FIELD IDENTIFICATION

“BACK PYLON” “ENDLINE”

END ZONE
“GOALLINE” “FRONT PYLON”
G

G
“NUMBERS” “HASH”
10

10
TOP INSIDE

BOTTOM OUTSIDE
20

20
ABOVE

BELOW

“DIMENSIONS”

53 1/3 YARDS

9 YDS
30

30

8.8 YDS 6 YDS

-3-

17.8 YARDS 17.8 YARDS 17.8 YARDS

40

40

BALL LOCATION
Short Side Wide Side

“BOUNDARY” “FIELD”
 TECHNIQUE RECOGNITION

GAPS

BACKSIDE PLAYSIDE

TE T G C G T TE
4 3 2 1 A B C D

DEFENSIVE LINE ALIGNMENTS

0 2 4 6
1 2i 3 4i 5 6i 7

TE T G C G T TE

LINE BACKER ALIGNMENTS

10 20i 30 40i 50 60i 70

00 20 40 60

TE T G C G T TE
 ALLEY ACCESS
THE ALLEY IS THE AREA BETWEEN THE SINGLE WR AND THE LAST MAN ON THE LOS. THE ALLEY
EXTENDS LEGNTH WISE FROM THE SINGLE WR TO THE LAST MAN ON THE LOS, AND VERTICALLY
FROM THE LOS TO EIGHT YARDS DEEP. WE REFERENCE THE ALLEY AS EITHER BEING CLEAN OR DIRTY
DETERMINING THIS HELPS US DETERMINE IF WE WANT TO THROW THE ACCESS/RPO ROUTE THAT IS
ATTACHED WITH OUR INTERIOR RUN GAME.

CLEAN: MEANS THAT THERE IS NO DEFENDER SITTING IN THE ALLEY ON THE SNAP OF THE BALL.
- BE AWARE OF ANY DEFENDER NEAR THE ALLEY WHO MIGHT BUZZ INTO ON THE SNAP

DIRTY: MEANS THAT THERE IS A DEFENDER SITTING IN THE ALLEY ON THE SNAP OF THE BALL.

CLEAN ALLEY
CB

LB

WR

QB

DIRTY ALLEY
CB

B LB

WR

QB
 IDENTIFYING THE FRONT
ALL DEFENSIVE FRONTS FIT INTO ONE OF FOUR CATEGORIES. THERE CAN BE SLIGHT VARIATIONS
WITHIN EACH OF THESE FAMILIES BUT THE CORE IDENTIFYING FEATURES WILL BE THERE. WE DIVIDE
THE FRONT INTO TWO SECTIONS, THE FIRST BEING THE DEFENSIVE LINE, THE SECOND BEING THE
LINEBACKERS. THESE WORDS REFER TO THE CORE SIX BOX DEFENDERS.

ODD: ANY DEFENSE WHERE THE CENTER HAS A DEFENDER DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF HIM ON THE LOS
EVEN: ANY DEFENSE WHERE THERE IS NO DEFENDER DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE CENTER

STACK: ANY DEFENSE WHERE A LINEBACKER IS ALIGNED DIRECTLY OVER THE CENTER
SPLIT: ANY DEFENSE WHERE THERE IS NO LINEBACKER DIRECTLY OVER THE CENTER

*ALL EXAMPLES SHOWN VS 10 PERSONNEL*

EVEN SPLIT EVEN SPLIT

W M W M

R N T E R N T E

EVEN STACK EVEN STACK

W M W M

R N T E R N T E

ODD SPLIT ODD SPLIT

R W M W M

T N E R T N E

ODD STACK ODD STACK

R W M R W M

T N E T N E
 EDGE PRESSURE ISSUES
THE RIFLE AND BULLET CONCEPTS ARE USED IN ZONE BASED BLOCKING SCHEMES. RIFLE AND
BULLET ALERTS THE OFFENSIVE LINE AND THE QUARTERBACK TO THE PRESENCE OF EDGE
PRESSURE. BOTH THE OFFENSIVE LINE AND THE QUARTERBACK HAVE TO BE ALERT TO THE RIFLE
AND THE BULLET AS THESE ARE DANGEROUS TO THE INTEGRITY OF THE SCHEME.

BULLET: MEANS THE PRESENCE OF A DEFENDER THAT IS ALREADY ACCOUNTED FOR IN THE
BLOCKING SCHEME HAS ALIGNED TO APPLY EDGE PRESSURE. THE SCHEME REMAINS INTACT AND
THE TECHNIQUE CHANGES.

RIFLE: MEANS THE PRESENCE OF A DEFENDER THAT IS NOT ALREADY ACCOUNTED FOR IN THE
BLOCKING SCHEME HAS ALIGNED TO APPLY EDGE PRESSURE. THE SCHEME WILL BE ALTERED AND
NEW RULES APPLY.

RED 2 BUBBLE BULLET

IN THE EXAMPLE TO THE LEFT THE MIKE IS
ALIGNED AS A BULLET TO THE FIELD.
WE SHOULD BE THINKING THAT THE FIELD DL
B F WILL BE SLANTING AWAY FROM THE BULLET
C
C W $
R N T E M VERSUS A BULLET WE MAKE A “FAN” CALL
1
2 3
4 - FAN EFFECTS THE PLAYSIDE OF THE OL
“FAN”

0 Q

RED 2 BUBBLE RIFLE

IN THE EXAMPLE TO THE LEFT THE STRONG
SAFETY IS ALIGNED AS A RIFLE TO THE FIELD.
WE SHOULD BE THINKING THAT THE FIELD DL
B WILL BE SLANTING AWAY FROM THE RIFLE
C
C W M F
R T N E $
1
2 3
4 VERSUS A RIFLE WE MAKE AN “OUT” CALL
“OUT”
- OUT EFFECTS THE ENTIRE OL
0 Q - THE DEFENSE WILL HAVE A FREE HITTER
 DEFENSIVE LINE STUNTS
DEFENSIVE LINE STUNTS ARE BROKEN DOWN INTO FOUR CATEGORIES…

