Basic Coverages

Question
Hey Coach Louis!
I was just wondering if you could tell me about the basic coverages. I'm a rising sophomore(15 yrs old) writing from Virginia  and have a real desire to play quarterback next season. I have a rocket arm and have nice accuracy. The only problem that I have is that I never went into a game as a quarterback, and I don't know how it's like. Is there a lot of pressure, how much time do I have before I get sacked, and WHAT ARE THE BASIC COVERAGES TO LOOK OUT FOR? Also, even if I can read the defense, what do i do then?? Moreover, I really need help on who to throw it to and when. Also, are there any book you would recommend to help me on my little journey? Thankyou. My email is [email protected]

Answer
Dear Shawn,
Thank you for writing. Your questions are how do I play quarterback? And what are the basic coverages?

The quarterback has the most difficult job on the football field. His job is full of responsibility and it is not an easy one to fill. It is not for everyone. He must be a confident leader, he must have good ball handling abilities, he must have a good understanding of his opponent's defense, and know the assignment of his team mates on every play.  

The quarterback must spend time with his coach both on and off the field learning more about his opponent. He must learn, as much as he can, about what his coach expects him to do during the game. The quarterback must know the coverages by down and distance and have the skills to use pre-snap reads.

Coverages by down and distance. By the time a quarterback takes the field he must know the coverages that his opponent is going to run against him.

He must ask himself what do they like to run on first down?, second down?, third down?, do they play run on the first two downs?.....

The best way to do this is by reading the corners in the game film. Corners are the quarterback's best friends, when it comes to giving the most tips to the coverage. Here are a few simple reads for the quarterback;  Study the corner back, look to see if he his eyeing the receiver or quarterback.

If he is eyeing the receiver he is in some type of man coverage.
If he is eyeing the quarterback he is a zone coverage.
If he is line-up outside the receiver he is in a zone coverage.
If he is line-up inside the receiver he is in a man coverage.
If he is line-up in a low focus position he is in a man coverage.
If he is standing tall he is in a zone coverage.

IF HE IS LINE-UP INSIDE AND LOOKING IN TO THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE HE IS COMING ON SOME KIND OF STUNT. Make sure you have someone pick him up or he is going to hand you your head.

One of the best books on the market today, which covers reading the defense, is:

"Winning Football with the Air Option Passing Game"
By Homer Rice & Steve Moore.

A lot of the tips about reading the corner-backs come from this book.


Second question, what are the basic coverages?

Cover 0  pass defense in which all pass defenders are in man coverage; required when six defenders are rushing

Cover 1  pass defense in which all pass defenders but one are in man coverage; the one not in man coverage is usually a free safety who plays a zone defense in which his zone is the entire field; required when five defenders are rushing; also called 揗an Free?or 揗an Under?br>
Cover 2  zone pass defense with two deep safeties that are responsible for the two deep halves of the field

Cover 3  zone pass defense where the field is divided into three deep zones which are covered by the free safety (middle) and two corners (sides)

Cover 4  zone pass defense where the field is divided into four deep zones which are covered by the two safeties (middle) and two corners (sides); more often called 搎uarters?

Cover 5  same as nickel defense, nickel defense is when you take out an linebacker and replace him with a faster defensive back (this packet is used when the defense is expecting a pass, usually on third and long).

Let me know when you are ready to read more about how to beat the defense.


Your friend, Coach Louis