Zone Defense 101

This is to give a better understanding of the Zone defense and how it works.

Object of a zone secondary

1. Defend against the pass
2. Prevent the long pass
3. Keep pass completions to a minimum
4. Intercept as many passes as possible
5. Prevent the long run
6. Score

Three types of Coverage

1. Man to Man -
a. standard coverage - DB adjust depth to the speed and talent of receiver. If the receiver is faster he gives a bigger cushion.

b. B & R coverage - DB attacks receiver and does not allow him to get a clean release and disrupts the pattern.

2. Zone
a. straight up zone (cover 2, 3, 4)
b. rotational zone

3. Combination Man & Zone (secondary playing zone and lineman/linebackers playing man underneath.

Coaching Points - Zone Pass Coverage (General)

Try to know where any help is coming from

Line up correctly, keeping proper spacing between you and your teammates

Keep adequate cushion between receivers when covering (this is adjustable but usually no less than 1 1/2 yards)

Always talk to your teammates

Always have one defender deeper than the deepest receiver no matter how many men are in his zone

everyone break for the ball when it is thrown

Hit with authority at every oppurtunity

We are talking strictly zone theory.

Straight Zone Coverage -

Two Deep Zone -
Two defenders split the field into halves. Align to the inside shoulder of the offensive end and 9 to 15 yards back with the inside foot up. They drop 2 to 5 steps (adjustable) and read the back field as they drop. They each protect one half of the field covering deepest threat first. They must keep the receiver in their field of view. THEY ARE PASS FIRST RUN SECOND.

Three Deep Zone -

Three defenders each defending 1/3 of the field. The CB's take the deep outs and the FS takes the Deep middle. The FS is usually slightly deeper than the CBs. The CB's align with the inside foot forward and three to four yards outside the offensive end and from six to nine yards deep. ( I have placed them up to 12 yards deep to take away a specfic route). They drop 2 to 5 steps or they can squat or sit on a route if needed. The safety aligns directly over the center and is nine to fifteen yards deep. He generally sits 2 yards deeper than the corners. He also drops 2 to 5 steps while reading the backfield. The CB's approach is outside in when moving towards receivers (this allows him to read throught the receiver to the backfield. Again they are PASS FIRST RUN SECOND.

Four Deep Zone -

composed of 2 CBs and two safeties. The CBs align three to four yards outside the offensive end and four to seven yards deep (to take away the flat). The inside foot is forward and they read the backfield as they drop 2 to 5 steps looking through the receiver to the backfield. you can also have them squat or sit on a short route if needed by sliding down into the path of the known route. The safeties on the inside eye of the offensive end nine to fifteen yards back and also drop 2 to 5 steps while reading the backfield. they must keep any receiver in front of them in view.

These are straight up zone coverages in the secondary.

Any questions??
More forthcoming

Coach Greg