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AFM Magazine


The Middle 2 Defense

An Effective Cover 2
by: Greg Jackson
Defensive Backs Coach, Tulane
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I’m presenting a coverage I call Middle 2, a basic form of Cover 2 which allows your Mike Linebacker to defend the deep middle one-third of the field (preferably the two receivers or two speed receivers) but at the same time keeping deep half safeties. This coverage is great vs. a spread formation team (three to four speed receivers) because it gives you excellent position down the middle. Plus, it forces the team to throw short-mid range passes. The following diagrams explain this by position. Every diagram presented will be as if the ball placement is in the middle of the field. Starting off will be the basic front 4-3, Middle 2 (See Diagram 1). This alerts the mike linebacker to deep middle if threatened.

Diagram 1: Basic Alignment - Middle 2 Defense

Basic Run Fits vs. Middle 2 - Individual Assignments and Responsibilities

• Shut End: Outside contain vs. run; pass- rush up field and contain.
• Shut Tackle: Protect B-gap vs. run; pass – pressure rush (collapse pocket).
• Open Tackle: Protect A-gap vs. run; pass – rush up field and contain QB.
• SAM: Contain vs. run; pass – drop to curl window (10 yards). Inside Leverage on #2 strong.
• Mike: Protect strong A-gap; pass deep middle read for #2 or #3. No vertical by #2 or #3 level off.
• Will: Protect B-gap vs. run; pass – drop to curl window (10-12 yards) maintaining inside leverage on #2 weak.
• Strong Corner: Cloud Force (force all outside runs to go vertical). Don’t allow a ball carrier to get around you.
• Weak Corner: Same as Strong Corner.
• Strong Safety: Secondary support vs. run: pass – deep half (outside the hash).
• Free Safety: Same as Strong Safety.

Alignment:

A. One important thing that involves your alignment is everyone should always look the same every play as if you were in cover 1, 2, 3, or 4. This is something I preach to my players every day during spring practice and the season. If you can achieve this goal, Middle 2 will be a successful defense. Strong safety and free safety are the two most important players when it comes to giving an umbrella look (both safeties are on the same level as well as both corners on the same level).

B. Based on the next diagram, the first player who has to adjust to the S-receiver is the SAM linebacker with his understanding of Middle 2 Coverage (See Diagrams 2 and 3). The void in the defense is to stretch Mike deep while bringing the S-receiver under. One thing about this coverage is that players have to be aware and have vision (able to see the whole field, knowing the location of receivers and being able to see the QB release the ball). Will linebacker is maintaining inside leverage on #2 weak. He also must have vision back to the QB – seeing the ball thrown. Even though the Mike LB has the deep middle read on #2 and #3, he also has to be alert in seeing the ball thrown. Then he can aggressively break back once the ball has been passed to the receiver on the underneath completion. Remember, this defense wants to invite the short-passing game. So MIKE and WILL linebackers have to be on alert for S, Y, T at all times when this coverage is called.

Diagram 2

Diagram 3

Continue Alignment for Corners and Safeties

C. Corners should always force the WR to release inside. If that receiver insists on going outside, he should be stopped in his tracks which will make it very difficult for him to get up field. As a coach I like my players to take a normal stance, play at a tilt and not give the coverage away. Once the ball is snapped, the corner can square up with intentions to funnel the receiver inside.

1. I emphasize to the corners about playing aggressive run defense against teams in our conference (Sun Belt). These offenses love to get outside whether it be option, reverse, toss or stretch play. If you have two corners that can eliminate the outside running, they have made life so much easier for the DL and LBs. That space for running is reduced greatly. This allows both safeties to play more aggressive against the run. When you have corners who attack the outside game it allows the safeties access to the alley with conviction once the run has been established. Establishing the run means receivers are blocking the corners and offensive linemen are three to four yards down field. Safeties are always pass first / run second in this defense. That way their support is secondary (pass first).

2. The great thing about Middle 2 is the defense can have five players underneath and two players deep, one player or four underneath and three players deep the next play – depending on what the opponent gives the Mike linebacker on the middle read. If there is not a deep threat to the two-receiver or two speed receiver side, he will level off and provide five under in coverage. Another great tip about Middle 2 is that your linebackers (Sam and Will) don’t have to worry about curl-flat (cover 3) or running stride-for-stride with the inside receiver or a speedy tailback flexed in a slot position. Essentially, you run a wheel in cover 4 (quarters). All they have to do is stay inside #2 strong or #2 weak, dropping to the curl window getting deep enough to play the voided area (between him and the safety) (See Diagrams 4 and 5).

Diagram 4: Post Wheel

Diagram 5: Fade

3. Continue on passing void in this defense

Starting from left to right with position will explain how important it is for each player to do his job in order to maintain chemistry and not allow the voids in this defense to become an easy target for the opponents. In diagram 4 you can see the strong corner take a good amount of pressure off your strong safety by forcing the receiver inside which will keep everything in a cluster. Just ask any safety how much easier it is to play two deep when receivers can’t stretch the field. It is known that while playing two deep, the first thing the QB thinks about is getting it down the middle to S or Y receiver which is the quickest strike to the end zone. With Middle 2 it makes the QB have to put air on the ball which enables your safeties to do one of two things: 1) intercept the pass, or 2) blast the WR. That’s why stressing protecton voids in this defense to the players is so important. If you know where they are, it’s pretty tough completing down the field throws. This diagram below will hopefully help you in defending the area (See Diagram 6).

Diagram 6: Counter

Cover 2 is a defense built for cornerbacks’ defense. This means that corners have to be tough enough to play run support by keeping all running plays inside and at the same time forcing receiving inside on passing downs plus protecting the voids. When you take a look at my adjustment sheet you will see the meaning of the funnel technique: force receivers inside then sink/flat. This reminds the corner to protect the void before you break on the ball thrown in the flats. The most important thing to remember is to make it difficult for the QB and WR to get their timing down. This can be accomplished by jamming receivers, closing the throwing lane and forcing the receiver to re-adjust his timing (See Diagram 7).

Diagram 7: Adjustment: Middle 2/Pre-Snap Progression

This combination is very popular vs. 2. The corner has to make sure he protects the void before attacking the hitch. The FS should always be high enough to play on top of #2 or #3 depending where the ball is thrown. A safety with good range and vision should have no problem getting to the ball. As with any other combination, the Mike LB must take any deep middle read by #2 or #3 (See Diagram 8).

Diagram 8: Gap Protection

Always make sure a large quantity of combination routes are worked on in your individual drills so when it happens on game day, the players are prepared. Everyone understands that any zone can be stretched to its limit. That’s why we practice, practice and practice on protecting voids in the coverage. Because each one is different, Middle 2 can be attacked vertically or underneath. A top-quality receiver who understands the coverage will find the hole in this defense.

A smart offensive coordinator usually sends a receiver underneath to get the attention of the defender or vertical and then underneath to lure him away from the voided area. As a player in the NFL for 12 years and playing against the likes of Jerry Rice, Chris Carter and Sterling Sharpe, I really started to understand routes and how receivers recognize the void area in a zone defense. I hope you enjoyed my session on Middle 2 and are able to implement some of these techniques to help your team during the season.





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