AIR FORCE

FOOTBALL
PATTERN READ
COVER THREE
WHY PATTERN
PATTERN READ
READ
• Match up underneath coverage to route
being run as oppose to dropping a
landmark and solely reacting to QB’s
intention.
• Take away receiver’s freedom to adjust
to a stationary zone defender.
• Reduce vertical seams in zone
coverage.
• Greater means of taking away favorite
routes or patterns of weekly opponent.
 OUR DEFENSIVE STRUCTURE

S E N E
WF
B M R
C C

__ FS __
 CURL
CURL READ
READ 3-2
3-2 READ
READ 22 CURL
CURL

TT TT TT
HH HH HH
II
RR
__ II
RR
__ II
RR
DD DD DD

PATTERN READS COVERAGE

COVER 3

S E N E
CURL
W
B M R CURL

3-2 PLAYER 2 PLAYER

C
OUTSIDE
C
OUTSIDE
THIRD THIRD

__ FS
MIDDLE __
THIRD

COVERAGE RESPONSIBILITIES
COVER 3

S E N E
FORCE/
W
FOLD B M R FORCE/
FOLD

C C
SECONDARY
SECONDARY
CONTAIN CONTAIN
PURSUIT PURSUIT

__ FS
ALLEY __

RUN SUPPORT
COVER 3

E N E
S W
B M R
C C

__ FS __

RUN SUPPORT
 BASIC CONCEPT

CREATE FOUR MAN RUSH:

FRONT THREE + ONE
 BASIC CONCEPT

CREATE FOUR MAN RUSH:

FRONT THREE + ONE

REPLACE BLITZER IN COVERAGE

 S E N E
W
B M R

__ __

COVER 3 Pop
COVER 3 Pop

S E N E
CURL
W
B
READ 3-2
M R
READ 2
CURL

LEFT RIGHT

__ __

COVERAGE RESPONSIBILITIES
COVER 3 Pop

S E N E
CURL
W
B M
READ 3-2
R
READ 2
CURL

LEFT RIGHT

MIKE
MIKE LINEBACKER
LINEBACKER REPLACES
REPLACES
BLITZING
BLITZING LOU
LOU AS
AS PATTERN
PATTERN

__ __
READ
READ PLAYER ON 3-2
PLAYER ON 3-2

COVERAGE RESPONSIBILITIES
COVER 3 Pop

S E N E
CURL W
B
READ 3-2
M
READ 2
R CURL

LEFT RIGHT

MIKE
MIKE LINEBACKER
LINEBACKER REPLACES
REPLACES
BLITZING
BLITZING ROB
ROB AS
AS PATTERN
PATTERN

__ __
READ
READ PLAYER ON
PLAYER ON 22

COVERAGE RESPONSIBILITIES
COVER 3 Pop

E N E
S W
B M
READ 2
R
READ 2
CURL
CURL
CURL READ 2 READ 2
LEFT RIGHT
C
CORNER
CORNER PLAYS
PLAYS AS
AS MAN
MAN LOU
LOU LINEBACKER
LINEBACKER REPLACES
REPLACES
VERSUS
VERSUS ALL THREATENING BLITZING
ALL THREATENING BLITZING FALCON
FALCON AS
AS CURL
CURL
RELEASES
RELEASES __ PLAYER
PLAYER
__

COVERAGE RESPONSIBILITIES
COVER 3 Pop

S E N E
W
CURL

B
READ 3-2
M
READ 2
R
CURL
LEFT RIGHT
C
ROB
ROB LINEBACKER
LINEBACKER REPLACES
REPLACES CORNER
CORNER PLAYS
PLAYS AS
AS MAN
MAN
BLITZING
BLITZING FALCON
FALCON AS
AS CURL
CURL VERSUS
VERSUS ALL
ALL THREATENING
THREATENING

