What is "Banjo" Coverage?

Thats how I understand it also. An example would be with if the TE did an arrow and the back came up the field the Sam would go to the TE and the Mike would pick up the back. On the other hand, if the TE came up the field and the back went to the flat area then the Sam would get the back and the Mike would get the TE. Hope this helps

As I've always understood "banjo" combo coverage is a rule of a 'zone-man' hybrid, especially useful against the compressed packages to prevent zone overloads.


-----ILB-------OLB------------CB------
----------------------------------------
-----------TE--------------------------
---------------------H---------Z-------
TRIPES set


in this common scenario, your defenders line up as they would in typical 'zone' alignment, but they're coverage rules would be altered. The ILB would run with the first receiver that crosses his face, the OLB would run with the second receiver to cross his face inside / outside, and the Corner would jump the first receiver to cross his face / go vertical (depending on your base coverage). These players would play 'man on' once one of those rules has been 'broken'....

this is especially useful with strongside loaded zones (playing man on weakside).