BRENT VENABLES STUDY

He employs smaller, faster Apex players closer in profile to defensive backs, and larger safeties to help
fill against the run. This allows the Apex players and safeties to become more interchangeable, and
therefore better able to adjust to spread offense tactics.

Cover 1

Brown is a Cover 1 Robber coverage. There will be one deep safety and one player in the hook area –
what Venables calls the Low Hole– eyeing the quarterback and robbing any routes over the middle. If
the quarterback scrambles, then the Low Hole will mirror the quarterback horizontally in the hook zone
until the quarterback crosses the line of scrimmage; only once the quarterback has crossed the line of
scrimmage will the Low Hole play run responsibility.

Like Saban, Venables does not designate the Low Hole in Brown. He uses what he calls a 2-on-1concept,
which Saban calls Funnel. 2-on-1 simply means that two designated players will eye the running back,
and the near side player will take the running back if he breaks out of the backfield. The opposite side
player will become the Low Hole. So if the running back goes to the right, then the right 2-on-1 player
will take the running back, and the left 2-on-1 player will become the Low Hole.

Why does Venables run it this way? Same reasons as Saban. 2-on-1 first ensures the nearest linebacker
will have responsibility for the running back, who is commonly faster than their linebacker counterpart.
Having the far side linebacker, for example, try to get across and match the back is only inviting disaster.
Second, it increases the likelihood the Low Hole player is dropping from the side the
quarterback isn’t looking post-snap. Most offenses like to use half-field reads with the running back as
the third option. By having the Low Hole come from the backside increases the likelihood the
quarterback will not see him while reading a front side on a dig or other crossing route.

The final component to Brown is that in all 2×2 sets, the safety to the weak #2 will come down to be the
Weak Apex and the other safety will drop to deep third. In all 3×1 sets, the safety to the strong #3 will
drop down to become the Strong Hook and the other safety will drop to deep third. The kicker about
running it this way is that the down safety must come down fast and early to hold up against any quick
routes or RPOs by their designated man. If the dropping safety comes late, the offense is effectively
getting a free completion and yardage.
If you’re willing to tolerate showing your hand a bit early (and Venables is), Brown is probably the best
form of Cover 1 to stop the run. You’re keeping both run stoppers in the box and not asking them to
cover anyone but the primary run threat, i.e., the running back. You’re handling the slot receiver with
your nickel player (rarely an error) and covering the fourth receiver with a safety. If you’re looking more
to stop RPOs, then perhaps Saban’s 1 Funnel would be best. But since Venables has a strong ‘stop the
run’ mentality, Brown is his most called 1-high coverage.

Blue is Venables other Cover 1 Robber coverage. In contrast to Brown, however, Blue sends the safety
opposite the running back down to become the Low Hole. Ergo, the safety on the same side of the
running back drops to the deep middle and everyone else underneath is just running man coverage. The
strength and weakness of Blue lies almost entirely in personnel. If you are comfortable with: (i) your
underneath players being man-to-man on the offense’s #2 weak or #3 strong and (ii) your safety coming
down to play in the interior of the box against the run, then you get a great way to match up against
most spread run concepts. That limitation, however, is why Venables almost exclusive runs Blue against
11 or 20 personnel. His Will and Mike players match up well against most tight ends or H-backs. Having
either match up against a 4th receiver, however, might be a bit more dubious.
Vice is Venables Cover 1 coverage while doubling a designated receiver. Vice is a common defensive
concept where you want to double an opposing offense’s star receiver but protect the middle of the
field deep. Vice appears to be one of those concepts that Venables won’t run for weeks at a time but
will use it liberally when the game plan calls for it.
Base Cover 3

Venables base Cover 3 scheme is almost exactly like Saban’s Cover 3. And by “almost exactly like” I
mean it is the same schematically, just the terminology is different. If you’d like to know how it works,
I’d recommend reading the section Saban’s Cover 3 here:

Here’s the differences in terminology:

What Saban calls “3,” Venables calls “3 Sky.”

What Saban calls “6,” Venables calls “3 Weak.”

What Saban calls “6 Buzz,” Venables calls “3 Robber.”

And what Saban calls “3 Buzz,” Venables surprising calls the same thing (“3 Buzz”).

Otherwise, it is the exact same scheme. So, if you’ve mastered Saban’s Rip/Liz scheme, you’ve just
mastered Venables’ base Cover 3 schemes. Kind of nice how that sometimes works out.

