JIM CANTAFIO Director of Susquehanna Valley Sports SVSSPORTS.COM Game Plan vs. Cover

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 –Safety’s 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. QB BOX 10 yds

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

QB COVER 3 – THREE DEEP C BSS FS C STRENGTHS: 3-Deep Secondary Run Support WEAKNESS: Curl Flat Area Flood Routs Four Verticals Middle of the Field Short Game

Routes vs. Cover – 3 Can be called in huddle or on the L.O.S. 1.3 Step Passing Game 2.Bubble Screen 3.Verticals 4.Curl – Flat Combination 5.Sprint out Game

QB 3 Step – Create 2 on 1 vs. Cover - 3 C BD FS C Quick out- Hitch Combo You have a 2 on 1 strong and weak HR 5 yds

QB vs. Cover - 3 C BD FS C All Hitch Combo You have A 2 on 1 Strong H R 5 yds

QB vs. Cover - 3 C BD FS C Bubble Screen Read R or H Crack on Base HR

QB vs. Cover - 3 C BD FS C verticals Read FS 2 on 1 vs. FS Use multiple formations Automatic call when ball is in the middle of field HR

QB vs. Cover - 3 C B D FS C Curl – Flat Combo Read Strong or weak for 2 on 1 H R 5 yds 8 yds 12 yds

QB vs. Cover - 3 C BD FS C Sprint out, Comeback – Flag Combo Read R. for Comeback or Flag sit down H R yds 5yds

QB COVER 2 – TWO DEEP C B SS FS 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

Cover 2 - Zone

Cover 2 - Man

QB vs. Cover - 2 C B D FS C Fade Read Safety on the hash H R

QB vs. Cover - 2 C B D FS C Smash With RB up the seam or without Read safety on the hash H R 10 yds 22 yds 5 yds

QB vs. Cover - 2 C BD FS C HI- LO Read rolled up CB for Flat or Deep out vs. man – look to RB H R 15 yds

QB vs. Cover - 2 C BD FS C Zig-Zag with motion Read rolled up CB for Zig-Zag or flair vs. man – RB is a good choice H R

QB vs. Cover - 2 C B D FS C Cross - Wheel Read under to Dig Catch FS Jumping Dig – you got wheel H R Rub

QB COVER 1 – FREE MAN C B SS FS C STRENGTHS: Help in middle of field Tight Coverage Pass Rush WEAKNESS: No Underneath Help Crossing Routes Pick Routes Breaking Routes Play Action Pass

Cover 1 – Man Free

QB vs. Cover 1 - Man Free C B D FS C 1.3 Step Game 2.Verticals 3.Crossing Routes 4.Sprint-out Comeback - Flag H R

QB 0 COVERAGE - MAN C B SS FS C STRENGTHS: Pass Rush - Pressure Defense 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

0 - Man

Cover 0 – Man Full Blitz inside or outside 0 – Man Outside Pressure 1.3 Step game 2.Quick Running Game 0 – Man Inside Pressure 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 SVSSPORTS.COM