Brent Dearmon, Head Coach, North Alabama
This video segment is from 20 & 21 Personnel Run Pass Options: How to ID Defensive Run Fitters & C-Gap RPOs on Glazier Drive
This article was originally posted on the Glazier Coaching Blog.
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Summary
Basic Gap Defense Structure
- 4-2 defense (six players) handling C-gap to C-gap coverage
- Defensive ends serve as C-gap defenders
- D-gap responsibilities fall to apex players (SAM linebacker, nickel Sam, boundary safety/Rover)
Robber Coverage
- Appears as single-high safety but functions differently
- 4-2 box structure with C-gap defenders (defensive ends)
- Free safety reads the tackle and inserts from distance as a D-gap fitter
- Designed to stop intermediate RPO plays
- Creates vulnerability to vertical passing concepts
Split Field Coverage
- Field is cut in half for quarterbacks to read
- “Robber” coverage to the field side
- Cover-2 to the boundary side
- Creates confusion as each half operates independently
- Requires offensive adjustment with vertical routes or split adjustments
Double Robber/Mini Coverage
- West Georgia example with 4-man front but only one linebacker
- Creates illusion of light box
- Both safeties play inside roles similar to outside linebackers
- Defense creates 4-3 fit using safeties
- Tailback alignment influences defensive safety fits
Complex Coverage Variations
- Southern Utah example showing two-safety shell that transforms
- “Double invert” with corners playing inverted halves
- Cannot simply teach quarterbacks to read one specific defender
- Different looks require systematic offensive solutions