Robber
SS Robs Intermediate Routes
- Deep
- Hook / curl
- Flat
- Man
- Rush
Robber designates a defender, typically the strong safety or a linebacker, to abandon his normal assignment and 'rob' intermediate routes at 8-15 yards. The robber reads the QB's eyes and attacks crossing routes, digs, curls, and seams. The most common pairing is Cover 1 Robber: the FS stays deep as the single-high safety while the SS drops down from a disguised two-high shell into the robber zone. Man defenders funnel receivers inside with outside leverage, driving them directly into the robber's kill zone.
Responsibilities
7 IN COVERAGENumbers 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 routes behind the robberHigh
- Robber commits early, QB pump-fakesHigh
- Motion to diagnose the robber pre-snapHigh
- Outside fade routes (only FS deep)Medium
- Wheel routes from the backfieldMedium
Best attacks
Deep routes behind the robber if he commits too early on a pump-fake, outside fades with only the FS as deep help, wheel routes from the backfield that get behind the intermediate zone, and pre-snap motion to identify the robber and attack away from him.
What beats Robber
3 CONCEPTS- Four VertsEdge
Two inside seams put the lone free safety in a 2-on-1 bind; he can only cap one, and the robber sits at 10-12 yards, far too shallow to help over the top.Show reasoning
Conflict defender. Free safety (deep middle, 2-on-1 against the seams)
Why the offense wins. Two inside seams put the lone free safety in a 2-on-1 bind; he can only cap one, and the robber sits at 10-12 yards, far too shallow to help over the top.
Why the defense wins. The robber can rally to a bender seam at the right depth.
Key adjustment. Keep the FS deep between the seams and have the robber sink to 15 yards under the seam the QB looks at.
- SpotEdge
The corner + flat both stay outside the robber's zone.Show reasoning
Conflict defender. Robber safety
Why the offense wins. The corner + flat both stay outside the robber's zone.
Why the defense wins. The snag/spot route is in the robber's zone.
Key adjustment. Keep the robber on the snag; the corners in man stay on the corner route and the flat.
- SailEdge
The flat + sail both stay perimeter.Show reasoning
Conflict defender. Robber safety
Why the offense wins. The flat + sail both stay perimeter.
Why the defense wins. The intermediate sail can be picked off if the QB doesn't see the robber.
Key adjustment. Keep the robber sinking under the sail; the man defender on the back takes the flat.