Chalk Talk – Coverages

With the season getting closer, this week’s discussion will build off our previous article on defensive backs.

Play calls on defense are very different from those coming from the offensive booth. When a coach calls an offensive play, it’s structured to happen regardless of the defense’s formations. The Power can be blocked against a 3 man or 4 man front out of any formation (unless there is a pre game decision on an audible).

Defensive calls, however, change and evolve as a defense reacts to formations and motions from the offense. For instance, some defenses will call “Mad-Dog Zero” as their play. This means that the defense will be running a “Mad-Dog Blitz” with a “Zero” coverage behind it. With the play already called, the offensive formation will be what aligns the defense. A ‘Three Technique’ (defensive tackle) will most often times align with the running back, forcing him to change sides of the defense on any given play.

Cover 0

A Cover 0 play call is where there is no help over the top (deep). Every defender is either locked up in man coverage or is blitzing. The Cover 0 is, typically, a high risk – high reward situation. If it’s a passing play and one defender is beaten by a downfield route…touchdown. In the run game, if one defender is out of position there will be a huge running lane.

Obviously, this coverage isn’t used frequently, but it does have advantages. By freeing up more pass rushers, the defense will be able to put more pressure on a throwing quarterback. And, with fewer defenders dropping into coverage the blitzes can be much more complex (fig 1).

Cover 1

A Cover 1 leaves the free safety deep to serve as the ‘last line of defense’. The Cover 1 works best when facing a physical run game and therefore it is not particularly common in today’s game of football (due to the increases in passing plays). Generally speaking, Cover 1 allows for a mix of both zone and man coverage (fig 2). These different coverages can be an effective way to confuse offenses. A dominant safety is key to a successful Cover 1.

Cover 2

The Cover 2 is the most common defensive coverage because it allows two safeties to cover either half of the deep field. Cover 2 also allows a defense to use either zone coverage or man coverage underneath (fig’s 3 & 4).

***** Cover 3

Cover 3 is most often times saved for passing or two-minute drill situations. Cover 3 allows defenses to not only have more protection deep downfield but it also allows a defense to ‘roll’ coverage. When a defense is static before the play, a quarterback can get a better pre-snap read, making it easier for him to anticipate which receivers will be open. A defense, however, will disguise the coverage and ‘roll’ into it at the snap (fig 6).

Cover 4

Essentially, the Cover 4 is saved for long yardage situations. This coverage ensures a lot of help down field and almost guarantees that the defense won’t be beaten over the top (fig 7).