COVER 2 - ZONE

COVER 2 IS A DEFENSIVE CALL USED AGAINST TEAMS THAT FAVOR RUNNING THE BALL - ESPECIALLY THE OPTION. IT PUTS THE SS AND THE CB INTO POSITION TO SUPPORT FOR THE OPTION PITCHBACK FASTER THAN ANY OTHER DEFENSIVE CALL WE CAN MAKE OUTSIDE OF A DIRECT BLITZ BY THESE PLAYERS.

IN COVER 2 THE SS AND THE CB ARE TO ALIGN THEMSELVES ON THE OUTSIDE SHOULDER OF THE SPLIT RECEIVER TO THEIR SIDE OF THE BALL. (IF THEY ARE ALIGNED OVER A TE, THE SS AND/OR CB PLAY NORMAL SPLIT RULES AND READ THEIR KEYS.) AGAINST THE SPLIT RECEIVER, THE SS AND CB ARE TO "BUMP" THE RECEIVER TO THE INSIDE FORCING THAT RECEIVER TO RUN INTO DEEP COVERAGE BY EITHER THE FS OR THE HB. MAINTAINING THIS LEVERAGE ON THE RECEIVER IS OF VITAL IMPORTANCE. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES IS THE DEFENDER ALIGNED OVER THE SPLIT RECEIVER TO ALLOW THAT RECEIVER TO HAVE AN OUTSIDE RELEASE ON THE DEFENSE.

IN COVER 2 THE SS AND CB'S PASS RESPONSIBILITIES ARE THE FLAT TO THEIR SIDE. AFTER BUMPING THE RECEIVER TO THE INSIDE, SQUAT IN THE FLAT, READ YOUR KEYS. IF PASS SHOWS, WIDEN TO THE RED ZONE AND UNDER THE OUT. PLAY THE DEEPEST RECEIVER IN YOUR ZONE.

THE FS AND HB PLAY DEEP HALFS OF THE FIELD IN COVER 2. IT IS IMPORTANT TO BE IN GOOD POSITION (IN THE MIDDLE OF YOUR ZONE) UNTIL THE BALL IS IN THE AIR ON DEEP PASSES, THEN FLY TO THE BALL AND MAKE THE INTERCEPTION. ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT THE QB CAN THROW THE BALL FASTER THAN YOU CAN REACT, SO MAINTAIN GOOD POSITION. AS WITH ALL PASS COVERAGES:

BE THERE

WHEN THE BALL GETS THERE!

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by Roger A. Freeborn
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