Air Force Cover Three

PATTERN READ
COVER THREE
WHY PATTERN READ

Match up underneath coverage to route
being run as oppose to dropping a
landmark and solely reacting to QBs
intention.
Take away receivers freedom to adjust
to a stationary zone defender.
Reduce vertical seams in zone
coverage.
Greater means of taking away favorite
routes or patterns of weekly opponent.
OUR DEFENSIVE STRUCTURE
S E
__
FS
__
CURL
T
H
I
R
D
READ 3-2
__
READ 2
T
H
I
R
D
CURL
__
PATTERN READS COVERAGE
T
H
I
R
D
COVER 3
CURL
S E
3-2 PLAYER
CURL
2 PLAYER
OUTSIDE
THIRD
OUTSIDE
THIRD
__
FS
MIDDLE
THIRD
__
COVERAGE RESPONSIBILITIES
COVER 3
S
FORCE/
FOLD
E
B
W
FORCE/
FOLD
SECONDARY
CONTAIN
SECONDARY
CONTAIN
PURSUIT
PURSUIT
__
FS
ALLEY
__
RUN SUPPORT
COVER 3
E
S
__
FS
__
RUN SUPPORT
BASIC CONCEPT
CREATE FOUR MAN RUSH:
FRONT THREE + ONE
REPLACE BLITZER IN COVERAGE
X Strong
__
COVER 3 Pop
S E
__
X Strong Cover 3 Pop
S E
CURL
READ 3-2
LEFT
__
CURL
READ 2
RIGHT
__
Backer Plug Cover 3 Pop
S E
CURL
__
READ 3-2
LEFT
CURL
READ 2
RIGHT
MIKE LINEBACKER REPLACES

BLITZING BACKER AS PATTERN
READ PLAYER ON 3-2
__
Rover Plug Cover 3 Pop
S E
CURL
READ 3-2
LEFT
__
READ 2
RIGHT
CURL
MIKE LINEBACKER REPLACES

BLITZING ROVER AS PATTERN
READ PLAYER ON 2
__
Will Go Cover 3 Pop
W
C
CORNER PLAYS AS MAN
VERSUS ALL THREATENING
RELEASES
__
R
CURL
M
READ 2
B
READ 2
LEFT
RIGHT
ROVER LINEBACKER
REPLACES BLITZING WILL AS
CURL PLAYER
S
CURL
__
Will Go Cover 3 Pop
S E
CURL
READ 3-2
LEFT
__
READ 2
RIGHT
CURL
ROVER LINEBACKER
REPLACES BLITZING WILL AS
CURL PLAYER
__
CORNER PLAYS AS MAN