EXTERIOR STUNT: TAKES PLACE BETWEEN TWO DEFENSIVE LINEMEN ON ONE SIDE OF THE BALL

INTERIOR STUNT: TAKES PLACE BETWEEN THE TWO INTERIOR DEFENSIVE LINEMEN

HALF LINE STUNT: TAKES PLACE BETWEEN THREE DEFENSIVE LINEMEN ON ONE SIDE OF THE BALL

FULL LINE STUNT: TAKES PLACE BETWEEN THE ENTIRE DEFENSIVE LINE
A COMBO STUNT IS ANY TWO EXTERIOR STUNTS TOGETHER (R/N– T/E SHOWN BELOW)

*FIRST LETTER IS THE PICK MAN (GOES 1ST), SECOND MAN IS THE LOOPER (GOES 2ND), IF THERE IS A 3RD MAN HE IS THE LOOPER*

N/R R/N T/E E/T

R N R N T E T E
TE TE

N/T T/N INNIE OUTTIE

N T N T N T N T

R/T/N N/T/R T/E/N N/T/E

R T N R T N N T E N T E
TE TE

SLANT ANGLE R/N – T/E

SLANT TO STRENGTH ANGLE AWAY FROM STRENGTH

R N T E R N T E R N T E
TE TE TE
 BLITZ IDENTIFICATION
BLITZES ARE BROKEN DOWN INTO CATEGORIES BASED ON THE LOCATION OF THE FIELD THAT THE
BLITZ COMES FROM, WE IDENTIFY THESE BLITZES AS SINGLE-MAN BLITZES, INSIDE LINEBACKER
BLITZES, OUTSIDE LINEBACKER BLITEZ, FIELD BLITZES, BOUNDARY BLITZES, AND CORNER BLITZES .
IF THERE IS A SINGLE MAN BLITZING HE WILL BE IDENTIFIED BY HIS POSTION AND THE GAP THAT HE
IS BLITZING (EX MIKE-A, MIKE-C, MIKE-2, ETC), IF THERE ARE TWO DEFENDERS BLITZING THAT DO
NOT FIT INTO ONE OF OUR “BLITZ FAMILIES” LISTED ABOVE THAN WE WILL IDENTIFY BOTH BLITZERS
POSITION AND THE GAP THEY ARE BLITZING (EX MIKE-A/WILL-3).
ILB BLITZES: GUN THEMED (AMMO/BULLET, ETC)
OLB BLITZES: SAW (S for STRONG SAFETY, W for WILL BACKER)
FIELD BLITZES: START WITH THE LETTER ‘F’ (FALCON/FLUSH)
BOUNDARY BLITZES: START WITH THE LETTER ‘B’ (BUZZARD/BLUSH)
CORNER BLITZES: START WITH THE LETTER ‘C’ (CAT/CHEETAH)

SINGLE BLITZ SAW INNIE SAW OUTTIE

W M

TE
W $ W $
TE TE
WILL-3 MIKE-A

BULLETS AMMO AMMO X

W M W M W M

TE TE TE

FALCON FALCON X FALCON INSIDE

W M $ W M W M $

R T N E R T N E $ R T N E
TE TE TE

BUZZARD BUZZARD X BUZZARD INSIDE

M $ M $ W M $

WR N T E WR N T E R N T E
TE TE TE
 BLITZ IDENTIFICATION CONT.
BLITZES ARE BROKEN DOWN INTO CATEGORIES BASED ON THE LOCATION OF THE FIELD THAT THE
BLITZ COMES FROM, WE IDENTIFY THESE BLITZES AS SINGLE-MAN BLITZES, INSIDE LINEBACKER
BLITZES, OUTSIDE LINEBACKER BLITEZ, FIELD BLITZES, BOUNDARY BLITZES, AND CORNER BLITZES .
IF THERE IS A SINGLE MAN BLITZING HE WILL BE IDENTIFIED BY HIS POSTION AND THE GAP THAT HE
IS BLITZING (EX MIKE-A, MIKE-C, MIKE-2, ETC), IF THERE ARE TWO DEFENDERS BLITZING THAT DO
NOT FIT INTO ONE OF OUR “BLITZ FAMILIES” LISTED ABOVE THAN WE WILL IDENTIFY BOTH BLITZERS
POSITION AND THE GAP THEY ARE BLITZING (EX MIKE-A/WILL-3).
ILB BLITZES: GUN THEMED (AMMO/BULLET, ETC)
OLB BLITZES: SAW (S for STRONG SAFETY, W for WILL BACKER)
FIELD BLITZES: START WITH THE LETTER ‘F’ (FALCON/FLUSH)
BOUNDARY BLITZES: START WITH THE LETTER ‘B’ (BUZZARD/BLUSH)
CORNER BLITZES: START WITH THE LETTER ‘C’ (CAT/CHEETAH)

FLUSH FLUSH INSIDE FLUSH INSIDE X

F F F

W M W M $ W M $
$
R T N E R T N E R T N E
TE TE TE

BLUSH BLUSH INSIDE BLUSH INSIDE X

B B B

M $ W M $ W M $

WR N T E R N T E R N T E
TE TE TE

CAT CHEETAH

W M $ M $
C R N T EC WR N T E
TE TE
 CB D.E.L.
OFF I/S

CB CB

CLOUD H/U

CB CB

PRESS O/S

CB CB

WR WR

BALL BALL

DEPTH LEVERAGE
PRESS: CB is between 0-4 Yards off of the LOS OUTSIDE: CB is aligned Outside of the WR
Typically seen in Man Coverage or Cover 2. Typically seen in Coverages where the CB is
- Can also be seen on Press/Bail Coverages trying to funnel the WR to his support
Press CB’s are typically going to try and be - Cover 1 or Cover 2
physical and Re-Route the WR off of the LOS.
HEAD UP: CB is aligned In Front of the WR
CLOUD: CB is between 4-7 Yards off of the LOS Typically used as a means to disguise
Typically used as a means to ‘hide’ the coverage. leverage/coverage. Can be used in any coverage.
The CB is trying to align at a depth that wont tell Depth + Leverage will give you more info.
us what the Coverage is pre-snap.
INSIDE: CB is aligned Inside of the WR
OFF: CB is off of the LOS by more than 7 Yards Typically seen in Coverages where the defense is
Typically seen in Coverages where the CB is vulnerable in the Seams or to inside routes
playing a Deep Zone (Cover 3 or 4). - Cover 3 or Cover 4
- Can also be seen in “Catch Man”

