3yardsandacloud
Administrator Emeritus
Basics of the Secondary for the Armchair Quarterback
written by osugrad21 graphics by Clarity (5/30/2004)
The following is a very basic breakdown of secondary coverages used in a 4-3 defense. Nothing grates my nerves more than an analyst using jargon/shop talk while breaking down a play during a game. Most of the viewing population is not familiar with the intricacies of the game of football, but most analysts blather on and on assuming that every armchair quarterback is familiar with the terminology used by coaches and players. Hopefully, this short breakdown will help clear up the secondary coverages which are commonly referred to during a typical broadcast. Remember, this is a bare and very basic breakdown. Every defensive scheme has different check-outs and mixed coverages in place, but this analysis should at least give you an idea of what is being discussed.
Cover 1: Cover 1 is your basic Man-to-Man. In this coverage, the cornerbacks are responsible for the widest eligible receivers in the formation. In a double tight-end, wishbone backfield formation, the corners would lock up on the tight ends. However, in a Pro Set, the corners would be responsible for the flanker and split end respectively. The strong saftey will always play the second receiver on the strong side. In a Pro Set, this would be the tight end, but in a Slot/Twins set, the SS would play the inside receiver while the backside cornerback locks up on the TE or Split End. The free safety and linebackers are always responsible for the backs coming out of the backfield in your non-spread offensive sets, but the rules of the lockup will change with the blitz called. (Also known as Cover 0)
Cover 2: Cover 2 is a Two-Deep Zone Coverage. In Cover 2, a defense will have 5 defenders playing underneath while the safeties are responsible for their deep half of the field. The corners will play the flats. This area is usually considered six yards off of the line of scrimmage (LOS) to twenty yards deep. This coverage allows the corners to jump on the quick out routes with confidence that the safety is coming over the top for support. The outside linebackers (Sam & Will) play the curl zones which run from two yards outside of the end man on the LOS to two yards inside of the wide receiver. The middle linebacker (Mike) plays the hook zone which is essentially two yards outside of the end man on the LOS on either side. The hook/curl zones again run six to twenty yards deep.
Cover 3: Cover 3 is a Three-Deep Zone where the field is divided into thirds to be played by the corners and free safety. The corners play hashmark to sideline and the free is responsible for the deep middle. The strong safety will creep up on the strong side of the offensive formation to line up a yard or two behind the linebackers. He is responsible for the flats to his side. The Will LB will play flats to his side while Mike and Sam cover the hook/curl zones.
Cover 4: Cover 4, as you are probably catching onto by now, simply divides the field into quarters. The corners and safeties are responsible for one-fourth of the deep zone. The Sam and Will linebackers will cover the flats while the Mike linebacker is responsible for all traffic coming underneath.
Cover 5: Cover 5 is another Man-to-Man defense similar to Cover 1. However, Cover 5 is called "Man Free" due to the fact that the free safety does not have a locked responsibility. He is free to play centerfield and flow into the deep zone to give help over the top. (Also known as Cover 1 if Cover 1 is known as Cover 0)
written by osugrad21 graphics by Clarity (5/30/2004)
The following is a very basic breakdown of secondary coverages used in a 4-3 defense. Nothing grates my nerves more than an analyst using jargon/shop talk while breaking down a play during a game. Most of the viewing population is not familiar with the intricacies of the game of football, but most analysts blather on and on assuming that every armchair quarterback is familiar with the terminology used by coaches and players. Hopefully, this short breakdown will help clear up the secondary coverages which are commonly referred to during a typical broadcast. Remember, this is a bare and very basic breakdown. Every defensive scheme has different check-outs and mixed coverages in place, but this analysis should at least give you an idea of what is being discussed.
Cover 1: Cover 1 is your basic Man-to-Man. In this coverage, the cornerbacks are responsible for the widest eligible receivers in the formation. In a double tight-end, wishbone backfield formation, the corners would lock up on the tight ends. However, in a Pro Set, the corners would be responsible for the flanker and split end respectively. The strong saftey will always play the second receiver on the strong side. In a Pro Set, this would be the tight end, but in a Slot/Twins set, the SS would play the inside receiver while the backside cornerback locks up on the TE or Split End. The free safety and linebackers are always responsible for the backs coming out of the backfield in your non-spread offensive sets, but the rules of the lockup will change with the blitz called. (Also known as Cover 0)
Cover 2: Cover 2 is a Two-Deep Zone Coverage. In Cover 2, a defense will have 5 defenders playing underneath while the safeties are responsible for their deep half of the field. The corners will play the flats. This area is usually considered six yards off of the line of scrimmage (LOS) to twenty yards deep. This coverage allows the corners to jump on the quick out routes with confidence that the safety is coming over the top for support. The outside linebackers (Sam & Will) play the curl zones which run from two yards outside of the end man on the LOS to two yards inside of the wide receiver. The middle linebacker (Mike) plays the hook zone which is essentially two yards outside of the end man on the LOS on either side. The hook/curl zones again run six to twenty yards deep.
Cover 3: Cover 3 is a Three-Deep Zone where the field is divided into thirds to be played by the corners and free safety. The corners play hashmark to sideline and the free is responsible for the deep middle. The strong safety will creep up on the strong side of the offensive formation to line up a yard or two behind the linebackers. He is responsible for the flats to his side. The Will LB will play flats to his side while Mike and Sam cover the hook/curl zones.
Cover 4: Cover 4, as you are probably catching onto by now, simply divides the field into quarters. The corners and safeties are responsible for one-fourth of the deep zone. The Sam and Will linebackers will cover the flats while the Mike linebacker is responsible for all traffic coming underneath.
Cover 5: Cover 5 is another Man-to-Man defense similar to Cover 1. However, Cover 5 is called "Man Free" due to the fact that the free safety does not have a locked responsibility. He is free to play centerfield and flow into the deep zone to give help over the top. (Also known as Cover 1 if Cover 1 is known as Cover 0)
Last edited by a moderator: