Defensive Backs.
•• This is a
This is a
pre-snap
pre-snap
read that can, and most likely
read that can, and most likely
will, change after the snap of the ball.
will, change after the snap of the ball.
The Box
The Box
••
BOX:
BOX:
The Box is tackle to tackle, 10 yards from the L.O.S.
The Box is tackle to tackle, 10 yards from the L.O.S.
and back. But it can shift right
and back. But it can shift right or left depending on whether the
or left depending on whether the
ball is in the middle of the field or on
ball is in the middle of the field or on the hashes.
the hashes.
–
– If there is a safety in
If there is a safety in the box, then you know that the defense is
the box, then you know that the defense is either 1,
either 1,
3, or 3 Squat.
3, or 3 Squat.
–
– If there is not a safety in the box, the defense is either 0, 2, 4, or 5.
If there is not a safety in the box, the defense is either 0, 2, 4, or 5.
5 5 10 10 BOX BOX
Depth, Eyes & Alignment
Depth, Eyes & Alignment
DEPTH: DEPTH:
•• If theIf the corners are 7 or more yards deepcorners are 7 or more yards deep
their coverage, it is most likely a type of their coverage, it is most likely a type of zone.
zone.
EYES: EYES:
•• If theIf the DB’s eyes are on the quarterbackDB’s eyes are on the quarterback, it, it is most likely a type of zone coverage.
is most likely a type of zone coverage.
ALIGNMENT: ALIGNMENT:
•• AnAn outside alignment by the DB’soutside alignment by the DB’s on aon a receiver points to zone coverage.
receiver points to zone coverage.
5 5 10 10 BOX BOX DEPTH: DEPTH:
•• If theIf the corners are within 6 yardscorners are within 6 yards it is mostit is most likely a type of man coverage.
likely a type of man coverage.
EYES: EYES:
•• If theIf the DB’s have their DB’s have their eyes on theeyes on the receiver
receiver , it is most likely some type of man, it is most likely some type of man coverage.
coverage.
ALIGNMENT: ALIGNMENT:
•• AnAn inside or heinside or headad up ali‑‑up alignmgnment bent by thy thee DB’s
DB’s points to man.points to man.
7 7
5 5
0 – Man & 1 – Man Free
0 – Man & 1 – Man Free
“Cover 1”
“Cover 1” ‑‑ Man FreeMan Free ‑‑ man by both Corners and the $/LB’s but the Free Safety is in a zone coverage.man by both Corners and the $/LB’s but the Free Safety is in a zone coverage.
5 5 10 10 FS FS “Cover 0”
“Cover 0” ‑‑ ManMan‑‑ man by all LB’s, Corners and Safetiman by all LB’s, Corners and Safeties. es. (Expect a multiple blitz in (Expect a multiple blitz in zero coverage)zero coverage)
10 10 5 5
2 – TWO DEEP ZONE &
2 – TWO DEEP ZONE &
3 – THREE DEEP ZONE
3 – THREE DEEP ZONE
“Cover 3”
“Cover 3” ‑‑ Three Deep ZoneThree Deep Zone ‑‑ Both Corners and the FS are deep with zone coverage underneath.Both Corners and the FS are deep with zone coverage underneath.
5 5 10
10 FSFS
“Cover 2”
“Cover 2” ‑‑ Two Deep ZoneTwo Deep Zone ‑‑ $ and FS are both deep and the Corners & LB’s are in $ and FS are both deep and the Corners & LB’s are in a zone coverage.a zone coverage.
10 10 5 5
4 – FOUR DEEP ¼ ZONE &
4 – FOUR DEEP ¼ ZONE &
5 – TWO DEEP MAN UNDER
5 – TWO DEEP MAN UNDER
“COVER 5”
“COVER 5” ‑‑ Two Deep Man Under – Deep zone by the Safeties and Man by the LB’s and the Corners.Two Deep Man Under – Deep zone by the Safeties and Man by the LB’s and the Corners.
5 5 10 10
“Cover 4”
“Cover 4” -- Four Deep ¼ Zone – Each DB covers ¼ of the fFour Deep ¼ Zone – Each DB covers ¼ of the field; Safety and Corner together cover ½ of the field.ield; Safety and Corner together cover ½ of the field.
10 10 5 5
REMEMBER! ! !
REMEMBER! ! !
•• These are onlyThese are only pre-snap pre-snap reads. reads. A prA pre-snap read e-snap read may indicate may indicate a certaina certain coverage only to have it change right after the
coverage only to have it change right after the snap of the ball.snap of the ball.
•• Changes in coverage are performed by a rotation in Changes in coverage are performed by a rotation in the secondary coverathe secondary coveragege personnel.
personnel.
•• A common coverage change-up is to align in A common coverage change-up is to align in a cover 2 and rotate to a cover a cover 2 and rotate to a cover 3Squat.
3Squat.
•• As the quarterback takes his drop, he needs to keep As the quarterback takes his drop, he needs to keep his eyes down field his eyes down field andand recognize any
recognize any alignment changes after alignment changes after the snap of the bathe snap of the ball. ll. Movement of theMovement of the Free Safety and Strong Safety are usually the
Free Safety and Strong Safety are usually the best indicators.best indicators.
5 5 10 10
Cover 3 Squat