If You Aren’t Play Cover 2 Like This…. Then Consider It.

If you are a DB coach or defensive coordinator running Cover 2,  consider this post.  Either you are already running Cover 2 this way (probably not) or you might want to consider it if you need a tweak to your current Cover 2 or are not happy with it at all.

I recently posted a DB quiz on my All Eyes DB Camp Instgram account (see the image below) and asked who would have the route being run by “F” (a sneak out of the backfield to the weak flat) vs Cover 2.

My answer to this was ‘S’ for Sam which some were in agreement with but others (admittedly more) were outraged….  I am not lying,  they were outraged.  I was a tad surprised at the legions of players and some coaches who insist that corners are in the flat NO MATTER WHAT in Cover 2.  My answer to that is a stark NO.   Unless you are running Tampa 2 which runs a linebacker down the middle of the field allowing the safeties to weave off the hash and keep corners in the flat then this is not the way to go.  In fact,  it’s a good way to leave yourself open to a big play or to get picked apart.

Just to give you my roots,  I played for the University of Miami in the 90’s.  I am not being arrogant when I say we were dominant defensively running a primarily a Cover 2 system.  I dare say at the time,  we were the best team in college football running it.  Soon after,  other programs began to implement the system.  So,  we were the fathers of this.

As I began coaching in the early 2000’s,  I tweaked Cover 2 (only slightly) to adjust to the more modern passing games that were popping up.  However,  the roots were very much the Miami Cover 2.

In the video down below,  I show the play that caused the uproar then explain to you how the routes would get covered and why Sam would be first on the scene on a throw to F in the flat but first,  let’s go over the rules of the Cover 2 I played in successfully and ran successfully as a coach.

Corner:  Read 2 – Reroute 1.  If 2 is vertical,  sink.  If 2 is in,  squeeze 1 after reroute.  If 2 is out then you are out and in the flat.

Apex defender (Linebacker or Nickel): Reroute 2 – Read 1.  If 2 is out,  call him out and sink to curl looking for 1.  If 1 is vertical,  pivot and find routes crossing from opposite side.

Mike Backer:  After open to 3.  If 3 is vertical,  match him and get underneath.  If 3 is out,  find next route from strong side coming in. If 1 or 2 are coming in,  match route to weak hook.   If no threats,  pivot and check for crosser from weak side.  Get under weak crosser in low hole.

Free Safety:  Get depth at snap.  Stay over top of vertical routes by 1 or 2.  If 1 is in or out,  keep depth over 2 and match route.

Strong Safety:  Same as free safety.

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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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