2 SHELL COVERAGE

1) COVER 4
1) ADJUSTMENTS
2) PRESS – BAIL – OFF
2) COVER 2
1) PRESS – OFF

JOHN HAUSER
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR / SECONDARY
WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY
 COVER 4

H E N T E C

W M S
¼ ¼

SS F
¼ ¼

ALIGNMENTS KEYS/TECHNIQUE ADJUSTMENTS

POSITION
PLAY FRONT 2 MATCH
SAM

PLAY FRONT 3 MATCH

MIKE

PLAY FRONT 2 MATCH

WILL

10 X 2 EMOL STICK Q 2-1

(#2 SKILL IN. #2 SKILL KEY Q 2-1
FS EDGE)
FOA

10 X 2 EMOL STICK Q 2-1

(#2 SKILL IN. #2 SKILL KEY Q 2-1
SS EDGE)
FOA

PRESS = IN EYE PRESS = SHADOW TECH

BC OFF = 8 X 2 IN OFF = PEDAL Q 2-1
FOA READ - SPEED
PRESS = IN EYE PRESS = SHADOW TECH
HB OFF = 8 X 2 IN OFF = PEDAL Q 2-1
FOA READ - SPEED
 COVER 4 (MATCH)
NICKEL / LB – #2 MATCH Responsibility. Think flat
first/curl 2nd. Exit with width, run the stripe. Listen for wheel check

If #2 goes Vertical – Jam through #2, trying to widen him and work for width.

If #2 goes Out - Take him to the flat, get on his hip and run. If he runs a wheel
route take him

If #2 goes In – Carry him in, then let him go and settle and look for a new #2
coming back.

CURL FLAT 2 VERTS

N N

Carry #2 to flat
Safety will take
And if he wheels
Vertical.

CROSSERS CHINA

N N

LOOK for new #2 BUZZ FLAT ON CHINA CALL

 COVER 4
OFF CORNER

ALIGNMENT:
1) 8YDS DEEP INSIDE EYE OF WR
2) DIVIDER RULES

ASSIGNMENT:
RUN: TO = SECONDARY SUPPORT ; AWAY=PURSUIT
PASS: Responsible for your ¼ of the field. Cover 4 is a
man concept.

COVER 4 OFF TECHNIQUE:

1) Key QB for 3 step with 2-3 read pedals. Drop Q 1-2
2) Start with outside foot forward, slight tilt towards QB.
3) Snap the eyes to #1 WR on deep drop working into
speed pedal. Maintain inside leverage on WR, don’t
allow a 2 way go.
4) Make an “IN” call on quick under (shallow cross)
getting eyes now to #2 WR.
5) Man to Man once the route has gone 8yds (vertical).
6) Keep backpedal as long as possible, man turn when
needed.
7) Do not undercut any routes, until in position
8) POST POST POST.
 COVER 4
SAFETY
ALIGNMENT:
1) #2 = TE: 10x2 outside (FOA) (SIT PEDAL)
2) #2 = WR: 10 x 1 inside (READ PEDAL)

10xFOA (C-GAP)

10x2 10x2 10x2

10xFOA (B-GAP)
10x1 (inside)

ASSIGNMENT:
RUN: TO = READ SUPPORT (FORCE) ; AWAY=READ SUPPORT
(ALLEY)
PASS: Responsible for your ¼ of the field. Cover 4 is a man concept.

E T N E E T N E
F M B F M B

SS A
SS A
 COVER 4
SAFETY

COVER 4 SAFETY TECHNIQUE

1) Key the QB through the #2 eligible. Seeing your triangle if in box.
2) Inside foot up, Sit Pedal on a TE, Backpedal technique on skill WR
3) Stick Q 2-1
4) Read key for vertical release of #2 if vertical 10yds man to man technique.
5) If #2 is under or to the flat keep sinking and see the QB and find #1 WR.
6) If # 1 is inside on release help on Curl, Dig, Post.
7) If # 1 is outside releases key QB and be a football player. (press corner)

TRIANGLE KEY

2 OUT ROB CURL TAKE VERTICAL

2 IN ROB DIG

Crack Replace: Collision WR on a crack

call from the corner. Collision WR’s up field
shoulder. Responsible for any crack and go.
 COVER 4 (RUN SUPPORT)

4) PURSUIT
C
C
F 2) SECONDARY CONTAIN
SS

3) READSUPPORT-ALLEY 1) SECONDARY CONTAIN

COVER 4

C 4) PURSUIT
C
F SS
2) READ SUPPORT-ALLEY
1) READ SUPPORT-FORCE

3) SECONDARY SUPPORT
 CLOUD CHECK

CLOUD CHECK
1) Corner – Corner aligns 4x2 and plays Cover 2 Technique.
¾ Anytime you are not walked out on a skill WR.
2) OLB – to the cloud Check side. Stay in the box. You are
now a #2 Drop
3) Safety to the cloud check plays Cover 2.