EYES
ON THE WR ON THE QB
If the CB’s eyes are on the WR than it is usually If the CB’s eyes are on the QB than it is usually a
some type of Man Coverage some type of Zone Coverage
- Man Defenders react off of their Man - Zone Defenders react off of the QB’s eyes
* In Pattern Match Coverages the Defenders will
have their eyes on an Inside WR
 SAFETY STRUCTURES
WE CAN FIT THE STRUCTURE OF THE SAFETIES INTO ONE OF FOUR FAMILIES (0/1/2/2 TILT). THE
STRUCTURE OF THE SAFETIES HELPS GIVE US AN IDEA OF THE COVERAGE (ALONG WITH THE
TECHNIQUE OF THE CORNERS). SAFETIES GIVE US OUR PRIMARY INDICATOR OF COVERAGE, WE
WANT TO READ THE TRIANGLE (THE THREE SAFETIES).
- A TRUE “THREE SAFETY” DEEP DEFENSE WILL BE ID’d INDEPENDENT FROM OUR FOUR FAMILIES

“CORNERS LIE, SAFETIES TELL THE TRUTH”

0: NO SAFETIES DEEP (7 YARDS OR UNDER)

COVER 0, COULD POSSIBLY BE 2 READ

1: 1 SAFETY SITTING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FIELD

COVER 1, COVER 3, POSSIBLE COVER 9

2: 2 SAFETIES SITTING ON/NEAR THE HASHES

COVER 2, COVER 4, COVER 6, 2 READ

2 TILT: 2 SAFETIES SITTING ON/NEAR THE HASHES WITH ONE SAFETY HIGHER THAN THE OTHER
ROLLING TO 1 HI COVERAGES (COVER 1/3/9)
SAFETIES CAN ROLL TO THE FIELD OR BOUNDARY

0 HI SAFETIES 2 HI SAFETIES

B F
C B F C
W M $ C W M $ C

1 4 1 4
2 3 2 3

0 Q 0 Q

1 HI SAFETY 2 HI SAFETIES TILTED

F B
F
C C
B W M $ C W M $ C

1 4 1 4
2 3 2 3

0 Q 0 Q
 KEYING THE BOUNDARY SAFETY

COVER 4
COVER 2
COVER 3
COVER 3 CLOUD

COVER 4 SOLO
B

COVER 3 SKY
COVER 3 BUZZ
COVER 2 INVERT

PRE-SNAP WE WANT TO ID THE STRUCTURE OF THE SAFETIES, AND THE D.E.L. OF THE CB’S TO GIVE
US A PRE-SNAP IDEA OF WHAT THE COVERAGE MIGHT BE.
- USE THE PRE-SNAP PICTURE TO MAKE OUR PROBABLY CALL

POST-SNAP WE WANT TO KEY THE BOUNDARY SAFETIES MOVEMENT TO CONFIRM OUR PRE-SNAP
THOUGHTS.

BASED ON FILM STUDY AND GAMEPLAN WE CAN NARROW DOWN THE DIFFERENT MOVEMENTS
THAT WE EXPECT TO SEE FROM THE BOUNDARY SAFETY WITHIN A CERTAIN WEEK.

IF WE ARE EVER UNSURE ABOUT THE PRE-SNAP PICTURE, THE POST-SNAP MOVEMENT OF THE
BOUNDARY SAFETY SHOULD CLEAR THINGS UP.

“READING THE SPOKE”

EACH OF THE POST-SNAP MOVEMENT OPTIONS OF THE SAFETIES NARROWS DOWN THE COVERAGE
POSSIBILITIES. CERTAIN DROPS OF THE SAFETIES CORRESPOND TO CERTAIN COVERAGE FAMILIES
(THERE ARE MORE COVERAGE OPTIONS THAN WHAT ARE LISTED ABOVE, BUT THE MOVEMENT OF
THE SAFETY SHOULD GIVE US AN IDEA OF THE COVERAGE FAMILY). AGAIN, WE SHOULD KNOW
WHAT COVERAGES WE ARE GOING TO SEE BASED OFF OF GAMEPLAN, BUT IF WE SEE ANYTHING
THAT WE WERE NOT ANTICIPATING ”READ THE SPOKE” TO TRY AND DETERMINE WHAT YOU ARE
SEEING.
 QB READ KEYS (DL)
WHEN READING THE DEFENSIVE END IN THE RUN OPTION PHASE OF OUR RUN GAME WE CAN
DETERMINE THE DEFENSIVE END’s TECHNIQUE BY ONE OF THREE THINGS HE WILL DO…

UPFIELD: DEFENSIVE END RUSHES STRAIGHT UPFIELD

SHUFFLE: DEFENSIVE END SHUFFLES DOWN THE LOS BUT KEEPS HIS SHOULDERS SQUARE
CRASH: DEFENSIVE END RUNS FLAT DOWN THE FEET OF THE OL

WE HAVE TWO TYPES OF READS ON THE DEFENSIVE END…

REGULAR: RB IS THE DOWNHILL RUNNER, QB IS THE PERIMETER RUNNER

USED ON (Inside Zone, Outside Zone, Counter Trey, Dart)
INVERTED: RB IS THE PERIMETER RUNNER, QB IS THE DOWNHILL RUNNER
USED ON (Power Read, BASH Tags)

