What is Palms Coverage?

By: Chad Wilson – All Eyes DB Camp
IG: @alleyesdbcamp

If you’ve been paying attention,  you’ve probably heard the term “Palms” come up quite often when you hear people talking about coverages.  With the growing use of two high coverages at all levels of football,  Palms coverage has become popular but what exactly is it?

First of all the term “two high” means having two safeties deep on the hash marks.  Typical two high coverages are Cover 2, Cover 4 and 2 Man.  Cover 4 or quarters coverage became a very popular coverage to use about 10 years ago.  Defenses from the pros to the colleges and then high schools started making it a staple of their defensive play calls.

As typically happens,  the weaknesses of the coverage began to get attacked by offenses and teams started having more success moving the ball against it.  Enter Palms coverage.  Palms was not recently invented but it’s use became more widespread after quarters coverage became a little less reliable.

Palms coverage really combines principles of two coverages:  Cover 2 and Cover 4.  It also implements the principle of pattern matching in a zone concept.  So while some quarters coverage concepts called for spot drops (meaning running to a spot on the field and waiting)  Palms coverage takes a different approach. Palms is also typical a check call meaning,  it’s not called in the huddle but becomes the coverage once the offense has revealed their formation.  Palms is a check vs. a trips alignment (3 WRs to strongside) by the offense.

The pattern matching concept in it’s most simple explanation calls for reading the routes of the receivers and then latching on man to man in your zone based on the rules of the coverage and routes that are being run.  For some,  reading that on your screen may not fully give you an idea.  So I have included the responsibilities of each player in Palms coverage below.

Palms Coverage Assignments

1. Strong Corner (c)– Soft (off) alignment. Man on #1 for everything except when:
   2. #2 is out in first 5 yards, then take #2.
   3. #1 breaks at 5 yards or less (e.g., shallow, 5 yard hitch). If #1 breaks at 5 yards or less, zone to deep 1/4 or quarter.
2. Strong Backer (SB) – Man on #2 except when #2 is out in first 5 yards. Then relate to #3. If no #3, then rob #1.
3. Strong Safety (SS) – Take #1 vertical if #2 is out in first 5 yards. Otherwise, take all of #2 vertical. If #2 is not vertical, then bracket #1.
4. Mike Backer (MB) – Man on #3 except when #3 is under. If #3 is under, then zone to defend curl area. If #3 runs a deep cross, then trail since you have help from the weak safety.
5. Weak Backer (WB) – Man on #2 weak or #4 strong (RB). Otherwise, take first crosser.
6. Free Safety (FS) – Poach #3 vertical. If #3 is not vertical, then poach #1 vertical backside.
7. Weak Corner (c)–  Man to man on #1 unless he goes underneath immediately

Palms Alignment in Typical 4-3 Defense

Palms Assignments vs. Trips Example

So as you can see,  Palms coverage is a more aggressive Cover 4 (Quarters Coverage) that does not call for running to an area and waiting allowing the quarterback to just throw into open windows.

As with all coverages,  some of the terminology and names for defenders may change in each defensive playbook but by and large you have the idea of the general concept.  With this general knowledge you can now pick up on the little nuances each coach may bring to this coverage.

For any questions you may have on Palms Coverage or anything else in the Member’s Area,  send email to me at: 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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