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the number after cover just designates the number of "Deep" zones. so cover 2 means you have 2 deep zones like around @15:40, cover 1 would be a single high safety covering a single deep zone.
The name of the cover (aka cover 2, cover 3, cover 4) is dictated by how many defenders cover the cornerbacks over the top. So when two safeties are the only two players sitting deep the play is a cover 2. The reason the Tampa 2 is an inverted Cover 3 is because the Mike joins the safeties in covering the rest of the defense.
Doesn't have to be over the corners. You can play cover 3 sky with 1 corner taking the deep 1/3 and the SS coming underneath to cover the flat, Pittsburg's base defense with Troy. Or you can play an inverted cover 2 with both safeties coming down and the corners taking the deep 1/2.
Yeah the number is just the shell amount. For example in a cookie cutter Cover 4, its both safeties and both corners each taking a 1/4 of the deep coverage responsibilities
@@paytonmarlow3639 Yep and if the safeties has run responsibility first cover 4 is called quads. In quads if the safeties read run they abandon their pass responsibilities, attack the D gap, and the corners turn the coverage into an inverted cover 2.
@@roymoss75 Normal people have no idea what hard throws are. The hardest throw in football is the 15 yard out. Draw your right triangle and if the ball is on the NFL hash you are talking about a 40 yard throw and unlike you standard touch deep ball it has to be on an absolute frozen rope or its a pick 6. Thats why the NFL has narrower hashes than college and high school. Its to open up more of the passing game to the field side when the ball is on the hash. 15 yard out is also devastating. It wrecks that 3 buzz mable, to both sides as it breaks between the zones of the SS and CB and like all out breaking routes kills the man coverage on the other side.
Brett is probably the best youtuber imo to learn football, I have been watching him for years and he has hundreds of informational videos like this one, not all of them as intense as this one. Loved the reaction to it and would love to see more.
I knew it! You can replace Nick and we can be DN Reacts and get our Bamboozled titles up 🤣 Thanks for the comment, love that you’re loving the content!
You guys are freaking Legends your channel is growing the football knowledge in American football for so many and it’s a real pleasure to see you two dive into what makes this game so mentally challenging not only as a player, but a coach, and fan. Keep up the good work guys. A+ Effort on your channel.
the segment around 17:30 with Brian Urlacher talking about being "soft versus the run," they're talking about having one less "box" defender (imaginary rectangular area in front of the O-line) because the SS is bailing out of that area to cover deep instead, whereas in the cover 3 scheme he remains in the box / closer to the line of scrimmage giving the defense an extra body to stop the run easier!
Yes. This is why cover three on first down because it has one more box defender so all the gaps are filled than tampa two so its better against the run, then on more obvious passing downs they do tampa two because its a tighter outfield zone which makes it easier to run but more crowded zone to pass into
In Cover 1, Cover 2, Cover 3, Cover 4. The number just means the amount of deep zones. In cover 1 it’s 1 guy deep responsible for 100% of the field. Cover 2 would be 2 guys that each get a half of the field. Cover 3 is 3 guys who each get a 3rd, and cover 4 is 4 guys who each get a 4th. Again, It’s the number of guys playing DEEP zones. Not just zones in general. Also, cover 3 is better on 1st down because the Mike stays down in the box so you have the linebacker to help with what’s most likely a run on first down. Then when you get them in 2nd/3rd and long where they’re going to pass you can call Tampa 2 and drop the Mike back into his deep 3rd.
The defense dictate the coverage, in that they line up however they (and their coordinator) want. However, you could say that the offense dictates the coverage somewhat, as the defense will change what coverage they're running based on what personnel the offense has on the field, what formation they line up in, what down & distance it is, etc.
The way I’ve always understood it, generally the offense may come out with certain personnel (like 4 wide receivers if it’s likely a passing play). So the defense will come out to match their personnel (by coming out with more cornerbacks). But the defense will play different coverages with each personnel set. Basically offense dictates personnel, defense dictates coverages.
The Nickel and Nickelback are one-and-the-same. It's not used as much as it used to be. It was developed in the late 70s, and it just added a 5th (5 cents) defensive back, and dropped either a DL or LB. It was used in "obvious" passing positions. With LBers being faster than they used to be, often they play that roll today.
Nickels are actually used more than they ever are because offenses are in 12 personnel more than ever. Alabama's base defense is a "3-4" but in reality their base defense has a nickel which they call the "star" position and it's almost its own separate position because it's so important. Minkah FItzpatrick and Brian Branch both played this position.
@@darnell-mooney Teams that play 3-4 front are more likely to not use a 5th DB, because they have the extra LB. Teams that play 4-3 will put a 5th DB in, and drop a rusher.
@@darrinlindsey i'm just giving you one example of a larger shift. using hybrid linebackers worked about a decade ago but guys like McVay and others have been killing the underneath zones for years. if we keep using the Saban example, he started out with a traditional 3-4 defense and would replace the Sam backer with a nickel, who was the 5th best DB. nowadays his base defense is more of a 2-4-5 and he replaces a defensive end with a nickel who is usually a first round pick in talent. it's just one example, many other defenses do this to match up with 4-5 wide air raid concepts that attack underneath zones. guys can go first round now without ever playing outside corner.
OMG you guys are really diving deep into the architecture of this game. I'm not sure how many regular fans (as opposed to casual) understand the game on this level. I certainly do not. There are simply too many complex variations. I applaud you both and I guess that in the future, I will have to defer to your understanding of these complicated and intricate defensive schemes. lol... Actually I recognize man to man, vs zone coverages and that's about it. There far more going on in terms of reading and reacting and outmaneuvering the opponent, than you might image at first glance. Very good job on this one guys. The education continues!
Yes the Def dictates the coverage. Cover 1 is one deep zone defender, Cover 2 is two deep, Cover 3 is 3 deep and so on . But these are just basic shells not the who coverage scheme. Also in zone Def you cover who ever comes in your area, TE, WR, RB who ever . It's up to the offense, (QB) to disipher what the coverage is and this will tell him who should be open, where to throw the ball. All Def have a weakness. The Def tries to disguise their weaknesses. React to How to Read a Defense/A Guide to the Basics of Football Coverages.
You have to react to his video on the spread offense. It's less complicated than this lol, but it tracks the history of spread offenses and how it evolved
Incredible that you boys are going this far. Bravo, lads. I played for 8 years and coached briefly. So, I was forced to learn and teach this stuff. I would suggest watching a video that explains coverages in general. Ill edit this post to add a link thats more general in nature. That way these more nuanced videos you are watching will make more sense.
Brett is such a Legend. Im following football now for some time from germany(5 or 6 years) and he was one of the guys that got me a lot more into playcalling and taught me a lot that comes with it. i always enjoy his videos and im super hyped for that reaction :D
Damo you were so close and then eventually basically got it on the defensive line terms. Basically the confusion came from the fact that casual fans refer to the defensive line as Defensive Ends and Defensive Tackles. But positions have hybridized and evolved and more in-the-know people, like what brett showed on his whiteboard, refer to the defensive linesmen as the Edge Rushers (which is said this way because in modern football they can be lineman or linebackers), the Nose Tackle (who plays nearest the center), and also whats called a 3 technique. Which they are basically between the Nose Tackle and the Edge Rushers. Basically, if he had called them by their traditional position names you wouldnt have been confused at all, but he called them by their more accurate names.
Its called a 3 tech because he plays in a 3 alignment on the guard, outside shoulder. 9...6.7..5.4.4i.3.2.2i.1.0.1.2i.2.3.4i.4.5...9 .....Y.........T........G.......C.........G.......T Odds are outside shades. Evens are a head up. Even i's are inside shades. The reason they are even with an i is because inside shades are blocked the same as a head up. As to 679, 1957 at Texas A&M after practice Bum Philips and Bear Bryant sat down over whisky started numbering shades they had a good system going but by the time they got to the TE they were both drunk.
