Cover 0 Plug

Locked in press-man on #1 with zero safety help. Must win at the line of scrimmage — there is no eraser behind this coverage. Typically uses inside leverage to funnel the receiver toward the middle where the rush should collapse the pocket.

Mirror press-man technique. No deep help — if beaten, it is a touchdown. The CB must be physical at the release point and stay in phase through the route.

No deep responsibility. Picks up a man assignment on the TE or RB, or blitzes as a seventh rusher if the offense keeps fewer than five eligible receivers in the route. In some looks the FS fires off the edge.

Takes the man assignment the MIKE would normally cover — usually the TE or the back out of the backfield. The SS must diagnose the release quickly because the blitzing MIKE vacates the A-gap area, and any hesitation leaves a window for the hot route.

Either picks up the RB man-to-man or adds to the pressure as a seventh rusher. If the back stays in to block, the WILL can rush through the weakside gap.

The plugger. Fires through the A-gap at the snap with no coverage responsibility. His job is to split the center and guard and disrupt the pocket before the QB can get through his progression. The entire coverage depends on this pressure arriving fast enough to beat the hot route.

Responsible for the TE man-to-man or blitzes if the TE stays in to block. With the MIKE committed to the A-gap, the SAM may need to expand his coverage responsibility to the strong side.