Due to its similarities to the 4-4, the most basic coverage in the 4-2-5 scheme is cover 3. In line with the “bend-but-don’t-break” approach, cover 3 is a three-deep zone scheme that keeps the football in front of the defenders and forces offenses to execute long drives in order to score. The base alignment of the 4-2-5 makes playing cover 3 a natural fit for the scheme, making it equally easy to teach, install, and execute. The presence of five defensive backs makes it possible to easily transition into “Cloud” and “Sky” variations of the coverage as well.
In a traditional cover 3 scheme, the free safety plays the deep middle of the field, with each cornerback having deep-third responsibilities. The strong and weak safeties have responsibility for the flat areas. In “Cloud” coverage, the cornerbacks would occupy the flat are....The full article can only be seen by subscribers.
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