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AFM Magazine


Three Deep Coverage Principles

by: Mark Dantonio
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College football programs across the country are currently in a huge transition period, both offensively and defensively. Offensively, teams are spreading the field with receivers, creating run and pass situations that require defenders to tackle in space. Defensively, zone pressure and eight man front defenses are being designed to create pressure and eliminate an opposing offense’s run game. In doing this, we are seeing a shift back to the three deep coverage concept used so regularly throughout the history of college football. Like many of you, my exposure to three deep coverages is quite extensive, having played and coached in its environment for the majority of my football life. My new appreciation and perspective regarding the base thoughts, teaching progression and consistencies are a direct result of working for Nick Saban at Michigan State beginning in the spring of 1995. With that in mind, this article is being written in reference to the following points of emphasis:

A. Plan of the Playing Field
B. No Cover Zone
C. Seams
D. Middle of the Field (MOF) Coverage
E. Dividers / Corner’s Play
F. Underneath Matches
G. One Back Sets
H. Play Action (Flow / Boot / Webb)
1. 2 x 2 Formations
2. 3 X 1 Formations (Load / Split)
A. Plan of the Playing Field (Diagram 1)

Diagram 1


The playing field that we defend is 53 1/3 yards wide. It is crucial to our players understanding that they know the basic landmarks of the field in order that their responsibilities can be clearly and logistically defined. The bottom of the numbers on the field is seven yards from the sideline; the tops nine yards. This information clarifies the areas of responsibility and position of alignment for our players and gives our teaching progression true meaning.

B. No Cover Zone
The no cover zone is an area of five yards from the current line of scrimmage extending across the field. Our underneath defending players are always to drop clearly out of the no cover zone in their pass responsibilities. Our philosophy dictates that the defenders drop to at least ten yards depth and break back into the no cover zone. They are coached to break on the ball and cover 1/3 of the distance from the quarterback to the intended receiver. Our goal is to limit the offense to 5.0 yards or less per pass attempt. It insures the ball being thrown in front and/or outside of our coverage. This will prevent the quarterback from throwing the ball “on line” to the MOF.

C. Seams of the Field (Diagram 2)

Diagram 2

The seams of the field are two landmarks of reference for our entire perimeter defenders. They are three yards wide, begin at a point ten yards from the line of scrimmage and are located two yards outside the hash (when the ball is in the middle of the field). Should the ball be placed on either hash, the far seam moves two yards inside and begins on the far hash. It remains three yards wide and again begins at ten yards depth. Philosophically, theses seams are our weakest areas of coverage; they are points of references where offenses attempt to send #2 receivers down the field to threaten the defense horizontally. We cannot allow these receivers to run into this area. They must be re-routed out of the seam at ten yards depth. (The #2 receivers are receivers positioned inside the #1 receivers for identification).

D. Middle of the Field Coverage (Diagram 3)

Diagram 3

This is the area our middle of the field defender must be able to break and cover in any of our three deep coverages. There is one such defender and he must remain “deep as the deepest” possible receiver in the true middle of the field. He must also be able to break 1/3 the distance from the quarterback’s throw to the “reception area” on the intended receiver. Theoretically speaking he must be capable of covering seam to seam if receivers are 25 yards or more downfield. Should they be 18 to 25 yards downfield, we ask that they be able to go hash to hash. This can be done when our underneath defenders drop out of the no cover zone and our safety anticipates the quarterback’s throw by reading his mechanics.

E. Dividers / Corners Play (Diagram 3)
Our corners are responsible for coverage in the outside 1/3 of the field. As with all of our players they are taught a stance, alignment, key and responsibility which make up their individual technique in respect to a specific defense and coverage. Our corner’s alignment and play in his 1/3 technique is predicated on his “divider” rule. A divider is a specific landmark for each corner that tells him where the midpoint of his outside 1/3 is located. If the ball is in the middle of the field, the corner’s divider (Midpoint) is one yard above the numbers (ten yards from sideline). Should the ball be on a hash, the far corner’s divider is five yards above the numbers (14 yards from sideline / midpoint between numbers and hash). The near corner’s divider moves to 6 1/2 yards from the sideline (1/2 yard outside – bottom of numbers). These dividers remain constant throughout the play and the corners play off these in terms of horizontal alignment and actual play as follows:

1. Wide receiver initially aligns inside or on divider, C horizontally align. One yard outside wide receiver (Depth will vary upon technique addendum).