The difference between Venables and Saban when it comes to Cover 3 is not in scheme, but in usage.
Saban isn’t particularly inclined to drop his safety to the Strong Apex (what he calls 3 or what Venables
calls 3 Sky) in nickel or dime personnel. He’ll do it – there’s very little Saban won’t do schematically if he
thinks the situation calls for it – but it’s rare. Venables, however, has been a bit more inclined in recent
years to drop his safety over the slot and bump his nickel/Sam player inside the box. This isn’t to suggest
he was doing it all the time – Venables primarily ran 3 Weak and 3 Robber – just a lot more than I’ve
seen with any other defense versus the spread.
3 Cloud and Saint

Venables final two 1-high coverages are Cover 3 schemes with the corner sitting in the flat. The first, 3
Cloud is Cover 3 with the boundary corner playing the flat. The second, Saint, is Cover 3 with the field
corner playing the flat. If you’re not familiar with this scheme, your first reaction is probably: “That
sounds cool, but how does it work in practice?” Short answer: Rip/Liz to one side and Cover 2 pattern
match (what Saban calls “Cut”) to the other. But let’s break that down, beginning with 3 Cloud.

3 Cloud vs 2×2

1. Strong Corner – Man on #1 unless #1 goes under (inside and short) in the first 5 yards. If #1 goes
under in the first 5 yards, then yell “Under! Under!” and zone off to deep third, eyeing #2.

2. Strong Apex – Man on #2 unless #2 goes under (inside and short) in the first 5 yards. If #2 does
go under in the first 5 yards, then yell “Under! Under!” and take any #3 to the flat. If no #3 to
the flat, rob #1.

3. Hook – Eye the releases of strong #1 and #2 as you begin your drop to the middle of the Hook
area. If both strong side #1 and #2 are vertical, then take any strong #3. Otherwise, defend Hook
area from crossers.

4. Strong Safety – Deep middle of the field.

 5. Weak Apex – If you #1 runs inside and RB goes to the flat, then take #1. Otherwise, if #3
releases to your side, then man on #2 for everything. If #3 does not release to your side, then
man on #2 for everything except when #2 goes out to the flat, and then cut (rob) #1.

6. Weak Safety – Take all of #1 vertical; if #1 is not vertical, then bracket any #2 vertical (alert
Smash).

7. Weak Corner – Take the first man to the flat. E.g., #1 if he runs a 5-yard hitch, #2 if runs out or
bubble, #3 if the RB swings to the flat, etc.

The above rules are nice, but let’s look at a few examples.

To the field, since #1 is not running underneath, the corner has #1 man-to-man. Similarly, since the #2 is
not running underneath, the Strong Apex has him man-to-man. To the boundary, the offense is running
a snag combination. Since the running back is out to the flat, the cornerback takes him. The Weak Apex
takes #1 since the #1 is coming inside and the running back is in the flat. And since #1 is not vertical, the
Weak Safety has the corner route.
To the field, the corner and Apex handle the Smash combination just like they would in standard Cover
3. To the boundary, the offense is running levels. The corner will push with the #1 to make sure he’s
running underneath before sinking back to the flat. The Weak Apex is man on #2 since he’s not out to
the flat. The Weak Safety drops to help cover on the vertical of #1 (or #2), and once he sees there is
none, works to help on the dig route. The Hook simply defends the Hook area from crossers. There’s a
big gap open for the shallow cross route by weak #1, and that is an inherent weakness to this scheme.
3 Cloud vs 3×1

1. Strong Corner – Man on #1 unless #1 goes under (inside and short) in the first 5 yards. If #1 does
go under in the first 5 yards, then the cornerback will yell “Under! Under!” and zones off to deep
third, eyeing #2.

2. Strong Apex – Man on #2 except when #3 goes to the flat or #2 goes under. If #3 to the flat,
then take #3. If #2 goes under; then buzz to the flat.

3. Hook – Man on #3 except when #3 goes to the flat or #3 goes under. If #3 is to the flat, then
man to man on #2. If #3 goes under, then defend Hook area. You do not have #3 deep cross.

4. Strong Safety – Deep middle of the field.

5. Weak Apex – You have all deep cross by strong #3. Otherwise, man on #2 for everything except
when #2 goes out to the flat, and then work to cut #1 or defend against crossers.