To expand on this a bit further, a 3-technique (typically shortened to simply “3-tech”) is a defensive lineman who is aligned with the outside shoulder of an offensive guard. But that is not the only player on the defensive line who has a numbered technique attached to their alignment. In fact, there is a “technique” number corresponding to every possible place a defensive lineman might line up, and likewise any/every player lined up on the defensive line can be referred to by the technique number of his alignment. Each tech/ technique simply refers to where the player lines up in relation to a specific offensive lineman. The lowest number used is 0 (i.e. 0-tech), which is directly across from (or “over”) the center, and the technique number increases in an identical fashion outwards to both the left and right along the line of scrimmage. So with that said, here’s a quick breakdown of each technique: 0: directly over Center 1: Center’s shoulder (either side) 2i: Guard’s inside shoulder 2: directly over Guard 3: Guard’s outside shoulder 4i: Tackle’s inside shoulder 4: directly over Tackle 5: Tackle’s outside shoulder 6: Tight End’s inside shoulder 8: directly over Tight End 7: Tight End’s outside shoulder 9: all the way outside of Tight End And lastly, a few notes: Some techniques are used with more frequency than others - this is why the 3-tech has largely entered the realm of common parlance; it is the most commonly used (as well as most distinct, in terms of role). Yes, 8 goes before 7 - afaik, this is just to keep up the pattern of odd numbers = outside shoulder of next o-lineman. However, it should also be noted that these numbers are not 100% universal and some teams may use a slightly different ordering. The 9-tech is sometimes/often called a “wide 9.” The technique’s that are aligned corresponding to an opposing tight end do not necessarily require a tight end to be on the field - in such situations, the defensive player lines up based on where an imaginary tight end would be positioned if one were actually there.
Brett Kollmann puts out really great content. Nice that Damo and Nick are aware of him and even doing react vids. For a future video, maybe look at some man blitz schemes or Dick LeBeau's zone blitzes.
Cover 3 is more common on first down because offenses tend to run the ball on first down more often. Cover 3 fills the gaps where they can run better than other coverages.
The goal is to stop the first down run to force them to pass later. Cover 2, Tampa 2, and man coverages in some situations are favorable to the defense when the offense MUST pass.
Exactly - traditionally offenses run on first down to gain momentum. You want to eat into that 10 yards so that if you do pass it’s shorter and shorter to get a first down.
Great job guys! The modern coaching trend is Cover 4 (4 deep zones)/Quarters/Quads and Cover 6 or Cover 8. Start with studying quads and the Fangio defense. I think Brett did a C4 video as well.
It's like how sometimes a back 4 turns into a back 3 when the CDM drops between the defenders, or nowadays a similar shift is one of the fullbacks either drift into midfield or attack the final third more aggressively while the fullback on the other side tucks in as a 3rd CB as a back 3
Both the offense and defense will call plays in their huddles. The way they all line up is adjusted, usually with the defense having to move around the most. Also, typically your Mike Linebacker is the quarterback of the defense.
As someone who played football from 2nd grade, through my sophomore year of college, I can't even imagine the mental gymnastics going on in the heads of a couple of guys who not only never played but are new fans... and trying to wrap their heads around x's and o's. Bravo to you, I'd never try that myself but it's cool you're both interested in this side of the game(or at least pretend to be interested lol). Football is a major duality for everyone involved(players, coaches and fans). It's an unfathomably complex game that even the greatest sports minds struggle in their attempts to comprehend... But at the same time, a shitty coach from some grade school team in the middle of nowhere can easily break the game down to a point where it's digestible on a purely *practical* level, so the players know "here's my job," and the fans know "here's whats happening."
One of the most important jobs of the quarterback on offense is figuring out before the snap what coverage the defense is in. Every coverage has a weakness, so the defense will do all sorts of things to try and disguise the coverage that they are actually in.
I love it when you guys do videos like these. Fun to watch people learning the details of the sport. There's so much that goes on in NFL football that is invisible to folks who don't know the intricacies. I hope you keep watching more learning videos like this. You should seek out something that breaks down the basic defensive shells you'll see to get a better understanding of the perimeter and deep coverage. Brett's also done a (less complex) video about the history of the spread offense you may like.
3:20 E = Edge/End (either olb or defensive ends) 3 = 3 technique lines up on the outside shoulder of the guard (defensive tackle/pass rusher) N = Nose tackle (lines up over center, BIG mother f'ers) O = Offensive tackles, guards, center (one with x). I'd recommend looking up a graphic of the O-Line "gaps" (running lanes between tackle, guard, center) and the defensive line "techniques" (Where they line up compared to O-Line). Youll understand line jargon in these videos with just a few simple pictures.
It depends on the coach and their scheme/playing calling tendencies, but id say the cover 3 buzz mable is likely one of the most common ones you’ll see, with zone to the side with more receiving threats and man coverage to the side with less
Cover 3 will have more guys "in the box", which is the defined as the area that is between the OT's and 5 yards into the defense, which makes it more useful in stopping the run. Cover 3 is also not that weak against the pass so it is a good first down call.
One of the pre snap "keys" will be the Mike linebacker (you'll hear the QB yell "Watch the Mike" before the snap) the other keys will be if the CBs move up close (indicates M2M coverage) or if they drop back (zone) and the strong safety. Those are the keys the QB will read pre snap. Sometimes the play will put a back or a reciever in motion to make the defense tip off whether it's a zone or man to man coverage. If you think that's fascinating, look at how blocking schemes are called.
The E 3 N E is the defensive line and it stands for the 2 ENDS/EDGE rushers, the 3 is the defensive tackle playing a 3 technique(lining up inbetween the guard and tackle) and the N is a “Nose tackle” which is a defensive tackle playing a 1 or 0 technique either lined up in between the guard and centre or directly over the centre
The Cover "x" x= how many are deep in coverage. Most teams will try to rotate and vary coverages either to confuse Qbs into throwing an Interception, to hide a weak defender, or down & distance. There are still elements of the Tampa 2 still used by most teams. Edit 27:43 first and second down you want that "cover 3 maple" because it is much stronger vs. the run and teams are more likely to run on 1st and 2nd down. Stop them with short gains, then you get to 3rd and long where Tampa 2 is very effective.
Good job, fellas! The defense calls their own coverages. Just to answer that question you brought up. You blokes are picking things up quickly. It's been fun watching you processing everything! Keep it up!
Gotta say you guys have impressed me greatly with how much you've learned. When you were just listing the positions by the abbreviations i was like "WTF, homeboy knows what a nickel is?"
It’s genuinely incredible how quickly you two have picked up the game. In just a few months you went from not knowing what 2nd and 8 meant to discussing the intricacies of coverage shells. To answer what the “E3NE” meant, you’re right about it being the defensive line (DL). The E is obviously defensive ends (DE). To understand the rest, you need to know that DL are also identified with a number telling you which gap they’re attacking, written/read as “x-tech” or “x-technique.” X is the number that tells you where they’re attacking; even numbers mean they’re attacking a person and odd numbers mean they’re attacking a gap, starting with 0 at the center and working outwards all the way to the gap between the TE and WR. So the N is identifying a defensive tackle (DT) technique called the “nose tackle” (NT). If they’re in a 3-4 defense, they’re a 0 technique that lines up directly over the center. If they’re in a 4-3 defense, they’re a 1-tech that attacks the gap between the center and guard. Their main priority is to occupy as many blockers at once as possible. They exist to eat double teams. The 3 refers to the “3-tech” DT. They’re usually quicker than a NT, and their main priority is penetrating past the OL and disrupting the play. When a stunt is called, they’re the DT that pulls to the outside because a 0/1-tech would take much longer to get to the outside. In a scheme with 4 DL, it’s basically standard practice to have one of each type of DT to maximize the skill sets on the field.
on the diagram of tampa 2 the E3NE is the defensive line. E are the ends, the N is nose tackle, and the 3 is a tackle playing in a 3 technique; meaning shaded to the outside of the offensive guard.
watching u guys get into this stuff is making me get into this stuff, its fascinating and Brett is the man for stuff like this. u guys have picked up the stuff quickly and often catch stuff throughout the reaction itself so cool
It's pretty simple, The number after "Cover" just means the number of defenders that have a deep responsibility with a combo of zones underneath for the remaining defenders. Cover 2 is both safeties going deep, Cover 3 is usually the 2 safeties and a DB going deep, Cover 4 would be both safeties deep in the middle and the outside corners going deep on the outside.
the mike is the key. also with teams like Pittsburgh (and Baltimore used to run it during the Ray Lewis era) they use it within a 3-4 defense (3 defensive lineman and 4 linebackers) that they have been running since dust was created but it gets results.
