2 READ (Loose call with our base defense will loosen up the R and S as coverage conscience defenders

and get them off the LOS)

To get down to brass tacks, the rules are relatively simple and outlined below:
Read Left vs 2x2
Read side Corner- 1x7 match deep vertical threat
Sam - 5x1 force on run / pass read: open to flat "swing deep"
Free Safety- alley fit on run / pass use 'Robber rule' - vertical by #2 / no vertical by 2, rob curl-to-post of
#1
Strong Backer -match #2 - #3
Weak Backer - match #2 weak vertical
Rover -run force / pass curl-flat "swing deep"
Away side Corner-deep 1/2 (over post of #1)
Read Side Communication
Corner is 1x7 in press bail shuffle with a man-clue of the #1 receiver. Corners always 1x7 unless #1
receiver is outside of numbers (never cross the numbers in 2 Read). Corners always play inside leverage,
always protecting the post (because you dont know if youre going to get help from the FS). The post-
snap cushion is not enforced, and in fact, we want receivers to break the defenders cushion so hell only
have to play one side now. If there is only one receiver split, the corner will man-turn into the route. If
there is more than one receiver split, he will zone-turn into the route. Because this is a robber concept,
the corners are taught to make the post a priority and, if necessary, align as much as 4 yards inside the
receiver to protect the middle of the defense. With these rules, we essentially invite offenses to run the
post-corner because we feel we can take everything else away and force this difficult throw. To get the
most out of this coverage, a pattern-match communication system is utilized to hasten how the 3 key
defenders respond. The corner will communicate pattern response to his area players (FS & Sam). Of the
read side calls he will make (and responses) are:
CHINA
If #1 is short/hitch the corner makes a China call. This flags man responsibility for the Sam. The Sam
will run under (to) #1 because the corner is sinking (on corner route) to match the first outside short
threat (flat). A short #1 with a detached #2 receiver typically is going to give you a smash (or China)
concept, with #2 continuing to press vertical. With #1 shallow, the corner will declare China and
immediately look to match #2 over the top (and outside). The China call also help identifies that there
is no post threat from #1 and that #2 is the only other possible threat vertical, so the Free Safety will
look to aggressively jump the route of #2.



OUT
If #1 receiver breaks out under 8 yds (hes no longer vertical) the corner will continue to sink and look to
match #2. The out call alerts the Sam to look to rob #1 underneath at 10 yards out. Since the Sam is
always aggressively expanding to the flat, he wont be giving up much separation on #1, so the throw (to
#1) would have to be shallow and near the sideline for a completion.
IN
If the #1 receiver is not shallow (china) but breaks inside at a depth greater than 8 yards (dig / curl) ,
the corner will communicate an IN call . This alerts the Sam that there is a threat coming inside over
the top (of his drop). The Sam should look to become an outside-in player (hes going to the flat right
now, because hes got a curl player dropping - the FS).

