Because of the sophistication and the intricate timing of today’s passing games, the two most significant factors in a coverage scheme are disruption of receivers and disguise. With that in mind, I will begin my teaching with a 2-Deep Zone.
Both cornerbacks are responsible for the flat zone. The flat zone is an area on the field between the line of scrimmage and 10 yards into the defensive backfield, and within 15 yards of the sideline. They assume a press alignment slightly outside the wide receivers, as close to the line of scrimmage as possible. Their feet are parallel and shoulders square to the line of scrimmage. As a first priority, they try to jam the receiver. This is accomplished by sliding laterally and striking the receiver with their hands. They must not get overextended or let the receiver have an easy outside release.
We want to disrupt or cause a very flat release in any direction. If the receiver inside releases, the corner slides, and opens to the inside and retreats laterally to a depth of about 12 yards, depending on the situation. If necessary, the corner should be ready to sink to the outside and be ready for a corner route. When the defender has gotten enough depth, he should be ready to drive off his back foot and attack any receiver that shows in front of him.
If the ball is thrown over the defender’s head, he should turn his shoulders and sprint at an angle to make the interception. If the receiver takes a flat outside release, the defender should slide, then pivot back to the inside. Again, he retreats laterally and sinks slightly outside to protect the hold between him and the safety.
Sam and Will linebackers are responsible for the curl pass zones. If the ball is in the middle of the field, the curls are 1 yard inside the hash mark, 12 yards deep. When the ball is on the hash mark, the open field curl is 3 yards inside the hash, and the boundary curl is 3 yards outside the hash. Before they go to the curl zone, they must not let the #2 receiver go straight down the field easily. They should force those receivers wide to the curl zones.
The only people who curl are the receivers. Enroute to the curl, the defenders should run laterally and glance for the widest receiver. They should settle at the angle they have retreated to, stopping approximately 3 yards in front of and to the inside the receiver threatening the curl.
The Mike backer is responsible for the middle zone. The location of the middle zone is 15 yards deep in the middle of the field, 5 yards inside the hash if the ball is on the hash. The first threat to the middle zone is the #2 receiver. Attention should be focused on #2 receiver first, then #3. The Free-Safety and Strong-Safety align on the hashes and retreat straight down the hash, reading the inside receivers. When they’re sure that t here isn’t a deep middle threat, they can widen and play over top the wideout.