The mike is usually the QB of the defense. What defensive formation to be in will be sent out to him and he will tell everyone what is going on. Once everyone is lined up on both sides, he will "read" how the offense is lined up and decide to stay in the current formation, make adjustments or go to something completely different before the ball is snapped.
Coverage numbers for 1-4 is based on how many players are playing deep zones, so cover 1 would be one high safety, cover 2 would be 2 high safeties, 3 would be one high safety and both outside corners, 4 would be both safeties and both outside corners.
E- edge defender (your main pass rusher/ defensive end or outside linebacker ) N- nose tackle (the defensive tackle that lines up head on to the center) 3- 3 technique (the defensive tackle that lines up on/ outside the offensive guard) M- Mike/ strong side linebacker ( lines up on the side that has the most amount of offensive players or tight ends usually) W- will/ weak side linebacker (lines up on the side with the least amount of offensive players usually)
Brett Kollmann is amazing. Excellent vids. Something I would recommend checking out would be Nick Saban defense videos. They're fantastic. He really is a genius of the game.
The coverage number is determined by the number of players playing deep zones. Cover 2 has two deep safeties over the top. Cover 4 is a zone defense with 2 safeties and 2 cornerbacks to cover the deep zones. At the same time, cover 4 can create opportunities for man-like double coverage on the No. 1 receivers. It's still a zone, though, since the safeties don't pick up receivers unless the receivers enter their zone.
This coverage worked with 4 Hall Of Fame Player's you should react to those 4 Rhonde Barber John Lynch Warren Sapp and Derrick Brooks Sapp is probably the most transcendent player being one of the only sack Dominant Dts in the league but Rhonde may have had the biggest impact as he was the first Nickel Prototype of what is now a required position Lynch was a Ronnie Lot hybrid part safety part linebacker and the most feared hitter of his era Just ask his brother in-law Derrick Brooks was a machine so quick in reading and reacting and they defined the term swarming defense and Bend but don't break
Cover 2 and Cover 3 are zone plays for the defense. You are thinking about it as its man coverage. Cover 2 means 2 deep safeties covering 2 zones. Cover 3 is same thing expect one of the corners or line backers plays back with the safeties. Cover 3 is easier to run against because of 1 less man around line. So you use it on 3rd and longs or 2nd and longs because the attacking tam isn't going to run.
Man vs zone. they can cover 4 receivers man to man ("runners") and have cover 2 to protect the top. Those circles and boxes are zones of coverage. 3 zones cover the top, 4 zones cover the middle in his final drawing
Cover three is better against the run because the corners and the free safety are running deep thirds, so you can drop the strong safety into the tackle box for an extra body against the run. Cover two will almost always have two safeties deep (unless the coverage is inverted and the corner drops out into a deep half and a safety drops into the flat to replace the corner. In this case, the cover two will show as cover three pre-snap)
Anytime they talk about "Cover" it isn't about the number of offensive players that they need to cover, it is how many players are "Covering" the deep ball (usually defensive backs which are cornerbacks and safeties. But in some cases, it can be a linebacker too). 3 deep is cover 3, 2 deep is cover 2, etc...
Cover means zone and 2, 3, 4 refers to how many players are playing deep zone. Cover 2 has both safeties playing on the side lines against the WRs. That leaves the middle open, Tampa 2 looks like cover 2 but the line backer drops back in deep zone coverage, which makes it 3 players in deep zone coverage (cover 3). In basic cover 3, the M line backer is closer to the line and can help in the run game. Teams are more likely to run the ball on downs 1 & 2. So on downs where the offense is more likely to run the ball, cover 3 is called. When it is obviously a pass, Tampa 2
The three on the board is a matter of nomenclature for defensive linemen in a four man front. The N is the nosetackle and the 3 is a “three eye” defensive tackle. The number of eyes is how far from the ball you are. The center is split in half, so a “three eye” is one of his eyes and both guards, ergo you’re a defensive tackle playing the gap between the guard and the tackle. Some offenses use the number system to name gaps too, but when you’re kids they teach you a,b, and c gaps
Also, some people drop the “eye” or use “technique” but it’s the same thing. So the defensive ends, on that board, would be “five eye” or “from a five technique” or just “five”’s.
In a soccer formation it’s a 433 look but they are playing a 3 back and man marking the non ball side and using a CDM traditional player and replacing the a midfielder who can pass and score and similar to a striker who will hustle back and play defense
Despite being identified with Dungy and the Buccaneers, the roots of the Tampa 2 actually come from the Pittsburgh Steelers and their Steel Curtain defense of the 1970s. Dungy openly admitted that it was based on concepts he'd picked up in Pittsburgh, where he'd played as a safety from 1977 to 1978.
The simplest way to explain the Coverages is the number off players deep. If your looking at it drawn on the board it’s the deep blue bubbles so however many they’re dictated the coverage. Cover 0 & Cover 1 included which are usually blitz’s or man coverage across the whole field. And Correct the Mike (Middle LB) makes the Tampa 2 an inverted Cover 3 based on what he sees the TE do
Can't wait till you guys play Madden so you can put what you learned to the test and see it play out so you can get a better visual understanding of it. Perhaps In a game against one another.
Hey homies, love your content. It's exciting to see other people from different countries enjoying the sport of our nation. Love and peace from Louisiana, USA.
Cover # concerns how many defensive players are playing in the deepest zones. So if the safeties are just splitting the two deep halves, that's cover 2. When that MLB drops and splits the back end into deep thirds, that's cover 3. Still cover 3 if it’s both corners dropping deep with one safety back (and the other coming up into the intermediate hook zone). That Mable look has two deep zone players plus the man corner who would be responsible if that WR goes deep. If both corners drop deep along with the safeties and split the deep area into quarters, that's cover 4.
You need a great middle linebacker to really make it work. Smart and fast. Able to diagnose run and screens quickly vs passes. Play action into a screen or intermediate pass, especially comebacks, is the way to beat it.
Probably already answered below, but yes, the Tampa 2 is named for the defense Tony Dungy, (on the right of the screen at 2:04), installed while he was head coach of the Buccaneers.
Cover 3 on first down because the offense is more likely to call a running play as opposed to say a 3rd and 8 where they are going to pass. It allows the Mike to key on one player from the offense (RB) on run expected plays and the TE when expecting a pass
Cover 3 is better against the run because your 3 deep zones are typically the 2 corners and the free safety, which leaves the strong safety as an extra man in the box...with cover 2, both safeties are bailing deep, so its 6 on 6 in the box
There isn’t one coverage above all others. It depends on game scenarios. Defense calls a play based on the down and distance (trying to predict the offense) but then the middle (Mike) linebacker can change the defense via terminology once the offense lines up. He would do this (change coverage) if he sees something surprising. Some teams run 4-3 to stop the run and short pass. Some teams run a 3-4 to stop the run and short pass. Nickel is to stop the pass without fully abandoning run defense. Dime or quarter is for when passing is the only viable offensive option.