*WHEN IN DOUBT, GIVE IT OUT*

REGULAR READ
DE UPFIELD = GIVE DE SHUFFLES= GIVE DE CRASHES= KEEP

E E E

Q Q Q
RB RB RB

INVERTED READ
DE UPFIELD = KEEP DE SHUFFLES= GIVE DE CRASHES= GIVE

E E E

RB RB RB
Q Q Q
 COVER 0

C B F C
W M $

1 4
2 3

Q 0

DESCRIPTION/OVERVIEW
0 DEEP, 0 UNDER
- CORNERS MAN ON OWR
- SAFETIES MAN ON IWR
- ONE OF THE APEX DEFENDERS TAKES THE BACK (COULD ALSO MAN THE BACK WITH THE MIKE)
*DEFENSES UTILIZE THIS COVERAGE TO SEND PRESSURE AND STOP THE RUN*

VARIATIONS AREAS TO ATTACK

CATCH 0 0 THIEF 1) DEEP
PRESS 0 0 DBL THIEF 2) QUICK ROUTES VS OFF COVERAGE

DEFENSIVE INDICATORS WAYS TO ATTACK

NO DEEP DEFENDERS QK GAME – OUTS/SLANTS
CB’s ALIGNED INSIDE SHADE ON WR RUB ROUTES
SAF’s ALIGNED INSIDE SHADE ON WR DBL MOVES
DEFENSE OUT NUMBERS US IN THE BOX QK TRIPLES
SNAP OFF ROUTES
DROPBACK PASSES
- GO’s
- SEAM’s
- SLOT FADES
 COVER 0 VARIATIONS
CATCH 0 0 THIEF

MAN MAN MAN MAN

C B F C MAN MAN MAN MAN
BLITZ BLITZ MAN
MAN
W M $ C B W M $ F C

1 4 1 4
3 3
2 2

Q 0 Q 0

SAME AS REGULAR COVER 0 SAME AS REGULAR COVER 0

CB’s & SAF’s PLAY DEEP OFF OF THE LOS AND WILL WAIT INSTEAD OF SENDING A 6TH RUSHER THE DEFENSE WILL
TO ENGAGE THE WR WHEN THE WR REACHES THEM DROP A MAN INTO COVERAGE IN THE MIDDLE ZONE

PRESS 0 0 DBL THIEF

BLITZ BLITZ MAN MAN MAN MAN MAN MAN

MAN MAN
MAN
B W M $ $ MAN C B W M $ F C
C C
1 4 1 4
3 3
2 2

Q 0 Q 0

SAME AS REGULAR COVER 0 JUST LIKE COVER 0 THIEF

CB’s OR THE SAF’s WILL PRESS THE WR BUT NOW WITH TWO HOOK ZONE DROPPERS
 COVER 1

1/3

C B W M $ C

1 2 4
3

Q 0

DESCRIPTION/OVERVIEW
1 DEEP, 0 UNDER
- CORNERS MAN ON OWR
- SAFETIES MAN ON IWR/ 1 SAFETY DEEP PLAYING THE MIDDLE 1/3
- ONE OF THE MLB’s TAKES THE BACK/ THE OTHER BLITZES
*DEFENSES UTILIZE THIS COVERAGE TO SEND PRESSURE AND STOP THE RUN*

VARIATIONS AREAS TO ATTACK

1 ROBBER 1 BANJO 1) DEEP AND AWAY FROM SAFETY
1 THIEF 1 DBL ## 2) QUICK ROUTES VS OFF COVERAGE
3) SEAMS

DEFENSIVE INDICATORS WAYS TO ATTACK

ONE DEEP SAFETY SLANTS
CB’s ALIGNED OUTSIDE SHADE ON WR RUB ROUTES
APEX’s ALIGNED OUTSIDE SHADE ON WR DBL MOVES
QK TRIPLES
SNAP OFF ROUTES
RUN AWAY ROUTES
DROPBACK PASSES
- SEAM’s
EYES ON MAN - CORNER’s
 COVER 1 VARIATIONS
1 ROBBER 1 BANJO

F B
B

C W M $ C C W M $ F C

1 4 1 4
3 3
2 2

Q 0 Q 0

MAN COVERAGE WITH 1 SAFETY PLAYING MIDDLE 1/3 MAN COVERAGE WITH 1 SAFETY PLAYING MIDDLE 1/3
AND ANOTHER SAFETY PLAYING THE MIDDLE ZONE MIKE AND STRONG SAFETY READING THE RB
WHOEVER DOESN’T TAKE THE BACK BECOMES A THIEF

1 THIEF 1 DBL ##

$ F
B

C B W M F C C W M $ C

1 4 1 4
3 3
2 #

Q 0 Q 0

MAN COVERAGE WITH 1 SAFETY PLAYING MIDDLE 1/3 MAN COVERAGE WITH 1 SAFETY PLAYING MIDDLE 1/3
AND THE MLB OPPOSITE OF THE BACK PLAYING THE OTHER SAFETY WILL DBL A SPECIFIC RECEIVER
MIDDLE ZONE - THEY CAN DBL AN IWR OR AN OWR
 COVER 2

1/2 1/2

HOOK HOOK
FLAT MIDDLE FLAT
CURL CURL

DESCRIPTION/OVERVIEW
2 DEEP, 5 UNDER
- SAFETIES HAVE THE DEEP HALVES
- CORNERS HAVE THE FLATS, AND WILL FUNNEL THE OWR INSIDE TO THEIR HELP
- APEX DEFENDERS HAVE THE HOOK-CURL ZONE, THEY MIGHT CARRY AN IWR VERTICAL
- MLB HAS THE MIDDLE ZONE
*DEFENSES UTILIZE THIS COVERAGE TO STOP THE SHORT PASSING PASSING ATTACK*

