HOW TO PLAY AND ATTACK COVER TAMPA 2 or COVER 2 BUC

By rushing four, and dropping seven into coverage using progression reads of the release of the 5 eligible receivers, the defense can take away vertical concepts while forcing the ball underneath to the flat orcheck-down option.

In the NFL, the Tampa 2 scheme is the most common two-deep shell we see on Sundays with the Mike Linebackerrunning the inside vertical seam (middle read drop) to give the defense a three-deep look. The Mike will drop to the release of the #3 receiver. Some teams may opt to dropping mike to the side of the formation with the most speed.

We will introduce the basics of Cover 2 with a focus on the landmarks, progression reads and techniques that are vitalto producing resultsand limiting explosive plays.

Using the All-22 coaches tape, lets take a look at Tampa 2, Red 2 and Green 2 while also breaking down the top Cover2 beaters and discussing some important keys for the safeties in their initial run/pass reads.

Cover 2 is a two-deep, five-under zone defense run out of both base and sub-package personnel (dime, nickel).

HOW TO PLAY AND ATTACK COVER TAMPA 2 or COVER 2 BUC

Cover Tampa 2 or Cover 2 Buc

To get a better feel for Tampa 2, lets look at a pre-snap example from the Bears-Steelers matchup this past season and break down

the back seven of the defense.

- The Safeties (Free/Strong) are responsible for the deep halves of the field.. They align at a depth of 15 yards and outside of the # 2 receiver. They work to 18 yards at the snap with the top of the numbers as their zone landmark. The Safeties progression read is #2 - #3 - #1. If # 1 and # 2 both go vertical the Safety will drop to the middle of his Half Field responsibility which in the NFL is 3 yards from the top of the field numbers. If # 2 or # 3 do not go vertical and # 1 does the Safety will expand to #1 with no inside vertical threat. The Safties always take their steps for pass coverage because they have no quick run responsibility. Versus the run game they will fill the alley (between cornerback and curl defender) after the ball crosses the line of scrimmage.

- The Cornerbacks align in press with outside leverage and jam the No. 1 receivers at the snap to force an inside release. This is crucial toprevent an outside release, as that will widen the safeties off their landmarks and open up the middle of the field. After the jam, bothcornerbacks fade hard at a 45-degree angle to protect/cushion the safeties on a possible 9 route or 7 (corner) route while reacting to anythrow in the flat. The Cornerbacks progression read is # 2 - # 3 - # 1. The Cornerback has Run Force to his side and must read theTE or Tackle for run read. If no outside route threat by # 2 or # 3, the CB will get depth as needed and read the QBs front shoulder to get abreak on the ball. Anytime 4 receivers strong occurs the weak side Cornerback will now play a (sink technique) man-trail on theremaining receiver. This situation can occur in a Pro set with backs flow strong or Trips formation with a back in a strong alignment.

- The Vertical Hook Defender is the curl player away from the drop of the Middle Read (Mike). The Vertical Hook progression read is #2 to # 1. It is important that inside leverage is maintained and # 2 receiver is forced to release to the outside. Once it is determined that the curl defender tech has turned into a Vertical Hook tech, the player must carry deep the #2 receiver if he goes vertically. This player must be alert for the Bender route that often is run away from the drop of the Middle Read defender. A China Call from the Cornerback would disable the vertical responsibility of the curl defender.

- The Outside Linebackers Sam/Will or Sub Package Nickle or Dime are the seam-hook or Curl Defenders".They sink to a depth of 10 to 12 yards between the numbers and hash marks to cushion the inside vertical seam or Curl area and react to any throw underneath. The curl defender will always align inside of the # 2 receiver on his side of the field. The Curl Defenders progression read is # 1 to # 2. The curl defender must see both #1 and #2 and defend the receiver that after release ends up as the inside receiver. The curl defender will always after his read expand to work or look for work in his area. Both linebackers read the quarterback once they get to their zone landmarksand cheat to the throw.

-The Mike Linebacker runs the inside vertical seam (Middle Read Technique) . He will open his hips to the release of the # 3 receiver and carry/match any seam route down the middle of the field. Some teams in this coverage will drop Mike to the side of the formation of the speediest receivers. The Mike has to show the athleticism and hip flexibility inTampa 2 to redirect if the quarterback comes back to the open (weak) side of the formation. The Mike Linebackers progression read is #1 - # 2 -# 3 and will carry vertically if one of those receivers create a inside deep threat. If no deep threat develops the Mike will level off his drop at 12 yards depth and look for work.

