Attacking Coverages (Part 1)
Sun-Tzu, the famous war strategist said, “…the best policy in war is to attack the enemy’s strategy,” and “Defend yourself when [or where] the enemy’s strength is abundant and attack when [or where] it is inadequate.” Basically, what it means is: Don’t attack an opponent where he is strong, attack where he is weak by attacking the strategy he is using against you. While I believe we cheapen the sacrifice and service of our soldiers when we equate sports to war, tactically, football and ancient warfare are very similar.
All coaches seem to understand these ideas when it comes time to run the football. Things like “run to the bubble” and “kick out to create a seam” are prevalent sayings in the run game. It seems that coaches forget this idea when it comes time to throw the ball. If the approach to throwing is not the same philosophy, we invite trouble.
So how is it that Offensive Coordinators can spend so much time scheming for how to block a particular front (probing for vulnerable areas to attack) while at the same time trying to use a “one size fits all” approach to the passing game? I believe it is due either to a lack of interest, a motivation to learn or to an idea that passing is by nature simple; something that every flag football and pickup game does with great success.
Wrong!!
In order to successfully throw the ball, one of the first fundamentals necessary is to know how to attack the weak areas of the coverages you will face. A plan of attack must start here. That means that not only do coaches need a thorough understanding, but the players executing the attack do as well.
We will examine the different types of coverages and use key words to help speed up decision making during a game.
First of all there are 4 types of coverages as I break them down and only 3 ways to divide the coverage.
4 Types of Coverage
1. Man coverage. In man coverage, each eligible receiver will be covered by at least one defender, although some receivers may be double covered or bracketed. Most man coverages also apply extra rushers to speed up the QB’s timing and ease the burden of having to cover receivers for longer than they may be able.
2. Zone coverage. In zone coverage, defenders are more responsible for areas on the field than for following a receiver all over the place. In zone coverages, the defenders’ eyes are more on the QB than solely on the receiver and make them able to break more quickly on a throw.
3. Combination Coverage. In combination coverages, some defenders will play man and some will play zone. This can give support where needed to help cover particularly dangerous offensive receivers.
4. Split coverage. In split coverage, one side of the defense executes a different coverage than the other side. Both could be zone, but more likely one side will be a form of man and the other side will be zone. What differentiates it from Combination coverage is that with combination coverage, the zone defenders are there more to help the man defenders. In split coverage, the design is more for the ability to cover formations and still be able to defend run plays.
Sounds complicated? Don’t worry. We’ll break it down further.
3 Ways to Divide coverage
1. No Deep. If all defenders are within 7 yards of the LOS, I classify the coverage as NO DEEP. This changes how we will attack. It is almost a guarantee to see lots of pressure when this occurs.
2. Middle of the Field Closed (MOFC). This means that there is 1 deep defender in the middle of the field. It also tells you of the strategy of the defense: more defenders near the LOS.
3. Middle of the Field Open (MOFO). This means that there is more than one defender deep, but no one in the middle of the field. This is usually associated with some kind of 2 deep defender coverage where both deep defenders are outside the hashes.
Sun-Tzu, the famous war strategist said, “…the best policy in war is to attack the enemy’s strategy,” and “Defend yourself when [or where] the enemy’s strength is abundant and attack when [or where] it is inadequate.” Basically, what it means is: Don’t attack an opponent where he is strong, attack where he is weak by attacking the strategy he is using against you. While I believe we cheapen the sacrifice and service of our soldiers when we equate sports to war, tactically, football and ancient warfare are very similar.
All coaches seem to understand these ideas when it comes time to run the football. Things like “run to the bubble” and “kick out to create a seam” are prevalent sayings in the run game. It seems that coaches forget this idea when it comes time to throw the ball. If the approach to throwing is not the same philosophy, we invite trouble.
So how is it that Offensive Coordinators can spend so much time scheming for how to block a particular front (probing for vulnerable areas to attack) while at the same time trying to use a “one size fits all” approach to the passing game? I believe it is due either to a lack of interest, a motivation to learn or to an idea that passing is by nature simple; something that every flag football and pickup game does with great success.
Wrong!!
In order to successfully throw the ball, one of the first fundamentals necessary is to know how to attack the weak areas of the coverages you will face. A plan of attack must start here. That means that not only do coaches need a thorough understanding, but the players executing the attack do as well.
We will examine the different types of coverages and use key words to help speed up decision making during a game.
First of all there are 4 types of coverages as I break them down and only 3 ways to divide the coverage.
4 Types of Coverage
1. Man coverage. In man coverage, each eligible receiver will be covered by at least one defender, although some receivers may be double covered or bracketed. Most man coverages also apply extra rushers to speed up the QB’s timing and ease the burden of having to cover receivers for longer than they may be able.
2. Zone coverage. In zone coverage, defenders are more responsible for areas on the field than for following a receiver all over the place. In zone coverages, the defenders’ eyes are more on the QB than solely on the receiver and make them able to break more quickly on a throw.
3. Combination Coverage. In combination coverages, some defenders will play man and some will play zone. This can give support where needed to help cover particularly dangerous offensive receivers.
4. Split coverage. In split coverage, one side of the defense executes a different coverage than the other side. Both could be zone, but more likely one side will be a form of man and the other side will be zone. What differentiates it from Combination coverage is that with combination coverage, the zone defenders are there more to help the man defenders. In split coverage, the design is more for the ability to cover formations and still be able to defend run plays.
Sounds complicated? Don’t worry. We’ll break it down further.
3 Ways to Divide coverage
1. No Deep. If all defenders are within 7 yards of the LOS, I classify the coverage as NO DEEP. This changes how we will attack. It is almost a guarantee to see lots of pressure when this occurs.
2. Middle of the Field Closed (MOFC). This means that there is 1 deep defender in the middle of the field. It also tells you of the strategy of the defense: more defenders near the LOS.
3. Middle of the Field Open (MOFO). This means that there is more than one defender deep, but no one in the middle of the field. This is usually associated with some kind of 2 deep defender coverage where both deep defenders are outside the hashes.
The next article will breakdown the strengths and weaknesses of each coverage, where to attack and how to use your QB's strengths to attack the weaknesses of each coverage.
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