VARIATIONS AREAS TO ATTACK

2 BASE 2 KICK RT/LT 1) MIDDLE
2 TAMPA 2 INVERT RT/LT 2) INTERMEDIATE OUTSIDE
2 MAN 2 DBL INVERT 3) RUN BOX
2 TRAP LT/RT (OR DBL) 4) UNDERNEATH DEEP DROPPERS (8-12YDS)

DEFENSIVE INDICATORS WAYS TO ATTACK

TWO DEEP SAFETIES DROPBACK PASSES:
- USUALLY ALIGNED OUTSIDE THE HASH - IN/OUT STRETCH ON THE APEX DEFENDER
- IN/OUT STRETCH ON THE SAFETY
CLOUD (OR PRESS) CORNERS - HI/LO STRETCH ON THE CB
- H/U OR O/S SHADE ON THE OWR - BENDERS THAT BREAK UNDER THE SAF
- POSTS/GLANCES TO ATTACK THE MOF
DEFENDERS HAVE EYES ON THE QB
 COVER 2 VARIATIONS
2 (BASE) TAMPA 2 INVERT RT

B F B F

C M C C C
W $ W M $

1 4 1 4
3 3
2 2

Q 0 Q 0

BASE COVER 2 REGULAR COVER 2

2 HI SHELL, SAFETIES WIDENING OFF THE HASH TO THE CALLSIDE THE SAFETY AND CB WILL SWAP JOBS
* TAMPA = MLB DROPPING TO PLAY THE MIDDLE 1/3 - CB HAS THE DEEP 1/2, SAF HAS THE FLATS

2 MAN 2 DBL INVERT

B F B F

MAN MAN
MAN MAN MAN
C C
C W M $ C W M $

1 4 1 4
3 3
2 2

Q 0 Q 0

MAN COVERAGE UNDERNEATH WITH SAFETIES PLAYING REGULAR COVER 2

OVER THE TOP IN THEIR 1/2’s WITH INVERT SAFETIES TO BOTH SIDES

2 TRAP LT 2 KICK RT
1/2 1/2

B F B
F
RL

E
CU

DL
K/

ID

C
O

M
HO

W M $ C FLAT W M $ O K /C
UR
L
C
HO
C
FLAT

2 4 2 4
1 3 1 3
“TRAP, TRAP”

Q 0 Q 0

REGULAR COVER 2, BUT THE BND CB WILL PLAY AN INSIDE CALLSIDE SAFETY WILL ROLL DOWN TO THE CURL ZONE
CLOUD TECHNIQUE. VS RUN THE BND CB WILL BE AN BACKSIDE SAFETY WILL ROLL OVER TO PLAY THE FAR 1/2
EXTRA FITTER, VS PASS HE WILL PLAY THE FLATS. UNDERNEATH ZONE DEFENDERS WILL SLIDE OVER A ZONE
 COVER 4

1/4 1/4 1/4 1/4

FLAT MIDDLE FLAT

DESCRIPTION/OVERVIEW
4 DEEP, 3 UNDER
- CORNERS AND SAFETIES DIVIDE THE BACK END OF THE COVERAGE INTO 1/4’s
- APEX DEFENDERS HAVE THE FLATS, AND WILL COLLISION THE RELEASE OF THE SLOTS
- MLB HAS THE MIDDLE ZONE
*DEFENSES UTILIZE THIS COVERAGE TO STOP THE DEEP PASSING ATTACK*

VARIATIONS AREAS TO ATTACK

4 PRESS 4 SOLO (3X1 ONLY) 1) FLATS
4 MAN 4 CLAMP (3X1 ONLY) 2) RUN BOX
3) UNDERNEATH DEEP DROPPERS (8-12YDS)
4) BETWEEN THE SAFETIES
5) INTERMEDIATE OUTSIDE

DEFENSIVE INDICATORS WAYS TO ATTACK

SAF’S & CB’S AROUND THE SAME DEPTH QK GAME – HITCHES/OUTS/SLANTS
- 8-12 YARDS OFF QK SCREENS – SMOKE & BUBBLE VARIATIONS

SAF’S & CB’S HEAD UP TO INSIDE LEVERAGE DROPBACK PASSES:

- HI/LO STRETCH ON THE SAF
DEFENDERS HAVE EYES ON THE QB - BENDERS THAT BREAK UNDER THE SAF
- SNAP OFF ROUTES VS THE CB
- QK ROUTES BETWEEN THE UNDER COVERAGE
 COVER 4 VARIATIONS
4 (BASE) 4 SOLO

C B F C B F C
MAN MAN

W M $ C W M $

1 4 1 4
3 2 3
2

Q 0 0 Q

BASE COVER 4 COVER 4 TO THE FIELD, MAN TO THE BOUNDARY

CB’s AND SAF’s SITTING AROUND THE SAME DEPTH B-SAF WILL TAKE THE 3RD WR IF HE GOES VERTICAL

4 PRESS 4 CLAMP

B F C B F
MAN
W M $ W M $ C
C C
1 4 1 4
3 2 3
2

Q 0 0 Q

REGULAR COVER 4 WITH THE CB’S PRESSING THE OWR’s COVER 4 WITH THE FIELD CB PLAYING MAN ON THE OWR
ON THE SNAP OF THE BALL CB’S WILL TURN AND RUN TO THE STRONG SAFETY WILL TAKE THE DEEP O/S ¼ OR ANY
COVER THEIR 1/4 VERTICAL RELEASE FROM THE MWR

4 MAN

B F
MAN MAN MAN MAN MAN

C W M $ C

1 4
3
2

Q 0

MAN COVERAGE UNDERNEATH WITH SAFETIES PLAYING

OVER THE TOP IN THEIR 1/4’s
 COVER 6

1/2 1/4 1/4

HOOK MIDDLE
FLAT FLAT
CURL HOOK

DESCRIPTION/OVERVIEW
3 DEEP, 4 UNDER
A COMBO COVERAGE WHERE THE DEFENSE WILL PLAY COVER 4 TO ONE SIDE OF THE FIELD AND
COVER 2 (AND ITS VARIATIONS) TO THE OPPOSITE SIDE.