VERSUS ALL THREATENING
RELEASES
CURL/BUZZ TECHNIQUE
CURL TECHNIQUE
3
5
S
**FLAT-FOOT
READ
SINGLE WIDTH ALIGNMENT
BUZZ TECHNIQUE
BUZZ - FLAT
VERSUS SINGLE WIDTH - BUZZ THE FLAT AREA
BUZZ TECHNIQUE
IDENTIFY A FLAT RECEIVER -- QUICK SET CLUES A SLANT/HITCH -- USE SPLIT TENDANCIES
BUZZ TECHNIQUE
S
SETTLE
IF NO IDENTIFIED FLAT THREAT -- SETTLE BACK UNDER #1 -- ZONE QBs EYES
BUZZ TECHNIQUE
IF FLAT BY#2 MATCH FLAT AND CARRY WHEEL
BUZZ TECHNIQUE
IF #2 QUICK TO FLAT MATCH FLAT AND CARRY WHEEL
CURL TECHNIQUE
2
7
S
**FLAT-FOOT
READ
TWO STAND UP ALIGNMENT
CURL TECHNIQUE
S
SETTLE
WORK TO DEPTH OF 10-12 YARDS OVER NORMALLY AGLINGED WIDE RECEIVER
CURL TECHNIQUE
VERSUS QUICK GAME BREAK EARLY AND CUT #1
CURL TECHNIQUE
WITH #2 VERTICAL -- SETTLE CURL AND PLAY OFF QBs EYES
CURL TECHNIQUE
IF #2 QUICK TO FLAT -- HOLD CURL -- CORNER WILL SECURE WHEEL
CURL TECHNIQUE
S
C
VERSUS ANY SCREEN -- CURL PLAYER TRIGGERS
3-2 PLAYER TECHNIQUE
3-2 PLAYER
LB
PATTERN READ OFF #3 TO #2 RECEIVER
3-2 PLAYER
LB
DROP OVER #3 AS YOU READ HIS ROUTE -- NO RECEIVER THREAT DRIVE ON #3
3-2 PLAYER
E
S
LB
DROP OVER #3 AS YOU READ HIS ROUTE IF THREAT BY #2 WALL OFF AND ROLL
3-2 PLAYER
LB
MUST CARRY #3 VERTICAL
2 PLAYER TECHNIQUE
2 PLAYER
READ RELEASE OF #2 AS WORKING FOR WIDTH AND DEPTH
2 PLAYER
CUT SLANT BY #2
2 PLAYER
IF #2 TO FLAT -- LOOK FOR NEW #2 FROM OUTSIDE AND DEFEND THROWING LANE
2 PLAYER
S E
CARRY #2 VERTICAL LOOK FOR BREAK INSIDE BY #2 OR BY #1
2 PLAYER
S E
ROLL WITH DIG BY #2
2 PLAYER
S E
COME OFF #2 VERTICALLY WHEN #1 RUNS DIG
FIRE-ZONE
PACKAGE
WHY FIRE-ZONES
Pressure the point of attack versus running game.

Attack pass protection weakness QBs confidence.
Reduce the big-play exposure by taking the backend out of man coverage.
Create negative yardage plays get offense off
schedule.
Reduce the volume of offense from opponent.
Zone adjustment to offensive change of strength.
Zone drops often cause quarterback to hold ball in
pocket allows for pressure to develop.
Cannot run off perimeter run support.
Offense must be protection-orientated over hotorientated in the passing game.
BASIC DESIGN PRINCIPLE

