5-2 Cover 3

Unless you wish to DISGUISE from 2 or 4 deep look (& invert the safety down = "SKY"; or, roll the Corner down = "CLOUD) - you can just PRE-ALIGN in it.

When "rotating" the 4 deep "wheel" - There can be ANY number of reads - but BALL FLOW (outside the TACKLE BOX) = MAJOR. BALL STRONG or DBP = rotate to STRENGTH or WIDE FIELD. BALL WEAK = rotate weak). NOTE: SOME people do not like to full rotate away from the call to a wideout - that is YOUR choice. MAJOR POINT: Once you rotate - do NOT try to re-rotate (example: ball flow strong - like a stretch fake - but QB nakeds weak). Re-ROTATING a secondary that has already rotated ONCE is asking to get your butt beat! YOU LOCK IN TO YOUR FIRST ROTATION!!!!!!!!!!!

While in the process of rotating, PASS OR RUN can be determined by a number of things (such as TE block or TE release, ETC.), but the LANE THE BALL IS IN tells a lot. Lane 1 = ball down the LOS (like a SPEED OPTION) = 90% run. Lane 2 = ball comes off LOS on a 45% angle = 50%-50% (could be a stretch run, or a sprintout pass). Lane 3 = DBP = 90% pass (the other 10% includes draws, QB scrambles; etc.). The 3 deep plays pass all the way - until the ball crosses the LOS (they have no other reads other than BALL FLOW for rotation). The man rotating down (S or C) can also pick up the block of the TE, ETC. to determine run (TE blocks), or pass (TE releases) SINCE they hav a SHORT ZONE = flat.

ANY form of cover 3 is (unless you choose pure man) the most elementary & basic way in use for HS ball. I cannot explain any further. Too many "what if's". Would be glad to discuss this via PHONE (804-740-4479/Va.).

On ALL bootlegs we STAY in the zones we INITIALLY rotate to. No matter WHICH way you rotate - you STILL have 4 under 3 deep, so it is BALANCED.

If BALL ROTATION is causing you a problem (BECAUSE of mis-direction) PRE-ALIGN in 3 deep & SIT IN IT! Execution beats sophistication ANY DAY!!!!!!!

Preparing 3 lectures for the Mega Clinic on Feb 9-11 in Baltimore. Do NOT have more typing time right now. PHONE if it is important. 804-740-4479 (Virginia).

lochness -- When you get a 2 x 2 formation do you check out of cover 3 b/c of 4 verts.? If so, what coverage are you checking to?

Coach Hokiesfb,

Against a 2x2 set we will check into a Cover 4 variant that is a man / zone combination scheme. It still keeps us in our 4-across look, but we're not rotating now. Pretty simple stuff.