Teaching Coverage Recognition

Pre-Snap ReadsFrom the moment the offensive huddle breaks until the ball is snapped, there is an opportunity to gain an enormous amount of information regarding the defensive intentions. This 8-10 second window involves a whirlwind of activity, and having a good idea what the defense will do pre-snap greatly increases our chances to run a successful play. We will begin to teach you what to look for, and what these various bits of information tell us.

If the quarterback has a clear picture of what the defense is doing before the snap, his decisions will be MUCH easier to make. Also, his training for certain situations will kick in……since he's SEEN these things in practice, and can make the right decisions. We will train our QB's to go through the following checklist before every play: he will become confident in that he will be following a certain ROUTINE before every play…..much like it's a routine to tie his shoes.

Pre-Snap Checklist1. Get up to the line and get your hands under center immediately. (If in gun, 5 yards deep with right foot slightly forward). Defenses will sometimes move and adjust. But, the threat of a quick snap will make them get set.

2. As you arrive under center, look for a FS in the deep middle. If there, this indicates Cover 1 or Cover 3. If 2 safeties deep, this indicates Cover 2 or Cover 4. If there are no safeties in deep middle, you have Cover 0. Expect a blitz situation.

Pre-Snap Checklist (continued)3. Look to CBs for zone/man indicators. If CBs have outside leverage and are looking at you, this is zone. If they have inside leverage and are looking at the receivers, this is man to man.

4. Make sure all wide receivers are "covered down", with a defender in close proximity. If not, you have an Uncovered Throw opportunity.

5. If running play, mentally rehearse your steps to the hand-off.

6. If passing play, locate your read player, but don't STARE at him.

Safety IndicatorsFS

Coverage??

FS SS

Coverage??

Coverage??

CB IndicatorsC C

C C

C C

C C

Identifying Coverage's

CBs inside w itheyes on W R

Co ver 0(Expect B litz)

No Safetie s

CBs inside w itheyes on W R

Co ver 1

CBs outside w itheyes on Q B

Co ver 3

O ne Safety

CBs shallow w itheyes on Q B

Co ver 2

CBs deeper w itheyes on Q B

Co ver 4

Two S afeties

S afe ty In d ica to rs

Deep MiddleDeep Left Deep Right

Left Flat Left Curl Left Hook Right Hook Right Curl Right Flat

Pass Zones

Cover 3 vs. Pro

T N TBB B

E

C C

FS

SS

Cover 3 vs. Doubles

TE TB B B

E

C C

FS

SS

Cover 3 vs. Trey

TE TBB B

E

C C

FS

SS

Cover 1 vs. Pro

T N TBB B

EC C

FS

SS

Cover 1 vs. Doubles

TE TBB B

EC C

FS

SS

Cover 1 vs. Trey

TE T BB B

EC C

FS

SS

Cover 2 vs. Pro

T N TB B B

EC C

FS SS

Cover 2 vs. Doubles

TE TBB

BE

C C

FS SS

Cover 2 vs. Trey

TE TBBB

EC C

FS SS

Cover 4 vs. Pro

T N TB B B

E

C C

FS SS

Cover 4 vs. Doubles

TE TBB

BE

C C

FS SS

Cover 4 vs. Trey

TE TBB B

E

C C

FS SS

Cover 0 vs. Doubles

TE T

B B

N E

C CFS SS