“CLOUD”

H
C M S
W

F S/S

“CLOUD”

C H
S M W

F S/S
 TRIPS-YOYO CHECK
TRIPS - YOYO CHECK
1) IN OUR BASE COVERAGES 4 AND 2 WE NEED TO ACCOUNT
FOR #3 VERTICAL. THE SAFETY NEEDS TO COMMUNICATE
TO THE BACKSIDE THAT “I GOT TRIPS”. THE CROSS KEY
SAFETY RELAYS A “YOYO” CALL TO THE CORNER AND
LBer ON HIS SIDE.
1) CORNER THAT GETS THE YOYO STILL LETS THE
UNDERNEATH ROUTE GO.
2) NEED TO COMMUNICATE THE CALL TO LBer AS HE IS
MAN TO MAN ON THE TB.
3) CROSS KEY SAFETY USE RIDE TECH IN CROSS KEY. NO
# 3 VERTICAL HELP BACKSIDE.

C H
W M S

F S/S
“YO YO” “I GOT TRIPS”

C S H
W M
LET UNDER GO S/S “I GOT TRIPS”
F
 AREA CHECK
AREA CHECK
1) ZORRO CHECK IS USED BETWEEN A COVER 4 SAFETY
AND CORNER. IF WE ARE IN OFF COVER 4 TO 2 SKILLS
WE CAN ZORRO CHECK COVER 4 AND ZONE UP OUR ¼
OF THE FIELD. WE WILL USE THIS CHECK VS OFFENSES
WHO LIKE SCISSORS ROUTE. USE DIVIDERS.
1) CORNER – PLAY A TRUE ZONE ¼ BE READY TO
EXCHANGE IF YOU SEE #2 GOING VERTICAL.
2) SAFETY – MAKE SURE YOU ARE DEEP ENOUGH
TO TAKE #1 VERTICAL OR POST CUT.

“AREA” “AREA”
 COVER 2

H E N T E C

W M S

SS FS

½ ½

ALIGNMENTS KEYS/TECHNIQUE ADJUSTMENTS

POSITION

2 DROP
SAM PLAY FRONT
(PATTERN READ)

MIKE PLAY FRONT

3 DROP (PATTERN READ)

WILL PLAY FRONT 2 DROP (PATTERN READ)

12 X 2 DROP Q 2-1
FS
FOA (HASH RULES)

12 X 2 DROP Q 2-1
SS
FOA (HASH RULES)

PRESS = OUT
BC EYE BUMP/SEE/SQUEEZE
OFF = 5 X 2 OUT (PATTERN READ)

PRESS = OUT
HB EYE BUMP/SEE/SQUEEZE
OFF = 5 X 2 OUT (PATTERN READ)
 COVER 2 (DROP)
NICKEL / LB– #2 DROP responsibility with a Hook / Curl
area.

If #2 goes Vertical Exit with width and depth – jam him and look for #1 in the flat or
an “out” call from the Mike which tells you that #3 is on his way to the flat.

If #2 goes Out Exit with Width – look for #1 coming into the curl.

If #2 goes In Exit with width – look for something coming back from the inside.

CURL FLAT 2 VERTS

N N

CARRY THE SEAM

18-20 YDS
See QB

DIG CROSS CHINA

N N

BUZZ FLAT ON CHINA CALL

LISTEN FOR UNDER/CROSS CALL
 COVER 2
CORNER
NON CONTACT ZONE – In this area we are CONTACT ZONE – Top of the #’s to the sideline
going to shuffle 2 steps and open up and get back is free Contact zone. We want to hit and disrupt as
to the bottom of the numbers. Do not let Re route much as possible. Any release outside we must run
get us out leveraged. The WR is already rerouted to sideline. Must not allow free release outside.
by his alignment.

