Double-Digit Defense
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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.