__ __
PLAYER
PLAYER RELEASES
RELEASES

COVERAGE RESPONSIBILITIES
CURL TECHNIQUE
CURL TECHNIQUE

S
**FLAT-FOOT
**FLAT-FOOT
READ
READ

SINGLE WIDTH ALIGNMENT

CURL TECHNIQUE

BUZZ
BUZZ -- FLAT
FLAT S

VERSUS SINGLE WIDTH - BUZZ THE

BUZZ TECHNIQUE

IDENTIFY A FLAT RECEIVER -- QUICK SET CLUES A SLANT/HITCH --

USE SPLIT TENDANCIES
BUZZ TECHNIQUE

SETTLE

IF NO IDENTIFIED FLAT THREAT -- SETTLE BACK UNDER #1 -- ZONE

QB’s EYES
CURL TECHNIQUE

S
**FLAT-FOOT
**FLAT-FOOT
READ
READ

TWO STAND UP ALIGNMENT

CURL TECHNIQUE

SETTLE

WORK TO DEPTH OF 10-12 YARDS OVER NORMALLY

CURL TECHNIQUE

VERSUS QUICK GAME – BREAK EARLY AND CUT #1

CURL TECHNIQUE

WITH #2 VERTICAL -- SETTLE CURL AND PLAY OFF QB’s

CURL TECHNIQUE

IF #2 QUICK TO FLAT -- HOLD CURL -- CORNER WILL SECURE

CURL TECHNIQUE

S
C

VERSUS ANY SCREEN -- CURL PLAYER

BUZZ TECHNIQUE

IF FLAT BY#2 – MATCH FLAT AND CARRY WHEEL

BUZZ TECHNIQUE

IF #2 QUICK TO FLAT – MATCH FLAT AND CARRY WHEEL

3-2 PLAYER TECHNIQUE
3-2 PLAYER

E N E
LB

PATTERN READ OFF #3 TO #2 RECEIVER

3-2 PLAYER

E N E
LB

DROP OVER #3 AS YOU READ HIS ROUTE -- NO RECEIVER

3-2 PLAYER

E N E
S
LB

DROP OVER #3 AS YOU READ HIS ROUTE – IF THREAT BY #2 –

3-2 PLAYER

E N E
LB

MUST CARRY #3 VERTICAL

2 PLAYER TECHNIQUE
2 PLAYER

E N E
S
B M R W

READ RELEASE OF #2 AS WORKING FOR WIDTH AND

2 PLAYER

E N E
S
B M R W

CUT SLANT BY #2
2 PLAYER

E N E
S
B M R W

IF #2 TO FLAT -- LOOK FOR NEW #2 FROM OUTSIDE AND

2 PLAYER

S E N E
B M R W

CARRY #2 VERTICAL – LOOK FOR BREAK INSIDE BY #2

2 PLAYER

S E N E
B M R W

ROLL WITH DIG BY #2

2 PLAYER

S E N E
B M R W

COME OFF #2 VERTICALLY WHEN #1 RUNS DIG

FIRE-ZONE
PACKAGE
WHY FIRE-ZONES
FIRE-ZONES
• Pressure the point of attack versus running game.
• Attack pass protection weakness – QB’s confidence.
• Reduce the “big-play exposure” by taking the back-end
out of man coverage.
• Create negative yardage plays – get offense off
schedule.
• Reduce the volume of offense from opponent.
• Zone adjustment to offensive change of strength.
• Zone drops often cause quarterback to hold ball in
pocket – allows for pressure to develop.
• Cannot run off perimeter run support.
• Offense must be “protection-orientated” over “hot-
orientated” in the passing game.
BASIC DESIGN PRINCIPLE

