Understanding Cover 2 and 3 Drop Zones
Terms:
4 Under:
4 Zone Defenders In The Flats
and Hook / Curl Zones Covering
From The L.O.S. to 13 Yards.
3 Deep:
3 deep Zone defenders Splitting
The Field Into 1/3’s. Covering
From 13 Yards To The Goal Line.
Landmarks:
Flat (No Low Hole)
Middle Of The Numbers,
10 yards From the L.O.S.
Hook / Curl (No Low Hole)
2 yards Inside The Hash,
10 Yards From The L.O.S.
5 Under:
5 Zone Defenders in The Flats
Hook / Curl & Low Hole Zones
Covering From The L.O.S. To 13 Yards
2 Deep
2 Zone Defenders Splitting
The Field In Half. Covering
From 13 Yards To The Goal Line
Landmarks:
Flat
Bottom Of The Numbers,
10 Yards From L.O.S.
Hook / Curl
2 Yards Outside The Hash, 10 Yards
From L.O.S.
Low Hole
Split The Hash Marks, 10 Yards
From The L.O.S.
31 Wide Cover 25
Cover “25” puts the Free Safety and Rover playing deep halfs. Two deep puts the safeties playing 10 to 12 yards off the line of scrimmage. Safeties will stay as deep as the deepest receiver in their 1/2 of the field. Safeties will read routes of the receivers and quarterbacks eyes, when the quarterbacks shoulders turn then break on the ball.
Linebackers: After ball has passed last threat of draw, drop to short middle zones (hook to Curl) 8 to 12 yards deep. Keep head on a swivel looking for receivers coming into your zone, collision any receiver through your zone if possible. Break on quarterback’s turn of his shoulders.
Strength: The Corners have the ability to bump outside receivers and have contain responsibility. Good coverage for run offenses and also for covering the short routes. Allows good underneath coverage because of the five defenders in underneath coverage. Good coverage vs seam routes also a good defense vs the option game.
Weakness: Only have two deep defenders, hard to defend four verticals and corner routes.
44 Stack Cover 25 Sky
About the Author of this post:
Jerry Campbell has over 30 years of high school and college coaching experience. He has experience as a head coach, offensive coordinator, and various position coaches. He has written numerous football coaching articles in various publications, is the author of over 30 books on coaching football, and has produced 12 coaching video series. Additionally, he is a nationally sought after speaker on the coaching clinic circuit.