COVERAGE

PACKAGES MADE
EASY
David Tenison
Jenks High School
david.tenison@jenksps.org
 4 Philosophies of Pass Coverage
– Coverage (Drop 7 or 8 – Out Number Receivers on
Each Side)
– Press (Disrupt Release of Receiver – Destroy Timing
of Route)
– Blitz (Overload One Side with Blitz – Pressure QB –
Do Not Let QB Throw Ball On Time or With
Rhythm)
– Disguise Coverage – Do Not Show By Pre-Snap
Alignment What Coverage You will Run
2 Ways To Disguise Coverage:
1) Line Up in a Generic 4 Deep or 2 Deep Shell
and Stem
2) Line up in a Coverage and Bail to a
Different Coverage
 3 Types of Coverages
– Zone - Each Defender is Responsible For
Covering an Area (ZONE)

– Man - Each Defender is Responsible For

Covering a Receiver

– Man/Zone Combinations – Some

Defenders Play Man At The Same Time
Some Defenders Play a Zone
Explanation of Coverages
– Cover 0 – Man to Man
– Cover 1 – Man Free
– Cover 2 – 2 Deep Zone
– Cover 3 – 3 Deep Zone
– Cover 4 – 4 Deep Zone
– Cover 5 – Man under 2 Deep
Zone
– Cover 7 – Combo – Cover 2/9
– Cover 8 – Man Read
– Cover 9 – Trips Adjustment
 Types of Zone Coverages
– 4 Deep – C, FS, SS, C all play
Deep Zone

– 3 Deep – C, FS, C all play Deep

Zone – SS play curl/flat

– 2 Deep – FS, SS play Deep Zone

Both Corners play
curl/flat
 3 Types of Man to Man
– Man to Man (Cover 0)
C, FS, SS, C - Man a Receiver
– Man Free (Cover 1)
C, SS, C, - Man a Receiver
FS Plays Deep Zone
– Man Read (Cover 8)
C, C, Man Wide Receivers
FS, SS Man #2 Receiver IF
VERTICAL (5 yds or more) IF
NOT VERTICAL, ROB #1
RECEIVER
 3 Types of
Man/Zone Combinations

– Half Field Zone/Man

(Cover Nickel RT)

– Trips Man/Zone Combo

(Cover 9)

– Man Under/Zone Deep

(Cover 5)
 3 Most Popular Coverages

– Cover 3 – 3 Deep Zone

– Cover 0 – Man to Man

– Cover 1 – Man Free

TEACHING POINTS OF DEEP ZONE
SAFETIES
A. Depth = 8-10 yds from LOS
B. Alignment=
1. Balanced Formation - Middle of Field
2. Both Receivers on One Side - Split
Difference between #2 Receiver and
Split Side Tackle
C. Back Pedal on Snap – Keep Every Thing In
Front
D. Read Keys :
1. Split Side Tackle for Preliminary
Run/Pass Read (High Hat/ Low Hat)
2. Read Routes From #2 Receiver to #1
Receiver
TEACHING POINTS OF DEEP ZONE
CORNERS
– Depth = 6 yds from LOS
– Alignment = 2 yards inside #1 Receiver
– Back Pedal on Snap – Keep Every Thing in
Front (Zone Flip – Keep Eyes Inside and
on QB)
– Do Not Give up Inside Position – Take Away
Inside Routes, Force Ball to Be Thrown
Outside
– Use Boundary as an Extra player, Compress
Receiver to Boundary (Man Flip to
Receiver)
TEACHING POINTS OF MAN TO MAN
SAFETIES
A. If Receiver is in The Box:
1- Depth = 6 yds
2 - Alignment = 2 yds Outside Receiver
3 - Reads:
a. High Hat = Pass – No Step Read (Hop)
Let Receiver Come To You, Jamb
With Arm Furthest Away From
Receiver, Get In-Phase With
Receiver Never Give Up Inside
Position
b. Low Hat = Run ( Fit Off of Last Man on
B – If Receiver Detached From The Box:
1. Depth = 4 yds (Note – If My Receiver is on
LOS, Crowd and Jamb, If My Receiver is Off
LOS, Play at 4 yds)

2. Alignment = Inside Shoulder of Receiver

3. Play Pass First, Run Second

4. Jamb Receiver with Arm Furthest Away

From Receiver, Get In-Phase With
Receiver Never Give Up Inside Position
 TEACHING POINTS OF MAN TO MAN
CORNERS
– Depth = Crowd LOS

– Alignment = Nose on Inside Number of

Receiver

– Jamb With Arm Furthest Away From Receiver

– Get In-Phase With Receiver

– Never Give Up Inside Position