HOW TO PLAY AND ATTACK COVER TAMPA 2 or COVER 2 BUC

Curl Drop

Middle Read

Curl Drop

CB open run read

CB closed run read

COVER TAMPA 2 VS TRIPS

FOUR VERTICAL

COVER TAMPA 2 VS

FOUR STRONGCHINA

Cover Tampa 2 vs. Slot Formation

- The Backside Cornerback. In Cover 1 (man-free), the cornerbacks travel versus a slot formation and match to

their coverage. However, in Cover 2, the cornerbacks stay to the closed (strong) side of the formation. And because of

that, the cornerback becomes the primary edge- support player versus the run game. That means they have to take

on the fullback or pulling guard and set/restrict the edge of the defense. If they read pass, the cornerback sinks and

protects the safety versus a possible 7 route from the tight end while reacting to any throw in the flat.

- If a defense is going to play Cover 2 in early down and distance situations, it is important to find cornerbacks who are

willing to tackle, fill and defend the edge when the offense aligns in a slot formation. Thats not easy work when an

offensive guard pulls to kick out the cornerback. Time to get low, play with leverage and restrict that running lane.

Tampa 2 vs. Slot FormationLets take a quick look at Tampa 2 versus a slot formation to focus on the cornerback and the strong safety aligned to the tight end

side.

- Check out the strong safety. Instead of dropping to the top of the numbers landmark (as we see from the free safety to the open side

of the formation), he will drop inside of the tight end (safety always aligns/drops inside of the No. 1 receiver). And versus the run

game, the strong safety fills to the closed side C gap.

BACKSIDE CORNERBACK

- The Cornerbacks play with a soft squat technique. Instead of jamming the receiver on the release, the cornerbacks openand sink with a zone technique (back to the sideline) to carry the outside fade route (plays out like Quarters technique) while reactingto the flat. In Cover Red 2 there is No China call by the cornerback. His soft squat tech) will allow him to better read the QB and play deep to short.

- The Safeties play with a flat-foot read" technique. With limited room to work and a reduced field, there is no need for thesafeties to backpedal. They will flat-foot read/shuffle through their run/pass keys and drive top-down on any three-step route (slant,flat) and use the end-line (back of the end zone) as their help versus the dig/post.

- The Mike Linebacker (Middle Read) will again open to the passing strength (three-wide receiver side in this example) andmatch quickly to the inside vertical seam. This is where we see NFL offenses occupy the safeties and create a one-on-one matchupinside with the tight end versus the Mike backer.

- The two Seam-Hook / Curl Defenders (Sam-nickel/Will-Dime) shorten their drops and read thequarterback. They must widen versus No. 2 on the flat and cushion any intermediate throw that can threaten thesafeties.

In Cover Red 2 the defense is creating a Pickett Fence at the goal line with 5 defenders across the field. The Cornerbacks, Curl Defenders and Middle Read Defender. The Safties will cover their Half of the field from mid end zone to the back of the end zone. The Cornerbacks soft squat tech will allow him to help theSafties on quick throws to the deep outside pylon.

Cover Red 2 (Red Zone)

Cover Red 2 (Pickett Fence)Once the ball moves into the deep red zone (plus-15-yard line), Tampa 2 turns into Red 2 with the safeties and cornerbacks adjusting

their technique to account for the short field and reduced throwing lanes.

Using an example from the Cowboys-Broncos matchup, lets focus on the cornerbacks and the safeties.

Cover Green 2 (3rd and Long Cover 2)

In 3rd-and-11-plus situations, the defense can play Green 2 to put a tent on top of the defense,

protect the sticks and force the quarterback to take the checkdown.

Heres an example of the Panthers' Green 2 versus the 49ers in a 3rd-and-11-plus situation from las

seasons matchup at Candlestick Park.

- Instead of aligning at 15 yards, the safeties will get to 18 before the snap and increase their depth to be in a position to drive top-

down on any vertical concept.

- The Mike backer adjusts his alignment and will get to a pre-snap depth of 10 to 12 yards to play the inside vertical seam. This

creates that true three-deep coverage and eliminates a throw down the middle of the field.

- Both cornerbacks will once again jam and sink versus No. 1. However, they will play this almost as a trail-man technique down the

field and react late to the flat route to cushion the 9 or 7.

- When playing Green 2, the defense will give up the flat/check-down voluntarily to protect the sticks and get off the field on third

down.

