Category Archives: Cover 3

Defending the I Formation with Post Snap Cover 3 Safety Rotation

Defending the I Formation Post Snap Cover 3 Rotation

Defending the I formation, especially a well coached team, can be a daunting task. If the quarterback can throw play action, and the offensive line is physical, while also pounding you with their best athlete at tailback, a defense could be in for a long day. Add a little bit of the option or quick passing game, and this formation quickly turns into a very versatile and lethal complete offense.

One way LSU used to defend the 21 personnel, 2×1 pro I formation was with post snap safety rotation. Brophy’s LSU video by Pete…

Continue Reading This Post »

Runcodhit Football: Defending Trips

How to disguise your Coverage or Scheme when defending the trips formations

Another top football coaching blog post from 2011. The Trips formation annoys many defensive coordinators, and RUNCODHIT does a nice job of describing how to defend the trips formation in multiple ways. He describes four basic ways to defend the trips formation. “A Cover 3 concept An X-out concept like Special A Pattern-match coverage with a safety poaching #3 (solo) The Classic: Straight up Man or Man-Free”

RUNCODHIT does a nice job of describing what to call these coverages and informs readers of when to call them. This post also provides links to other in-depth…

Continue Reading This Post »

Miami Dolphins 4-3 Pt. 2

As mentioned in the first part of this series on the Miami 4-3 Defense, the short passing game in the West Coast Offense caused a great number of issues for the defenses. With a basic understanding of a couple of the fronts the 96 Dolphins 4-3 defense utilized, we shall go about understanding one of their coverages used to dominate the short passing game, “Cover 22″. It is detailed below. [Miami Base Cover 22]

(Sidenote: Click on the image to enlarge it. I would suggest opening it in a new window or tab.)

Cover 22 was is one of the first coverages listed…

Continue Reading This Post »

Miami Dolphins 4-3 Defense Pt. 1

Please Note: Part 2 of the Miami 4-3 Defense is Available, Click Here For It

Dear Readers,

Following the 80′s rage on the 3-4 and 46 defenses, offenses found ways to protect the passer and attack the opponent through the air with the spread of the “west coast offense” in the early to mid 90′s. In order to defeat opponents that used this offense which threw short, high percentage passes first in order to open up the running game, the Over 4-3 (or Miami 4-3) defense came about. This will begin a 3 part series on the defense,…

Continue Reading This Post »