JIM CANTAFIODirector of Susquehanna Valley Sports

717-468-7185SVSSPORTS.COM

Game Plan vs. Cover 0-1-2-3

vs.Cover – 0Cover – 1Cover – 2Cover – 3

Keep it Simple!

COVERAGES

• One of the most important things a good passing quarterback needs to know is how to read coverage's. But it is also one of the most under taught parts of high school football.

• The first thing you have to learn is the different types of coverage's.

5 Basic Coverages

0 – Man – Man by all defensive backs

No FS

1 – Free Man - Man by both corners and

SS but the FS is playing

zone

2 – Two Deep Zone –Safety’s on the hash and corners are 5 to 10 yards deep

in zone

5 Basic Coverages

2 Man – Two deep zone by the

safeties and man on the

corners

3 – Three Deep Zone – Both corners and

free safety are deep.

BOX D.E.L.

• Men in box

• Depth of corners

• Eyes of the defensive backs

• Leverage of defensive backs

The box is Tackle to Tackle from 10 yds. Past the LOS and back. The box can shift right or left depending on the

middle of the field or the hashes.

QB

BOX

10

yd

s

10

yd

s

READ THE BOX

• If there is a safety in the box the defense is either 3-Deep or Man Free.

• If there is no safety in the box the defense is either Two Deep or Man.

DEPTH OF CORNERS

• Check the depth of the corners

• If the corners are 8 or more yards deep there coverage is most likely a type of zone, but if they are up tight it is most likely that they are in a type of man coverage.

EYES OF DEF. BACKS

• If the defensive backs have their eyes on the receiver then you know they are in some type of man coverage.

• If their eyes are on the quarterback you know it is a type of zone.

LEVERAGE OF DEF. BACKS

• An outside leverage by the defensive backs on a receiver points to zone coverage.

• An inside or head-up leverage points to man.

Cover 3 - Zone

QB

COVER 3 – THREE DEEP

C

BSS

FS

C

STRENGTHS:

•3-Deep Secondary

•Run Support

WEAKNESS:

•Curl Flat Area

•Flood Routs

•Four Verticals

•Middle of the Field Short Game

Routes vs. Cover – 3Can be called in huddle or on the L.O.S.

1. 3 Step Passing Game

2. Bubble Screen

3. Verticals

4. Curl – Flat Combination

5. Sprint out Game

QB

3 Step – Create 2 on 1vs. Cover - 3

C

B D

FS

C

•Quick out- Hitch Combo

•You have a 2 on 1 strong and weak

H R5 yds

5 yds

QB

vs. Cover - 3

C

B D

FS

C

All Hitch Combo•You have A 2 on 1 Strong

H R5 yds 5 yds

QB

vs. Cover - 3

C

B D

FS

C

Bubble Screen

•Read R or H

•Crack on Base

H R

QB

vs. Cover - 3

C

B D

FS

C

verticals•Read FS

•2 on 1 vs. FS

•Use multiple formations

•Automatic call when ball is in the middle of field

H R

QB

vs. Cover - 3

C

B D

FS

C

Curl – Flat Combo

•Read Strong or weak for 2 on 1

H R

5 yds

8 yds

12 yds

QB

vs. Cover - 3

C

BD

FS

C

Sprint out, Comeback – Flag Combo

Read R. for Comeback or Flag sit down

HR

10 12

10 yds

5yds

QB

COVER 2 – TWO DEEP

C

B

SSFS

C

STRENGTHS:

•Five underneath coverage playing zone

•Ability to disrupt release of outside rec.

•Flat Coverage

WEAKNESS:

•Deep coverage vs Fade & Deep Middle

•Run support vs. Run 5 in the box.

•Back Coverage

Cover 2 - Zone

Cover 2 - Man

QB

vs. Cover - 2

C

B D

FS

C

Fade

•Read Safety on the hash

H R

QB

vs. Cover - 2

C

BD

FS

C

Smash

•With RB up the seam or without

•Read safety on the hash

H R

10 yds

22 yds

5 yds

QB

vs. Cover - 2

C

BD

FS

C

HI- LO

•Read rolled up CB for Flat or Deep out

•vs. man – look to RB

H R

15 yds 15 yds

QB

vs. Cover - 2

C

B D

FS

C

Zig-Zag with motion•Read rolled up CB for Zig-Zag or flair

• vs. man – RB is a good choice

H R

QB

vs. Cover - 2

C

BD

FS

C

Cross - Wheel

•Read under to Dig

•Catch FS Jumping Dig – you got wheel

H R

Rub

QB

COVER 1 – FREE MAN

CB

SS

FS

C

STRENGTHS:

•Help in middle of field

•Tight Coverage

•Pass Rush

WEAKNESS:•No Underneath Help

•Crossing Routes•Pick Routes•Breaking Routes

•Play Action Pass

Cover 1 – Man Free

QB

vs. Cover 1 - Man Free

CB D

FS

C

1. 3 Step Game

2. Verticals

3. Crossing Routes

4. Sprint-out Comeback - Flag

H R

QB

0 COVERAGE - MAN

C B

SS FS

C

STRENGTHS:

•Pass Rush - Pressure Defense

•Can Rush 6 – Blitz Package

•Tight Coverage

WEAKNESS:

•No Underneath Help

•Crossing Routes

•Pick Routes

•Breaking Routes

•No one in middle of field – Deep Post

0 - Man

Cover 0 – ManFull Blitz inside or outside

0 – Man Outside Pressure

1. 3 Step game

2. Quick Running Game

0 – Man Inside Pressure

1. Sprint – Out Game

2. 3 Step Game – Protect A-Gap out

Start from a base package on how to read and attack

coverages…….

And You Will Be Successful!

THE END

JIM CANTAFIO

Director of Susquehanna Valley Sports717-468-7185

SVSSPORTS.COM