Cover3

Cover3 is a zone defensive scheme with three defensive backs as main actors.

Its participants are two outside cornerbacks. The third is a free safety. Each coverer protects its deep third with four defenders behind them. The coaches use a combination of strong safety in coordination with the linebackers and some dime or nickel backs.

The underneath strong safety and one of the linebackers play the curl drops while two others use hook drops. The cornerbacks usually run seven or eight yards depth. The alternative is to get one of the outside thirds aligning in press, open or sink.

Cover3 is one of the high school defenses where quarterback shows its ability to target formations at any level. These coverage schemes start out of their base fronts as a way to beat such offensive groupings:

• Regular 21 (2WR+1TE+2RB)
• Ace 12 (2WR+2TE+1RB)
• Tank 22 (1WR+2TE+2RB)
• Heavy 13 (1WR)+3TE+1RB)

The cover 3 advantages include no changes in the coverage regarding pre-snap free safety center field position. As a result, the team provides strong play against runs. Otherwise, its backside is that coverage is easy diagnosing by opposing quarterbacks. The linebackers get pressure to read the plays and cover the receivers at the same time.