*DEFENSES OFTEN UTILIZE THIS AS A TRIPS (OR ANY SINGLE WR) CHECK*

VARIATIONS AREAS TO ATTACK

6 BASE 6 INVERT 1) FLATS TO COVER 4 SIDE
6 BOUNDARY 6 MAN 2) INTERMEDIATE OUTSIDE TO COVER 2 SIDE
6 TRAP 3) UNDERNEATH DEEP DROPPERS (8-12YDS)
4) RUN BOX

DEFENSIVE INDICATORS WAYS TO ATTACK

COVER 4 SHELL TO ONE SIDE TO COVER 4 SIDE:
- HI CB AND SAFETY AROUND 8-12YDS SEE COVER 4 SHEET

COVER 2 SHELL TO OTHER SIDE TO COVER 2 SIDE:

- CLOUD CB AND HI SAFETY OFF THE HASH SEE COVER 2 SHEET

DEFENDERS HAVE EYES ON THE QB

 COVER 6 VARIATIONS
6 (BASE) 6 INVERT

B
B F C F C

C C
W M $ W M $

1 4 1 4
2 3 2 3

0 Q 0 Q

COVER 4 TO FIELD COVER 4 TO FIELD

COVER 2 TO BOUNDARY COVER 2 INVERT TO BOUNDARY

6 BOUNDARY 6 MAN

F
C B B F C
MAN MAN
W M $ C C W M $

1 4 1 4
3 3
2

Q 0 0 Q 2

COVER 4 TO BOUNDARY COVER 4 TO FIELD

COVER 2 TO FIELD COVER 2 MAN TO BOUNDARY

6 TRAP

B
F C

W M $
C
2 4
1 3
“TRAP, TRAP”

Q 0

COVER 4 TO FIELD
COVER 2 TRAP TO BOUNDARY
 COVER 3

1/3 1/3 1/3

HOOK HOOK
FLAT FLAT
CURL CURL

1 4
2 3

Q 0

DESCRIPTION/OVERVIEW
3 DEEP, 4 UNDER
- CORNERS AND HIGH SAFETY DIVIDE THE BACK END OF THE COVERAGE INTO 1/3’s
- APEX DEFENDERS HAVE THE FLATS, AND WILL COLLISION THE RELEASE OF THE SLOTS
- MIDDLE LB’s HAVE THE HOOK-CURL ZONE
*DEFENSES UTILIZE THIS COVERAGE TO STOP THE RUN*

VARIATIONS AREAS TO ATTACK

3 SKY RT/LT 3 DBL CLOUD 1) SEAMS
3 BUZZ RT/LT 2) FLATS
3 CLOUD RT/LT 3) UNDERNEATH DEEP DROPPERS (8-12YDS)
4) INTERMEDIATE OUTSIDE

DEFENSIVE INDICATORS WAYS TO ATTACK

1 HI SHELL: QK GAME – HITCHES/OUTS/SLANTS
- 1 SAF DEEP QK SCREENS – SMOKE & BUBBLE VARIATIONS
- CB’s OFF WITH H/U OR I/S LEVERAGE
DROPBACK PASSES:
2 HI SHELL: - ROUTES THAT ATTACK THE SEAMS
- 1 SAF HIGHER THAN THE OTHER - SEAMS/BENDERS/POSTS/GLANCES
- ROLLING SAFETIES - HI/LO STRETCH ON FLAT DEFENDER
- SNAP OFF ROUTES VS THE CB
EYES ON THE QB
 COVER 3 VARIATIONS
3 (BASE) 3 CLOUD LT

F F
C C B C

B W M $ C W M $

1 4 1 4
3 3
2 2

Q 0 Q 0

BASE COVER 3 CALLSIDE CB WILL PLAY THE FLATS LIKE COVER 2. CALLSIDE
SITTING IN A 1-HI SHELL WITH OFF CB’s SAFETY TAKES THE DEEP 1/3.
APEX TO CALL SIDE PLAYS HOOK-CURL

3 SKY LT 3 DBL CLOUD

F B F $
C B C

W M $ C R W M C

1 4 1 4
3 3
2 2

Q 0 Q 0

CALLSIDE SAFETY ROLLS DOWN AND TAKES THE FLATS, HE DROP 8 COVERAGE
MIGHT TRY AND RE-ROUTE A VERTICAL RELEASE FROM BOTH CORNERS ARE IN CLOUD (LIKE COV 2)
THE SLOT WR. SAFETIES WILL DIVIDE THE FIELD INTO 1/3’s

3 BUZZ LT

F
C B C

W M $

1 4
3
2

Q 0

CALLSIDE SAFETY ROLLS DOWN AND TAKES THE HOOK

ZONE.
 COVER 9

1/3 1/3 1/3

HOOK HOOK
CURL MIDDLE
CURL

1 4
2 3

Q 0

DESCRIPTION/OVERVIEW
3 DEEP, 3 UNDER
COVER 9 IS A GENERAL TERM FOR A FIRE ZONE COVEREAGE. FIRE ZONE PRESSURES INVOLVE SOME
FORM OF 3 DEEP COVERAGE (COVER 3) WITH 3 UNDERNEATH COVERAGE DEFENDERS (3X3 = 9).
FIRE ZONE PRESSURES USUALLY INVOLVE SOME TYPE OF SAFETY ROLL FROM A 2 HI SHELL. WE WILL
DIFFERENTIATE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF FIRE ZONE WITH A SUFFIX TAG.

