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AFM Magazine


Double-Digit Defense

Winston-Salem State University\'s
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Diagram 5.


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Diagram 8.


Diagram 9.


Diagram 10.


Diagram 11.


Diagram 12.


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Diagram 14.


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Diagram 21.


Diagram 22.

I want to discuss why we double-digit our pass coverage. Let me start by showing you our Eagle front with Cover 2/5. Once we have discussed the basic alignment and assignments versus basic 21 Personnel Formations, we will look at some adjustments for when teams begin to break from the basic 21 Personnel sets.

Defensive Line
Weak End - 5 Technique
Nose - 21 Technique
Strong Tackle - 3 Technique
Stud - 6 Technique

Linebackers
Will - Alignment Ghost 9, 4-5 yards deep
Mike - 30 Alignment outside shade of weak-side guard, 4-5 yards deep
Mac - 20 Alignment, head up on the strong-side guard, 4-5 yards deep

Defensive Backs
Corners - 3-5 yards off #1 receiver with outside leverage (See Diagram 3.)

Safeties - 10-12 yards deep, 1 yard outside the hash (See Diagram 4.)

Now that we have the base alignment, let us take a look at the actual coverage. To properly execute the Coverage 2, 5, first we must understand the reason we call the coverage. We chose our Eagle front, which is a formation defense. The strength call is determined by the number of receivers on both sides. We want to stay in Cover 2, and we want to keep two linebackers in the box. We called Cover 5, because it’s a rotation of Cover 2 and we need coverage check once teams break the base Pro Set.

We play Cover 2 versus Pro Formations (See Diagram 5). We have rules that cannot be broken if we are going to be successful in this coverage. We must hit all receivers on their release off the LOS, and our corners are taught two verticals you run with #1 receiver.

Will is responsible for his first immediate threat, which in this case is the WR. He is considered a Curl Zone defender. If #1 releases inside and pushes up field Will must get underneath and wall him off until someone threatens his Curl Zone (See Diagram 6). If #1 tries to Cross Will’s face, he must collision him. Once #1 leaves his zone Will passes him on to Mike, then locates #2 Receiver (See Diagram 7). If #2 doesn’t show, Will sinks up field in his Curl Zone eyeballing the QB.

Mike is considered a Hook Zone defender. He has no immediate threat, except in the backfield. He will collision any receiver that crosses his face (See Diagram 8). If a receiver tries to split the zone between the Safeties, Mike must wall him off (See Diagram 9). Once the receiver leaves, Mike will settle in the Hook Zone with his head n a swivel, looking for receivers and eyeballing the QB.

Mac is considered a Curl Zone defender. He will jump his immediate threat #2 receiver, if he releases outside the Stud. Mac will wall of #2, releasing him to the safeties, but remaining underneath (See Diagram 10). Mac will now locate #1 receiver; if #1 threatens the Curl, Mac will jump him (See Diagram 11).

Our corners are Flat Zone defenders. Their first responsibility, once they recognize pass, is to funnel #1 receiver to an inside release. Since the corners are 2-to-1 defenders, they will now locate #2 receiver (See Diagram 12). They will push up field until #2 threatens the flat. If #2 goes vertical or away, the corners will eyeball #1. If #1 goes vertical the corners will push underneath up field (See Diagram 13). If #1 goes across field, the corners will sink up field until someone threatens the Flat. Our corners are a vital part of playing Cover 2; they have to be physical, as well as athletic. We use an important pass defense rule: we do not cover air or grass, we cover people.

The safeties are 2 to 1 defender and hash players. Each safety is responsible for half of the field. They will focus on #2 receiver until he breaks his pattern (Diagram 14). They now locate the #1 receiver on his side, remaining on the hash. If #1 pushes up field, the safety will now eyeball the QB, keeping everything underneath them (See Diagram 15). The safeties have to be smart, physical, and ball hawkers. They must react to what they see.

Aces Formation adjustment must be made by the Will. His alignment will be a 9 Technique, outside shade of the weak side tight end (See Diagram 16). Will is still a Curl defender, but his immediate threat is now the TE. He must jam the TE inside to the Mike. If the TE goes up field, Will walls him off (See Diagram 17). He now locates #1, protects his Curl Zone. All other defenders have the same responsibilities. The reason we call Cover 5; if the offensive formation is anything but a Pro Formation to the strong side, we will check Cover 5. Remember, we want to stay in a Cover 2 look, and keep two linebackers in the box. If the formation is Twin/Split, Stud reduces to a 5 Technique, and Will bumps out on the weak side #1. The weak side corner bumps to the Hash, the free safety moves to the strong side Hash, and the strong safety bumps up, outside leverage on the slot. The strong side corner remains intact, outside leverage of #1. Will is a Flat defender, Mike is a Curl defender, and Mac is the Hook player (Diagram 18).

The weak side corner is 1/2 field (Hash) defender, free safety is a 1/2 field defender (Hash), strong safety is Curl defender, and strong side Corner is a Flat defender (See Diagram 19). If the formation is Twin/Tight, the rotation is the same. Will becomes a 9 Technique outside leverage of the TE; he and everyone else has the same responsibility (See Diagram 20). If a team spreads you out with Trips, you can still play Cover 5, with a small adjustment made by Mac. Mac moves to the edge of the box, Mike aligns himself over the center, and the SS remains outside leverage of #2 (See Diagram 21). If #3 goes vertical Mac will wall him off until #2 or #1 threatens the Hook Zone; Mike becomes a Hook-Curl defender. The SS will collision #2 and wall him off if he goes vertical. The corner will collision #1, sink until threatened in the Flat, and the FS reads #2 and eyeballs the QB, keeping everything in front of him (See Diagram 22). Teams will get smart, and spread you out on both sides with doubles. We automatically check to Cover 3. Like all defense, Cover 5 has its weaknesses. You have the same weakness in Cover 5 as you have in Cover 2, between the safeties. Playing Zone defense is simply, believe what you see. Your eyes will not lie to you!


About the author
JGilbert Wiggins


Coach Wiggins is entering his second year at WSSU after spending two years at North Carolina Central University in the same capacity. His first season with the Eagles was highlighted by achieving the No. 1 total defense in NCAA Division II.

Wiggins spent eight years with Livingstone College as defensive backs coach, and four seasons as Defensive Coordinator. In 1997, he was awarded the NCAA Defensive Coordinator of the Year Award by American Football Quarterly.






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