6. Weak Safety – Take all of #1 vertical; if #1 is not vertical, then defend boundary deep third,
including bracketing any #2 vertical (alert Smash).

7. Weak Corner – Take the first man to the flat. E.g., #1 if he runs a 5-yard hitch, #2 if runs out or
bubble, #3 if the RB swings to the flat, etc.

In 3×1 sets, 3 Cloud essentially operates by running Saban’s Mable/Skate to the field and Cut to the
boundary. Let’s review a couple route matches.
The strong corner and Apex both have #1 and #2 respectively since they are vertical. Like in
Mable/Skate, the weak Apex takes the deep cross by #3 while the Hook ensures his area is covered.
Since the weak #1 is vertical, the weak safety takes him.
I show this example because it reveals a theme about 3 Cloud. In comparison to base Cover 3, you are
essentially trading a Hook player for a corner sitting in the flat. So, 3 Cloud gets an edge on handling any
routes to the flat but loses an edge on handling shallow crossers. No coverage scheme is without
weaknesses, and shallow crossers are the Achilles Heel to this scheme.

Now let’s move onto the companion Saint.

Saint vs 2×2

1. Strong Corner – Take first to flat. E.g., #1 if he runs a 5-yard hitch, #2 if runs out or bubble, #3 if
the RB swings to the flat, etc. If #1 begins to go vertical, always reroute #1 before breaking to
cover the first man to the flat.

2. Strong Apex – If #3 releases to your side, then man on #2 for everything. If #3 does not release
to your side, then man on #2 for everything except when #2 goes out to the flat, and then cut
(rob) #1.

3. Hook – Eye the releases of both strong #1 and #2 as you begin your drop to the middle of the
Hook area. If both strong side #1 and #2 are vertical, then take any weak #3 that isn’t to the flat.
Otherwise, defend Hook area.

4. Strong Safety – Take all of #1 vertical; if #1 is not vertical, then take any #2 vertical (alert
Smash).

5. Weak Apex – Man on #2 unless #2 goes under (inside and short) in the first 5 yards. If #2 does
go under in the first 5 yards, then yell “Under! Under!” and take any #3 to the flat. If no #3 to
the flat, rob #1.

6. Weak Safety – Bail to deep middle of the field.

7. Weak Corner – Man on #1 unless #1 goes under (inside and short) in the first 5 yards. If #1 does
go under in the first 5 yards, then yell “Under! Under!” and zone off to deep third, eyeing #2.
Saint has essentially the same rules, only with the Rip/Liz to the boundary and Cover 2 pattern match to
the field.
Saint vs 3×1

1. Strong Corner – Take first to flat. E.g., #1 if he runs a 5-yard hitch, #2 if runs out or bubble, #3 if
the RB swings to the flat, etc. If #1 begins to go vertical, always reroute #1 before breaking to
cover the first man to the flat.

2. Strong Apex – Take first out of #2 or #3 that isn’t to the flat (corner has it). If not out, then have
#2 man-to-man.

3. Hook – Take first in of #2/#3. If no in, then have #3 man-to-man.

4. Strong Safety – Take all of #1 vertical; if #1 is not vertical, then take any #2 vertical (alert
Smash).

5. Weak Apex – Man on RB if he flows to your (weak) side. If RB stays into block or flow away
(strong), then cut the first crosser.

6. Weak Safety – You have all of #3 vertical. If no #3 vertical, then bail to deep middle of the field.

7. Weak Corner – Man on #1.

Against 3×1 sets, Saint essentially becomes what Saban calls In-Out to the field, with Cover 2 pattern
match to the backside.
Alright, so why would you want to run 3 Cloud and Saint? There are a lot of potential answers to this
question, but one of the simplest is that it allows you to get the benefits of a Cover 2 scheme (corner in
the flat) while mitigating its major weakness: post routes. It’s one of the open secrets among defensive
coaches that they are not terribly worried about the outside receiver running a Go or Fade route against
a Cover 2 scheme – the safety is in a solid inside position to handle those. But the route that will
absolutely ravage a Cover 2 scheme is the post because of the safety’s angle coming to it and the lack of
help inside. The entire Tampa-2 scheme was built around mitigating this problem. 3 Cloud and Saint are
a much more direct solution to the problem: just drop a safety into the deep middle of the field. That
gives the safety help inside on any post routes. So, if you know what side you want a corner sitting in the
flat, then 3 Cloud and Saint can be great schemes.