Defending the Top Cover 2 Beaters

Four Verticals, Flat-7 and the Deep Dig are the top Cover 2beaters NFL defenses see every week as the opposing offense

looks to attack the top of the secondary and set some baitunderneath to open up throwing windows.

Four VerticalsFour verticals consists of two outside 9 routes and two inside seam routes. The offense wants to put stress on the two-deep half

safeties and work the Mike backer in the middle of the field to expose the holes in Cover 2.

Using an example from the Jaguars-Broncos matchup, heres a look at Denvers Four Verticals out of Posse/11personnel in a 2x2 Doubles formation.

With the Jaguars showing two-deep, Peyton Manning wants to get the matchup of the inside seam routes (Wes Welker, Julius

Thomas) versus Mike backer Paul Posluszny.

Both safeties are at the proper depth, square to the quarterback and on top of their landmarks (top of thenumbers). That puts them in a position to drive downhill on the 9 route or the seam.

Check out the cornerbacks. Even though they allow an outside release, the cornerbacks sink with the 9 routes (protect thesafeties). And with the nickel/Will backer cushioning the inside seam routes, Posluszny can gain depth to read Manning.

Now that the throwing lanes are reduced, the Jaguars' Mike backer can match to Welker on the inside seam and drive on the throw

to intercept this ball.

VERTICAL HOOK

From a plus-split alignment (two to three yards on top of the numbers), Johnson takes a hard inside stem (create room for the 7

route) before pushing up the field vertically to stem to the corner. Underneath, the Lions send the tight end to the flat (bait).

The Flat-7 is one of the most common Cover 2 beaters because it allows the offense to set the bait for the cornerback (flat route) while

opening up a deep hole to target the 7 route.

Heres a look at the Flat-7 from the Cowboys-Lions matchup with Calvin Johnson aligned as the No. 1 receiver tothe closed side of the formation out of a 2x2 Doubles alignment with Posse/11 personnel on the field.

What went wrong for the Cowboys? Lets start with the closed-side cornerback.

Instead of sinking hard at a 45-degree angle to protect the safety on the 7 cut, he squats and takes the bait of the underneath flat

route. Remember, play deep to short at cornerback and only react to the flat once the 7 route is eliminated.

Now look at the safety. He is 30 yards off the ball. I can understand the increased depth due to the threat of Johnson (I used to be off

the screen versus Randy Moss). However, this safety is so deep that he increases the already large throwing window for quarterback

Matthew Stafford to target Johnson for an explosive gain.

A route that should have resulted in Stafford dumping the ball to the tight end in the flat turns into a completed pass down the field

because of poor discipline and technique from the Cowboys defense.

Heres an example of the Sucker route the Ravens ran this past season versus the Lions to move the sticks in a crucial game situation.

By removing the Mike backer on the seam (and forcing the nickel to take the bait versus the underneath curl), Joe Flacco targeted

Jacoby Jones on the deep dig route in front of the strong safety.

However, defenses can eliminate the dig route if the nickel plays with discipline and gains depth while reading the quarterback, as the

Panthers did versus Geno Smith and the Jets.

NFL offenses will run the deep dig out of the Dagger and Sucker concepts (clear-out seam, dig combo) to remove the Mike backer, set

some bait for the nickel and target the deep, inside breaking cut for a positive gain.

Deep Dig (Square-In) Dagger

With the safety in a position to drive top-down on the throw (and the cornerback sinking to protect versus a possible 7 cut), the nickel

ignores the bait underneath (flat route) and drops directly into the throwing lane. This results in an interception, and Smith forces

this ball into coverage instead of taking the flat route.

- With the receiver in a plus-two split, an outside release equals one of two routes: fade or comeback. Thats it. Because of the

restrictions the sideline puts on the receiver, there isnt enough room to run outside breaking concepts such as the deep out or 7.- An inside release to a vertical stem (top of the numbers) tells the safety to play for the dig, 7 and a possible post.

- A flat, inside release is the three-step game (slant) or the shallow drive route.

- If the wide receiver blocks, the safety gets his eyes back inside to fill the alley as a secondary run-support player.

- This is just a quick guide to use the next time you watch film. However, it reminds us that the No. 1 receiver reads like an open book

if the safety plays with eye discipline when identifying the initial stem and run/pass keys.

The Cover 2 Cheat SheetBefore we wrap up this Cover 2 breakdown, I wanted to give you my cheat sheet. A simple guide that every safety should follow in

the deep half when identifying run/pass keys and wide receiver stems.