JIM CANTAFIO
Director of Susquehanna Valley Sports
717-468-7185
SVSSPORTS.COM
Game Plan vs. Cover 0-1-2-3
vs.
Cover – 0
Cover – 1
Cover – 2
Cover – 3
Keep it Simple!
COVERAGES
• One of the most important things a good
passing quarterback needs to know is how
to read coverage's. But it is also one of
the most under taught parts of high school
football.
• The first thing you have to learn is the
different types of coverage's.
5 Basic Coverages
0 – Man – Man by all defensive backs
No FS
1 – Free Man - Man by both corners and
SS but the FS is playing
zone
2 – Two Deep Zone –Safety’s on the hash and
corners are 5 to 10 yards deep
in zone
5 Basic Coverages
2 Man – Two deep zone by the
safeties and man on the
corners
3 – Three Deep Zone – Both corners and
free safety are deep.
BOX D.E.L.
• Men in box
• Depth of corners
• Eyes of the defensive backs
• Leverage of defensive backs
The box is Tackle to Tackle from 10 yds. Past the LOS and
back. The box can shift right or left depending on the
middle of the field or the hashes.
BOX
10 yds
10 yds
QB
READ THE BOX
• If there is a safety in the box the defense
is either 3-Deep or Man Free.
• If there is no safety in the box the defense
is either Two Deep or Man.
DEPTH OF CORNERS
• Check the depth of the corners
• If the corners are 8 or more yards deep
there coverage is most likely a type of
zone, but if they are up tight it is most
likely that they are in a type of man
coverage.
EYES OF DEF. BACKS
• If the defensive backs have their eyes on
the receiver then you know they are in
some type of man coverage.
• If their eyes are on the quarterback you
know it is a type of zone.
LEVERAGE OF DEF.
BACKS
• An outside leverage by the defensive
backs on a receiver points to zone
coverage.
• An inside or head-up leverage points to
man.
Cover 3 - Zone
COVER 3 – THREE DEEP
FS
C C
STRENGTHS:
•3-Deep Secondary SS B
•Run Support
WEAKNESS:
•Curl Flat Area
•Flood Routs QB
•Four Verticals
•Middle of the Field
Short Game
Routes vs. Cover – 3
Can be called in huddle or on the L.O.S.
1. 3 Step Passing Game
2. Bubble Screen
3. Verticals
4. Curl – Flat Combination
5. Sprint out Game
3 Step – Create 2 on 1
vs. Cover - 3
FS
C
C
5 yds
5 yds
H R
B D
QB
•Quick out- Hitch Combo
•You have a 2 on 1 strong
and weak
vs. Cover - 3
FS
C
C
5 yds 5 yds
H R
B D
QB
All Hitch Combo
•You have A 2 on 1 Strong
vs. Cover - 3
FS
C
C
H R
B D
QB
Bubble Screen
•Read R or H
•Crack on Base
vs. Cover - 3
FS
C C
H R
B D
QB
verticals
•Read FS
•2 on 1 vs. FS
•Use multiple formations
•Automatic call when ball is
in the middle of field
vs. Cover - 3
FS
C 12 yds
C
8 yds
H R
B D
5 yds
QB
Curl – Flat Combo
•Read Strong or weak
for 2 on 1
vs. Cover - 3
FS
C
C 12
10 yds 10
R
5yds H
D B
QB
Sprint out, Comeback – Flag Combo
Read R. for Comeback or Flag sit down
COVER 2 – TWO DEEP
FS SS
C C
STRENGTHS: B
•Five underneath
coverage playing zone
•Ability to disrupt
release of outside rec.
•Flat Coverage
WEAKNESS:
QB
•Deep coverage vs
Fade & Deep Middle
•Run support vs. Run
5 in the box.
•Back Coverage
Cover 2 - Zone
Cover 2 - Man
vs. Cover - 2
C FS
H D C
B R
QB
Fade
•Read Safety on the hash
vs. Cover - 2
22 yds
C FS
10 yds
H 5 yds D R C
B
QB
Smash
•With RB up the seam or without
•Read safety on the hash
vs. Cover - 2
C FS
15 yds 15 yds
H D B R C
QB
HI- LO
•Read rolled up CB for Flat or Deep out
•vs. man – look to RB
vs. Cover - 2
C FS
H B D R C
QB
Zig-Zag with motion
•Read rolled up CB for Zig-Zag or flair
• vs. man – RB is a good choice
vs. Cover - 2
C FS
Rub
B
H R C
D
QB
Cross - Wheel
•Read under to Dig
•Catch FS Jumping Dig – you got wheel
COVER 1 – FREE MAN
FS
SS
STRENGTHS:
•Help in middle of field
B
•Tight Coverage
C C
•Pass Rush
WEAKNESS:
•No Underneath Help QB
•Crossing Routes
•Pick Routes
•Breaking Routes
•Play Action Pass
Cover 1 – Man Free
vs. Cover 1 - Man Free
FS
C C
H D R
B
QB
1. 3 Step Game
2. Verticals
3. Crossing Routes
4. Sprint-out Comeback - Flag
0 COVERAGE - MAN
STRENGTHS:
•Pass Rush - Pressure SS FS
Defense
•Can Rush 6 – Blitz
Package
•Tight Coverage C B C
WEAKNESS:
•No Underneath Help QB
•Crossing Routes
•Pick Routes
•Breaking Routes
•No one in middle of
field – Deep Post
0 - Man
Cover 0 – Man
Full Blitz inside or outside
0 – Man Outside Pressure 0 – Man Inside Pressure
1. 3 Step game 1. Sprint – Out Game
2. Quick Running 2. 3 Step Game –
Game Protect A-Gap out
Start from a base package on
how to read and attack
coverages…….
And You Will Be Successful!
THE END
JIM CANTAFIO
Director of Susquehanna Valley Sports
717-468-7185
SVSSPORTS.COM