But as I mentioned before, 3 Cloud and Saint essentially trade a Hook player for a corner sitting in the
boundary. Therefore, to for them to work against the run, the flat corner must be actively involved in
the run fits. So unlike some forms of Cover 2 where the boundary corner is only secondarily involved in
run support, 3 Cloud requires the flat corner to really charge in and attack the edge of the offense
(typically the D-Gap). That’s a double-edge sword. On one hand, the offense is probably not going to be
accounting for a corner aggressively coming off the edge when they drew up their run plays. (They might
be accounting for someone to be there; it just probably isn’t the cornerback.) On the other, most
cornerbacks are neither built nor inclined for such an assignment. In other words, it’s probably not a
scheme you should be introducing the Monday before a game. You are really going to have to commit to
developing your corners for this play.

Split-Safety Coverages Generally

First, Venables has clear terminology for triangle coverages (3 defenders over 2 receivers), but does not
have any distinct terms for his box coverages (4 defenders over 3 receivers) or backside coverages (2 or
3 defenders over 1 receiver). Rather, he groups them under his term for the triangle coverage, e.g.,
Quarters, which can be confusing at times. So when Venables says “Run Quarters to the Field,” he
means run X triangle coverage if there are 2 receivers, Y box coverage if there are 3 receivers, and Z
backside coverage if there is one receiver. If Venables has separate names for these, I have not been
able to discover them. So if you’re a bit confused as to why there isn’t a separate name for Quarters
versus trips as opposed to twins – even though they are completely different – that’s because: (i)
Venables doesn’t have separate names for them, or (ii) he does, and I just don’t know what they are.

But the point here is that Venables then takes those triangle coverage headers and combines them to
create plays. For example, Buffalo means “run Bracket to the Field and run Quarters to the Boundary.”
So that’s why we are going to be tackling each individual play call on their entirety, rather than
individual coverage concepts.

Second, all Venables coverage schemes are tied into his run fits. Literally, the coverage scheme you are
running and the number of receivers to your side will tell you what your run fits are in that situation. So,
we will be breaking those down as well as we go through the coverage headers. It’s sort of cool how that
works out once you get a feel for the general framework. It can be a bit of a slog, however, until you
start catching onto the patterns.

Third, all Venables split safety coverages and run fits abide by what I call the “Venables H-Back Rule.”
The rule can be articulated as follows: (i) If an H-Back to a 3-man surface comes across (to the 1-man
side) post-snap, then treat as a 2×2 set; (ii) if an H-Back to a 2-man surface comes across (to the 2-man
side) post-snap, then treat as a 3×1 set. Critically important here: this applies to both coverage and
run fit assignments. The Venables H-Back Rule serves two purposes. First, if an H-Back is coming across
post-snap to run a route on the opposite side, e.g., flat route, then you want your coverage scheme to
reflect that. Second, if an H-Back comes across as part of a blocking scheme, e.g., wham or counter, then
you want your run fit scheme to compensate for that as well. As far as I am aware, he’s the only guy who
does this for both his run fits and coverage assignments post-snap. Not easy to teach, but it can greatly
elevate a defense’s response.
Fourth, on all bubble or smoke screens in split safety coverage (except for Bracket), the cornerback plays
the screen and the safety plays the vertical RPO (possible vertical route by the blocker). This fits well
with the rest of Venables run fit scheme, but it also serves the purpose of freeing up the corner to make
a play. A lot of the time you will see a corner not come up and aggressively attack a bubble screen. This
isn’t because of a lack of effort (for the most part). The problem is that the corner has the vertical of the
guy who is blocking him and therefore must make doubly sure that guy won’t suddenly take off on a
vertical route behind him. Venables cuts the Gordian Knot by simply telling the corner, “Go make a play.
The safety’s got your man if he goes vertical.” It’s not a perfect solution – nothing against RPOs is – but
it’s a refreshing break from watching the corner hesitate and hold their man for a couple seconds on
every bubble screen.

With that, let’s start with Buffalo.

 Buffalo

Buffalo versus 2×2

1. Generally: Play Bracket to the Field and Quarters to the Boundary; play Palms to the Boundary
versus any 2 detached

2. Pass Assignments vs. 2×2 w/ TE

1. Strong Corner – Off alignment. MEG (Man Everywhere he Goes) on #1.

2. Strong Apex – Man to man on #2 unless #2 runs under; then swipe to flat.
 3. Strong Safety – Bracket the deeper of #1 and #2.

