What is the cover 3 defense?
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Asked by: Adam White
Cover 3 is a three-deep, four-under zone defense run out of both base and sub-package personnel at the NFL level. A scheme that shows up often in early down-and-distance situations to create an eight-man front, Cover 3 is a first-day-install defense.
What is a Cover 3 defense Good For?
The primary goal of a cover 3 defense is to protect downfield and force underneath passes, then rally and tackle to limit the yards after the catch. It is vital that players in a cover 3 defense be good tacklers. There are two different flavors of basic cover 3: cover 3 sky and cover 3 press/buzz.
What is the weakness of a Cover 3 defense?
The seams and the flats are generally the areas of weakness for the Cover 3 defense.
When should I use Cover 3?
The Cover 3 defense is one of those alignments that can be used in some fashion by just about any team. It’s a defense that is often used in early downs on a drive because it’s good against both the pass and the run, and offenses are often less predictable on first and second downs than they are on third downs.
What is a Cover 4 defense?
Also known as quarters coverage, Cover 4 has four deep zones, typically two corners and two safeties, splitting a fourth of the deep portions of the field. The two safeties are in the middle of the field, while the corners take the quarter of the field to their side.
Does Cover 3 stop the run?
The strengths of cover 3 are its spacing and the ability to stop the run. It’s very balanced and good against both the pass and the run. It allows you to get pressure with only four defensive linemen and excellent coverage on short and deep routes.
Is Cover 3 good against the run?
Cover 3 balances pass coverage with run defense. The extra safety in the box helps protect against the run and the zone coverage underneath can transfer crossers that would cause issues for man coverages. Some teams will also play press Cover 3 outside to prevent easy access throws that would come with off coverage.
What is a cover 5 defense?
Sometimes called “2-Man” or “Cover 5,” this is a defense where the two safeties split the deep part of the field (as in Cover 2), but the linebackers and corners all match up in man coverage.
What is a Cover 0 defense?
Cover 0 refers to pure man coverage with no deep defender. Similar to Cover 1, Cover 0 has the same strengths and weaknesses but employs an extra rusher at the expense of deep coverage help leaving each pass defender man-to-man.
What route combinations beat Cover 3?
A tunnel screen would work very well against cover 3 as well. The stick-arrow concept is another excellent cover 3 beater. This play will have the outside receiver run the cornerback off deep and have the left inside receiver run a quick hitch or ‘stick’ route.
What is a cover 6 defense?
Cover 6 is a blend of two separate coverages: Cover 4 and Cover 2. As a result, it looks very similar to Cover 3 with three deep defenders and four underneath. It offers the ability to disguise, protect against the passing strength, and has safeties that are active in the run game.
What is a cover 9?
Cover 9 is just the invert of cover 6, basically just flipping which side plays 4 and which side plays 2. It comes from 6 flipped upside down is 9.
What’s a Tampa 2 defense?
The Tampa 2 is typically employed out of a 4–3 defensive alignment, which consists of four linemen, three linebackers, two cornerbacks, and two safeties. The defense is similar to a Cover 2 defense, except the middle linebacker drops into a deep middle coverage for a Cover 3 when he reads a pass play.
What should I do against Cover 3?
A tunnel screen would work very well against cover 3 as well. The stick-arrow concept is another excellent cover 3 beater. This play will have the outside receiver run the cornerback off deep and have the left inside receiver run a quick hitch or ‘stick’ route.
How many safeties are in Cover 3?
Cover 3 is a zone defense where three defensive backs ‒ typically two outside cornerbacks and a free safety ‒ divide the deep portion of the field into thirds, with four defenders (a combination of the strong safety, linebackers, and any nickel- or dime- backs) underneath.
What is the difference between Cover 2 and Cover 3?
In Cover 2 for example, there are two deep safeties that divide the field into halves. If the secondary played Cover 3, three deep defenders would divide the deep responsibility on the field into thirds. If they played Cover 4, four deep defenders divide the deep zone into fourths.
How do you counter a 3 case?
Setup:
- Make sure you are on the left hash mark.
- Block your tight end.
- Hot route your RB/R1 receiver to a slant route.
- Hot route your X/square receiver to a drag or slant route.
- Double team the outside most pass rusher on the right.
How do you beat a 4 3 defense?
The best way to get around a 4-3 defense on offense is to pass the ball and run play-action passes. There are too many players in the box on the defense, so running it would be a mistake unless the offense is calling the defense bluff and they’re actually running a 3-4 defense in disguise.
Which defense is better 3-4 or 4-3?
In theory, the 3-4 is more flexible for defending the pass and plays on the edge. This is because it’s easier to drop a linebacker into coverage than a defensive end. However, the 4-3 is generally better at stopping common inside run plays because there are more defensive linemen in the game at once.
What is the weakness of a 4-3 defense?
Weaknesses of 4-3 Under
Since the Will linebacker is protected by the weakside defensive end and 3-technique, a lot of plays and tackles are going to be funneled his way. He has to be able to sift through traffic as the nose and Mike linebacker spill things back his direction.
What is a Will linebacker?
The weak side linebacker, or WILL, is the primary playmaker of the defense and got his name because he is typically positioned in the middle of the defense (more or less). He generally lines up 3-5 yards off the line of scrimmage and covers (lines up over) the guard to the weak side of the offensive formation.
What is a Mike LB?
The middle linebacker, often called the “Mike”, is frequently the “quarterback of the defense”. His central role on the field means he is in the best position to call defensive plays and direct shifts and changes based on what the offense is doing.
What is an OL in football?
The offensive line is positioned on the line of scrimmage at the start of every down. The offensive line is responsible for: Protecting the quarterback from being sacked. Countering the defensive line of the defense. Stopping defensive players from tackling the ball carrier.
Why do they call it a Mike linebacker?
The middle linebacker, or MIKE, is the quarterback of the defense and got his name because he is positioned in the middle of the defense (more or less). He generally lines up 3-5 yards off the line of scrimmage and covers (lines up over) the guard to the strong side of the offensive formation.
Why do QBS point out the mike?
The mike linebacker sets the protections for both the run and pass play. When the quarterback points out the Mike linebacker, he’s letting the offensive line know where the “count” starts. This is pivotal for the offensive line to understand who they’re blocking if a blitz or stunt happens.
What does the quarterback say in the huddle?
Then he scans the defense and sees that his play won’t work against that defensive alignment. So he calls an audible, and the team gets a new play called. Quarterback Peyton Manning of the Colts and Broncos was famous for using the audible code word “Omaha” although the meaning varied.
What is the 4-4 defense Good For?
The 4-4 defense is great for teams that have four really good linebackers to get on the field at all times, or for teams with three good linebackers and a strong safety who is bigger bodied and plays very well near the line of scrimmage.
What is a blitz package?
4-4 Defense Blitz Packages | Youth Football. The the 4-4 defense is a balanced defense that features 4 defensive linemen (2-defensive tackles (T) and 2- defensive ends (E)). The back seven include four linebackers and three defensive backs (SS is a hybrid/monster type player).
How do you run a 5 3 defense?
Sometimes you line them up in the gap. So you can either go strong side gapper or weak side gap but typically you're going to put them in the strong side gap.