Sam
The (overhang) Sam aligns 5 yards deep on #2 (removed). Versus a standard tight end or pro look, he
would align 3 yards deep and 7 yards widen (discouraging being reached on perimeter action). On EMOL
high-hat pass read the target depth for his drop will be 8-10 yards. He is going to remain shallow on his
drop with the intent to expand to the flat as quickly because the FS will be dropping inside of him in the
curl (if that is what is threatened).
Don't get hung up on semantics - the Sam "swing(ing) deep to 3" is essentially the standard 'curl-to-flat'
responsibility, but an emphasis on staying shallow and man-conscious. This methodology helps the
defender be less dogmatic and be an aggressive matcher in coverage ( if a man runs through his zone
he's got him vertical ). The rationale behind teaching it this way is to encourage the safety to open up
and get to the flat (with no landmarks).
Free Safety
The alignment of the free safety will be 8-10 yards deep over the guard. This allows him to gain a clear
read on an uncovered linemen and an quick response path to the inside vertical threat of #2.
Once the offense breaks the huddle, the free safety will identify the backs, determine the read side and
communicate to the other defensive backs, check 2 read right (coverage and what side is being
matched). The response of the free safety is just like robber, with the #2 receiver as his pass key:
#2 goes vertical, he matches all of #2 inside leverage.
#2 does anything but vertical, he robs the curl/post of #1.
This vertical-clue will handle all routes deeper than 8 yards. If #2 is out (and under 8 yards), the free
safety is communicating WHEEL to the corner (see the curl-flat combo illustrated above). This is
essentially telling the corner, you have an outside route by #2 - so you have curl-post help (from FS).
This works even if #2 isnt going to wheel that out route, but it lets the corner know he can now back off
of #1 because of the help available.
When #2 is no longer vertical (out / out-up), the free safety then reads the hips of the #1 receiver. If #1
sinks his hips (for a break) the free safety will drive at the receivers break and step in front of him
(interception point).
If the #1 receiver doesnt sink his hips, the free safety immediately turns into the middle of the field
(away from the receiver) to rob the post.
Inside linebackers
They never have to displace the 6 in the box. The stacked (inside) backers would always match 2-to-3
regardless of formation with the other (away from final 3) being the rat in the hole. So if youre a 4-2, its
all relative if you play this with a 3-3; the numbers are the same. These players don't have to be
anywhere fast, in fact, the slower they are at reacting the better, because they should be thinking draw
or screen (off pass-action) initially.
For read side linebacker, once pass shows he is to middle drop vertical to find/match the final 3 receiver.
This player is looking to defend his run gap first, then take away the hot (throw). By slow-playing pass
action, he always tries to make #3 go over the top of him, and from there it just becomes a "man-to-
man" zone as in basketball (boxing out #3 deep).
For the away side linebacker, it is essentially the same as the read side linebacker, with the exception of
matching #2 (away) vertically. Typically, this player is the (wider) bubble backer and against any 1-back
look, TCU will be slanting the defensive line. This linebacker must replace the former middle-of-the-field
safety in the hole. Rather than a robot reaction away from the final 3 player, he would gain depth
vertically on #2. If #2 pressed vertically after 8 yards, the away side linebacker would have to carry him
man-to-man regardless if he makes a break deep in his route. It isnt pretty, but that is the answer for 1
back routes.
Rover
On pass read, this player will play like a standard curl-to-flat player in cover 3. He has no immediate curl
help and will work in tandem with the corner. He does not carry #2 deeper than 8 yards and does not
reroute. He should never cross the hash when responding to an inside route, as the away side linebacker
will be working to that area.
**VS. 3x1 there are two different adaptations to make and keep the 2 Read coverage:
SOLO
Read side:
Corner: All of 1 vertical/Swing deep of 2
FS: All of 2 vertical; 2 not vertical and in, rob curl to post of 1, 2 not vertical and out, man 1.
S: Curl/Flat/Swing deep of 3.
LB: Strong hook, short wall 3.
Away side:
Corner: Man #1.
R: Deep 1/2, all of 3 vertical.
LB: Man #2

SPECIAL
Read side:
Corner: Man #1.
FS: All of 3 vertical; 3 not vertical and in, rob curl to post of 2; 3 not vertical and out, man 2.
S: All of 2 vertical, swing deep of 3.
LB: Strong hook, all of 4 vertical.
Away side: is base or can do some different combos
Cover 3-Not the old country cover 3! Alignment same as 2 read with a loose call in our base.
Rules: 2x2
FS: Is truly free
Corner: has all of #1 unless he goes inside
R & S: has all of #2 unless he goes inside
ILB: has match of RB to their side.
Rules: 3x1 Mable call
Corner: Tight zone, all of #1 unless crosser, sqz and look to help.
To trips: Simply plays old 2-to-1 read Cover 3 because he has to match the 1st vertical threat.
R or S: backer to the single split side.
Back flow TO match it (jump the flare) Back flow AWAY push to get under #1
To trips: Looking to jump the first underneath receiver. Relate to #1 receiver after distribution
#2 outside jump it, #2 inside (ILB has it) buzz underneath
Q or M away from trips (final 3 player) Related to #3 receiver after distribution
#3 is inside - ROBOT, depth and jump underneath inside breaking route #3 is outside - push the hook
curl zone
To trips: Relate to #2 receiver after distribution. #3 inside (other ILB has him) depth and jump #2 #3
outside carry inside-underneath