Coaches Corner- Defense

Defense

A key characteristic of a championship SAFL team is a solid defense. This week’s edition of Coaches Corner will analyze the different type of defenses, how to read each defense and how to disguise it. 

Cover 1:  No team really plays this type of coverage in our league but it is worth mentioning.  Essentially this zone has 1 safety up top with 5 defenders underneath. 

Why use this defense:  If the QB does not have the arm talent to throw the deep ball and your team has an “Ed Reed type” safety this defense will be perfect.  This will really congest the underneath patterns and the QB will really have a hard time finding an open receiver less than 20 yards. 

How to beat this zone:  If the QB scans the field and sees only one safety up top and zone underneath, he should send both outside receivers on a deep pattern and the TE on a seam pattern.  He should also manipulate the safety with his eyes.  Essentially looking at the safety to freeze him then look away from the intended receiver to create some space between the intended receiver and the safety. 

How to disguise this defense:  This can come in a variety of ways.  The defense can show man, cover 2 or cover 3.  By showing one defense and then playing another defense will confuse any offense. 

Cover 2:  This defense seems to be the choice of SAFL teams.  This defense has 2 safeties up top with 3 defenders underneath and the lineman to put some pressure on the QB. 

Why use this defense:  To avoid giving up big plays and increase chances of a turnover.  With 2 safeties up top, the defense has better chance of a turnover-especially if you have 2 great athletes to play both safety positions. 

How to beat this zone:  If the QB scans the field and sees only two safeties up top and zone underneath, he should pick a zone and flood it with multiple receivers.  Easy pitch and catch!  Again, he should also manipulate both safeties with his eyes.

How to disguise this defense:  The defense can show man, cover 1 or cover 3.  By showing man, the defense is daring the QB to go deep and with 2 good safeties that should be an easy interception.  But showing cover 1 you trick the QB thinking he has one side open but once the ball is thrown to the perceived open side, another easy turnover.  With cover 3 disguise, the QB thinks he has an open zone underneath but really one of the 3 safeties up top is jumping the underneath route.  This should be an interception that turns into points for the defense. 

Cover 3:  Another popular defense in the SAFL.  Similar to Cover 1 and Cover 2 but this has 3 safeties up top with 3 defenders underneath. 

Why use this defense:  To avoid giving up big plays and TE seams.  With 3 safeties up top all three routes are covered.  Great for long distance situations. 

How to beat this zone:  Once you determine the defense is playing 3 safeties up top, the QB essentially has the entire underneath to play with.  If the offense has playmakers a short bubble screen, 12 yd ins and outs and curls may lead to significant YAC’s (Yards After Catch). 

How to disguise this defense:  The defense can show man, cover 1 or cover 2. See cover 2 defense for man disguise or and cover 1 disguise. 

With Cover 2 disguise, the QB thinks the middle is open for business.  But middle LB shows underneath coverage but come back to the middle safety position to take away the deep seam. 

Man D:  Defender’s dream defense.  IF you have 6 skilled athletes this could be the defense your team plays.  Zone defenses are predicated on a significant pass rush.  With the current rules of 4 Mississippi rush, a good/great QB with 4 seconds will torch any team.  With Man defense, your objective is to shut down the man in front of you for 5 to 7 seconds a play.  This defense is very effective but be warned of teams that have big play capabilities. 

Why use this defense:  To completely shut down the other team especially if the QB is not accurate.    

How to beat man:  If QB sees man defense there are 3 choices

1). Pick the possible mis-match and exploit it. 

2). Create natural picks underneath by criss-crossing 2-3 receivers.  One of those receivers should be open. 

3). Double moves against a gambling defender with a fake pump.  This typically leads to points or long plays. 

How to disguise this defense:  Pick any zone defense to disguise.  Easiest zone to disguise man is Cover 1. 

At the end of the day your team really should play variations and multiples defenses described above.  With the amount of great QB play in this league the defenses really need to avoid doing the same thing over and over again.  As you see above, every defense has a weakness and it’s the defenses job to disguise it and play each situation and each team differently.