Rick Scheidt, Defensive Coordinator
Fresno City College
As a defensive staff at Fresno City College, we designate underneath coverage by using area terms. The area terms apply to all of our pass coverage schemes. Throughout this presentation, I will discuss the area terms for the following pass coverage schemes: Cover 2, and Cover 3. Our defensive staff has noticed an improvement amongst coaches and players in terms of communication since we’ve defined the various areas of underneath coverage not only for pass coverage schemes but also option responsibilities.
Cover 2 – 2 Deep and 4 Underneath (Diagram 1)
Area #1 – Corner responsibility, area description is “Curl / Out”
Area #2 – Outside Linebacker responsibility, area description is “Curl”
Area #3 – Mike Linebacker responsibility, area description is “Hook”
Diagram 1
C A1 W A2 M A3 SA2 C A1
With our underneath cover scheme, we’ve coordinated visual cues that prompt underneath defenders to their area of responsibility.
For the corner position, his responsibility for Area #1 is to visually read the #2 receiver. If the #2 receiver expands early, the corner leverages outside the curl window keeping the #2 receiver in front. We emphasize with all our underneath coverage personnel to keep the ball in front for pursuit. If the #2 receiver pushes vertical, the corner stays underneath the #1 receiver when pushing vertical while recognizing he’ll have help over the top by his adjacent safety. The corner is also taught to front (stay on top) the #1 receiver if the route is intermediate when the #2 receiver pushes vertical or goes in. When the #2 receiver runs a wheel route, the corner is responsible for covering the wheel.
The outside linebacker position’s area of responsibility is Area #2 and the #2 receiver as well. Like the corner, the outside linebacker visually cues the route progression by #2. If the #2 receiver expands early or goes in early, the outside linebacker works his drop to the curl while working towards the upfield shoulder of the #1 receiver. When the #2 receiver works vertical, the outside linebacker carries/re-routes (push #2 to #1) at a depth of 12 yards.
As for the mike linebacker, he visually cues the #3 receiver or works his drop to the field hook area, A3 when the #3 receiver is not a threat. The #3 receiver indicated in diagram 2 is in the backfield. If the #3 receiver expands or goes in early to the field or to a certain side when the ball is in the middle, the middle linebacker adjusts his hook drop working toward the inside curl window or next threatening receiver. Like the outside linebacker, the Mike linebacker drops to the up field shoulder of the next threatening receiver if the #3 receiver expands or goes in early.
Cover 3 – 3 Deep, 4 Underneath (Diagram 2)
Area #1 – Sam and Free Safety Responsibility, area description is “Curl/Out”.
Area #2 – Mike and Will Responsibility, area description is “Hook/Curl”.
FSA1 WA2 MA2 SA1
For the Free Safety and Sam position in cover 3, the area of responsibility is Area #1 or “Curl/Out”. The Area #1 defenders are encouraged to read the #2 receiver. If the #2 receiver expands early or goes in early, the Area #1 defender drops to the curl while leveraging outside the curl window if the #2 receiver run quickly to the flat. When the #2 receiver pushes vertically, the Area #1 defender re-routes the #2 receiver away from our deep middle 1/3 player, SS; thus, allowing the deep outside 1/3 player, the corner, to be in a position to cover both the #1 and #2 receivers if both run vertically. Area #1 defenders do not carry wheel routes in our cover 3 scheme. Wheel routes are the corners’ responsibility.
The Mike and Will linebacker positions in cover 3 are responsible for Area #2 or “Hook/Curl”. They are responsible for reading the #3 receiver. If the #3 receiver expands early or goes in early, the Area #2 defender is responsible for identifying the next threatening receiver within the hook to the inside curl window. When the #3 receiver does not run a route (inserts for protection as indicated in the diagram), the Area #2 defender drops to the hook area looking for work. All vertical routes by the #3 receiver are re-routed away from the deep middle 1/3 player, SS.
Defending the Option: When defending the option (run), we use the area terms for option responsibility as well. Area #1 defenders are always responsible for pitch. The Area #2 defenders are always responsible for the quarterback, while Area #3 defenders are responsible for helping with the dive, the quarterback and the pitch.