The Cover 3 is to shut down the Running game that is statistically used a lot on 1st Downs to try and gain a little yardage. The Tampa 2 is used to shut down the Passing game that is statistically used a lot on 2nd and 3rd down situations. Especially if there is no, or little yardage gained on 1st down. If there is a loss of yards on the 1st Down then the statistical likelihood of a Pass being called goes way up.
Okay so think about how the defense approaches each play like this… The defensive coordinator is going to choose a coverage scheme based on down and distance, the current offensive personnel that have come onto the field, the substitutions they have made to match it, the time remaining in the game, the current score of the game, and the position the ball is on the field. The job of the defense is not necessarily to get a stop. It’s great if it happens, but they are trying to delay the offense from scoring a touchdown and limit them to a field goal at worst.
Any chance you guys will react to the week 2 Dolphins vs Ravens highlights from the previous season? Insane game for both teams. Crazy ending. Records broken by from both teams!
They call them certain coverages based on how many players are designated to deep zones. So cover 1 has one feel zone, usually in the middle of the field. Cover 2 has two deep “half’s” because they are responsible for half of the field deep. Cover 3 has 3 deep “thirds” each responsible for a 3rd of the field. And cover 4 has 4 deep “quarters” with the same reasoning. That’s how it works in straight zone coverage. Each defender has a designated “zone” or part of the field they cover. There is also man coverage, where each receiving threat, what her it be a receiver, tight end or running back, has a designated defender. They try to stay with their route in man coverage and there is usually some kind of deep help over the top. Sometimes you see “cover 2 man” which is straight man coverage with 2 deep safeties overtop. Cover 0 is always man coverage. It’s a style of blitz where each player is “manned up” or “man to man” and the defense sends more people than the offense has blocking to get fast pressure. There are also match coverages, or hybrid zones where depending on what each receiving threat does, dictates if the defense plays man or zone.
Defense dictates what the coverage is. The coverage is determined by the defensive play call. The coverage can be changed depending on how the offense lines up (an audible). But the coverage is originally determined by what defensive play the defense calls.
Oversimplified version: Cover 2 means two defenders deep. Cover 3 means three defenders deep. Cover 4 is four defenders deep. That’s at least where these coverage names come from. In reality, things have evolved to look quite different. But that’s where the names come from.
It depends on rhe deep brackets usually set by the safeties and corners.. Defense dictates the coverage to atop the offense, but a coverage can be inverted due to how the offense lines up on the field which will usually be an audible call by the Mike Backer.. 2 deep cover 2, 3 deep cover 3
N is a nose tackle, biggest guy on the field(heaviest) normally. Tends to play 0 or 1 tech. 0 is right Infront of the center, 1 would be lined up on either of his shoulders. In a four man front you hardly ever use a nose, this would be anothrr smaller faster(respectively) defensive tackle. 3 is a 3 technique, he lines up on the guards outside shoulder on either side. E are ends as I am sure you will guess when I unpause this. In this case they could be playing anything from 5 to 9 tech. Just count outwards starting from 0 over center. Even number face up to a lineman off numbers on the shoulder. 3 would be outside shoulder 3i is inside shoulder.
I don't know if there is really a most used coverage. Coverage all depends on the scenario. In a pure man to man coverage a lot of times you will have just the free safety back in a cover 1, or sometimes 2 people back in a cover 2. In 3rd and long (over 10-15 yards to the first down) you might play a cover 4 because the defense doesn't mind if you gain 7 or 8 yards underneath, they only care about the deep ball. in a zone coverage, usually a cover 2 or 3 is played.
Answer to your 17:00 pause of video and questions. It's cover 2 because there are 2 deep zone responsibilities by the defense. It's cover 3 if there are 3 deep zone responsibilities by the defense. It's cover 4 if there are 4 deep zone responsibilities by the defense. The defense calls their own coverage but it's typically dictated by the offense's personnel along with down and distance. Defense reacts to offense and the situation.
Yes, if the MLB drops straight back with a 2 deep zone it's basically the Tampa 2. The number of deep zones determines whether it's cover 0 (man), 1, 2, 3, or even 4. If you've got the field split into 3 deep zones that's cover 3. Putting your defensive backs into the zones is useful against the run because the guys in the box are spaced better and are not dropping into coverage or trying to read the play and then react as much. When you start dropping linebackers and stuff into coverage you can cause problems for the passing game (duhh), but you put yourself in a weak position to defend against the run.
Brett can have some real in-depth, detailed, and super nerdy football videos with information that is new to people who watched football their whole lives, so don't feel bad if you feel like you've gone into the deep end here.
X wide receiver is the split-end. End man on the line of scrimmage therefor an eligible receiver but he is split off the line as opposed to the tight-end who is tight to the line. The Z wide receiver is the flanker. Off the line of scrimmage and therefore eligible. Because he is in the backfield he can line up anywhere as opposed to the X and Y who have to be the end men on the line of scrimmage. There most important two rules in football as they dictate all offensive alignments; #1 the end men on the line of scrimmage are are eligible and all players who begin the play in the backfield are eligible, #2 there must be at least 7 players on the line of scrimmage.
Why they call it cover 1, 2, 3, or 4 is depending on how many players playing deep over the top. So fir that example cover 2 your safeties are playing deep and covering half of the field deep. The linebackers and corners are playing hook zones usually In his example talking about why they dont run cover 2 on running downs is your 2 safeties are playing deep so its 7 defenders vs 8 on offense (take out the 2 Wide receivers and defender corners). With more running Qbs unlike 20 years ago, cover 2 is a mismatch against early running downs unless you can technique and guess correctly on defense. I hope that explains it.
The reason cover 3 is run on first down instead of cover 2 is one of the biggest weaknesses of cover 2 is against the run. If teams get 1-2 yards on first down then they will more than likely try to get the remaining 8-9 through passing plays, so cover 2 isnt as much a liability
The coverage is based off the deep half or thirds of the field, cover 2 = each safety has a deep half, cover 3 the deep 1/3s of the field are covered in zone coverage , just like cover 4 would be deep quarters of the field, there’s more to it then that but the basic of it is based of the zone coverage of the dbs
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the number after cover just designates the number of "Deep" zones. so cover 2 means you have 2 deep zones like around @15:40, cover 1 would be a single high safety covering a single deep zone.
Thank goodness you posted this so I didn’t have to.
Love that you're looking at Brett's videos. He really is the best, imo.
Thank you, really enjoyed this. Would be happy to see more of what Brett has done too
The name of the cover (aka cover 2, cover 3, cover 4) is dictated by how many defenders cover the cornerbacks over the top. So when two safeties are the only two players sitting deep the play is a cover 2. The reason the Tampa 2 is an inverted Cover 3 is because the Mike joins the safeties in covering the rest of the defense.
Doesn't have to be over the corners. You can play cover 3 sky with 1 corner taking the deep 1/3 and the SS coming underneath to cover the flat, Pittsburg's base defense with Troy. Or you can play an inverted cover 2 with both safeties coming down and the corners taking the deep 1/2.
Yeah the number is just the shell amount. For example in a cookie cutter Cover 4, its both safeties and both corners each taking a 1/4 of the deep coverage responsibilities
@@paytonmarlow3639 Yep and if the safeties has run responsibility first cover 4 is called quads. In quads if the safeties read run they abandon their pass responsibilities, attack the D gap, and the corners turn the coverage into an inverted cover 2.
@@chonzen1764I hated that trap D..QB would throw the out & bam..6 the other way
@@roymoss75 Normal people have no idea what hard throws are. The hardest throw in football is the 15 yard out. Draw your right triangle and if the ball is on the NFL hash you are talking about a 40 yard throw and unlike you standard touch deep ball it has to be on an absolute frozen rope or its a pick 6.
Thats why the NFL has narrower hashes than college and high school. Its to open up more of the passing game to the field side when the ball is on the hash.
15 yard out is also devastating. It wrecks that 3 buzz mable, to both sides as it breaks between the zones of the SS and CB and like all out breaking routes kills the man coverage on the other side.