2. Wide receiver initial alignment outside of divider, C align one yard inside wide receiver.

3. As play begins the corner goes through this progression.
a. Eye to quarterback. Read the quick three step route (slow backpedal / eyes from quarterback to wide receiver / drive on tackle)
b. Number three step. Eye control to #2 receiver. Begin to play in a half turn (technique). If #2 is down the seam, get depth on your divider (midpoint). Be able to break 1/3 the distance to the “reception area” on intended receiver. Disregard #1 receiver’s route but be able to make the play on any deep throw in your outside 1/3 zone.
c. Number 2 down the seam. (#2 is blocking / short route, etc.) Corner’s eye control goes hard to #1’s hip based on your divider leverage. Begin to play him man-to-man “top down.” Do not allow yourself to be stemmed off your divider horizontally. Your leverage may change on your wide receiver based on his route. Maintain your position of strength and read his lower body for route indicators.
F. Underneath Matches (Diagrams 4A and 4B)

Diagram 4a

The basic plan of all normal three deep coverages involves four underneath defenders, three linebackers and one safety. Based on the specific coverage call, we are able to insert the one “down” safety into any of the underneath positions. (Rita / Rt or Linda / Lt Calls) For this reason, in our teaching progression, we use four X’s and ask that all of our linebackers and safeties learn all matches on drops underneath.

There are four base spot drops in all three deep coverages: Weak Flat / Weak Hook / Strong Hook / Curt-Flat. We match the patterns as follows:

1. Weak Flat Defender – Drop out of no cover zone. Eyes on #2 (half match)
a. #2 to flat expand through #1. Take away out cut. Break back into no cover zone on quarterback throw. (Handle #2 / wheel Rt)
b. #2 inside or up weak seam. “Close the window on #1.” You are responsible for #1 inside / out. (Curl / Smash)

2. Weak Curl Defender – Drop out of no cover zone. Eyes to #2 (2/1 match)
a. #2 to flat – “Close the window” on #1 inside / out. Break out of no cover on quarterback short throw.
b. #2 up seam – Re-route #2 out of seam at ten yards Hold curl area.
c. #2 Short. Stack off on #2 out of no cover. Take him back to ball.

3. Strong Hook Defender – Drop out of no cover zone. Eyes to #3. (3/2 match)
a. Match to final #3 receiver in strong hook area.
b. #3 outside / blocking. Find #2 (TE).
c. #3 checkdown / stack off #3.

Diagram 4b


4. Curl Flat Defender – drop out of no cover zone.
a. Drop to seam ten yards deep
b. #2 in seam / re-route him out of the seam at ten yards depth. Expand on any #3 flat (Break back to cover zone)
c. Number 2 in seam. Match final #2. Get width. Again break back to no cover / expand through curl (Handle wheel by #2).
G. One Back Sets (Diagrams 5A and 5B)

1. (2 x 2 formations) All 2 x 2 formations are regarded as a “Double Seam Alert” formation with the potential of an offense attacking us with four verticals. Our base matches and theories remain the same. Reroute the seams at ten yards.

2. (3 x 1 Formations) The offense has flooded one side of the field with aligned receivers. Coaching decisions will be made based on an offense’s tendencies and our secondary’s ability. We may decide to push our coverage to their strength or remain with our base concepts.

We will play load and split rules.
Split: Remaining back (#4) goes weak.
Load: Remaining back (#4) goes strong.

In both scenarios, we will play either base rules or push our coverage as follows:

1. Strong Flat Defender – Push to final #1 (Quick re-route on #2)

2. Strong Hook Defender – Push to final #2 (seam)

3. Weak Hook Defender – Push front-side to #3 (and #3 up has to be taken up)

4. Weak Flat Defender – You have #4 or first crosser (Load). Stay out of no cover and don’t “undress the corner.” Hold the curl for him.

5. Backside C – Squeeze #1 weak man. He will / can use press technique.

Diagram 5a

Diagram 5b


H. Play Action (Diagrams 6A – 6F)
1. Webb – both backs flow weak. Base matches.

Diagram 6a

Diagram 6b

Diagram 6c

Diagram 6d

Diagram 6e

Diagram 6f

2. Boot – Back split with run action. Quarterback moves the pocket.
a. Hook players “Radar” (turn, find and carry crossovers).
b. Frontside flat player has first to flat.
c. Backside flat player has throwback.

3. Flow – Both backs go strong. (#4 is strong)
a. Push coverage strong. (see 3 x 1 load) (Matches)
b. Should TE run shallow crosses / weak side hook “Robot” (turn and find) Z / X dig.

In conclusion, it is my belief as a coach and teacher that players learn best when given basic principles on which to concentrate. Terms such as Seams, Dividers, No Cover Zone, 1/3 the distance, Reception Area and others help define for the player their responsibilities. It takes the gray area out of a coach’s teaching progression and allows him to pinpoint and correct many of the very basic problems that his players will encounter. Three-deep coverage, with its good run support schemes and middle of the field coverage players, creates situations where an offense must run and throw the ball outside. Ideally, this is to the defense’s advantage. I believe it has, as Coach Saban used to say, ‘stood the test of time.’





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