Bracket

The primary bracket defender on the opponent's #1 receiver. Plays outside leverage in an inside/outside bracket, or jams at the line in a high/low bracket. His job is to take away the outside release and force the receiver into the inside bracket defender. In Saban's CONE technique, the CB plays outside with the safety inside.

Plays standard man coverage on the opposite side's #1 receiver. With resources committed to bracketing the primary target, the off-side CB must win his 1-on-1 matchup without help. This is the calculated risk of bracket coverage.

Plays centerfield or shades toward the non-bracket side to provide help for the isolated CB. In Saban's 55 technique, the FS brackets the most dangerous receiver to his side while the SS does the same on the other side — both safeties commit to double coverage.

The inside bracket defender on #1. Plays inside leverage at 8-12 yards depth, walling off the inside release. In an inside/outside bracket, he takes away slants, digs, and crossers while the CB handles fades and outs. In Saban's CUT technique, this becomes a pattern-matching bracket that adjusts based on the route.

Man on the RB or plays the hook zone. With a safety committed to the bracket, the LBs must cover more ground underneath. The WILL handles backs out of the backfield or crossers through the middle.

Man on the TE or anchors the middle hook zone. With bracket resources committed to one receiver, the MIKE must handle his assignment without safety help. The defense trades interior coverage for eliminating the #1 threat.

Man on the #2 receiver or strong-side curl zone. The SAM picks up assignments that the bracketing safety vacated. This is where the defense is most vulnerable — the #2 and #3 receivers get favorable matchups when resources are dedicated to bracketing #1.