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Muskingum College: Cover 2 (Parts 2 and 3)

by: Shap Boyd
Defensive Coordinator, Muskingum College
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Cover 2 - Part 2

* In Part One we discussed Why cover 2? We discussed how both offensively and defensively both parties feel like they are in a "win situation" both sides feel as if they have gained an advantage. We discussed how offensive personnel groups and formations can affect the coverage and we talked about the how the offense appears to gain an advantage at times in both gaps and #'s. In Part 2 we want to shift our emphasis to the technical coaching points of the coverage. We will discuss the alignment, techniques and reads for both the Cornerbacks and the Safety's.

















* This completes part 2 - detailing our CB's and Safety's reads and reactions. In part 3 we will look at the underlying factors of this coverage and we will discover that what happens on the back end of the defense is directly tied to what happens on the front end. It is the defensive front that nobody ever discusses in cover 2. I promise you, one won't happen without the other. We must take care of business in the front 7 or the coverage won't come together.

Cover 2- Part 3

* Previously in parts One and Two we have outlined the benefits of cover 2 from both the offensive and defensive perspectives. We also discussed the Cornerbacks and Safety's alignments, techniques and reads. At this point we will bring closure to our discussion on cover 2 by discussing the single most important factor of the coverage, the defensive front. This aspect of the coverage is rarely discussed but is crucial to the success of the coverage.

* Ultimately "it's what's up front that counts." As we have already discussed in part 1, the offenses can create a gap advantage or worse both a gap and a numbers advantage. As a defensive unit we want to be able to play this coverage when we want to. We can't let the offense dictate to us when we run certain coverage's.

The Main ingredient to Cover 2 = Your Defensive Line.

* What's up front will make or break your coverage. Not to say that you need a bunch of All-Americans in front of you - but you must have a sound scheme to force the football to the perimeter.

* As we have already discussed the offense can have a #'s or a gap advantage - You have to have some athletic players that can get off blocks and run to the football. This also includes your Linebackers.

* Schematically you must also find ways to help secure the inside run gaps so that your Lb'ers can get into their drops.

* Essentially Our Mike backer has 2 interior gaps based on flow - we must take away one of these gaps and make his run read more definitive. We must give him a one way go. If the ball is not in that gap he plays pass and reacts to anything else.

* In a passing situation our 4 rushers must defeat at a minimum 5 blockers. (+ any additional backs)

* In a running situation our 4 D-Linemen + our Mike must account for at a minimum 6 gaps up front.

* Somewhere we have to get a 2 for 1 exchange!!

"It's What's up Front that Counts"

* The following diagrams (9-13) will demonstrate some of the line movements that we utilize. All of these movements are run with the idea of canceling out run lanes on the inside. In doing so we give our Linebackers a one-way-go while we bounce the football outside to where our displaced Linebackers are aligned. In all cases we are hoping to achieve a 2 for 1 exchange while at the same time canceling out inside running lanes.

* The following diagrams (1-5) will demonstrate some of the line movements that we utilize. All of these movements are run with the idea of canceling out run lanes on the inside. In doing so we give our Lb'ers a one-way-go while we bounce the football outside to where our displaced Lb'ers are aligned. In all cases we are hoping to achieve a 2 for 1 exchange while at the same time canceling out inside running lanes.











In closing, I would like to say that with any coverage there is more than goes into it than what is happening on the back end. If we don't take care of the run lanes up front we'll never get to the pass coverage aspect. Cover 2 is much more than 2 deep, 5 underneath. it is a comprehensive coverage that the whole defense is tied to. If run correctly, the whole defense will benefit.

Defensive Coordinator Shap Boyd is completing his first year at Muskingum College after serving in the same capacity at Wash. U. in Saint Louis from 2004-06. Over the past 2 years Wash. U's defense was ranked 3rd and 19th in total defense respectively. Prior to Wash. U. Boyd spent five seasons at Jacksonville University, a Division I-AA non-scholarship program in Jacksonville, Fla. While at Jacksonville he served as the Associate Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator. Other coaching stints include stops at Middle Tennessee State, University of Kentucky, Lock Haven University, Lycoming College and the University of the South (Sewanee), as well as two years at Lake Highland Preparatory School in Orlando FL.





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