Brett is probably the best youtuber imo to learn football, I have been watching him for years and he has hundreds of informational videos like this one, not all of them as intense as this one. Loved the reaction to it and would love to see more.
Thank you, really appreciate that! 🤝 We’d love to do more as well and we’ll come back for another one for sure
@Damo I'm definitely in support of the title 'British guys BAMBOOZLED by Tampa 2'. Love the content guys. Keep it up!
I knew it! You can replace Nick and we can be DN Reacts and get our Bamboozled titles up 🤣 Thanks for the comment, love that you’re loving the content!
You guys are freaking Legends your channel is growing the football knowledge in American football for so many and it’s a real pleasure to see you two dive into what makes this game so mentally challenging not only as a player, but a coach, and fan. Keep up the good work guys. A+ Effort on your channel.
Thank you Tony, really appreciate this 🤝 We’ll definitely keep it up. So much more to come.
the segment around 17:30 with Brian Urlacher talking about being "soft versus the run," they're talking about having one less "box" defender (imaginary rectangular area in front of the O-line) because the SS is bailing out of that area to cover deep instead, whereas in the cover 3 scheme he remains in the box / closer to the line of scrimmage giving the defense an extra body to stop the run easier!
Yes. This is why cover three on first down because it has one more box defender so all the gaps are filled than tampa two so its better against the run, then on more obvious passing downs they do tampa two because its a tighter outfield zone which makes it easier to run but more crowded zone to pass into
In Cover 1, Cover 2, Cover 3, Cover 4. The number just means the amount of deep zones. In cover 1 it’s 1 guy deep responsible for 100% of the field. Cover 2 would be 2 guys that each get a half of the field. Cover 3 is 3 guys who each get a 3rd, and cover 4 is 4 guys who each get a 4th.
Again, It’s the number of guys playing DEEP zones. Not just zones in general.
Also, cover 3 is better on 1st down because the Mike stays down in the box so you have the linebacker to help with what’s most likely a run on first down. Then when you get them in 2nd/3rd and long where they’re going to pass you can call Tampa 2 and drop the Mike back into his deep 3rd.
The defense dictate the coverage, in that they line up however they (and their coordinator) want. However, you could say that the offense dictates the coverage somewhat, as the defense will change what coverage they're running based on what personnel the offense has on the field, what formation they line up in, what down & distance it is, etc.
The way I’ve always understood it, generally the offense may come out with certain personnel (like 4 wide receivers if it’s likely a passing play). So the defense will come out to match their personnel (by coming out with more cornerbacks). But the defense will play different coverages with each personnel set.
Basically offense dictates personnel, defense dictates coverages.
Offense dictates coverages too. You don't want to be in a base cover 2 against trips unless you are willing to gamble.
The Nickel and Nickelback are one-and-the-same. It's not used as much as it used to be. It was developed in the late 70s, and it just added a 5th (5 cents) defensive back, and dropped either a DL or LB. It was used in "obvious" passing positions. With LBers being faster than they used to be, often they play that roll today.
Nickels are actually used more than they ever are because offenses are in 12 personnel more than ever. Alabama's base defense is a "3-4" but in reality their base defense has a nickel which they call the "star" position and it's almost its own separate position because it's so important. Minkah FItzpatrick and Brian Branch both played this position.
@@darnell-mooney Teams that play 3-4 front are more likely to not use a 5th DB, because they have the extra LB. Teams that play 4-3 will put a 5th DB in, and drop a rusher.
@@darrinlindsey they’ll actually take a linebacker out too and sub the nickel in his place
@@darrinlindsey i'm just giving you one example of a larger shift. using hybrid linebackers worked about a decade ago but guys like McVay and others have been killing the underneath zones for years. if we keep using the Saban example, he started out with a traditional 3-4 defense and would replace the Sam backer with a nickel, who was the 5th best DB. nowadays his base defense is more of a 2-4-5 and he replaces a defensive end with a nickel who is usually a first round pick in talent. it's just one example, many other defenses do this to match up with 4-5 wide air raid concepts that attack underneath zones. guys can go first round now without ever playing outside corner.
OMG you guys are really diving deep into the architecture of this game. I'm not sure how many regular fans (as opposed to casual) understand the game on this level. I certainly do not. There are simply too many complex variations. I applaud you both and I guess that in the future, I will have to defer to your understanding of these complicated and intricate defensive schemes. lol... Actually I recognize man to man, vs zone coverages and that's about it. There far more going on in terms of reading and reacting and outmaneuvering the opponent, than you might image at first glance.
Very good job on this one guys. The education continues!
Your level of football knowledge is starting to exceed that of a casual fan. This has been a really fun journey to watch
Yes the Def dictates the coverage.
Cover 1 is one deep zone defender, Cover 2 is two deep, Cover 3 is 3 deep and so on . But these are just basic shells not the who coverage scheme. Also in zone Def you cover who ever comes in your area, TE, WR, RB who ever .
It's up to the offense, (QB) to disipher what the coverage is and this will tell him who should be open, where to throw the ball. All Def have a weakness. The Def tries to disguise their weaknesses.
React to How to Read a Defense/A Guide to the Basics of Football Coverages.
You have to react to his video on the spread offense. It's less complicated than this lol, but it tracks the history of spread offenses and how it evolved
Incredible that you boys are going this far. Bravo, lads. I played for 8 years and coached briefly. So, I was forced to learn and teach this stuff. I would suggest watching a video that explains coverages in general. Ill edit this post to add a link thats more general in nature. That way these more nuanced videos you are watching will make more sense.
Brett is such a Legend. Im following football now for some time from germany(5 or 6 years) and he was one of the guys that got me a lot more into playcalling and taught me a lot that comes with it. i always enjoy his videos and im super hyped for that reaction :D
Hope that you enjoyed 🤝 Our first watch of Brett, and thought that he was really good. Enjoyed this one
Cover 15 is where four fans come out of the stands and play deep quarters. Most effective in third and long or with little time left on the clock. ;-)
Damo you were so close and then eventually basically got it on the defensive line terms. Basically the confusion came from the fact that casual fans refer to the defensive line as Defensive Ends and Defensive Tackles. But positions have hybridized and evolved and more in-the-know people, like what brett showed on his whiteboard, refer to the defensive linesmen as the Edge Rushers (which is said this way because in modern football they can be lineman or linebackers), the Nose Tackle (who plays nearest the center), and also whats called a 3 technique. Which they are basically between the Nose Tackle and the Edge Rushers.
Basically, if he had called them by their traditional position names you wouldnt have been confused at all, but he called them by their more accurate names.
Its called a 3 tech because he plays in a 3 alignment on the guard, outside shoulder.
9...6.7..5.4.4i.3.2.2i.1.0.1.2i.2.3.4i.4.5...9
.....Y.........T........G.......C.........G.......T
Odds are outside shades. Evens are a head up. Even i's are inside shades. The reason they are even with an i is because inside shades are blocked the same as a head up. As to 679, 1957 at Texas A&M after practice Bum Philips and Bear Bryant sat down over whisky started numbering shades they had a good system going but by the time they got to the TE they were both drunk.
