One of the simplest and most commons forms of zone pass defense is the Cover 3 Defense. The term “Cover 3″ indicates there are 3 deep zones being played. The underneath, or short zones, can be divided into as few as 3 zones or as many as 5 zones. However, it is still a Cover 3 Defense due to the presence of 3 deep-third zones.
Field Zones in Cover 3 Defense
The deep pass defenders will divide the field into 3 zones. Deep zones begin at roughly 14 yards from the Line of Scrimmage and extend all the way to the back line of the End Zone. In high school football, it easiest to divide the zones using the hash marks. The right side Cornerback will be responsible for the right side Deep 1/3. The Free Safety is responsible for the Middle 1/3. The left side Cornerback will be responsible for the left Deep 1/3.
Diagram 1
Underneath Zones in Cover 3 Defense
Underneath zones are divided by the types of routes that will be thrown there. Underneath zones typically range from 5 yards away from the Line of Scrimmage to about 14 yards deep, where the Deep 1/3 zones begin.
The outermost zones are known as the Flat area, and extend from the sidelines to about halfway between numbers and the hash on a typical high school field layout. Typical routes here are short out routes and arrow routes by the running back.
The next zone in is the curl area. The Curl area exists from the hash to the edge of the flat zone. Moving in from there, the hash to the middle of the field is known as the Hook zone. Imagine a player, perhaps a Tight End, aligned on the hash mark (see Diagram 1). If that player runs a route 8 yards off the ball, then turns outside, he is in the curl area. If he were to turn inside, he would be in the hook area. Commonly run routes in the curl area are hitches and slants. Quick routes the Tight End and crossing routes from inside receivers are most common in the Hitch zone.
Key Points of Playing Cover 3 Defense
It is important that players remember the following:
- Which zone they are responsible for!
- Do not leave that zone, pass players off as they leave your zone and communicate to teammates (“IN! IN! IN!” when a receiver crosses from an outside zone to an inside zone, as an example).
- Underneath zone defenders are responsible for playing solid run defense first, then drop to pass zones.
- Deep 1/3 Defenders cannot be responsible for playing the run as well as playing a deep zone 14 yards off the ball. Do not ask more of players than they are physically capable of doing.
5 Yard No-Cover Zone
We use a 5-Yard “No Cover Zone” to prevent underneath players from jumping short routes and leaving deeper routes uninhibited. This tells players than on any route that is run either behind the line of scrimmage (Bubble route, Flares by the Running Back), or any route that is not more than 5 yards from the line of scrimmage, we will widen with the route, but not come up to the man. Our players remain in a position relative to that receiver to rally up to the football as soon as the ball is thrown and make a secure tackle for a minimal gain. We will always invite the defense to throw these short routes. Very few Offensive Coordinators have the patience to drive down the field in this “dink and dunk” manner. As long as your team is made up of sound tacklers, you should be secure in employing a 5 yard No Cover Zone.
The Cover 3 Defense is one of football’s most common, and most effective defenses. It can be adapted to any defensive front or scheme easily.
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