Chad Wilson
July 30, 2024
Man coverage is a very important element of a defensive game plan and a defensive back’s skill set. The common thought process when it comes to man coverage is that you are “on an island,” but in reality, that is not the case. There is always help, and in this article, I am going to outline where your help is located in the most common man coverages. In this article, we will be going over Cover 1.
I am starting here because this is the most common man coverage used at all levels (high school, college, and pro). Cover 1 looks similar to Cover 3 (a common coverage), but it differs in that the defenders are locked onto a man and follow him wherever he goes.
Where’s the Help?: There is always help in the deep middle of the field (post) in Cover 1. In all versions, one of the safeties will be dropping into that area to give you definite help. In addition, the safety should have range from the numbers to the numbers on balls thrown deep in that area.
Depending on the type of Cover 1 called, defenders could also have help in the low hole area. This area is where the middle linebacker is located. If he is not blitzing, then he will be providing help in that area. Other versions of Cover 1 allow for a safety to drop into that area to help with routes located there.
With this in mind, defenders in coverage should know what type of Cover 1 is being played and whether or not there will be low help. Also, aligning with the proper leverage is key. For cornerbacks, receivers with normal or slightly reduced splits should draw an outside shaded alignment. Your outside leverage should be maintained to bracket the receiver between you and the help. If the splits get closer to the offensive line, be wary of taking too much of an outside shade in your alignment, as the receiver could be trying to access the other side of the field where there is more space.
If the receiver takes a wide split (outside of the numbers), your help now becomes the sideline. Adjust your alignment accordingly. By the receiver’s alignment, he has moved further away from your inside help. However, he has moved himself closer to your outside help (out of bounds). You should now move to an inside shade and trap the receiver into the small space between you and the sideline. This creates a harder throw for the quarterback.
Inside defenders (linebackers, safeties, and nickel backs) should consider the receiver’s split as well when lining up in Cover 1. As your assigned receiver moves closer to the numbers, a more head-up to inside shade should be taken to avoid allowing a quick throw from the QB to the receiver in a wide space between you and your potential help. The idea should be to force the longer throw to the outside.
As the receiver moves closer inside (toward the QB), consider a more outside shade as the receiver has more space outside and is likely looking to access that area. Position yourself in a way that makes accessing that area difficult for the receiver. Don’t overdo the outside alignment, though, because, as I said for the corner, the receiver does have access to the other side of the field and could leave you trailing badly if he goes there.
In conclusion, smart defenders know where their help is and align accordingly to give themselves the best chance for success. I go more in-depth on how to play man coverage in my book “101 DB Tips.” It’s the ultimate reference guide on how to play defensive back. If you play or coach defensive back, you should definitely have it in your library. Click here to get your copy.
Chad Wilson is the owner of All Eyes DB Camp and author of "101 DB Tips". He played college football at the University of Miami and briefly in the NFL for the Seattle Seahawks. Over his 15 year high school football coaching career, he tutored over a dozen Division I defensive backs and as a trainer has worked with NFL All Pros, first round draft picks, college football All Americans and Top 10 ranked high school football prospects.
