Teaching Coverage

Recognition
 Pre-Snap Reads
From 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 Checklist
1. 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 Indicators
FS FS SS

Coverage?? Coverage??
Coverage??
 CB Indicators
C C

C C
C C

C C
 Identifying Coverage's

S a f e t y In d ic a t o r s

N o S a f e t ie s O n e S a fe ty T w o S a f e t ie s

C B s in s id e w it h C B s in s id e w it h C B s o u t s id e w it h C B s s h a llo w w it h C B s d e e p e r w it h
eyes on W R eyes on W R eyes on Q B eyes on Q B eyes on Q B
C over 0 C over 1 C over 3 C over 2 C over 4
( E x p e c t B lit z )
 Pass Zones

Deep Left Deep Middle Deep Right

Left Flat Left Curl Left Hook Right Hook Right Curl Right Flat
 Cover 3 vs. Pro

FS

C C
SS
B B
B
T N T E
 Cover 3 vs. Doubles

FS

C C
SS
B B
B
E T T E
 Cover 3 vs. Trey

FS

C C
B B B SS
E T T E
 Cover 1 vs. Pro

FS

B B SS
C C
B
T N T E
 Cover 1 vs. Doubles

FS

B B C
C B SS
E T T E
 Cover 1 vs. Trey

FS

B B
C B SS C
E T T E
 Cover 2 vs. Pro

FS SS

B B B
C
T N T E C
 Cover 2 vs. Doubles

FS SS

B
C B B C
E T T E
 Cover 2 vs. Trey

FS SS

B
B B C
C
E T T E
 Cover 4 vs. Pro

FS SS

C B B B C
T N T E
 Cover 4 vs. Doubles

FS SS

C B C
B B
E T T E
 Cover 4 vs. Trey

FS SS

C C
B B B
E T T E
 Cover 0 vs. Doubles

C B B C
FS SS
E T N T E