Get Back To Fundamentals: Coverages

Here for your reference archives – basic examples of the types of coverages everyone runs; 1-high to 2-high.  For more information, click on the hyperlinks/tags of each coverage type for previous entries for more in-depth explanations of what you’re seeing.

COVER 1

COVER 2

COVER 3

Backer force

Safety support

Corner support

COVER 4

COVER 5 (2 Man Under)

Unrelated to everything.... Just passing along an interesting development in artistry.....something interesting is afoot with one of our time's most creative storytelling voice, David Simon (and company).  Simon, of "The Wire" fame (and brilliant treatment of "The Corner" and "Generation Kill"), is deep in his current passion; the unique Americana invention of New Orleans music told through its principle actors (the musicians). The visual-novel of  "Treme" nearing the end of its second season has become an acquired taste for many.  Those missing out on the brilliance in its subtleties (it isn't meant to be swallowed whole, but savored by digesting each scene) of scenes and dialogue are losing sight of what the series (and Simon's craft) is about. I felt it was worth noting as the appreciation of performance art (and original storytelling) is becoming a dying craft.  Perhaps best summarized here by actor Clarke Peters.

My point in offering these thoughts is to pass along an observation of the use of technology as the social apparatus of our time.  The series (like any other event) is being chronicled online in various blogs.  One of which, Back of Town ,  has become a way of appreciating the episodes with many people responsible for telling this story.  With regular, affable interaction with (the real) Davis Rogan, Tom Piazza, David Simon, and Eric Overmyer and from the perspective of a 1-to-1 relationship (and not that of a lecturer or host), giving participants the organic feeling of being involved in the actual process.  This type of discourse wouldn't have been possible even five years ago - its exciting to watch this process develop, especially in the environment that this series has found itself in; a humble and artistic community of writers with a production geared for the exact opposite [commercial] appeal of its on-air counterparts.  I'm not sure what will come of it, nor am I star-struck that the production team would interact with consumers, but how it shapes the course of artist-audience relationship is something to watch.

Loaded Zone

If you're looking for an edge defensively next year, I will offer this tidbit. This is a concept we stole from Iowa State back in the late 90's. They called it "Cover 6" / "Cover 9", in which they would load a side of the field with cloud (corner) support. This provides the best of both worlds for some, as it allows the benefits of Cover 2 (loaded zone) as well as Cover 3 (backside).

Being a Cover 3 team (in the past, when I was a DC), this provided the perfect bridge (both in game planning and with implementation) between running MOFC and MOFO coverages. This video is a handout created (via Powerpoint and Camtasia) for the players to better illustrate what we're trying to do. The selling point is that we always show Cover 3 (MOFC) and jump the flats (rotate secondary) at the snap. This is perfect (and geared toward) strongside runs and the 2-man passing game. We would flip this strong or weak, depending on game plan. The clips are of Iowa State and us running it in season

I felt that this was pertinent to provide as a prerequisite before engaging future posts about the Under front.

This stuff is available in the "download" section (free). We called this Cover 6 (though most teams Cover 6 is a weak rotation) and we would adjust / communicate with color call signs for all our coverages.