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Cover 2

2-Deep / 5-Under Zone

2 Deep, 5 Under
Open interactiveTest in Matchup Lab
DEF Cover 2 Zone
Cover 2: 2 Deep, 5 UnderDEEP ½: Free Safety. Deep Half (Left).DEEP ½DEEP ½: Strong Safety. Deep Half (Right).DEEP ½FLAT: Cornerback. Flat / Curl-Flat.FLATFLAT: Cornerback. Flat / Curl-Flat.FLATHOOK: Will Linebacker. Weak Curl / Hook-Curl.HOOKHOOK: Mike Linebacker. Middle Hook.HOOKCURL: Sam Linebacker. Strong Curl / Hook-Curl.CURLLOSCOVER 22 DEEP, 5 UNDERCBCBFSSSWMSETTE
  • Deep
  • Hook / curl
  • Flat
  • Rush
FIG. 1Cover 2: 2 Deep, 5 Under. Each defender is drawn in the color of his job; the numbers match the responsibilities list.

Cover 2 splits the deep field in half between the two safeties. The five underneath defenders (2 CBs, 3 LBs) each own a short-to-intermediate zone. The CBs jam the #1 receiver and sink to the flat. The scheme takes away the deep ball and forces the offense to work underneath, then rallies to the ball. The weakness: the deep middle seam between safeties and the hole between the CB's flat and the safety's deep half.

Responsibilities

7 IN COVERAGE

Numbers match the keys on the field. Tap a defender to see his rules.

  • Front · 4-man rush2 ends and 2 tackles rush the passer

Weak spots

5
  • Deep middle seam (post routes)High
  • Hole shot (between CB flat and safety deep)High
  • Wheel routes from the backfieldHigh
  • 4 verticals stretching 2 safetiesMedium
  • Corner routes behind the CBMedium

Best attacks

Post-wheel, 4 verticals, smash concept (corner + hitch), flood concept to the flat side.

What beats Cover 2

6 CONCEPTS
  1. Dagger
    The clear-out gos pin both half safeties wide and deep, and the dig crosses into the hole at 12 yards behind the hook linebackers and in front of the safeties — the intermediate middle belongs to no one in Cover 2.Show reasoning

    Conflict defender. Deep-half safety (dig side)

    Why the offense wins. The clear-out gos pin both half safeties wide and deep, and the dig crosses into the hole at 12 yards behind the hook linebackers and in front of the safeties — the intermediate middle belongs to no one in Cover 2.

    Key adjustment. Sink the MIKE to depth in the middle hole to take away the dig window.

    Dagger breakdown

    Beats it
  2. Mills
    The post splits the two deep safeties down the middle of the field where neither can arrive in time.Show reasoning

    Conflict defender. Deep-half safety (post side)

    Why the offense wins. The post splits the two deep safeties down the middle of the field where neither can arrive in time.

    Key adjustment. Stay on top of the post with the near safety and squeeze toward the hash.

    Mills breakdown

    Beats it
  3. Smash
    The corner route sits between the flat cornerback and the deep-half safety; the hitch holds the CB low, opening the corner behind him.Show reasoning

    Conflict defender. Cornerback (flat/curl zone)

    Why the offense wins. The corner route sits between the flat cornerback and the deep-half safety; the hitch holds the CB low, opening the corner behind him.

    Key adjustment. Sink the cornerback to collision the hitch and jump the corner route with the safety.

    Smash breakdown

    Beats it
  4. Four Verts
    Each half safety is stretched between his seam and his outside go, and the middle of the field between the hashes belongs to nobody — the seam benders settle into that void for the classic divide read.Show reasoning

    Conflict defender. Deep-half safety (seam side)

    Why the offense wins. Each half safety is stretched between his seam and his outside go, and the middle of the field between the hashes belongs to nobody — the seam benders settle into that void for the classic divide read.

    Why the defense wins. If the flat corners sink hard under the outside verts, the safeties can stay square and squeeze the seams from the top.

    Key adjustment. Sink the corners under the gos (cloud) so each safety only has one vertical to carry.

    Four Verts breakdown

    Beats it
  5. Scissors
    The post splits between the two deep safeties while the corner holds the outside safety high; scissors creates a high-low on the deep half.Show reasoning

    Conflict defender. Deep-half safety (post side)

    Why the offense wins. The post splits between the two deep safeties while the corner holds the outside safety high; scissors creates a high-low on the deep half.

    Key adjustment. Squeeze the post with the near safety and let the far safety help over the top.

    Scissors breakdown

    Beats it
  6. Post-Wheel
    The wheel runs up the boundary on the corner sitting in the short flat, while the post holds the deep-half safety inside, so no one carries the wheel vertically.Show reasoning

    Conflict defender. Boundary cornerback (flat/quarter)

    Why the offense wins. The wheel runs up the boundary on the corner sitting in the short flat, while the post holds the deep-half safety inside, so no one carries the wheel vertically.

    Key adjustment. Squat the corner on the wheel and rotate the deep-half safety over the top, conceding the post-hole throw.

    Post-Wheel breakdown

    Beats it
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