VARIATIONS AREAS TO ATTACK

9 FIELD 32 FIRE “THROW INTO THE BLITZ”
9 MIDDLE 1) SEAMS
9 BOUNDARY 2) FLATS
3) UNDERNEATH DEEP DROPPERS (8-12YDS)
4) INTERMEDIATE OUTSIDE

DEFENSIVE INDICATORS WAYS TO ATTACK

ROLLING SAFETIES QK GAME – HITCHES/OUTS
QK SCREENS – SMOKE & BUBBLE VARIATIONS
CHEATING DEFENDERS
- ALIGNED WIDER/TIGHTER THAN NORMAL DROPBACK PASSES:
- ROUTES THAT ATTACK THE SEAMS
BLITZ POSTURE FROM NON-BOX DEFENDERS - SEAMS/BENDERS/POSTS/GLANCES
- SNAP OFF ROUTES VS THE CB

EYES ON THE QB FLAT CONTROL

 COVER 9 VARIATIONS
9 FIELD 32 FIRE

B F
C F C C B C

W M $ W M $
R
1 4 1 4
3 3
2 2

Q 0 Q 0
32 = 3 DEEP, 2 UNDER

FIELD SAFETY ROLLS DOWN AND TAKES THE HOOK-CURL MIKE & WILL BLITZ
STRONG SAF & MIKE BLITZ FROM THE FIELD COVER 3 SHELL
RUSH DROPS OUT WK & STRONG SAFETIES TAKE THE HOOK-CURL ZONES

9 MIDDLE

F
C B C

W M $
R
1 4
3
2

Q 0

BOUNDARY SAFETY WILL ROLL & TAKE THE MIDDLE ZONE

MIKE & WILL BLITZ
RUSH DROPS OUT

9 BOUNDARY

F
B C

W M $
C
1 4
3
2

Q 0

SAME SHELL AS 3 CLOUD

BND CB BLITZES
DEFENSES LOSES ONE OF THEIR HOOK DEFENDERS
 2 READ

B F
C C

W M $

1 4
2 3

Q 0

DESCRIPTION/OVERVIEW
PATTERN MATCH OFF OF IWR’s RELEASE
- CB’s READ SLOT WR. IF IT’S A 5YD OR LESS ROUTE, CLOUD (COV 2). IF IT’S A VERTICAL ROUTE, DEEP ¼ (COVER 4)
- SAF’s READ SLOT WR. IF IT’S A 5YD OR LESS ROUTE, DEEP 1/2 (COV 2). IF IT’S A VERTICAL ROUTE, DEEP ¼ (COVER 4)
- APEX’s READ SLOT WR. IF IT’S A 5YD OR LESS ROUTE, HOOK TO CURL (COV 2). IF IT’S A VERTICAL ROUTE, FLATS (COVER 4)
- MLB ANGLED DROP TO MIDDLE ZONE BASED OFF OF THE RELEASE OF THE RB
*DEFENSES UTILIZE THIS COVERAGE TO STOP THE PASS*

VARIATIONS AREAS TO ATTACK

1) RUN BOX –OR– WEAKSIDE FLATS
NO MAJOR VARIATIONS BASED OFF THE ALIGNMENT OF WLB
OTHER THAN DEFENDER DEPTHS 2) INTERMEDIATE OUTSIDE
3) UNDERNEATH DEEP DROPPERS (8-12YDS)
4) REPLACE A CARRYING APEX

DEFENSIVE INDICATORS WAYS TO ATTACK

CORNER: CLOUD DEPTH
INSIDE LEVERAGE (POSSIBLY HEAD UP)
SLOW FEET
SAFETY: 8-12 YARDS OFF
HEAD UP ON THE IWR SEE NEXT PAGE
APEX: HEAD UP TO JUST INSIDE OF THE IWR
RE-ROUTE THE IWR

EYES ON THE INSIDE WR

 2 READ BEATERS
FADE - FLAT (OUT) FIN - SEAM
FADE - OUT FADE - FLAT

$ $ $
C C C
W M $ M $
1

4
3 3
2 2

Q 0 Q 0
#1 TAKES CB DEEP
#2 ATTACKS THE ‘HOLE-SHOT’ AREA

FLAT ROUTE PULLS THE CB UP SEAM ROUTE TAKES THE SAFETY DEEP
FADE ROUTE GETS INTO THE ‘HOLE-SHOT’ AREA - 2 VERTICAL MIGHT MAKE THE APEX CARRY
QB MUST KEEP THE BALL AWAY FROM THE SAFETY FIN REPLACES AN APEX WHO IS CARRYING 2 VERTICAL

POST - WHEEL COMEBACK - SEAM

$ $
C C
M $ M $

4 1 4
1

3 3
2 2

Q 0 Q 0

FLAT ROUTE STEM PULLS THE CB UP SEAM ROUTE TAKES THE SAFETY DEEP
- WHEEL ROUTE GETS INTO THE ‘HOLE-SHOT’ AREA - 2 VERTICAL MAKES THE CB BAIL (1/4’s)
QB MUST KEEP THE BALL AWAY FROM THE SAFETY COMEBACK ATTACKS THE VACATED ‘HOLE-SHOT’ AREA

DIG - SEAM POST - SEAM

$ $
C C
M $ M $

1 4 1 4
3 3
2
2

Q 0 Q 0

SEAM ROUTE TAKES THE SAFETY DEEP SAME AS DIG-SEAM

- 2 VERTICAL MAKES THE CB BAIL (1/4’s) POST ROUTE ATTACKS MORE VERTICAL AND GETS OVER
DIG ROUTE ATTACKS THE VACATED AREA ON THE HASH TOP OF A DROPPING MLB
 MATCH

