Understanding Football Defensive Coverages

Introduction

• The Joel Cloud Show provides an exclusive series on football schematics.
• Focus on explaining defensive passing coverages: cover one, cover two, cover three, and cover four.
• Objective: Explain what each coverage is, how it works, and why it's used.

Cover One

• Type: Man Defense (Man-to-Man)
• Structure:
  • One safety in the deep middle of the field.
  • Identify run strength (where the tight end is) and passing strength.
  • Align players based on run and passing strength.
• Execution:
  • Corners cover the number one receiver on each side.
  • Safety and linebacker cover the number two players.
  • Linebackers cover the running back depending on his release.
• Purpose:
  • Ideal against run-oriented teams.
  • Effective if athletes on defense are better than offensive receivers.
  • Allows for blitz options.
• Example: Ohio State's man coverage against Michigan.

Cover Two

• Type: Zone Defense
• Structure:
  • Two safeties covering halves of the field.
  • Five zones underneath managed by corners and linebackers.
• Execution:
  • Safeties keep wider and deeper positions.
  • Corners must jam wide receivers to prevent fast seam attacks.
• Purpose:
  • Safe defense against explosive plays.
  • Useful against teams with standout wide receivers.
  • Weak against the run if not supported by strong defensive tackles.
• Example: Penn State running cover two against Ohio State.

Cover Three

• Type: Zone Defense
• Structure:
  • Three deep zones covered by corners and a safety.
  • Four underneath zones.
• Execution:
  • Identify run and passing strengths.
  • Effective against the run with an extra defender in the box.
• Purpose:
  • Strong run defense without relying on man coverage.
  • Vulnerable in the flat zones.
• Example: Michigan's use of cover three against Texas.

Cover Four (Quarters)

• Type: Zone Defense with Man Principles
• Structure:
  • Four deep zones theoretically but played with man principles.
• Execution:
  • Corners are effectively in man coverage.
  • Safeties use pattern reading based on the number two receiver.
• Purpose:
  • Strong against the run by bringing safeties down based on receiver patterns.
  • Can be attacked with posts over the top.
• Example: Ohio State utilizing quarters against Indiana.

Conclusion

• These coverages are commonly referenced in football analysis.
• Understanding these can help in analyzing and appreciating football tactics.
• Encourage viewers to subscribe for more football insights.