Coverage Adjustments vs. 3-Receiver Sets

by: Will Wagner
Secondary Coach, Northwest Missouri State University
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Over the last couple of years, we have seen more offenses try to spread defenses out by getting the ball to the perimeter. Our philosophy at Northwest Missouri State University is that we want to keep the offense guessing what we will do to their 3-receiver sets. We usually go into a game with a couple of different adjustments. We try to change this up week to week based on the offense’s tendency.

Three-Roll Coverage
Versus offenses that like bubble screens or have a high tendency to throw to the 3-receiver side, we like to get to what we call ‘Three-Roll.’ This is a 3-deep coverage with the play-side corner rolled up hard. Our corners love this coverage because it gives them the opportunity to be really physical with the receiver knowing that there is over-the-top and post help. We ask our corners, as well as our backers, to get ‘hands on’ all receivers in order to disrupt the routes and timing of the passing game. We also have the flexibility to ‘roll’ the coverage weak if the offense is hurting us to the one-receiver side (See Diagrams 1A & 1B).

Diagram 1A

Diagram 1B: Roll Coverage to Weak-Side

Assignments:
Play-side Corner – doesn’t matter what type of release by WR, just want ‘hands on’ to reroute. Can play this from press alignment or off.
Back-side Corner – Deep outside 1/3.
SS – Deep outside 1/3.
FS – Deep middle 1/3.
Rover – Curl.
Mike – Drop off #3 (hook).
Buck – Curl to flat.

Two-Roll Coverage
Another adjustment to 3-receiver sets that we utilize is the ‘Two-Special.’ This coverage is more of a pattern read concept with man-to-man coverage on the weak-side. Our players like this coverage because it allows them jump routes quicker than normal zone coverages (See Diagrams 2A & 2B).

Diagram 2A

Diagram 2B

Assignments:
Play-side Corner – Inside over the top of #1 (quarters technique).
Backside Corner – Man-to-man on #1.
SS – Read #2 and #3. If either go flat, double #1. If both go vertical, take #2.
FS – Read #3 and #2. If either go flat, double #1. If both go vertical, take #2.
Rover – Drop curl to flat. If flat is threatened, take it.
Mike – Wall #3. If #3 drags shallow, take him. If #3 climbs over-the-top, drop to hook.
Buck – Man-to-man on back.

These are just a few ways we can adjust to 3-receiver sets out of our zone coverages. Along with these adjustments, we have the ability to mix things up with our nickel and dime packages. I hope this article has given you some ideas for different ways to defend the three-receiver set.

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WHAT IF?

Q1. Would there be any circumstances where you would play man coverage (rather than zone coverage) in covering 3-WR sets?
We will play man coverage in our nickel and dime package. Our base is a 4-man front, but we will also play a 3-man front as well. Out of our 3-4 look we will bring 4 or 5 and play man coverage behind it.

Q2. What if you’re playing against a very athletic quarterback out of the shotgun? Would defensive assignments or responsibilities change against a 3-receiver set?

Against an athletic QB, we will usually spy the Q with a LB or D-lineman playing the same coverages behind it. In a zone coverage we usually will spy a D-lineman and in man coverage, one of the LBs would be responsible for the Q.

Q3. What if you’re defending a third and long situation against a 3-receiver set in an obvious passing down? Would you use your nickel or dime package in this situation and how, if at all, would assignments change?
We try not to change assignments if possible. We want to “keep-it-simple-stupid” for our kids no matter what package we are in. In a 3rd and long situation we would use our nickel/dime package or we could get to our 3-4 look and play either man or zone behind it.

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