4. Hook – Take any #3 (RB) strong or weak that will not be picked by the CB, Apex, or
Safety. If none, defend the Hook deep to short.

5. Weak Safety – Take all of #2 vertical. If #2 is not vertical, then bracket #1.

6. Weak Apex – Take the first man to the flat. If #2 begins to go vertical, reroute him
before breaking to first man to the flat.

7. Weak Corner – Man-to-man on all #1 except when #1 breaks at 5 yards or less (e.g.,
shallow, 5-yard hitch). If #1 breaks at 5 yards or less, then zone to deep quarter.

3. Pass Assignments vs. 2×2 – All detached

1. Strong Corner – Off alignment. MEG (Man Everywhere he Goes) on #1.

2. Strong Apex – Man to man on #2 unless #2 runs under; then swipe to flat.

3. Strong Safety – Bracket the deeper of #1 and #2.

4. Hook – Take any #3 (RB) strong or weak that will not be picked by the CB, Apex, or
Safety. If none, defend the Hook deep to short.

5. Weak Safety – Take #1 vertical if #2 is out immediately (not out and up). Otherwise,
take all of #2 vertical. If #2 is not vertical, then bracket #1.

6. Weak Apex – Man on #2 except when #2 is out immediately (not up and out). Then
relate to #3. If no #3, then rob #1. You do not have #2 vertical.

7. Weak Corner – Man on #1 for everything except when: (i) #2 is out immediately (not up
and out), then take #2; and (ii) #1 breaks at 5 yards or less (e.g., shallow, 5 yard hitch),
then zone to deep quarter.

Buffalo is Venables most frequent form of quarters coverage. To the field, the corner and Apex are man-
to-man on #1 and #2 respectively, and the safety is bracketing the deeper of the two routes. To the
boundary, the defense is playing standard Quarters (what Saban calls “Mod”) except when there is two
detached to that side. When there is two detached, the defense will play what Venables calls Palms
(what Saban calls “Clamp”) and is also known as Cloud and 2-Robber, among others.
Buffalo’s run fits are more interesting. Since the Strong Apex is man-to-man on #2 to the field, Venables
has the Strong Safety come up and fill the B-Gap against the run whenever there is a tight end or H-Back
opposite. This allows the Hook and Weak Apex to aggressively play against the front side of the run, and
the Weak Safety to remain deep against any play-action to that side.

When the offense goes two-detached to each side, however, Venables simply directs the Hook and
Weak Apex players to fill the interior gaps. The Weak Safety must roll over the top to handle any
potential vertical RPOs in the boundary.
Buffalo versus 3×1

1. Generally: Play Stubbie to the Field and MEG to the Boundary

2. Pass Assignments vs. 3×1

1. Strong Corner – Off alignment. MEG (Man Everywhere he Goes) on #1.

2. Strong Apex – Man on #2 for everything except when #3 is out or #2 runs under. If #3 is
out, then take #3 man to man. If #2 runs under, then zone off.

3. Strong Safety – Take all of #3 vertical. If #3 is not vertical, then take/bracket #2 if he is

vertical.

4. Hook – If #2 or #3 runs under, then match that crossing route. Otherwise, wall off the #3
from the inside and take him to safety if he goes vertical.

5. Weak Safety – Work to rob #1 from the inside.

6. Weak Apex – Man on weak #2 to the flat. Otherwise, defend weak Hook area.

7. Weak Corner – Off alignment. MEG (Man Everywhere he Goes) on #1.

Against all 3×1 sets, Buffalo means run what Saban calls “Stubbie” to the Field and MEG to the
boundary.
By running MEG to the boundary, the Weak Safety is freed up to play against the run.
  Lock

Lock versus 2×2

1. Generally: Play Bracket to the Field and Halves to the Boundary

2. Pass Assignments vs. 2×2

1. Strong Corner – Off alignment. MEG (Man Everywhere he Goes) on #1.

2. Strong Apex – Man to man on #2 unless #2 runs under; then swipe to flat.

3. Strong Safety – Bracket the deeper of #1 and #2.

4. Hook – Take any #3 (RB) strong or weak that will not be picked by the CB, Apex, or
Safety. If none, defend the Hook deep to short.