C C
B $
W M

1 4
2 3
Q

DESCRIPTION/OVERVIEW
PATTERN MATCH OFF OF WR’s RELEASE
- CB’s HAVE #1 IN MAN, UNLESS #1 RUNS AN UNDER ROUTE BEFORE 5YDS, IF #1 IS UNDER THE CB HAS DEEP 1/3 (COVER 3)
- APEX’s HAVE #2 IN MAN, UNLESS #2 RUNS AN UNDER ROUTE BEFORE 5YDS, IF #2 IS UNDER THE APEX HAS CURL-FLAT (COVER 3)
- MLB’s HAVE HOOK-CURL (COVER 3), UNLESS THE RB RELEASES TO THEIR SIDE, IF THE RB RELEASES TO THEIR SIDE THEY TAKE HIM
- HI SAFETY HAS MIDDLE 1/3 (COVER 3) VS ALL LOOKS AND WILL TRACK THE QB’s EYES
*DEFENSES UTILIZE THIS COVERAGE TO STOP THE RUN AND PROTECT THE SEAMS*

VARIATIONS AREAS TO ATTACK

ILB “PUSH” VS A FAST 3 (RB SWING) CREATE ONE ON ONE’s
- “PUSH” FORCES COVER 3 TO RB SWING SIDE 1) INTERMEDIATE OUTSIDE
2) UNDERNEATH DEEP DROPPERS (8-12YDS)
VS 2-BACK SETS, SINGLE WR SIDE BECOMES
COVER 3

DEFENSIVE INDICATORS WAYS TO ATTACK

CORNER: CLOUD DEPTH (POSSIBLE PRESS)
INSIDE LEVERAGE (POSSIBLY HEAD UP)
SLOW FEET
SAFETY: SITTING IN THE MOF
SEE NEXT PAGE
APEX: OUTSIDE SHADE OF THE IWR

EYES ON THEIR WR
 MATCH BEATERS
COMEBACK - SEAM GO - CORNER - SWING

$ $

C C C C
$ $ $ $
W M W M
1

4
3 3
2 2

Q 0 Q 0

CREATING A “PUSH” CALL

#2 VERTICAL TAKES AWAY THE FLAT DEFENDER FAST 3 MAKES THE DEFENSE SLIDE TO COVER 3
#1 VERTICAL CREATES ONE ON ONE CREATES A HI-LO STRETCH ON THE FLAT DEFENDER
COMEBACK ATTACKS THE VACATED ‘HOLE-SHOT’ AREA IF FLAT DEFENDER TAKES THE CORNER, THROW SWING

DIG - SEAM ‘SHALLOW CROSS’

$ $

C C C C
$ $ $ $
W M W M
1

4
3 3
2 2

Q 0 Q 0

SEAM ROUTE TAKES THE APEX DEEP SHALLOW CREATES COVER 3

DIG ROUTE ATTACKS THE VACATED AREA ON THE HASH DIG ROUTE BREAKS AWAY FROM OUTSIDE SHADE APEX
QB MUST BE AWARE OF STRONG SIDE ILB DIG ATTACKS UNDERNEATH THE DEEP DROPPING SAF

FIN - SEAM INSIDE HI-LO

$ $

C C C C
$ $ $ $
W M W M
1

4
1

3 3
2 2

Q 0 Q 0

SEAM ROUTE TAKES THE APEX DEEP POST ROUTE ATTACKS OUTSIDE SHADED APEX
FIN REPLACES AN APEX WHO IS CARRYING 2 VERTICAL DIG ROUTE BREAKS AWAY FROM OUTSIDE SHADE APEX
QB MUST BE AWARE OF STRONG SIDE ILB HI-LO STRETCH ON THE SAF
 TRIPS COVERAGES
3 SKY RT 4 SOLO

B #3 VERTICAL
C F C B F C
MAN MAN

W M $ C W M $

1 4 1 4
2 3 2 3

0 Q 0 Q

COVER 3 COVER 4 SOLO

DEFENSE PUSHES THEIR COVERAGE TO THE THREE DEFENSE IS OVER ADJUSTING TO THE FIELD.
RECIEVER SIDE. - 5 OVER 3
MIDDLE OF THE FIELD IS CLOSED BY THE SAFETY. REGULAR COVER 4 TO THE FIELD.
THE FIELD CB WILL TRY AND ‘MIDDLE’ THE ROUTES OF THE - THEY CAN ALSO MAN UP THE FIELD #1 (COVER 4 MAN)
#2 AND #3 AND WILL TRY AND CLOSE THE HASH. THE BOUNDARY SAF IS RESPONSIBLE FOR TAKING THE IWR
(#3) VERTICAL.
THE DEFENSE CAN ALIGN IN 1-HI OR ROLL TO IT. MLB WILL PUSH TO GET UNDER THE IWR TO HELP STOP
- THE F-SAF CAN PLAY HOOK-CURL OR CURL-FLAT ANY QUICK THROWS THAT THE B-SAF CANT COVER.
DEPENDING ON THE DEFENSE
MAN COVERAGE ON THE BACKSIDE

COVER 6 SPECIAL

#3 VERTICAL BACKSIDE COVERAGES

COV 2 (AND VARIATIONS)
B F C COV 4 F
COV 0
1 DBL ## MAN
C
MATCH #3 $
W M $ M C

1 4 1 4
2 3 2 3

0 Q 0 Q

COVER 6 SPECIAL
REGULAR COVER 6 A VARIATION OFF OF 2-READ COVERAGE.
- 3 OVER 2 TO THE BOUNDARY THE FIELD CB HAS #1 IN MAN.
- 4 OVER 3 TO THE FIELD APEX AND F-SAF WILL PLAY 2-READ OFF OF THE IWR
MLB IS NOW RESPONSIBLE FOR CARRYING #3 VERTICAL. - IT’S REALLY 3-READ
- ATTACK THIS MATCHUP! MLB WILL RELATE TO ANY IN BREAKING ROUTE FROM #3
AND WILL SINK UNDER HIM IF HE GOES VERTICAL.
THE DEFENSE CAN PLAY COVER 2 VARIANTS INTO THE
BOUNDARY. BACKSIDE OF THE COVERAGE COULD BE A VARIETY OF
- INVERT/MAN/TRAP THINGS.
- SEE YELLOW TEXT BOX ABOVE