PRESSURE ELEMENT:
FRONT THREE ++ TWO
TWO

COVERAGE ELEMENT:
TWO
TWO SEAMS + ONE
ONE HOLE
HOLE
THREE DEEP
DEEP ZONE
ZONE
PRESSURE ELEMENT

S E N E
W
B M R
C C

__ FS __

BEAR
PRESSURE ELEMENT

S E N E
W
B M R
C C

__ FS __

TIGER
PRESSURE ELEMENT

S E N E
W
B M R
C C

__ FS __

SHOOT
BASIC DESIGN PRINCIPLE

PRESSURE ELEMENT:
FRONT THREE ++ TWO
TWO

COVERAGE ELEMENT:
TWO
TWO SEAMS + ONE
ONE HOLE
HOLE
THREE DEEP
DEEP ZONE
ZONE
PRESSURE ELEMENT

S E N E
W
B M R
C C

__ FS __

BEAR
PRESSURE ELEMENT

S E N E
W
B M R
C C

__ FS __

TIGER
PRESSURE ELEMENT

S E N E
W
B M R
C C

__ FS __

SHOOT
PRESSURE ELEMENT

S E N E
B M R
W
C C

__ FS __

TORNADO
PRESSURE ELEMENT

S E N E
B M R W
C C

FS
__ __

FLOOD (RIVER/LAKE)
BASIC DESIGN PRINCIPLE

PRESSURE ELEMENT:
FRONT THREE ++ TWO
TWO

COVERAGE ELEMENT:
TWO
TWO SEAMS + ONE
ONE HOLE
HOLE
THREE DEEP
DEEP ZONE
ZONE
PRESSURE ELEMENT

E N E
F F
L M R
C C

__ FS __

BEAR
PRESSURE ELEMENT

E N E
F F
L M R
C C

__ FS __

TIGER
PRESSURE ELEMENT

E N E
F F
L M R
C C

__ FS __

SHOOT
PRESSURE ELEMENT

E N E
F L M R
F
C C

__ FS __

TORNADO
PRESSURE ELEMENT

E N E
F L M R
C C

FS F
__ __

FLOOD (RIVER/LAKE)
 TEACH PLAYERS HOW TO
READ ROUTE COMBINATIONS

TEACH CONCEPT OF PLAYING

MAN WITHIN YOUR ZONE –
MUCH LIKE A MATCH UP ZONE
IN BASKETBALL
 HOLE
HOLE
SEAM
SEAM SEAM
SEAM

TT TT TT
HH HH HH
II
RR
__ II
RR
__ II
RR
DD DD DD

COVERAGE ELEMENT BEHIND FIVE MAN BLITZ

COVER: Z

E N E
F F
SEAM
SEAM L M R SEAM

HOLE

C
OUTSIDE
C
OUTSIDE
THIRD THIRD

__ FS
MIDDLE __
THIRD

COVERAGE RESPONSIBILITIES
BASIC DESIGN PRINCIPLE

PRESSURE ELEMENT:
FRONT THREE ++ TWO
TWO

COVERAGE ELEMENT:
TWO
TWO SEAMS + ONE
ONE HOLE
HOLE
THREE DEEP
DEEP ZONE
ZONE
PRESSURE ELEMENT

E N E
F F
L M R
C C

__ FS __

BEAR
PRESSURE ELEMENT

E N E
F F
L M R
C C

__ FS __

TIGER
PRESSURE ELEMENT

E N E
F F
L M R
C C

__ FS __

SHOOT
PRESSURE ELEMENT

E N E
F L M R
F
C C

__ FS __

TORNADO
PRESSURE ELEMENT

E N E
F L M R
C C

FS F
__ __

FLOOD (RIVER/LAKE)
 TEACH PLAYERS HOW TO
READ ROUTE COMBINATIONS

TEACH CONCEPT OF PLAYING

MAN WITHIN YOUR ZONE –
MUCH LIKE A MATCH UP ZONE
IN BASKETBALL
 HOLE
HOLE
SEAM
SEAM SEAM
SEAM

TT TT TT
HH HH HH
II
RR
__ II
RR
__ II
RR
DD DD DD

COVERAGE ELEMENT BEHIND FIVE MAN BLITZ

COVER: Z

E N E
F F
SEAM
SEAM L M R SEAM

HOLE

C
OUTSIDE
C
OUTSIDE
THIRD THIRD

__ FS
MIDDLE __
THIRD

COVERAGE RESPONSIBILITIES
SEAM TECHNIQUE
SEAM TECHNIQUE

F
**FLAT-FOOT
**FLAT-FOOT
READ
READ

VERSUS SINGLE WIDTH

SEAM TECHNIQUE

F
10
10 YARDS
YARDS
DEPTH
DEPTH

PLAY AS NORMAL CURL ZONE

SEAM TECHNIQUE

F
**FLAT-FOOT
**FLAT-FOOT
READ
READ