To expand on this a bit further, a 3-technique (typically shortened to simply “3-tech”) is a defensive lineman who is aligned with the outside shoulder of an offensive guard. But that is not the only player on the defensive line who has a numbered technique attached to their alignment. In fact, there is a “technique” number corresponding to every possible place a defensive lineman might line up, and likewise any/every player lined up on the defensive line can be referred to by the technique number of his alignment. Each tech/ technique simply refers to where the player lines up in relation to a specific offensive lineman. The lowest number used is 0 (i.e. 0-tech), which is directly across from (or “over”) the center, and the technique number increases in an identical fashion outwards to both the left and right along the line of scrimmage. So with that said, here’s a quick breakdown of each technique:
0: directly over Center
1: Center’s shoulder (either side)
2i: Guard’s inside shoulder
2: directly over Guard
3: Guard’s outside shoulder
4i: Tackle’s inside shoulder
4: directly over Tackle
5: Tackle’s outside shoulder
6: Tight End’s inside shoulder
8: directly over Tight End
7: Tight End’s outside shoulder
9: all the way outside of Tight End
And lastly, a few notes:
Some techniques are used with more frequency than others - this is why the 3-tech has largely entered the realm of common parlance; it is the most commonly used (as well as most distinct, in terms of role). Yes, 8 goes before 7 - afaik, this is just to keep up the pattern of odd numbers = outside shoulder of next o-lineman. However, it should also be noted that these numbers are not 100% universal and some teams may use a slightly different ordering. The 9-tech is sometimes/often called a “wide 9.” The technique’s that are aligned corresponding to an opposing tight end do not necessarily require a tight end to be on the field - in such situations, the defensive player lines up based on where an imaginary tight end would be positioned if one were actually there.
Brett Kollmann puts out really great content. Nice that Damo and Nick are aware of him and even doing react vids. For a future video, maybe look at some man blitz schemes or Dick LeBeau's zone blitzes.
He was really good, enjoyed this one. Appreciate the suggestion, will give them a search 🤝
Please watch more of him
Cover 3 is more common on first down because offenses tend to run the ball on first down more often. Cover 3 fills the gaps where they can run better than other coverages.
The goal is to stop the first down run to force them to pass later. Cover 2, Tampa 2, and man coverages in some situations are favorable to the defense when the offense MUST pass.
Exactly - traditionally offenses run on first down to gain momentum. You want to eat into that 10 yards so that if you do pass it’s shorter and shorter to get a first down.
Great job guys! The modern coaching trend is Cover 4 (4 deep zones)/Quarters/Quads and Cover 6 or Cover 8. Start with studying quads and the Fangio defense. I think Brett did a C4 video as well.
Kurt Warner also breaks down film and explains it very well. Great channel guys. Subscribed
Thank you for the suggestion, I’ve noted him down! Appreciate the sub and support, welcome to the channel 🤝
Loved Kurt calling into the combine to get someone to tell these kids to get to the apex of their drop.
It's like how sometimes a back 4 turns into a back 3 when the CDM drops between the defenders, or nowadays a similar shift is one of the fullbacks either drift into midfield or attack the final third more aggressively while the fullback on the other side tucks in as a 3rd CB as a back 3
Both the offense and defense will call plays in their huddles. The way they all line up is adjusted, usually with the defense having to move around the most. Also, typically your Mike Linebacker is the quarterback of the defense.
Stunts from the defensive lineman and linebackers can throw off the offensive lineman's plans for who to block.
You guys should play each other in a madden game. Your football knowledge meets the standard to play it 😂
As someone who played football from 2nd grade, through my sophomore year of college, I can't even imagine the mental gymnastics going on in the heads of a couple of guys who not only never played but are new fans... and trying to wrap their heads around x's and o's. Bravo to you, I'd never try that myself but it's cool you're both interested in this side of the game(or at least pretend to be interested lol).
Football is a major duality for everyone involved(players, coaches and fans). It's an unfathomably complex game that even the greatest sports minds struggle in their attempts to comprehend... But at the same time, a shitty coach from some grade school team in the middle of nowhere can easily break the game down to a point where it's digestible on a purely *practical* level, so the players know "here's my job," and the fans know "here's whats happening."
27:35, just because cover 3 is better against the run and they generally run more often on first down
One of the most important jobs of the quarterback on offense is figuring out before the snap what coverage the defense is in. Every coverage has a weakness, so the defense will do all sorts of things to try and disguise the coverage that they are actually in.
I love it when you guys do videos like these. Fun to watch people learning the details of the sport. There's so much that goes on in NFL football that is invisible to folks who don't know the intricacies. I hope you keep watching more learning videos like this. You should seek out something that breaks down the basic defensive shells you'll see to get a better understanding of the perimeter and deep coverage. Brett's also done a (less complex) video about the history of the spread offense you may like.
3:20
E = Edge/End (either olb or defensive ends)
3 = 3 technique lines up on the outside shoulder of the guard (defensive tackle/pass rusher)
N = Nose tackle (lines up over center, BIG mother f'ers)
O = Offensive tackles, guards, center (one with x).
I'd recommend looking up a graphic of the O-Line "gaps" (running lanes between tackle, guard, center) and the defensive line "techniques" (Where they line up compared to O-Line). Youll understand line jargon in these videos with just a few simple pictures.
It depends on the coach and their scheme/playing calling tendencies, but id say the cover 3 buzz mable is likely one of the most common ones you’ll see, with zone to the side with more receiving threats and man coverage to the side with less
Count the number of zones up top. That is (typically) the coverage. So at 15:26 that is a Cover 2.
The most popular coverage is probably Quarters (Cover 4), but it's hard to really pin down the exact "favorite".
Cover 3 will have more guys "in the box", which is the defined as the area that is between the OT's and 5 yards into the defense, which makes it more useful in stopping the run. Cover 3 is also not that weak against the pass so it is a good first down call.
One of the pre snap "keys" will be the Mike linebacker (you'll hear the QB yell "Watch the Mike" before the snap) the other keys will be if the CBs move up close (indicates M2M coverage) or if they drop back (zone) and the strong safety. Those are the keys the QB will read pre snap. Sometimes the play will put a back or a reciever in motion to make the defense tip off whether it's a zone or man to man coverage.
If you think that's fascinating, look at how blocking schemes are called.
The E 3 N E is the defensive line and it stands for the 2 ENDS/EDGE rushers, the 3 is the defensive tackle playing a 3 technique(lining up inbetween the guard and tackle) and the N is a “Nose tackle” which is a defensive tackle playing a 1 or 0 technique either lined up in between the guard and centre or directly over the centre
The Cover "x" x= how many are deep in coverage. Most teams will try to rotate and vary coverages either to confuse Qbs into throwing an Interception, to hide a weak defender, or down & distance. There are still elements of the Tampa 2 still used by most teams.
Edit 27:43 first and second down you want that "cover 3 maple" because it is much stronger vs. the run and teams are more likely to run on 1st and 2nd down. Stop them with short gains, then you get to 3rd and long where Tampa 2 is very effective.
Good job, fellas! The defense calls their own coverages. Just to answer that question you brought up. You blokes are picking things up quickly. It's been fun watching you processing everything! Keep it up!
Brett is one of the best. He does a great job of providing insight for long time fans, while also breaking it down for newbies
'E' - edge rushers, 'N' Nose lines up on 1 technique outside of the center, '3' is a 3 technique which lines up just outside the guard.
Gotta say you guys have impressed me greatly with how much you've learned. When you were just listing the positions by the abbreviations i was like "WTF, homeboy knows what a nickel is?"
We try, we try! 😂
It’s genuinely incredible how quickly you two have picked up the game. In just a few months you went from not knowing what 2nd and 8 meant to discussing the intricacies of coverage shells.
To answer what the “E3NE” meant, you’re right about it being the defensive line (DL). The E is obviously defensive ends (DE). To understand the rest, you need to know that DL are also identified with a number telling you which gap they’re attacking, written/read as “x-tech” or “x-technique.” X is the number that tells you where they’re attacking; even numbers mean they’re attacking a person and odd numbers mean they’re attacking a gap, starting with 0 at the center and working outwards all the way to the gap between the TE and WR.
So the N is identifying a defensive tackle (DT) technique called the “nose tackle” (NT). If they’re in a 3-4 defense, they’re a 0 technique that lines up directly over the center. If they’re in a 4-3 defense, they’re a 1-tech that attacks the gap between the center and guard. Their main priority is to occupy as many blockers at once as possible. They exist to eat double teams.
