These
two Coverages are two schemes many high schools use to play pass
defense with four DB’s. This will barely scratch the surface of the
“Tampa 2” played so well in the NFL right now, or other options
in various Cover 2 schemes. These Coverages can be played so many
different ways and welcome any questions on these variables.
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Read more after the jump...
Cover
2
The
coverage number mirrors the number of DB’s in deep coverage. So
this is a “two deep” coverage. This coverage is played with four
DB’s playing zones. The two safeties are each responsible for deep
coverage on their half of the field. In a traditional Cover 2, the
corners are walked up closer to the line of scrimmage at 6-8 yards
deep, allowing them to provide immediate run support if action comes
their way.
In
its most basic form, Cover 2 can be a very effective defense against
the running game. I’ll start with the corners. While their
alignment can vary depending on the offense’s tendencies, many DC’s
use the term “squat
corners”. This means they
are aligned much closer to the No. 1 receiver to their side, and they
squat in the flat if the No. 1 receiver runs a deep route. The
corners often align only a few yards off the receiver, and either on
his outside shoulder or one yard outside of him. Against the pass,
they cover the flat but also protect against the corner route buying
time for the safety to come over the top. Many times they are taught
to punish the No. 1 receiver using a “Jam” as he leaves the line
of scrimmage, forcing him to the inside. The area 15 to 20 yards from
the line of scrimmage down each sideline is called the “void”. In
a traditional Cover 2, if a receiver gets a free release to the
outside and runs a quick fade route, it is nearly impossible for the
safety to make the play in time. Funneling the receiver to the inside
takes away this Reception Area, and makes things a lot easier on the
safety. When you see a corner get a crushing hit on a back out of the
backfield, or a TE or slot receiver running a quick out, it is
usually due to his position in Cover 2.
The
responsibilities of the corners are basic. They have their eyes in
the backfield, reading their keys and the QB flow with the ball.
Against option teams, they go through a series of reads, not unlike a
QB. Without getting too detailed, if they see a running play coming
their way, they attack the deepest back immediately. The corner would
be responsible for the pitch on an option play or the running back on
a toss sweep while maintaining outside-in leverage and keeping their
outside arm free and keeping contain. It’s a great way to get
another run support player coming from a new angle, hopefully
confusing the offensive blocking scheme.
As
far as the safeties are concerned, they align approximately 10-12
yards off the line of scrimmage. They are often taught to line up as
far inside as they can, as long as they can still cover the #1
receiver on a quick fade route. They play pass first, and have a lot
of ground to cover. The safeties read the QB, and cannot let any
receiver get behind them.
As
I said earlier, the “Tampa 2” and most of the Cover 2 we see
watching college football is played at a much more complex level.
Inside LB’s run like madmen underneath TE vertical routes, forcing
the QB to put air under the ball and giving their safeties time to
fly to the ball to make plays. Corners have various additional
responsibilities as well, mostly in the passing game.
While
the linebackers are usually responsible for the underneath zones (the
“hook” and “curl” zones), Cover 2 can also be played with a
“man under” scheme. This results in two deep players defending
the vertical routes, while each receiver is covered man to man by the
other defenders. The possibilities are endless, so I’ll stop here.
Strengths
of Cover 2
At
the high school level, Cover 2 takes away most of the short passing
routes. This is also true to a certain extent at the college level.
There is no cushion between the WR and the DB, so the slip screen or
bubble pass isn’t as attractive or effective. If taught in the
fashion I mentioned earlier, it can also be a strong run defense,
bringing another defender from a new angle. This is especially
effective if it is used in conjunction with other coverages,
confusing the offense by bringing defensive run support from multiple
angles. Cover 2 is very flexible, allowing for numerous looks and
adjustments.
Weaknesses
of Cover 2
Multiple
vertical routes by the receivers can spell doom for Cover 2. If both
WR’s run go routes up each sideline, the middle of the field can be
a playground for a TE or slot receiver running up the seam. The
complex Cover 2 coverages run by colleges and pros have answers for
this, but at the HS level, it is difficult to defend. In these
advanced Cover 2 schemes, the safeties have various run
responsibilities. Play action passes can catch a safety cheating up
to stop the run, and the rest is history.
Cover
2 Invert
If
a HS defense plays Cover 2, they most likely have Cover 2 Invert as a
complimentary coverage. The responsibilities of the corners and
safeties are exchanged, but it’s more complicated than it sounds.
Now
the Corners have deep ½ coverage responsibility on their side of the
field. They allow a much bigger cushion off the #1 receiver to their
side, as they now need to be able to cover the deepest man in their
zone. They are focused on the passing game, and will need to slow
play any run support to their side of the field, guarding against
play action, or dare I say it, the dreaded halfback pass. Creep
slowly out then burst to your landmark at the snap of the ball. Level
off and read your keys and the QBs “Off Hand” for pass direction.
The
safeties in Cover 2 Invert play what is often called “Robber”
technique. This can be done numerous ways. Some are taught to read
the #2 receiver to their side of the field, or if only one receiver
exists, read the block of the tackle. Others are taught to read the
backfield action or the flow of the ball. To explain this easier,
let’s label the #2 receiver as the TE. If the safety is reading the
TE, some of his reads may include: TE blocks down, S runs the alley
immediately (S attacks the LOS just outside the tackle-box),
providing run support from the inside-out; TE drive blocks out, S
flies to C-gap (gap between TE & tackle) for run support; TE arc
blocks (tries to hook or reach the outside defender on the line of
scrimmage), S runs the alley, trying to scrape off the TEs rear end
to provide run support; TE releases on a vertical pass route, S
covers him man to man; TE releases into the flat on a pass route, S
looks to “rob” the #1 receiver, who is often running a slant
pattern back towards him (looking for the INT or a “light’s out”
hit); and there are more reads as well.
When
considering the safety away from the flow of the ball on a running
play, he is often taught to approach the line of scrimmage and take
away the cut-back alleys of the runner. To illustrate this, let’s
consider a basic toss sweep to the strong side of the field. In this
case, due to the TEs block, the safety nearest the play will attack
immediately, providing alley run support. The safety away from the
play will approach the line of scrimmage from the backside, scraping
down the line like a linebacker, guarding against cutback.
This
can be a very complicated coverage package, but it is extremely
flexible and goes hand in hand with the traditional Cover 2.
Strengths
of Cover 2 Invert
ND’s
No. 9 is a poster boy for this coverage. Having a safety attacking
the running game helps to shut down the running lanes. When used in
conjunction with Cover 2, defensive run support comes from different
angles, confusing the blocking schemes. If played correctly, the
safeties also are available to help with vertical routes. A
sure-tackling, hard nosed safety can fill up a highlight reel in
Cover 2 Invert.
Weaknesses
of Cover 2 Invert
Incorrect
reads by the safeties can lead to disaster. At the HS level, the
quick passing game can dink and dunk in the flat. Most importantly,
the reads by the safety take a lot of time and effort to master. I
can’t stress this enough. In a perfect world, the front seven (or 8
in a 4-4 or 5-3 defense) would stop the run, leaving pass defense as
the DB’s only concern. Unfortunately, this is rarely the case in
high school, and nearly impossible to achieve at the college level.
Play action passing can fool the Safeties. You’ve all seen TEs and
slot receivers block down for an instant, then release into their
pass routes. This is done to give the defenders a “false key”,
leading them expect a running play. Some TEs even dive to the ground,
whiffing at the defender on purpose, then escape to the flat or curl
zone. These people obviously have no self-respect, and should be
immediately flogged for their impertinence.
Have a Bad Day All Day!!!
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