5. Weak Safety – Take all of #1 vertical. If #1 is not vertical, then bracket #2.

6. Weak Apex – If #3 releases to your side, then man on #2 for everything. If #3 does not
release to your side, then man on #2 for everything except when #2 goes out to the flat,
and then cut (rob) #1.

7. Weak Corner – Take the first man to the flat. E.g., #1 if he runs a 5-yard hitch, #2 if runs
out or bubble, #3 if the RB swings to the flat, etc.

Lock is probably Venables second most called quarters coverage. In Lock, the defense is playing Bracket
to the field like in Buffalo, but switches to plays Halves (pattern matching Cover 2) to the boundary.
Since the corner is always playing the boundary flat, Venables has the Strong Safety coming up on all fits
to the field.
Lock versus 3×1

1. Generally: Play Stubbie to the Field (with Hook having deep cross by #3) and Halves to the
Boundary

2. Pass Assignments vs. 3×1

1. Strong Corner – Off alignment. MEG (Man Everywhere he Goes) on #1.

2. Strong Apex – Man on #2 for everything except when #3 is out or #2 runs under. If #3 is
out, then take #3 man to man. If #2 runs under, then zone off.

3. Strong Safety – Take all of #3 vertical. If #3 is not vertical, then take/bracket #2 if he is

vertical.

4. Hook – If #2 or #3 runs under, then match that crossing route. Otherwise, wall off the #3
from the inside and take him to safety if he goes vertical.

5. Weak Safety – Take all of #1 vertical. If #1 is not vertical, then work to help against deep
cross by #3.

6. Weak Apex – Man on #2 for everything except when #2 goes out to the flat, and then
defend weak Hook area from crossers. If no crossers, then work to cut (rob) #1.

7. Weak Corner – Take the first man to the flat. E.g., #1 if he runs a 5-yard hitch, #2 if runs
out or bubble, #3 if the RB swings to the flat, etc.
Again, Lock is the same as Buffalo to the field in 3×1, but instead of running MEG backside, the defense
runs Halves.

Since the Strong Safety must play the vertical of #3 (or #2), Venables has the boundary corner drop into
all the run fits in 3×1. To prevent the corner from having to play the B-Gap, the defense will commonly
(though not always) execute a run stunt to send the weak defensive end into the B-Gap, and have the
corner play the C-Gap / Outside Contain. The default, however, is that the boundary corner has the
backside B-Gap.
  Clamp

Clamp versus 2×2

1. Generally: Play Palms to the Field and Halves to the Boundary

2. Pass Assignments vs. 2×2

1. Strong Corner – Man on #1 for everything except when: (i) #2 is out to the flat, then
take #2; and (ii) #1 breaks at 5 yards or less (e.g., shallow, 5 yard hitch), then zone to
deep quarter.

2. Strong Apex – Man on #2 except when #2 is vertical or out to the flat, then relate to #3.
If no #3, then rob #1. You do not have #2 vertical.

3. Strong Safety – Take #1 vertical if #2 is out to the flat. Otherwise, take all of #2 vertical.
If #2 is not vertical, then bracket #1.

4. Hook – Take any #3 (RB) strong or weak that will not be picked by the CB, Apex, or
Safety. If none, defend the Hook deep to short.

5. Weak Safety – Take all of #1 vertical. If #1 is not vertical, then bracket #2.

6. Weak Apex – If #3 releases to your side, then man on #2 for everything. If #3 does not
release to your side, then man on #2 for everything except when #2 goes out to the flat,
and then cut (rob) #1.
 7. Weak Corner – Take the first man to the flat. E.g., #1 if he runs a 5-yard hitch, #2 if runs
out or bubble, #3 if the RB swings to the flat, etc.

Clamp, by contrast to Lock, instead has the defense running Palms (or Clamp) to the field instead of
Bracket. The defense continues to run Halves to the boundary.

Since the defense is now playing Palms to the field, now it is the Strong Apex that is freed up to insert
(primarily into the B-Gap) against the run.
Clamp versus 3×1

1. Generally: Play Palms on #1 and #2 to the Field and Halves to the Boundary

2. Pass Assignments vs. 3×1

1. Strong Corner – Man on #1 for everything except when: (i) #2 is out to the flat, then
take #2; and (ii) #1 breaks at 5 yards or less (e.g., shallow, 5 yard hitch), then zone to
deep quarter.

2. Strong Apex – Man on #2 except when #2 is vertical or out to the flat, then relate to #3
in the flat. If no #3 in the flat, then defend the curl. You do not have #2 vertical.

