Film Breakdown

Some things we look for (aloing with "tendencies"):

ALL defenses basicall fall into the following categories:

1. 3 DLM

2. 4 DLM

3. Reduction Weak (B gap on SE side defended by a DLM) NOTE: Both sides can be in a reduction.

4. Reduction Strong (B gap on TE side defended by a DLM)

5. Wide Side of Defense to SE side (B gap defended by a LBer) NOTE: Both sides can be in a wide look.

6. Wide Side of Defense to TE side (B gap defended by a LBer).

7. 2 Safeties Deep (& # of defenders "in the box")

8. 1 Safety Deep (& # of defenders "in the box")

9. 0 Safeties Deep (& # of defenders "in the box"

(KNOW the rush/cover RATIO on all coverages). IE: Rush 4/4 cover underneath/3 cover deep.

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This helps in film breakdown, & in the press box on game night:

PRE-SNAP COVERAGE READS

A) Scan the formation for uncovered receivers. If uncovered receivers – signal uncovered check.

B) Find the Weak Safety for PRE-SNAP read.

1. If the W/S is low – check other coverage keys for “Cover 0”.
2. If the W/S is high – check other coverage keys for “Cover 1” or “Cover 3”
3. If there are 2 safeties and they are both low – check other coverage keys for
“Cover 0”.
4. If there are 2 safeties and they are both high – check other coverage keys for
“Cover 2”, “Cover 2/Man”, or “Cover 4” (1/4’s).
5. If there are 2 safeties and they are staggered – check other coverage keys for
“Cover 1/Robber” or “Cover 3/Robber”.

NOTE: QB must be aware of the following actions from a well “disguised” secondary in the dropback passing game:

A) If there is 1 safety and he rolls down hard after the snap – HAVE A PLAN VS. PRESSURE!
B) If there are 2 safeties and both roll down hard after the snap – HAVE A PLAN VS. PRESSURE!
C) If the W/S or 2 safeties maintain their alignment after the snap – execute your progression reads with an awareness of where the weaknesses are in the coverage and which coverage defender we are attacking.

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POST-SNAP READS (“READING THE SQUARE”):

One of the most important areas in determining secondary coverages is the middle of the field about 15 to 25 yards deep and about 2 yards inside of each hash. We call this area the “square”.

We normally read the “square” in our drop back passing game. Reading the “square” becomes necessary when it is impossible to determine what the coverage is before the snap or to make sure of secondary coverage after the snap.

In reading the “square” the QB simply looks down the middle of the field. He should not focus on either Safety but see them both in his peripheral vision.

A) If neither Safety shows up in the “square”, and both are deep, it will indicate a form of Cover 2. A quick check of Corner alignment and play will indicate whether it is a 2/Man or 2/Zone. If neither Safety shows up in the “square” and both are shallow, it will indicate a Cover 0 (blitz look).

B) If the Strong Safety shows up in the “square”, this will indicate a Cover 3 rolled weak or
possibly a Cover 1.

C) If the Weak Safety shows up in the “square”, this will indicate a strong side coverage. It
could be a Cover 3 or a Cover 1. If the coverage is Cover 3, it could be a Cover 3/Sky (Safety), or a Cover 3/Cloud (Corner), depending on who has the short zone.

NOTE: When either of the Safeties shows up in the “square”, the best percentage area to throw the ball in is the side that he came from! If NEITHER of the Safeties show up in the “square” – throwing the ball into the “square” is a high percentage throw.

NFL O-Coaches will tell you that there are 5 looks the defense can be in. This helps in film breakdown to CATEGORIZE:

1. "UNDER": (Uncovered Guard to side of strength).

2. "OVER": (Uncovered Guard away from strength).

3. "EVEN": (Uncovered Center).

4. "OKIE": (Center covered and both Guards uncovered).

5. "SOLID" (Center AND both Guards covered).


Using our guide to secondary coverages with the above info - it becomes easy to pick out defenses off tape, or from the press box:

PRE-SNAP COVERAGE READS

A) Scan the formation for uncovered receivers. If uncovered receivers – signal uncovered check.

B) Find the Weak Safety for PRE-SNAP read.

1. If the W/S is low – check other coverage keys for “Cover 0”.
2. If the W/S is high – check other coverage keys for “Cover 1” or “Cover 3”
3. If there are 2 safeties and they are both low – check other coverage keys for
“Cover 0”.
4. If there are 2 safeties and they are both high – check other coverage keys for
“Cover 2”, “Cover 2/Man”, or “Cover 4” (1/4’s).

NOTE: QB must be aware of the following actions from a well “disguised” secondary in the dropback passing game:

A) If there is 1 safety and he rolls down hard after the snap – HAVE A PLAN VS. PRESSURE!
B) If there are 2 safeties and both roll down hard after the snap – HAVE A PLAN VS. PRESSURE!
C) If the W/S or 2 safeties maintain their alignment after the snap – execute your progression reads with an awareness of where the weaknesses are in the coverage and which coverage defender we are attacking.