Coverages Explained | 2 Trap

There are several articles in this member’s area about Cover 2.  It was one of my favorite zone coverages to play in as a player and one I liked to call as a coach.  Cover 2 has several variations like 2 man and the one I am discussing in this article here,  2 Trap.

Cover 2 allows the defense to defend throws into the flat areas while also keeping a pair of safeties over the top for any deep throws that the offense may try.  One of the advantages of Cover 2 when it is played right is that it can provide for four defenders deep depending on what routes the offense decides to run at the defense.

Sometimes,  Cover 2 would provide some windows that a good offense with an accurate quarterback could take advantage of.  Some times as a defense you want to take away some of those windows with tighter coverage while also providing the safety of having two defenders deep for long throws.  That’s where 2 man came in.  In 2 man there are 5 underneath defenders (2 cornerbacks and a combination of either linebackers, nickel and dime backs) providing man coverage on the 5 eligible receivers for the offense.  On both hashes there are two deep safeties ready to provide help on long throws.

One of the weaknesses of two man sometimes are the throws to the slot wide receivers in the flat.  Since 2 man requires the slot defenders to play hard inside leverage,  a quick out to the flat can often be a coverage breaker for the offense.

So how do you set the offense up for failure when they think they can take advantage of the flat throw?  Enter 2 Trap.

2 Trap can be played in a couple of ways.  The defense can show a cover 2 look before the snap indicating a zone or show a 2 man look before the snap indicating man coverage.   I prefer the latter as I think it encourages the kind of throw that this defense was designed to take away.

In a nutshell,  2 Trap gives a two safety high look (safeties on each hash) look to the defense.  One one side,  the defense will play Cover 2,  while on the other side (the trap side),  things will be different.

See the diagram below

Strongside CB: Play Cover 2 rules.
Sam Backer:  Play Cover 2  rules
Strong Safety:  Play Cover 2 rules
Mike LB:  Run the middle
Weakside LB:  Match route of #2 unless to the flat.  If 2 to the flat release to CB and zone off to hook curl area.
Weakside CB: Align in 2 man look.  Force outside release by #1 and run with him for 5 yards. Then spin head around back inside to see #2 while sitting in the flat.
Free Safety: Align in Cover 2 look and buzz to over top of #1 after snap.

The execution of the technique by the trap corner is crucial here.  His ability to authentically make the coverage look like 2 man is what makes this go.  Quarterbacks love to take advantage of the slot defender with the quick out vs. 2 man.  The QB will be anticipating making that throw and will often release the ball at the break by the #2 WR.  If the cornerback is successful in making it look like he will run up the field with #1,  he can walk himself right into an easy interception.

As always execution is the key.  Keep this in mind if you are a player reading this.  If you are coaching reading this,  try adding this to your coaching toolbox especially if you are already running a healthy amount of Cover 2 and 2 man.  This is the ultimate in bait coverage.

Check out these other posts:

Coverages Explained | Cover 2
Coverages Explained | 2 Man

For questions or comments on this post,  send me an email at cwilson@alleyesdbcamp.com – Thank you for being a member.

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alleyesdbcamp

Owner at All Eyes DB Camp

Chad Wilson is the founder of All Eyes DB Camp and a former standout defensive back for the Miami Hurricanes. After an elite collegiate career, Wilson spent a season with the Seattle Seahawks before transitioning into coaching. A 3-time Florida state champion defensive coordinator, he has spent over 20 years developing the "All Eyes" blueprint that has produced NFL All-Pros and stars like Xavien Howard, Patrick Surtain II, Tyson Campbell, Minkah Fitzpatrick and more. His coaching system is proven at the highest levels—his own sons, Quincy and Marco Wilson, both excelled as starters in the SEC before being drafted into the NFL.

Chad is the author of "101 DB Tips"—The Ultimate DB Reference Guide. You can find more information on the manual and how to order your copy in the sidebar and footer of this page.

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