Cover 1
1 Deep, 5+ Man-to-Man
Cover 1 is man-to-man coverage with a single deep safety (the FS) playing centerfield. It gives you the aggression of man coverage with a safety net over the top. The deep safety takes away the easy deep ball but creates vulnerabilities on the outside and in the intermediate zones where receivers can create separation 1-on-1.
Defender Responsibilities
Man coverage on the #1 receiver with safety help over the top. Can play a bit more aggressively knowing the FS is behind him. Typically uses inside or outside leverage depending on the help.
Mirror of the other CB. The FS can only help one side at a time, so one CB functionally has less help than the other based on the FS's alignment.
Plays centerfield 15-18 yards deep. Reads the QB's eyes and breaks on the throw. He's the eraser — if a CB gets beat deep, the FS is the last line. Must be disciplined and not bite on play-action or underneath routes.
Often assigned man coverage on the TE or plays a 'robber' technique — sitting in the hole between zones reading the QB's eyes, looking to jump any intermediate throw. The robber role makes Cover 1 especially dangerous against slants and crossers.
Either picks up the RB man-to-man or blitzes. In Cover 1, the defense often sends 5 or 6 because you have man coverage and a deep safety — the extra rushers come from the LB level.
Often plays the 'hole' player — sits in the middle of the field at 8-10 yards and looks to disrupt crossing routes or spy a mobile QB. Can also be assigned a man (TE or RB).
Man on the TE or additional blitzer depending on the call. If blitzing, the defense needs to account for his man assignment elsewhere.
Vulnerabilities
- !! Outside fade/back-shoulder (CB isolated)
- !! Pick/rub concepts (mesh, shallow cross)
- !! Bunch formations create confusion
- ! Deep sideline shots away from FS
- ! RB routes in space vs LBs
Best Attacks
Rub/pick concepts (mesh, shallow cross), isolation routes on the outside, RB angle routes vs LBs, levels concept to create traffic.