3. Strong Safety – Take #1 vertical if #2 is out to the flat. Otherwise, take all of #2 vertical.
If #2 is not vertical, then bracket #1.

4. Hook – Man on #3 – including all vertical by #3 – except when #3 is out to the flat. If #3
is out to the flat, then zone to defend Hook deep to short.

5. Weak Safety – Take all of #1 vertical. If #1 is not vertical, then work to defend against
deep cross by #3.

6. Weak Apex – Man on #2 for everything except when #2 goes out to the flat, and then
cut (rob) #1 unless he’s under. If #1 is under, defend weak Hook area.
 7. Weak Corner – Take the first man to the flat. E.g., #1 if he runs a 5-yard hitch, #2 if runs
out or bubble, #3 if the RB swings to the flat, etc.

Clamp versus all 3×1 sets operates just like Palms on #1 and #2, with the Hook having all of #3 vertical.
The only exception is that the Apex will take all of #3 out to the flat.

The run fits for Clamp remain the same as Lock when everyone is detached. But when there is a tight
end or H-back to the field, since the Strong Apex doesn’t have the immediate out by #2, he is freed up to
play the D-Gap.
  4 Cloud (aka Rhino)

4 Cloud (aka Rhino) versus 2×2

1. Generally: Play Quarters to the Field and Halves to the Boundary

2. Pass Assignments vs. 2×2

1. Strong Corner – Man-to-man on all #1 except when #1 breaks at 5 yards or less (e.g.,
shallow, 5-yard hitch). If #1 breaks at 5 yards or less, then zone to deep quarter.

2. Strong Apex – Take the first man to the flat. E.g., #1 if he runs a 5-yard hitch, #2 if runs
out or bubble, #3 if the RB swings to the flat, etc. If #2 begins to go vertical, reroute him
before breaking to cover the first man to the flat.

3. Strong Safety – Take all of #2 vertical. If #2 is not vertical, then bracket #1.

4. Hook – Take any #3 (RB) strong or weak that will not be picked by the CB, Apex, or
Safety. If none, defend the Hook deep to short.

5. Weak Safety – Take all of #1 vertical. If #1 is not vertical, then bracket #2.

6. Weak Apex – If #3 releases to your side, then man on #2 for everything. If #3 does not
release to your side, then man on #2 for everything except when #2 goes out to the flat,
and then cut (rob) #1.
 7. Weak Corner – Take the first man to the flat. E.g., #1 if he runs a 5-yard hitch, #2 if runs
out or bubble, #3 if the RB swings to the flat, etc.

4 Cloud, also known as Rhino, is essentially Clamp without the rule that the field corner takes the
immediate out by #2.

The run fits for 4 Cloud are the same as Clamp in all 2×2 sets as well.
4 Cloud (Rhino) versus 3×1

1. Generally: Play Quarters on #1 and #2 to the Field and Halves to the Boundary

2. Pass Assignments vs. 3×1

1. Strong Corner – Man on #1 for everything except when #1 breaks at 5 yards or less (e.g.,
shallow, 5-yard hitch), then zone to deep quarter.

2. Strong Apex – Man on #2 except when #2 is vertical, then relate to #3 in the flat. If no
#3 in the flat, then defend the curl. You do not have #2 vertical.

3. Strong Safety – Take all of #2 vertical. If #2 is not vertical, then bracket #1 if he is

vertical.

4. Hook – Man on #3 – including all vertical by #3 – except when #3 is out to the flat. If #3
is out to the flat, then zone to defend Hook deep to short.

5. Weak Safety – Take all of #1 vertical. If #1 is not vertical, then work to defend against
deep cross by #3.

6. Weak Apex – Man on #2 for everything except when #2 goes out to the flat, and then
cut (rob) #1 unless he’s under. If #1 is under, defend weak Hook area.

7. Weak Corner – Take the first man to the flat. E.g., #1 if he runs a 5-yard hitch, #2 if runs
out or bubble, #3 if the RB swings to the flat, etc.
Against 3×1 sets, 4 Cloud is again essentially Clamp without the rule that the field corner takes the
immediate out by #2.