VERSUS TWO STANDS UPS

SEAM TECHNIQUE

READ ROUTE OF #2
SEAM TECHNIQUE

F
HOLD
HOLD
CURL
CURL

IF #2 QUICK TO FLAT -- WORK TO NORMAL

SEAM TECHNIQUE

IF #2 QUICK TO FLAT -- WORK TO NORMAL

SEAM TECHNIQUE

IF #2 RUNS SLANT -- CUT AND CARRY THROUGH

SEAM TECHNIQUE

IF #2 VERTICAL -- COLLISION AS NEARS RE-

SEAM TECHNIQUE

IF #2 VERTICAL -- COLLISION -- PLAY MAN ON ALL

SEAM TECHNIQUE

IF #2 QUICK CROSSER -- PASS OFF TO HOLE PLAYER - SETTLE

SEAM TECHNIQUE

F
C

VERSUS ANY SCREEN -- SEAM PLAYER

HOLE TECHNIQUE
HOLE TECHNIQUE

E N E
LB

PATTERN READ OFF #3 RECEIVER -- OFTEN BACK

HOLE TECHNIQUE

E N E
LB

DROP OVER #3 AS YOU READ HIS ROUTE -- NO RECEIVER

HOLE TECHNIQUE

E N E
F
LB

DROP OVER #3 AS YOU READ HIS ROUTE – IF THREAT BY #2 –

BANJO TECHNIQUE

LB
F **WIDEN
**WIDEN AS
AS
NEEDED
NEEDED
**FLAT-FOOT
**FLAT-FOOT
READ
READ

VERSUS THREE STANDS UPS

BANJO TECHNIQUE

LB
F

WORK BANJO WITH HOLE -- INSIDE/OUTSIDE CUTTERS

BANJO TECHNIQUE

LB
F

DO NOT CUT SLANT OF #2 IN BANJO – HOLD CURL IF YOU GET FLAT -- HOLE
PLAYER DRIVE NEW #3
BANJO TECHNIQUE

LB
F

HOLE PLAYER WILL CUT SHORT CROSSER – SEAM PLAYER WILL PLAY
AS TWO STAND UPS
BANJO TECHNIQUE

LB
F

HOLE PLAYER CARRY VERTICIAL BY #3 – LOOK FOR CROSSER

BANJO TECHNIQUE

LB
F

HOLE PLAYER DRIVE NEW #3 – SEAM PLAYER HEAVY OVER #3

FREE SAFETY
PLAY
FREE SAFETY PLAY

T N T
F
12 F
L M R
C C

__ FS __

ALIGN IN MIDDLE OF FIELD – PERFORMANCE IS PRIORITY

FREE SAFETY PLAY

F E N E
12
L M R F
C C

__ FS __

BALL ON HASH -- SPLIT DIFFERENCE #2 AND BALL

FREE SAFETY PLAY

E N E
F F
L M R
C C

__ FS __

ZONE MIDDLE THIRD – FAVOR TO SKILL – BE FAST ON QB’s

CORNER PLAY
CORNER PLAY

40
7

__ __

VERSUS NORMAL WIDE RECEIVER SPLIT

CORNER PLAY

40
1

__ __

VERSUS WIDE SPLIT BY WIDE RECEIVER

CORNER PLAY

40 2

__ __

VERSUS TIGHT SPLIT BY WIDE

CORNER PLAY

SINGLE WIDTH: PLAY AN INSIDE THIRD – MAN ALL THREATENING

RELEASES – POST PROTECT
CORNER PLAY

PUSH OUT TO SLOW PEDDLE - KEY FOR QUICK THREE STEP PASSING
GAME AT SNAP
CORNER PLAY

BREAK UP ON ALL NORMAL BREAKING ROUTES

CORNER PLAY

BREAK UP ON ALL NORMAL BREAKING ROUTES

CORNER PLAY

TURN AND DRIVE ON DEEP SHOULDER OF RECEIVER ON POST

CORNER PLAY

CLOSE AND PLAY CHASE ON DIG

CORNER PLAY

TURN AND GAIN HIP POSITION ON FADE

CORNER PLAY

40

C
__ __

VERSUS MULTIPLE STANDS UPS – NORMAL

CORNER PLAY

40
3

C
__ __

VERSUS MULTIPLE STANDS UPS – WIDE SPLIT

CORNER PLAY

C
__ __

VERSUS MULTIPLE STANDS UPS – PLAY DIVIDER

CORNER PLAY

C
__ __

VERSUS MULTIPLE STANDS UPS – PLAY DIVIDER

CORNER PLAY

C
__ __

VERSUS MULTIPLE STANDS UPS – IF #2 CANCELS OUT –

END