Director of Susquehanna Valley Sports 717-468-7185 SVSSPORTS.COM Game Plan vs.

Cover 0-1-2-3

JIM CANTAFIO

vs. Cover 0 Cover 1 Cover 2 Cover 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 Safetys 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.

BOX

10 yds

10 yds

QB

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

COVER 3 THREE DEEP

FS
C

C
STRENGTHS:

3-Deep Secondary
Run Support WEAKNESS: Curl Flat Area

SS

Flood Routs
Four Verticals Middle of the Field Short Game

QB

Routes vs. Cover 3

Can be called in huddle or on the L.O.S. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 3 Step Passing Game Bubble Screen Verticals Curl Flat Combination Sprint out Game

3 Step Create 2 on 1
vs. Cover - 3
FS

C 5 yds H B D R

C 5 yds

QB

Quick out- Hitch Combo You have a 2 on 1 strong and weak

vs. Cover - 3
FS

5 yds

5 yds

QB

All Hitch Combo

You have A 2 on 1 Strong

vs. Cover - 3
FS

C H B D R

QB

Bubble Screen
Read R or H Crack on Base

vs. Cover - 3
FS

C H B D R

verticals
Read FS 2 on 1 vs. FS Use multiple formations Automatic call when ball is in the middle of field

QB

vs. Cover - 3
FS C 12 yds C 8 yds H B D R 5 yds

QB

Curl Flat Combo

Read Strong or weak for 2 on 1

vs. Cover - 3
FS C 10 yds R

C 12
10

5yds

QB

Sprint out, Comeback Flag Combo Read R. for Comeback or Flag sit down

COVER 2 TWO DEEP

FS SS
C B

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

QB

Cover 2 - Zone

Cover 2 - Man

vs. Cover - 2
C FS

QB

Fade
Read Safety on the hash

vs. Cover - 2
22 yds C 10 yds H 5 yds D B FS

Smash
With RB up the seam or without Read safety on the hash

QB

vs. Cover - 2
C FS 15 yds

15 yds

QB

HI- LO
Read rolled up CB for Flat or Deep out vs. man look to RB

vs. Cover - 2
C FS

QB

Zig-Zag with motion

Read rolled up CB for Zig-Zag or flair vs. man RB is a good choice

vs. Cover - 2
C FS Rub B H D

QB

Cross - Wheel
Read under to Dig Catch FS Jumping Dig you got wheel

COVER 1 FREE MAN

FS

SS
STRENGTHS:

Help in middle of field

Tight Coverage Pass Rush WEAKNESS: No Underneath Help Crossing Routes Pick Routes Breaking Routes Play Action Pass

B C C

QB

Cover 1 Man Free

vs. Cover 1 - Man Free

FS

QB

1. 3 Step Game 2. Verticals 3. Crossing Routes 4. Sprint-out Comeback - Flag

0 COVERAGE - MAN

STRENGTHS: Pass Rush - Pressure Defense

SS

FS B

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

QB

0 - Man

Cover 0 Man
Full Blitz inside or outside

0 Man Outside Pressure

0 Man Inside Pressure

1. 3 Step game 2. Quick Running Game

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 Sports 717-468-7185 SVSSPORTS.COM