The 3 refers to the “3-tech” DT. They’re usually quicker than a NT, and their main priority is penetrating past the OL and disrupting the play. When a stunt is called, they’re the DT that pulls to the outside because a 0/1-tech would take much longer to get to the outside.
In a scheme with 4 DL, it’s basically standard practice to have one of each type of DT to maximize the skill sets on the field.
on the diagram of tampa 2 the E3NE is the defensive line. E are the ends, the N is nose tackle, and the 3 is a tackle playing in a 3 technique; meaning shaded to the outside of the offensive guard.
watching u guys get into this stuff is making me get into this stuff, its fascinating and Brett is the man for stuff like this. u guys have picked up the stuff quickly and often catch stuff throughout the reaction itself so cool
It's pretty simple, The number after "Cover" just means the number of defenders that have a deep responsibility with a combo of zones underneath for the remaining defenders. Cover 2 is both safeties going deep, Cover 3 is usually the 2 safeties and a DB going deep, Cover 4 would be both safeties deep in the middle and the outside corners going deep on the outside.
the mike is the key. also with teams like Pittsburgh (and Baltimore used to run it during the Ray Lewis era) they use it within a 3-4 defense (3 defensive lineman and 4 linebackers) that they have been running since dust was created but it gets results.
The mike is usually the QB of the defense. What defensive formation to be in will be sent out to him and he will tell everyone what is going on. Once everyone is lined up on both sides, he will "read" how the offense is lined up and decide to stay in the current formation, make adjustments or go to something completely different before the ball is snapped.
Gents, I coached Ball for 20 years. It took more time for a lot of rookie coaches to figure out what you guys were able to logic through. NEW SUB!
Tampa 2 is a menace on Madden 😂
Coverage numbers for 1-4 is based on how many players are playing deep zones, so cover 1 would be one high safety, cover 2 would be 2 high safeties, 3 would be one high safety and both outside corners, 4 would be both safeties and both outside corners.
E- edge defender (your main pass rusher/ defensive end or outside linebacker )
N- nose tackle (the defensive tackle that lines up head on to the center)
3- 3 technique (the defensive tackle that lines up on/ outside the offensive guard)
M- Mike/ strong side linebacker ( lines up on the side that has the most amount of offensive players or tight ends usually)
W- will/ weak side linebacker (lines up on the side with the least amount of offensive players usually)
Cover 1, 2, or 3 basically is just stating the amount of “deep zones” dedicated in the defense not the amount of player being covered
If he could’ve stayed healthy and never had those concussions Luke Kuechly would’ve been the best LB ever.
Brett Kollmann is amazing. Excellent vids.
Something I would recommend checking out would be Nick Saban defense videos. They're fantastic. He really is a genius of the game.
I’m about halfway through and y’all are picking up a surprising amount of it. Good work!
The coverage number is determined by the number of players playing deep zones. Cover 2 has two deep safeties over the top. Cover 4 is a zone defense with 2 safeties and 2 cornerbacks to cover the deep zones.
At the same time, cover 4 can create opportunities for man-like double coverage on the No. 1 receivers. It's still a zone, though, since the safeties don't pick up receivers unless the receivers enter their zone.
This coverage worked with 4 Hall Of Fame Player's you should react to those 4 Rhonde Barber John Lynch Warren Sapp and Derrick Brooks Sapp is probably the most transcendent player being one of the only sack Dominant Dts in the league but Rhonde may have had the biggest impact as he was the first Nickel Prototype of what is now a required position Lynch was a Ronnie Lot hybrid part safety part linebacker and the most feared hitter of his era Just ask his brother in-law Derrick Brooks was a machine so quick in reading and reacting and they defined the term swarming defense and Bend but don't break
Cover 2 and Cover 3 are zone plays for the defense. You are thinking about it as its man coverage. Cover 2 means 2 deep safeties covering 2 zones. Cover 3 is same thing expect one of the corners or line backers plays back with the safeties. Cover 3 is easier to run against because of 1 less man around line. So you use it on 3rd and longs or 2nd and longs because the attacking tam isn't going to run.
Man vs zone. they can cover 4 receivers man to man ("runners") and have cover 2 to protect the top. Those circles and boxes are zones of coverage. 3 zones cover the top, 4 zones cover the middle in his final drawing
Cover three is better against the run because the corners and the free safety are running deep thirds, so you can drop the strong safety into the tackle box for an extra body against the run. Cover two will almost always have two safeties deep (unless the coverage is inverted and the corner drops out into a deep half and a safety drops into the flat to replace the corner. In this case, the cover two will show as cover three pre-snap)
Anytime they talk about "Cover" it isn't about the number of offensive players that they need to cover, it is how many players are "Covering" the deep ball (usually defensive backs which are cornerbacks and safeties. But in some cases, it can be a linebacker too). 3 deep is cover 3, 2 deep is cover 2, etc...
Cover means zone and 2, 3, 4 refers to how many players are playing deep zone. Cover 2 has both safeties playing on the side lines against the WRs. That leaves the middle open, Tampa 2 looks like cover 2 but the line backer drops back in deep zone coverage, which makes it 3 players in deep zone coverage (cover 3).
In basic cover 3, the M line backer is closer to the line and can help in the run game. Teams are more likely to run the ball on downs 1 & 2. So on downs where the offense is more likely to run the ball, cover 3 is called. When it is obviously a pass, Tampa 2
The three on the board is a matter of nomenclature for defensive linemen in a four man front. The N is the nosetackle and the 3 is a “three eye” defensive tackle. The number of eyes is how far from the ball you are. The center is split in half, so a “three eye” is one of his eyes and both guards, ergo you’re a defensive tackle playing the gap between the guard and the tackle. Some offenses use the number system to name gaps too, but when you’re kids they teach you a,b, and c gaps
Also, some people drop the “eye” or use “technique” but it’s the same thing. So the defensive ends, on that board, would be “five eye” or “from a five technique” or just “five”’s.
In a soccer formation it’s a 433 look but they are playing a 3 back and man marking the non ball side and using a CDM traditional player and replacing the a midfielder who can pass and score and similar to a striker who will hustle back and play defense
Despite being identified with Dungy and the Buccaneers, the roots of the Tampa 2 actually come from the Pittsburgh Steelers and their Steel Curtain defense of the 1970s. Dungy openly admitted that it was based on concepts he'd picked up in Pittsburgh, where he'd played as a safety from 1977 to 1978.
The simplest way to explain the Coverages is the number off players deep. If your looking at it drawn on the board it’s the deep blue bubbles so however many they’re dictated the coverage. Cover 0 & Cover 1 included which are usually blitz’s or man coverage across the whole field. And Correct the Mike (Middle LB) makes the Tampa 2 an inverted Cover 3 based on what he sees the TE do
Can't wait till you guys play Madden so you can put what you learned to the test and see it play out so you can get a better visual understanding of it. Perhaps In a game against one another.
Most popular coverages are combo coverages like the mable that will be half man half zone. College will run less complex schemes generally.
Hey homies, love your content. It's exciting to see other people from different countries enjoying the sport of our nation. Love and peace from Louisiana, USA.
Thank you, really appreciate the support 🙏
Cover # concerns how many defensive players are playing in the deepest zones. So if the safeties are just splitting the two deep halves, that's cover 2. When that MLB drops and splits the back end into deep thirds, that's cover 3. Still cover 3 if it’s both corners dropping deep with one safety back (and the other coming up into the intermediate hook zone). That Mable look has two deep zone players plus the man corner who would be responsible if that WR goes deep.
If both corners drop deep along with the safeties and split the deep area into quarters, that's cover 4.
You need a great middle linebacker to really make it work. Smart and fast. Able to diagnose run and screens quickly vs passes. Play action into a screen or intermediate pass, especially comebacks, is the way to beat it.
Probably already answered below, but yes, the Tampa 2 is named for the defense Tony Dungy, (on the right of the screen at 2:04), installed while he was head coach of the Buccaneers.
