7/29/2019 Cover 3 by Bob Stoops

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Cover 3Bob Stoops

Philosophy

A. Great run defense for one back sets. (All gaps are accounted for)B. Gives a pressure look to QB (makes him honor pressure)C. Must bring pressure and change up coverage from alignment

Alignment

Corners- line up outside eyeshade, tight to the WR one or two yards off from thereceiver.

Rover and Sam- lines up on inside eye of the #2 receiver. Plays 1-3 yards offreceiver depending if they are pressing or not.

Free Safety- lines up 12 yards splitting the two widest threats

Corners-

Play a Press Technique. Press Technique- Open step just before the snap (corners need to try to time the

snap), eyes are looking in, they open step will create a turn so the corner islooking at #2 and #1 at the same time. Corners outside shoulder are now onWRs outside shoulder. Next they will cross over and run. Corner should have a

3 yard cushion, they will mirror the WRs feet and if they need to use the hands

they can (vs. Out and Up)

Play Post and Go first- they will run with any Post or Go routes unless they see awheel by the #2. If they see a Wheel they will split the two deep routes so theycan play both. This is the only time they come of the post.

Vs. Boot action the corners cut off any Post routes Vs. Trips they play the same techniques, away from trips the corner has the deep

routes for the field.

If #1 on your side runs a square in you will gain depth and look to cut off abackside post

Flat Players (Rover and Sam)-

Do not allow quick seam routes. They use a bump technique and try to re-routethe receiver to the outside. When re-routing to the outside your eyes should workout towards #1 looking to take away the smash route

Bump Technique- eyes are on the WRs waist. On the snap give some groundand mirror the WR. Take an open step the direction the WR is going. Dontallow the WRs hips to clear your hips. Feet open 1

st, Hips open 2

nd, and Opposite

hand is last.

Make #2 take you to the flat, if not protect the seam.

7/29/2019 Cover 3 by Bob Stoops

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If you are pressing the receiver and lose the guy to the outside, flip the hips andtry to slap the hands and use a wedge technique to get back with his hips.

Free Safety-

The Safety will make all plays 3 yards inside of each hash. Unless #1 runs asquare in to his side.

Safety is an aggressive run player Eyes go to the twins side first because it is a more dangerous pass threat. If #2 runs a wheel gain depth and look to play a post by #1 If #1 runs a square in on the twins side they will jump the pattern Vs. any boot action the Free will close on any crossing routes. Vs. Trips the Free with have the on the side of trips.

Inside Linebackers (Mac and Will)-

Once they get a high hat read they will gain depth looking for #1 on their side andget in the vision between #1 and the quarterback. This will help take away the

skinny post by #1 with #2 running an out pattern. Drop zone is in the line of sight of the seam (Hook to Curl)