How to Play Pass Defense With the Cover-2

Defending the pass is perhaps the most significant part of stopping your opponent from putting points on the board. While the key to defending the pass may be putting pressure on the quarterback, the Cover-2 defense is one of the most effective coverage schemes used in professional football. It is designed to keep opponents from riddling a defense with big plays.

Instructions

1. Line up your two safeties about 10 yards from the line of scrimmage and have them drop back about 15 yards after the ball is snapped. A Cover-2 defense means that the field is divided in half and each safety is responsible for his half of the field. While the cornerback may be engaged in one-on-one coverage with a fast wide receiver, the safeties also get involved once the receiver starts to go deep. Tony Dungy, who coached the Indianapolis Colts to a Super Bowl win following the 2006 season, is credited with bringing the defense into vogue when he was the head man for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The defense was dubbed the "Tampa 2," and Dungy's former assistant Lovie Smith brought the defense with him to St. Louis and Chicago.

2. Pressure the quarterback with a strong rush from your front four. No matter how skilled your pass defenders are, no defensive backs can stay with top receivers if the quarterback has all day to throw. A dominating pass rush will make a good defensive back a great one.

3. Communicate well with your fellow defensive backs. The two safeties involved with the Cover-2 are dividing the width of the field. If the receiver goes from the near half of the field to the far half of the field, both safeties have to be aware when the receiver crosses that imaginary line in the middle of the field. It's not a matter of the strong safety staying with the receiver as he goes from one half to the other. He must pass off coverage because another receiver could enter his zone. If he has not passed off the coverage on the first receiver, the second receiver will be wide open.

4. Use a Cover-3 if you want to take an additional step to prevent the deep pass. Instead of dividing the field in half, the Cover-3 divides the field in thirds. This can be an effective defense late in the game when you have a significant lead and you are fairly sure your opponent is going to turn to the deep pass in order to get back in the game. The Cover-3 (and in rare cases, the Cover-4) can make life almost impossible for your opponent to throw the deep ball.

5. Watch as much videotape of your opponent as possible. This is an especially valuable part of game preparation for defensive backs who are trying to stop the deep pass. It's very easy to learn what receivers are going to to do when running deep, and having that knowledge makes playing the Cover-2 an effective coverage scheme

Tips & Warnings

• Patience is the key. Receivers like to use a double move when running deep. Don't bite on the first move or you will find yourself out of position.