Yes the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Defensive Coordinator Monty Kiffin designed it.
Cover 3 on first down because the offense is more likely to call a running play as opposed to say a 3rd and 8 where they are going to pass. It allows the Mike to key on one player from the offense (RB) on run expected plays and the TE when expecting a pass
Cover 2,3 and 4 is by how the deep zone is split. 2 defenders is 2 zones 3 defenders is 3 and 4 is 4. So cover 2 is for 2 zones. Cover 3 is 3 zones
Cover 3 is better against the run because your 3 deep zones are typically the 2 corners and the free safety, which leaves the strong safety as an extra man in the box...with cover 2, both safeties are bailing deep, so its 6 on 6 in the box
There isn’t one coverage above all others. It depends on game scenarios. Defense calls a play based on the down and distance (trying to predict the offense) but then the middle (Mike) linebacker can change the defense via terminology once the offense lines up. He would do this (change coverage) if he sees something surprising. Some teams run 4-3 to stop the run and short pass. Some teams run a 3-4 to stop the run and short pass. Nickel is to stop the pass without fully abandoning run defense. Dime or quarter is for when passing is the only viable offensive option.
The Cover 3 is to shut down the Running game that is statistically used a lot on 1st Downs to try and gain a little yardage. The Tampa 2 is used to shut down the Passing game that is statistically used a lot on 2nd and 3rd down situations. Especially if there is no, or little yardage gained on 1st down. If there is a loss of yards on the 1st Down then the statistical likelihood of a Pass being called goes way up.
Okay so think about how the defense approaches each play like this… The defensive coordinator is going to choose a coverage scheme based on down and distance, the current offensive personnel that have come onto the field, the substitutions they have made to match it, the time remaining in the game, the current score of the game, and the position the ball is on the field. The job of the defense is not necessarily to get a stop. It’s great if it happens, but they are trying to delay the offense from scoring a touchdown and limit them to a field goal at worst.
Let's not forget that there are decoy formations as well. On both sides.
Any chance you guys will react to the week 2 Dolphins vs Ravens highlights from the previous season? Insane game for both teams. Crazy ending. Records broken by from both teams!
They call them certain coverages based on how many players are designated to deep zones. So cover 1 has one feel zone, usually in the middle of the field. Cover 2 has two deep “half’s” because they are responsible for half of the field deep. Cover 3 has 3 deep “thirds” each responsible for a 3rd of the field. And cover 4 has 4 deep “quarters” with the same reasoning. That’s how it works in straight zone coverage. Each defender has a designated “zone” or part of the field they cover. There is also man coverage, where each receiving threat, what her it be a receiver, tight end or running back, has a designated defender. They try to stay with their route in man coverage and there is usually some kind of deep help over the top. Sometimes you see “cover 2 man” which is straight man coverage with 2 deep safeties overtop. Cover 0 is always man coverage. It’s a style of blitz where each player is “manned up” or “man to man” and the defense sends more people than the offense has blocking to get fast pressure. There are also match coverages, or hybrid zones where depending on what each receiving threat does, dictates if the defense plays man or zone.
In short, the amount of deep zones on the field dictates what the coverage is called. Whether it by 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4
Defense dictates what the coverage is. The coverage is determined by the defensive play call. The coverage can be changed depending on how the offense lines up (an audible). But the coverage is originally determined by what defensive play the defense calls.
Oversimplified version: Cover 2 means two defenders deep. Cover 3 means three defenders deep. Cover 4 is four defenders deep.
That’s at least where these coverage names come from. In reality, things have evolved to look quite different. But that’s where the names come from.
It depends on rhe deep brackets usually set by the safeties and corners.. Defense dictates the coverage to atop the offense, but a coverage can be inverted due to how the offense lines up on the field which will usually be an audible call by the Mike Backer.. 2 deep cover 2, 3 deep cover 3
By the way I really enjoy you guys, keep up the good work gents 💪
Great stuff. I learned from this. And I’ve been watching football for 50 years. Great video.
To answer your question, teams are more likely to run the ball on first down. Therefore a strict cover 3 does better against the run than a cover 2.
N is a nose tackle, biggest guy on the field(heaviest) normally. Tends to play 0 or 1 tech. 0 is right Infront of the center, 1 would be lined up on either of his shoulders. In a four man front you hardly ever use a nose, this would be anothrr smaller faster(respectively) defensive tackle.
3 is a 3 technique, he lines up on the guards outside shoulder on either side.
E are ends as I am sure you will guess when I unpause this. In this case they could be playing anything from 5 to 9 tech.
Just count outwards starting from 0 over center. Even number face up to a lineman off numbers on the shoulder. 3 would be outside shoulder 3i is inside shoulder.
5:56 The only thing you're getting slayed for is calling "Linemen"- "Linesmen" 🤣
Great job, fellas!
I don't know if there is really a most used coverage. Coverage all depends on the scenario. In a pure man to man coverage a lot of times you will have just the free safety back in a cover 1, or sometimes 2 people back in a cover 2. In 3rd and long (over 10-15 yards to the first down) you might play a cover 4 because the defense doesn't mind if you gain 7 or 8 yards underneath, they only care about the deep ball. in a zone coverage, usually a cover 2 or 3 is played.
Answer to your 17:00 pause of video and questions. It's cover 2 because there are 2 deep zone responsibilities by the defense. It's cover 3 if there are 3 deep zone responsibilities by the defense. It's cover 4 if there are 4 deep zone responsibilities by the defense. The defense calls their own coverage but it's typically dictated by the offense's personnel along with down and distance. Defense reacts to offense and the situation.
Cover 3 is better against the run because one of the safeties has a hook zone and is part of the run fit (run defense).
Yes, if the MLB drops straight back with a 2 deep zone it's basically the Tampa 2. The number of deep zones determines whether it's cover 0 (man), 1, 2, 3, or even 4. If you've got the field split into 3 deep zones that's cover 3. Putting your defensive backs into the zones is useful against the run because the guys in the box are spaced better and are not dropping into coverage or trying to read the play and then react as much. When you start dropping linebackers and stuff into coverage you can cause problems for the passing game (duhh), but you put yourself in a weak position to defend against the run.
Brett can have some real in-depth, detailed, and super nerdy football videos with information that is new to people who watched football their whole lives, so don't feel bad if you feel like you've gone into the deep end here.
X wide receiver is the split-end. End man on the line of scrimmage therefor an eligible receiver but he is split off the line as opposed to the tight-end who is tight to the line.
The Z wide receiver is the flanker. Off the line of scrimmage and therefore eligible. Because he is in the backfield he can line up anywhere as opposed to the X and Y who have to be the end men on the line of scrimmage.
There most important two rules in football as they dictate all offensive alignments; #1 the end men on the line of scrimmage are are eligible and all players who begin the play in the backfield are eligible, #2 there must be at least 7 players on the line of scrimmage.
Why they call it cover 1, 2, 3, or 4 is depending on how many players playing deep over the top. So fir that example cover 2 your safeties are playing deep and covering half of the field deep. The linebackers and corners are playing hook zones usually
In his example talking about why they dont run cover 2 on running downs is your 2 safeties are playing deep so its 7 defenders vs 8 on offense (take out the 2 Wide receivers and defender corners). With more running Qbs unlike 20 years ago, cover 2 is a mismatch against early running downs unless you can technique and guess correctly on defense. I hope that explains it.
The reason cover 3 is run on first down instead of cover 2 is one of the biggest weaknesses of cover 2 is against the run. If teams get 1-2 yards on first down then they will more than likely try to get the remaining 8-9 through passing plays, so cover 2 isnt as much a liability
The coverage is based off the deep half or thirds of the field, cover 2 = each safety has a deep half, cover 3 the deep 1/3s of the field are covered in zone coverage , just like cover 4 would be deep quarters of the field, there’s more to it then that but the basic of it is based of the zone coverage of the dbs