Points of Contact: Re-Route

The point of contact and the amount of contact is directly proportionate to how close we
are to the hash. The closer we are to the hash the less contact is needed.
1) #’s to the sideline. We want to ride all releases hard Be as physical as possible
1) Outside release
a) Run with, punch and ride to sideline
b) Zone Turn-(Back to Sideline) Get eyes to #2
c) Feel the dummy release
2) Inside release
a) Shuffle with get hands on, Be able to break on 3 step
b) Find #2
c) After reroute sink back to bottom of #’s, Eyes to #2
2) Top #’s to Hash . Our re route is basically done
1) Outside release
a) Don’t let WR free release
b) Get eyes to #2
2) Inside Release
a) Shuffle inside two steps reading #2
b) Flip our hips and get depth outside the bottom of the #’s
c) We are giving the impression of re routing
d) We are more concerned with what #2 is doing
e) If #2 is vertical we want to get depth ( Sink call from safety)
 COVER 2
CORNER

TECHNIQUES:
1) PRESS
2) SQUAT (From a press alignment)
3) READ

ALIGNMENT:
1) PRESS
¾ Align outside shade – My inside foot on WR’s outside foot.
¾ Balanced Stance, Low ready to Jam
2) SQUAT
¾ Align outside shade – Outside foot up – 5-6 yds. deep
3) READ
¾ Align outside shade – ***Over split align inside – Outside
foot up – 5-6 yds deep

ASSIGNMENT:
RUN: TO = FORCE ; AWAY=PURSUIT
PASS: Responsible for your flat, Play underneath routes in
your zone.
 COVER 2
CORNER

PRESS Technique (EYES ON WR)

1) (Bump – See – Squeeze) Technique (stem to alignment).
2) Work Bump – See – Squeeze technique from a pressed alignment.
3) Win with feet first, then jam.
4) Zone turn every release always keeping back to sideline, never crossing over.
5) “2 goes you go”

SQUAT Technique (Eyes through #2 to QB)

1) (Bump – See – Squeeze) Technique
2) Work Bump – See – Squeeze technique from an off alignment.
3) Win with feet first, then jam.
4) Zone turn every release always keeping back to sideline, never crossing over.
5) “2 goes you go”

READ Technique (Eyes through #2 to QB)

1) Key through the #2 WR to the football for run/pass read.
1) Be fast to read run on option, toss and pup
2) DROP AND DRAG.
3) Back to sideline. Invite the inside release, cutoff any outside release.
4) While SEEING the release of the #2 receiver.
1) If #2 breaks outside, sink to 12 yds top of the #’s and read the QB.
2) If #2 is inside start to squeeze #1
3) If # 2 is vertical run with #1 vertical. “2 goes you go”

Sam Madison Change up

1) Hide in the blind spot
2) Key football
3) Jolt WR – Force a funnel
 COVER 2
SAFETY

ALIGNMENT:
M.O.F. Align 12 yards deep, 2 yards off hash.
Ball on hash
¾ Field – 12yds deep. On hash
¾ Boundary – 12yds deep. 3 yds off hash. (2 skills +)
¾ On a reduced split, line up 4yds inside of #1

HASH MOF

On hash +3 +2 +2

ASSIGNMENT:
RUN: TO = Secondary Contain ; AWAY=ALLEY
PASS: Responsible for a Deep ½ of the field
 COVER 2
SAFETY

TECHNIQUES:
Key the QB for run/pass
At snap get into crisp backpedal and key run/pass (Depth is key)
1) Run
¾ Clear all threat of pass
¾ Break and drive to run support.
2) 3 Step Pass
¾ Drive on the QB’s Shoulder through the throw.
¾ Don’t go till ball leaves hand. (DOUBLE MOVE) (PUMP AND
GO)
3) Drop Back Pass
¾ Go from read pedal to speed pedal with your eyes on #1 and #2
for pattern read
¾ On two verticals do not commit your hips to one or the other.
¾ Stay over both leaning on #2 slightly but in position to play both
throws. Vertical to #1 is longer throw, time to break

CHINA CALL- Corner SINK CALL - Safety

C S
# 2 vertical
 COVER 2
SAFETY

COACHING POINTS:
1) PLAY ACTION SHOULD NOT AFFECT A COVER 2 SAFETY
2) PASS 1st - RUN 2nd
3) Feel the release of #1 and see #2 and QB
4) If #1 outside releases can widen off hash
5) Get depth to break downhill on routes
6) See the big picture
7) No YO-YO check if we tag the coverage with MIDDLE
8) Make sink call to corner if #2 is vertical
 COVER 2 (RUN SUPPORT)

4) PURSUIT
1) FORCE
C
C
A SS

3) ALLEY
2) SECONDARY CONTAIN

COVER 2

4) PURSUIT
C
1) FORCE C
A SS

2) SECONDARY CONTAIN 3) ALLEY