PRESSURE ELEMENT:
FRONT THREE + TWO
COVERAGE ELEMENT:
TWO SEAMS + ONE HOLE
THREE DEEP ZONE
TEACH PLAYERS HOW TO

READ ROUTE COMBINATIONS
TEACH CONCEPT OF PLAYING
MAN WITHIN YOUR ZONE
MUCH LIKE A MATCH UP ZONE
IN BASKETBALL
SEAM
T
H
I
R
D
__
HOLE
T
H
I
R
D
SEAM
__
T
H
I
R
D
COVERAGE ELEMENT BEHIND FIVE MAN BLITZ
Double Plug Seam
S E
__
FS
__
Backer Smoke Hole
S E
__
FS
__
Rover Smoke Hole
S E
__
FS
__
SEAM TECHNIQUE
SEAM TECHNIQUE
3
5
S
**FLAT-FOOT
READ
VERSUS SINGLE WIDTH
SEAM TECHNIQUE
S
10 YARDS
DEPTH
PLAY AS NORMAL CURL ZONE DEFENDER
SEAM TECHNIQUE
2
7
S
**FLAT-FOOT
READ
VERSUS TWO STANDS UPS
SEAM TECHNIQUE
READ ROUTE OF #2 RECEIVER
SEAM TECHNIQUE
S
HOLD
CURL
IF #2 QUICK TO FLAT -- WORK TO NORMAL CURL AND HOLD
SEAM TECHNIQUE
IF #2 QUICK TO FLAT -- WORK TO NORMAL CURL AND HOLD
SEAM TECHNIQUE
IF #2 RUNS SLANT -- CUT AND CARRY THROUGH QBs EYES
SEAM TECHNIQUE
IF #2 VERTICAL -- COLLISION AS NEARS RE-ROUTING OUTSIDE
SEAM TECHNIQUE
IF #2 VERTICAL -- COLLISION -- PLAY MAN ON ALL STOP/OPTION ROUTES
SEAM TECHNIQUE
IF #2 QUICK CROSSER -- PASS OFF TO HOLE PLAYER - SETTLE AND ZONE QBs EYES
SEAM TECHNIQUE
S
C
VERSUS ANY SCREEN -- SEAM PLAYER TRIGGERS
HOLE TECHNIQUE
HOLE TECHNIQUE
LB
PATTERN READ OFF #3 RECEIVER -- OFTEN BACK IN BACKFIELD
HOLE TECHNIQUE
LB
DROP OVER #3 AS YOU READ HIS ROUTE -- NO RECEIVER THREAT DRIVE ON #3
HOLE TECHNIQUE
E
S
LB
DROP OVER #3 AS YOU READ HIS ROUTE IF THREAT BY #2 WALL OFF AND ROLL
PULL TECHNIQUE
1
R
**FLAT-FOOT
READ
LB
**WIDEN AS
NEEDED
VERSUS THREE STANDS UPS
PULL TECHNIQUE
LB
WORK PULL WITH HOLE -- INSIDE/OUTSIDE CUTTERS
PULL TECHNIQUE
LB
DO NOT CUT SLANT OF #2 IN PULL HOLD CURL IF YOU GET FLAT -- HOLE PLAYER DRIVE NEW #3
BANJO TECHNIQUE
LB
HOLE PLAYER WILL CUT SHORT CROSSER SEAM PLAYER WILL PLAY AS TWO STAND UPS
BANJO TECHNIQUE
LB
HOLE PLAYER CARRY VERTICIAL BY #3 LOOK FOR CROSSER FROM #2
PULL TECHNIQUE
LB
HOLE PLAYER DRIVE NEW #3 SEAM PLAYER HEAVY OVER #3
FREE SAFETY
PLAY
FREE SAFETY PLAY
T
S
12
__
FS
__
ALIGN IN MIDDLE OF FIELD PERFORMANCE IS PRIORITY
FREE SAFETY PLAY
E
12
__
C
FS
__
BALL ON HASH -- SPLIT DIFFERENCE #2 AND BALL
FREE SAFETY PLAY
E
S
__
FS
__
ZONE MIDDLE THIRD FAVOR TO SKILL BE FAST ON QBs INTENTIONS
CORNER PLAY
CORNER PLAY
40
7
__
__
VERSUS NORMAL WIDE RECEIVER SPLIT
CORNER PLAY
40
1
7
__
__
VERSUS WIDE SPLIT BY WIDE RECEIVER
CORNER PLAY
40
2
7
__
__
VERSUS TIGHT SPLIT BY WIDE RECEIVER
CORNER PLAY
SINGLE WIDTH: PLAY AN INSIDE THIRD MAN ALL THREATENING RELEASES POST PROTECT
CORNER PLAY
PUSH OUT TO SLOW PEDDLE - KEY FOR QUICK THREE STEP PASSING GAME AT SNAP
CORNER PLAY
BREAK UP ON ALL NORMAL BREAKING ROUTES
CORNER PLAY
BREAK UP ON ALL NORMAL BREAKING ROUTES
CORNER PLAY
TURN AND DRIVE ON DEEP SHOULDER OF RECEIVER ON POST
CORNER PLAY
CLOSE AND PLAY CHASE ON DIG
CORNER PLAY
TURN AND GAIN HIP POSITION ON FADE
CORNER PLAY
40
7
__
__
VERSUS MULTIPLE STANDS UPS NORMAL SPLIT
CORNER PLAY
40
3
7
__
__
VERSUS MULTIPLE STANDS UPS WIDE SPLIT
CORNER PLAY
__
__
VERSUS MULTIPLE STANDS UPS PLAY DIVIDER TECHNIQUE TRUE ZONE
CORNER PLAY
__
__
VERSUS MULTIPLE STANDS UPS PLAY DIVIDER TECHNIQUE TRUE ZONE
CORNER PLAY
__
__
VERSUS MULTIPLE STANDS UPS IF #2 CANCELS OUT DRIVE ON #1

