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Cal’s 3-deep Zone Coverage vs. The 4-Vertical Passing Game

by: Al Simmons
Defensive Backs Coach, University of California
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As you coaches know, you listen and search for answers by reading magazines and attending clinics. You will learn and improve as a coach. I attended many clinics as a young coach in my lifetime and I have learned a lot. I have also had the pleasure of working with some outstanding coaches whom I would like to say thanks to. Please forgive me guys if I miss a name or two. First of all a very special thanks to all of the head coaches I have worked for: Tim Tierney, Dick Mannini, Cliff Hysell, Tom Walsh, Tom Holmoe, Dennis Erickson, Dick Tomey, Dirk Koetter and Jeff Tedford. A special thank you goes out to the secondary coaches I have worked with over the years: Craig Bray, Willie Robinson, Jim Mora, Ron Lynn, Brett Maxie, Randy Steward and Bob Gregory.

My topic today is in regards to 3-deep, 4-underneath zone coverage. It is a coverage that is starting to become popular again in today’s game, because of the offenses ability to run the ball. With blocking schemes from 2-back sets, or spreading you out in the 1-back offenses, having 6 to 8 men in the box to defend the run gives you an opportunity to defend the running game. In addition 3-deep zone is good as a changeup in pass coverage. By using 3-deep zone coverage, you do not always have to live in man coverage or a form of quarters coverage. As play callers on defense, we need to have a variety of calls just like the offense. That will assist us in not being predictable. Defensive coaches, including myself got away from 3-deep zone because of the inability to handle 4 verticals. We all know that 3-deep zone coverage is, regardless of the front, still very good and sound vs. all 2-back running games. As soon as the offense jumps into 11 personnel (1-back, 1-TE and 3-WRs), we as defensive coaches must often call another coverage to handle the 4 vertical threats, i.e., 2-deep zone coverage, quarters coverage or a combination of the two (quarter, quarter, half). See Diagrams 1, 2 and 3.

Diagram 1

Diagram 2

Diagram 3

When do we need to be cautious of 4 verticals? Anytime the offense aligns with 4 eligible receivers on the line of scrimmage. Now they have the ability to put 4 vertical threats on you right now. Today’s offensive coordinators are doing this out of 21 personnel (2-backs, 1-TE and 2-WRs) or 20 personnel (2-backs, 0-TE, and 3-WRs) and not just out of 1-back personnel groups. The threat of 4 verticals can happen anytime and out of any personnel group. The first thing we must do as a defense is to define and “own the seams!” The seams are the inside vertical landmarks. We identify those areas as an area 12 or more yards downfield. The width of the seam is defined as anywhere from the inside edge of the hash to 2 yards outside the hash (See Diagram 4). When we say “own the seams” we mean that we must not allow the inside threats, from a 2 x 2 formation, to enter into that area. The denial and disruption of the release is the responsibility of the curl/flat defender. Before he extends to the curl or flat he must reroute the #2 receiver. Here is a detailed explanation.

Diagram 4

A-If the receiver, pre-snap is aligned outside of the defined seam area, the curl/flat defender must align in the seam area and keep his body between the WR and the seam area. In effect the safety would stretch the receiver’s release to the cornerback’s outside 1/3 (See Diagram 5).

Diagram 5

B-If the receiver, pre-snap, is aligned with a tight split, inside of the defined seam area, the curl/flat defender must be in the seam area and keep his body between the WR and seam area. In effect the safety would squeeze the receiver’s release toward the post safety, middle 1/3 (See Diagram 6).

Diagram 6

C-If the #2 WR is already aligned in the defined seam area, the curl/flat defender must, as stated before, disrupt the release and stretch it inside or outside the seam area (See Diagram 7).

Diagram 7

Let’s take a couple of minutes to define the job and the landmarks that are given to the cornerbacks vs. 2-vertical threats, in deep outside 1/3 coverage. First of all, he must get depth vs. the drop back pass and have vision on the #2 threat. As long as the #2 WR is releasing vertical the corner must stay vertical. This will keep you from settling or stopping when the outside WR stops on a hitch, out or curl. The vertical landmark he must maintain vs. 2 vertical threats is 5 to 7 yards deeper than the deepest of the 2 routes (Diagram 8). The landmark regarding the corners’ width will depend on ball placement. If the ball is on a hash mark, the corner to the field must maintain the vertical leverage from a width of 3 to 4 yards inside the field side #’s (Diagram 9). The corner to the short side of the field must maintain his vertical leverage from the bottom of the #’s and no wider. If the ball is in the middle of the field, the vertical leverage does not change but the landmark regarding width for the cornerback does. Both corners should be on the #’s or the top edge of the #’s (Diagram 10).

Diagram 8

Diagram 9

Diagram 10

Your post safety should be right in line with the middle of the goal posts vs. double-width formations and maintain approximately 10 yards of cushion from the deepest inside threat. If he reads the QB and gets a great break he should be able to make a play on all seam threats (Diagram 11).

Diagram 11

If your secondary exercises great vision, along with the techniques and landmarks outlined you should have great control of vertical threats and “own the seams.”


WHAT IF?

Q1. What if your opponent lines up in a trips formation? You still have 4 vertical threats but in a 3x1 set. Does your secondary coverage change or do you make any adjustments?

If we are playing 3-deep vs. a 3 x 1 set, we will lean the Post 1/3 Safety to the Trips unless a receiver crosses his face. We will still ask the Curl Flat defender to disrupt the #2 WR to force toward the 2 to 1 read Corner or inside toward the post player.

Q2. Is there a situation where you would use press coverage facing four vertical threats? Can you still protect the seams?

I chose to talk about 3-deep Zone vs. 4 verticals because it is the toughest coverage to be in and defend the Seams. Quarters coverage with corners pressed (if they are good bump defenders) or off is the best Zone Coverage to be in because you have 4 Deep defenders to cover the 4 verticals. Man-to-Man Coverage with a Post Player is good to play also, if it suits your personnel.

Q3. What if your opponent is in the red zone? Do the vertical landmarks change in this situation?

It is very difficult to play 3-deep Zone in the Red Zone. Because of the end line, the secondary cannot play with the depth they need to overlap to multiple vertical threats. This would not be the coverage of choice inside the 20-yard line.






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