Cover Your Bases

A look at Base Coverage 2
by: Mike Silecchia
Head Football Coach, Lebanon Valley College of PA
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When coaching cover two to your athletes it is essential that they know that their first responsibility is to defend the pass. Undisciplined safeties and corners spell one thing for the offense ­ a big play. The secondary must be able to distinguish between what is an aggressive play and what is an over aggressive and undisciplined play. Most secondary breakdowns occur when there is an over-reaction to an initial read, which occurs at the snap of the ball. A simple illustration of this is a safety in cover two, coming out of his back pedal, and reacting to the run on play-action pass. If the safety can maintain his discipline and proceed through his proper progression of reads before diagnosing the play, he can be assured of being in position to make a play.

Keys

As the offensive players take their initial steps, there are certain tips that can help diagnose whether the play is either pass or run. These tips will vary depending on the coverage called and the type of offense being faced.

The keys that we focus in on defensively are the receivers, ball flow, and quarterback.

1) Receivers - by watching the primary receivers such as the tight end, flanker or split end, and backs in conjunction with ball flow and the quarterback, a proper read of pass or run will be made.

2) Ball Flow - helps determine the direction of the play and which area the defensive back needs to defend run or pass.

3) Quarterback - will determine whether the defensive back has a on the line or off the line read. This key will probably be the defensive backs most reliable read as to the pas or run.

4) Uncovered Lineman - if the lineman pass sets, focus to the quarterback for your on the line/off the line read.

Receiver Identification

For simplification and communication purposes we will number the outside eligible receivers.

Pass Actions

We will classify pass actions in seven different categories which will help in determining the technique of our defensive backs.

Hot - The quarterback takes the snap and immediately looks to throw the ball in an area vacated by a blitzing defender. There is usually one step taken in this drop.

3-Step - Usually following a line of scrimmage check off in a defensive pressure situation. The quarterback steps straight back from the center and can throw in either direction.

Dropback - The quarterback goes straight back from the center. He may take 5 steps or 7 steps and can throw in either direction.

Sprint - The quarterback leaves the center at a 45 degree angle and challenges the corner. He has the option to run or pass depending on coverage and reaction of the defense. To throw back he must make a complete body turn.

Angle Sprint - The quarterback leaves the center at a 45 degree angle and pulls up inside the offensive tackle. He can throw in either direction.

Play Action - The quarterback fakes a running play and sets up to pass. We also include the boot leg in this action.

Dash - The quarterback 3-step drops then sprints to the corner.

Stance

Corners - Feet are shoulders width and apart square to the line of scrimmage with head turned in reading the quarterback, flow and the #2 receiver.

Safeties - Feet are slightly staggered. Reading uncovered. lineman to the quarterback. Must be aware of the #1 and the #2 receiver.

Two Deep Alignments (College Hashes)

It is crucial that your defensive backs are aligned in proper alignments in cover two improper alignments create poor angles in reacting to the ball. Example: safety reacting downhill to the ball keeping everything in front of him.

Rules:

Corners - 1 x 5 outside shoulder alignment on the #1 receiver. Never align closer than 5 yards from the sideline.

Safeties - 12 years deep. If #1 is stretching us we go 2 yards to 3 yards off the hash. If we are not getting stretch by #1 we line up on the hash.

Run Support

When planning our defensive practice, we make sure that we build in a period for working on our run support and pursuit angles. In our concept we will key the ball for an on the line off the line read. If the ball is on the line we get a hard corner.If the ball is off the line, we will position funnel the receiver.

Technique

In our defensive package, we are a cover 2 concept in the secondary. In our package we will play a base cover 2 along with a read and two-man concept. Our alignments are identical to force the quarterback to make a coverage read, after the snap of the ball.

Base 2 Kick Safeties

Diagram (A) The safeties are responsible for the deep half of the field. They read the #2 and #1 receivers. If both receivers go vertical, split the threats hanging closer to the inside threat. The safety must maintain a triangle relationship with the receivers so that he can break downhill to the ball. If #2 goes to the flat, the safety is over the top of #1 and vice versa (be conscious of the out and up route of #1 and wheel route of #2).

Diagram (C) If the safety is backside playing #1 as the only threat, he must be over the top of #1 checking for #2 on the frontside. The safeties are responsible for option and halfback pass.

Corners

Diagram (A) The corners are responsible for the flat areas with the depth of 12 to 14 yards. If the receiver works inside, the corners must shuffle and create collision keeping square to the line of scrimmage being conscious of #2 crossing his face.

Diagram (B) If the receiver releases outside the corner must shuffle and create collision keeping square to the line of scrimmage using your outside arm. Sink into the #1 receiver turning towards the quarterback checking for the #2 receiver or any crossing routes to you area. It is important that you cushion the void area between your zone and the safeties zone.

Safeties 1/2 Technique

Both threats vertical split the difference (hang closer to #1)

#2 out over the top of #1

Be conscious of #2 frontside

Corner Kick Tech.

Shuffle, Jam with inside hand, cushion, play #2 to the flat (Don't chase #1 to far inside)

Shuffle, jam with outside arm, sink under #1, zone turn and prep for #2.


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Diagram10

Diagram 11A

Diagram 11B

Diagram 11C

Diagram 12A

Diagram 12B

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