How do you recognize zone coverages 1,2,3,4?

Veteran MS Member Number of posts : 526 Registration date : 2009-09-03

How do you recognize zone coverages 1,2,3,4?
I read on here once on here and can't find it now but it said how the
defense would move around and that would tell you what zone they were
in. This will help me on my Offense a lot

All-Pro MS Member Number of posts : 390 Registration date : 2009-04-20

Examples from the 3-4 (Always glance at the safety's first)

Cover 3 - 1 Safety shifts over the deep middle and the other shifts down into a yellow zone. Look at the CB's as well, if they both drop back immediately, it's cover 3.

Cover 2 - Both Safeties will split apart like there's a disease in the center of the field. The CB's will usually play Flat/Hook zones in zone coverage, If not they will playing man to man.

Cover 1 - This play is an imitation of Cover 3. It does exactly as the Cover 3 except the Corners will play man to man.

Cover 4 - The whole secondary, excluding the front 7, Will drop back into a Dark Blue Zone Coverage.

I explained it in the order of being the easiest to understand, reading coverages will take much longer to do because it is a learned skill. Just because you read a coverage, doesn't mean you'll always know where to deliver the ball, so your question wasn't useless, it's just this little information wont make you a better passer alone.

All-Pro MS Member Number of posts : 481 Registration date : 2009-12-26

As far as a playing speed, i always watch the number 1 CB, he dictates everything. If he stays in a flat, it's C2. As far as Cover 3, if you're watching CB1 and you see a LB reach out the flats, it's Cover 3. I don't watch the safety because Cover 1 ROBBER is a common defense mixed in with Cover 3, and it could be deadly trust me. Cover 4 is the easiest defense to beat, and easiest to distinguish. Everyone drops deep.

Rookie MS Member Number of posts : 140 Registration date : 2009-10-28

I'm sure it's safe to say that cover 1 is not often used by users. im the same way as Ant when it comes to looking at C2 and C3. if they're in a 3-4/46; then the outside LB's will go straight towards the flat. If it's a C2, they may drop back and out (purple zones) or stay right where they are. But looking at the Cornerback is key for C2.

Exclusive Member Number of posts : 1156 Registration date : 2008-10-26

go to CJ's Offensive Guide tells you how to read all that.... its in a sticky

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