Slot Cross ClearOut Concept 2

As crazy as it may sound Cover 2 Zone coverage
is actually pretty effective this year. In the safeties tend get in
better position. The Nickel Normal Cover 2 Zone has safetis playing 2
Deep, while five defender play zone coverage underneath. The RCB and
LCB play the flats. There is four man pass rush. The defensive limemen
will stunt to try and create pressure on the QB.

Notice there is
not much of passing window to throw to the SL on the cross against this
Cover 2 zone coverage. The defenders react really fast this year.

If
we see Cover 2 Zone is called, we will look to go up top. If we only
have one receiver that is tall, that is usually the side we look to go
to first. In this case, it's the FL

While the ball is up in the air, we take control of the FL and ...

... turn him back towards the back. As the ball is coming down, we press thge jump button to make catch.

If
we don't throw deep, we look for the HB underneath. The pass to the HB
can be thrown while he running up the field after he curls back to the
QB. In the screen shot, we throw to him as he curls back.

We make the catch for a 8 yard pick up.

Vs Cover 3

Objective:

We
run Slot Cross Clearout Concept the same way we would against Cover 2
Zone. We look for the FL or SE deep on fades, but they are not are
first reads. . Instead we look for the HB on the curl. Keep in mind in
most coverages there are not as many defenders dropping back in hook
zones. So the SL running the crossing route will be generally open at
some point. It's just a matter where and when.

Reads Vs Cover 3 Zone:

HB
(Y) - The HB is our check down receiver if we don't feel we can hit the
FL or SE deep. With the SL running the crossing route, he will keep the
defenders from getting in front of him.
SL (A) - If you spot the
SL open, then throw him the ball. Like we already he will be open
against most Cover 3 coverages, but when and where is the question.
FL
(B) - We hot route the FL on a fade. If he is tall receiver, we like to
go deep to him and use the rocket catch to make the grab.
SE (X) -
If the SE is tall, we look for him on the fade route and try use the
rocket catch. If he is not tall, we use the mini-jet pack to make the
catch.
FB (X) - We leave into pass block.

Nickel 3-3-5
Cover 3 does a great job at taking away plays where receivers run
corner route, but it leaves middle underneath open since only the MLB
plays a hook zone. The NB and SS drop in buzz zones. That's why this
defense is weak against passes over the short to middle of the field.
Both ROLB and LOLB play the flats. The RCB, FS, and SS drop back in
three deep pass coverage. Only 3 pass rushers rush the QB so there
should be some time in the pocket.

In the screen shot above,
both the SL and HB are open for quick bullet passes. Notice the ROLB
and LOLB play the flats. This is why they are open.

The SL forces the MLB to cover him.

Leaving the HB wide open underneath.

After
the SL a few yards away from the the middle of the fiddle, the MLB will
go cover the HB. This one of times during the slot receiver's crossing
route that he will be open.

We make the catch bewtween NB and MLB for a first down and more.

If the HB or SL are not open, we look to go deep. We use the rocket catch to make the grab.

Vs Cover 4

Objective:

Of
all the defenses we have show so far to defend the Slot Corss Clearout
Concept, none of them completly shut it down. The only defensive
coverage we found that even comes to defending it is the Dollar Normal
Cover 4. The best way to attack this coverage when running this play is
to look for the HB.

Reads Vs Cover 4 Zone:

HB (Y) - The
HB is our check down receiver if we don't feel we can hit the FL or SE
deep. With the SL running the crossing route, he will keep the
defenders from getting in front of him.
FL (B) - We hot route the
FL on a fade. If he is tall receiver, we like to go deep to him and use
the rocket catch to make the grab.
SE (X) - If the SE is tall, we
look for him on the fade route and try use the rocket catch. If he is
not tall, we use the mini-jet pack to make the catch.
SL (A) - The
SL may or not be open, it really depends on how many defenders are
playing hook zones underneath. If there is only one, he will be open at
some point. If two or more playing hook zones, it will be hard to
complete a pass to him.
FB (X) - We leave into pass block.

The
Dollar Normal Cover 4 is strong bend don't but break pass defense. Very
hard to complete anything over the top unless you have good stick
control. Even this, it still can be a challenge if your opponent has
stick control on defense. Four defenders drop back in deep coverage and
cover 1/4ths of the field. The two linebackers drop back in hook zones,
while the inside DBs play buzz zones.

Against Dollar Normal Cover 4, there is a good chance the HB is going to get bumped.

once he breaks the jam he will spot u p and...........

and will be open for the quick bullet pass

we make the catch and have a little room to pick up extra yardage

If got stick, you can go up deep to the FL or SE. Be sure to manually make the catch though.

Alternate Patterns Vs Cover 4

If
you don't want to hot route the HB and FB, but instead want to run
their default pass routes, that's fine.They will be open the flats for
quick pass, but there defenders playing buzz zones will quickly
converge on them. If they are able to make the tackle, you won't pick
up much yardage. If you are able to break the tackle, then there some
yardage to be picked up.

Key Notes:

If bump-n-run man coverage is called, the same reads still applie
If
a man blitz is called, there should be enough time to throw to the SL
on the cross. If not dump it off to the most open back. If no safety is
playing deep, look throw deep to one of the outside receivers. Make
sure when making the throw, to throw it inside towards the middel of
the field.
If zone blitz is called, look to see where it is coming
from. If it comes from the inside, look for the HB if he running a curl
or the slot on the cross. If it's from the outside, you should enough
time to go deep.