How to Play Cover 3 Cloud and Sky

How to Play Cover 3 Cloud and Sky

In this video I breakdown the basics of two very common coverages that are run at the high school, college and NFL level.

Covers 3 cloud and sky are cover 3 that come from a two safety high look.  This basically means that before the snap,  there is a safety aligned on each hash making it look like either some form of Cover 2 or Cover 4.  After the snap though,  there is a rotation by the secondary that turns the coverage into a form of 3 deep depending on which call you make (cloud or sky).

This video gives you the basic concepts of the coverage.  As you move up levels in football,  as with many coverages,  things get a little more detailed, involved and yes,  complicated.  However,  if you have a general understanding of how these coverages work,  it makes it easier for you to comprehend when they get more detailed later on.  It’s just like math,  understanding algebra makes it easier to understand algebra II, trigonometry and then calculus.  One thing leads to another.

One thing I forgot to address in this video that I will be mindful of addressing in the future for my coaches in the member’s area is when it is useful to use the coverage I am explaining.

Primarily,  3 Cloud is usefull when offenses are flooding the strong side of the formation with pass routes.  Though the example I use to explain the coverage was vs. 2 x 2 spread set,  teams using bunch sets can get guys open if you run man to man against it alot.  3 Cloud is a nice change up to get a defender in each of the main zones the offense likes to attack out of bunch (flat, curl, deep outside 1/3).  3 cloud is also useful when you want to have your cornerback on the strongside play off but have the freedom to jump any short routes by the #1 WR as he gets help over the top from the SS.

Cover 3 Sky, has the same benefits of cloud but also provides a change up by having the safety come down from the hash to provide underneath coverage in either the hook, curl or flat.  It has the potential to fool a QBs reads and lead to a mistake.

For any feedback or questions regarding this post,  send email to: cwilson@alleyesdbcamp.com

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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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