And the run fits for 4 Cloud are the same as Clamp in 3×1 sets as well.
  4 Man

4 Man versus 2×2

1. Generally: Play Quarters with corners in Press Man on #1

2. Pass Assignments vs. 2×2

1. Strong Corner – Press alignment. MEG (Man Everywhere he Goes) on #1.

2. Strong Apex – Take the first man to the flat. E.g., #1 if he runs a 5-yard hitch, #2 if runs
out or bubble, #3 if the RB swings to the flat, etc. If #2 begins to go vertical, reroute him
before breaking to cover the first man to the flat.

3. Strong Safety – Take all of #2 vertical. If #2 is not vertical, then bracket #1.

4. Hook – Take any #3 (RB) strong or weak that will not be picked by the CB, Apex, or
Safety. If none, defend the Hook deep to short.

5. Weak Safety – Take all of #2 vertical. If #2 is not vertical, then bracket #1.

6. Weak Apex – Take the first man to the flat. E.g., #1 if he runs a 5-yard hitch, #2 if runs
out or bubble, #3 if the RB swings to the flat, etc. If #2 begins to go vertical, reroute him
before breaking to cover the first man to the flat.

7. Weak Corner – Press alignment. MEG (Man Everywhere he Goes) on #1.

4 Man is just Quarters coverage with both corners in press man on both #1s.

Against 2×2 sets, the run fits for 4 Man remain the same as Clamp and 4 Cloud.
4 Man versus 3×1

1. Generally: Play 4-Man on #1 and #2 to the Field and MEG to the Boundary

2. Pass Assignments vs. 3×1

1. Strong Corner – Press alignment. MEG (Man Everywhere he Goes) on #1.

2. Strong Apex – Take the first man out to the flat. If none, then man on #2 except when
#2 runs under or vertical, then zone off to Curl.

3. Strong Safety – Take all of #2 vertical. If #2 is not vertical, then bracket #1 if he is

vertical.

4. Hook – Carry all #3 vertical to Weak Safety. If #3 is out or under, then zone to defend
Hook deep to short.

5. Weak Safety – Take all of #3 vertical. If #3 is not vertical, then work to bracket weak #1
inside.

6. Weak Apex – Man on weak #2 to the flat. Otherwise, defend weak Hook area.

7. Weak Corner – Press alignment. MEG (Man Everywhere he Goes) on #1.

4 Man is essentially standard Quarters for the Strong Apex and Strong Safety. The main twist, however,
is that the Weak Safety has all of #3 vertical.
Against 3×1 sets, 4 Man’s run fits get … weird. Unlike in his other split safety coverages, Venables keeps
his Hook and Weak Apex players directly in the box on 3×1 sets. Then he essentially lets the Weak Safety
go where he is most likely needed, including across the field to the opposite side of the offense.
Split Safety Coverages – Usage

So here comes the grand question: when to use each one of these calls?

Buffalo is the easiest to answer. By playing Bracket (2×2 sets) and Stubbie (3×1 sets) to the field and
Quarters to the boundary, you are essentially covering all your bases. It handles all vertical routes well,
and therefore is quite stodgy against the pass. It comes with the weakness that in 2×2, the strong safety
– the same one who has to bracket the deeper of #1 and #2 – will have to come down and fill in the box
against the run. This requires the safety to get a quick run/pass read, but assuming he does, it allows the
defense to be very aggressive against the run. Therefore, Venables tends to use Buffalo where there is a
more likely threat of a pass or RPO (2&7+, 3&4+, etc.), than in run first situations.

Lock is more commonly used when Venables wants to be aggressive into the boundary. By keeping the
corner in the flat, Clemson’s defense is better able to handle horizontal attacks to that side and fill
against outside runs into the boundary. The primary issues with Lock are in 3×1 sets. There, the Hook
will have all vertical by #3 and the corner has a long distance to cover to get into the run fits. So
Venables tends to run Lock more against 2×2 sets with a tight end or H-Back into the boundary, and like
Buffalo, in more likely passing or RPO situations.

Clamp, 4 Cloud, and 4 Man tend to be used more in run-first type situations. All the run fits from these
plays are a bit quicker than Buffalo or Lock, though each is a bit more vulnerable against traditional split
safety beaters (e.g., Pin/Mills). The offense’s tendencies then tend to dictate what might be called from
there. 4 Cloud is probably the most called of the three, though if he’s are getting a lot flatter or bubble
routes to the field, then he’ll run Clamp. And if he believes his corners – particularly his boundary corner
– are well-matched against the opposing outside wide receivers, then he’ll tend to run more 4 Man.