Air Force Cover Three

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PATTERN READ

WHY PATTERN READ

OUR DEFENSIVE STRUCTURE

PATTERN READS COVERAGE

REPLACE BLITZER IN COVERAGE

X Strong Cover 3 Pop

Backer Plug Cover 3 Pop

MIKE LINEBACKER REPLACES

Rover Plug Cover 3 Pop

MIKE LINEBACKER REPLACES

Will Go Cover 3 Pop

Will Go Cover 3 Pop

CORNER PLAYS AS MAN

SINGLE WIDTH ALIGNMENT

VERSUS SINGLE WIDTH - BUZZ THE FLAT AREA

IF NO IDENTIFIED FLAT THREAT -- SETTLE BACK UNDER #1 -- ZONE QBs EYES

IF FLAT BY#2 MATCH FLAT AND CARRY WHEEL

IF #2 QUICK TO FLAT MATCH FLAT AND CARRY WHEEL

TWO STAND UP ALIGNMENT

WORK TO DEPTH OF 10-12 YARDS OVER NORMALLY AGLINGED WIDE RECEIVER

VERSUS QUICK GAME BREAK EARLY AND CUT #1

WITH #2 VERTICAL -- SETTLE CURL AND PLAY OFF QBs EYES

IF #2 QUICK TO FLAT -- HOLD CURL -- CORNER WILL SECURE WHEEL

VERSUS ANY SCREEN -- CURL PLAYER TRIGGERS

3-2 PLAYER TECHNIQUE

PATTERN READ OFF #3 TO #2 RECEIVER

DROP OVER #3 AS YOU READ HIS ROUTE -- NO RECEIVER THREAT DRIVE ON #3

MUST CARRY #3 VERTICAL

READ RELEASE OF #2 AS WORKING FOR WIDTH AND DEPTH

CARRY #2 VERTICAL LOOK FOR BREAK INSIDE BY #2 OR BY #1

ROLL WITH DIG BY #2

COME OFF #2 VERTICALLY WHEN #1 RUNS DIG

Pressure the point of attack versus running game.

BASIC DESIGN PRINCIPLE

TEACH PLAYERS HOW TO

COVERAGE ELEMENT BEHIND FIVE MAN BLITZ

Double Plug Seam

Backer Smoke Hole

Rover Smoke Hole

VERSUS SINGLE WIDTH

PLAY AS NORMAL CURL ZONE DEFENDER

VERSUS TWO STANDS UPS

READ ROUTE OF #2 RECEIVER

IF #2 QUICK TO FLAT -- WORK TO NORMAL CURL AND HOLD

IF #2 QUICK TO FLAT -- WORK TO NORMAL CURL AND HOLD

IF #2 RUNS SLANT -- CUT AND CARRY THROUGH QBs EYES

IF #2 VERTICAL -- COLLISION AS NEARS RE-ROUTING OUTSIDE

IF #2 VERTICAL -- COLLISION -- PLAY MAN ON ALL STOP/OPTION ROUTES

VERSUS ANY SCREEN -- SEAM PLAYER TRIGGERS

PATTERN READ OFF #3 RECEIVER -- OFTEN BACK IN BACKFIELD

DROP OVER #3 AS YOU READ HIS ROUTE -- NO RECEIVER THREAT DRIVE ON #3

VERSUS THREE STANDS UPS

WORK PULL WITH HOLE -- INSIDE/OUTSIDE CUTTERS

HOLE PLAYER CARRY VERTICIAL BY #3 LOOK FOR CROSSER FROM #2

HOLE PLAYER DRIVE NEW #3 SEAM PLAYER HEAVY OVER #3

FREE SAFETY PLAY

ALIGN IN MIDDLE OF FIELD PERFORMANCE IS PRIORITY

FREE SAFETY PLAY

BALL ON HASH -- SPLIT DIFFERENCE #2 AND BALL

FREE SAFETY PLAY