Pattern reading coverages against a trips look

Typically against a true trips formation, I like a straight C3. If the #3 is lined up real wide, we walk the playside backer out to split the distance so the hitch isn't there. Against what we call a trey formation (TE and 2 WR) I kind of like using a variation of C3, what I call C3 cloud, in this the strong safety and the corner switch repsonsibilities. The safety gets deep outside 1/3 and the corner stays in the flats. YOu can run this from a 2 shell, so it's easier to disguise than a straight C3. The corner would cheat his allignment a little and not be lined up outside the #1 receiver and maybe be head up or even inside shade a little. He does have to redirect the #1 on a verticle route though. Everything else stays the same as in C3. If a team is big on using the TE on seam routs up the middle out of that formation a C3 robber is nice. In that the SS and the playside LB switch responsibilities. The LB gets flats and the SS takes his hook/curl route. The reason it's good against the seam or pop pass to TE is that the QB will see the LB vacating the area and hope the TE is going to be free, when the SS is coming in to replace him and either land a huge hit or get a pick. On this, you have to use a 2 shell look, otherwise the SS will never get to that area in time to help. It's a great coverage against a team that likes thier TE or slants out of the trey. These two are just as good against that tight trey you were talking about with a WR, a wing, and a TE. These can be used against a normal trips formation as well if you are looking to give a different look. In all of these, the underneath coverage guys try to get hands on any receiver that is realeasing. As for pattern reading. The basic rules apply, if you're in the flats and someone releases inside, look for someone coming back out. And if you're inside and someone releases out, look for someone coming back in. It's the same for the deep guys. And talk, talk, talk. Commmunication is so important in coverage. One person not letting someone know they are coming into thier zone can be the difference between a TD and an INT. Hope these help a little.

With a zone, I don't walk out the LB as much against a wide split bunch formation. Other than that, I dont' adjust much against a bunch. Yes, they will be picking and rubbing as they come out of thier bunch, but they will still be winding up in someone's zone as they get into thier patterns. And I dont mind giving up a few 3-4 yard passes. I teach my DBs to give a 3 yard headache. If they catch a 3 yard pass, give them a big stick and limit them to that. As a game wears on, WRs start to brace for a hit instead of catching the ball and drops happen. If I'm in a situation where I can't give up the 3 yard headache, I'm in press coverage anyway.

Coaches,

We are in a passing league for the summer and our we are having difficulty.
We play a 4-4 cover 3 and we adjust to trips by slidding our LB's. However, I am having difficulty teaching our players to pattern read. How do I do this?
Example: vs Twins: what do the Corner and OLB read and what are their landmarks for drops and do they read patterns?
Our OLB drop to hook and react up on curl, but our OLB are just dropping to spots and not covering WR's at the same time. Any help is appreciated.
DC

This is how we play a cover2 pattern-read (vs a balanced 1-back set).
C and S read #2. If #2 is vertical, C locks on #1 and S locks on #2. If #2 goes to flat, C will drop and not come up to #2 until QB turns his shoulder to throw to #2. S will get inside and over top of #1. If #2 does a shallow drag (under LB drop), C will stay with #1 but look for someone crossing his face, while the S looks for a crosser. If #2 does a deep drag (behind LB drop), C will stay with #1 and S will lock on #2.
OLB's are curl players, but they must also read #2. If #2 goes vertical, OLB must bang him; don't go to RB in flat until QB turns to throw to RB. If OLB jumps flat right away, the curl will be open. If #2 goes flat, the OLB can stay in the curl.

VS trips you can have the S and the C play cover2 read. the OLB to the trips reads #3. If #3 vertical or to the flat, OLB locks on. If #3 blocks or goes inside, the OLB plays the curl.

I kow this sounds difficult, but it's not. We put in both cover2 read and the trips adjustment in about 15 minutes. Then we spent the bulk of our time repping it. Now, when a receiver is open, we ask the players (S,C,OLB) what did #2 do or what did #3 do? If they can't tell us, we know they did not look at the prper key or did not react properly.

In response to Tigerone's post, I agree that the other team should earn everything they gain. Catching a ball while taking a hard hit, in my mind is earning it. And it also serves another purpose, everytime most WR catches a ball and take a big hit, it plants a seed in thier head that that is coming everytime they catch the ball. As time passes and they take these hits and see thier teammates taking these hits, thier arms get a little bit shorter, and thier focus gets a little bit shakier and maybe they don't catch a ball in the fourth quarter that they did catch in the first quarter. Pain can be a serious detriment to achievement. And as for the job a defense, the main objective is the keep the other team from scoring. They can rack up all the yardage they want as long as they don't score. I'll take a game where my defense gives up 420 yards and 3 pts. over a game where they give up 210 and 14 pts. I don't really want a team racking up a ton of yards and I am of a very aggressive mindset. However, I really believe that every defensive play call that is made sets up something else, whether it is the very next play or not until 2 quarters later. If I've been playing C3 against that formation all game long and then suddenly change it up in the third or fourth quarter it makes my opposing OC work that much harder b/c I've now thrown something at him that he wasn't expecting. It could also be something that leads to a turnover b/c the opposing players haven't seen it all game either. But I guess this gets into overall play calling and defensive philosophies as a whole. Which I love to talk about and discuss. Anytime I can talk about anything football related and possibly gain different perspectives and ideas just makes me better. I'm still a young coach that is striving to grow and learn. My email and messengers names are on my profile and anytime anyone would like to talk about things and discuss them, give me a holler. Thanks.