2. Introduction
Important things to know about the Cover 2
defense when near the goal line.
Very similar to Goal line – Man Zone Defense
○ Main Difference: There is no man coverage,
everything is zone.
Susceptible to the Weak Side Fade
Provides good defensive equilibrium while
maintaining in-play flexibility.
3. Base Play Call
4-2 Defense
Strong vs Short Routes and Patterns
Balanced
4. Cover 2 with Proper Alignment
LBs and CBs evenly spaced between WRs.
Strong side WRs are bracketed by LB and CB.
Weak Side Safety is aligned inside of the slot
WR.
Strong Side Safety is aligned over the top of
the slot WR.
5. Cover 2 Goal line Alignment
Weak Side Safety aligns directly over the
center, but slightly behind the LBs as to not
congest the middle.
Weak Side LB and CB align inside of their
WRs.
6. Cover 2 Goal Line
Coverage
The Weak Safety controls the balance of
the defense by watching the Center’s
direction and WRs for far-crossing
routes.
7. Keeping the Balance
If the Safety lines up over the Center
and never lets anyone, including the
Center, outside of them, the defense will
be balanced: 1:1 Defenders to WR ratio.
8. What if there is a cross in the
middle?
The Weak Side Safety reads the balance, and
moves accordingly. If there is a cross, it’s the
same as the Center going to the Weak side,
and the HB staying on the Strong Side. As
long as 1:1 ratio is maintained the defense will
be in position to make plays.
9. What happens if multiple WRs
cross from the Strong Side?
Both Safeties shift.
The Weak side drops back to the weak
side, and the Strong side crosses to the
middle with the Strong side WR causing
the flood.
10. Recap
Maintain 4-2 alignment, with LBs and CBs still evenly
spaced.
Weak Side Safety aligns over the Center.
Weak side Safety controls the balance of the play.
When a Center goes to the Strong side, and another
WR crosses to the Weak side, the Weak side
Safety’s responsibility is to shift with the crossing WR
and maintain a 1:1 defensive ratio.
When multiple WRs cross from the Strong Side, the
Safeties shift, and the Weak side Safety covers the
Weak side, and the Strong side Safety covers the
middle.
