Destroying Cover 2 Defense 101!

How To Successfully Attack A Cover 2 Defense

As part of our anticipation for Madden 2010 we wanted to help Madden Bibler’s get a better grasp of the basics of not only Madden but football as well. Over the course of the next couple months we will be producing Football 101 Training camp articles. Today we will focus on how to properly attack a Cover 2 defense.

When you hear Cover 2 what do you think? Take a moment and either write down your thoughts on paper or just keep them in your mind.

Now let’s actually break down what a Cover 2 is. Right away most if not all forget to realize that a Cover 2 can be both man and zone. When we say Cover 2 what we are referring to is a two deep safety defensive scheme. This can be any type of combination with safeties playing deep, cornerbacks, or even linebackers. As long as there are two assigned defenders splitting the deep half of the field, we will call this Cover 2.

The more universal definition of Cover 2 typically refers to two deep safeties, four pass rushing down linemen, two cornerbacks, and three linebackers all playing underneath the deep zones. Keep in mind that the depth of the CB’s and LB’s will be playing is from the LOS (line of scrimmage) to the first down maker (10 yards deep). The strength of the Cover 2 is having a lot of defenders in a small vicinity of the field. This causes major traffic which can be very disruptive to short timing routes ie drags, curls, slants. A major weakness of the Cover 2 is only have two deep safeties. If a Cover 2 defense can consistently create pressure on the QB with its four down linemen it is the perfect defense. That is a big if, not many if any teams in the NFL (or in Madden) can bring pressure with only rushing four. Cover 2’s called at the right time can cause major confusion for the offense and can result in turnovers. Lets take a look at how we want to attack a Cover 2.

Attacking a Cover 2 in theory is very simple. Send three WR’s deep. Sending two sideline deep WR’s and a post over the middle is the best way to attack the Cover 2 deep. The reason being is that the safety where the post is occurring is going to have to decide who they are going to cover. The QB then has to make the correct read and delivery an accurate throw. This is a lot to ask for in both madden and in the NFL. Problems arise when the defense can create pressure by bringing five pass rushers and create pressure. When this happens it really shortens the field and doesn’t allow enough time for the deep routes to develop.

The best way to attack a Cover 2 in Madden is by running a bunched formation. When we run a bunch formation we are taking into account the balance that is on the field. We are now forcing the defense to get rid of that balance and we force them to properly guard one side of the field. When running a bunched formation we force our opponent to guard a deep streak, flat, and a corner route. A standard Cover 2 CAN”T guard all these options. It is a simple read to make. Typically the corner route will be available. Look to dump off here to consistently beat this defensive setup.

Related posts:

1. Sgibs Dominant Defensive Play #1
2. Free Play Friday : Indy Scheme Part 3
3. SGibs Indy Scheme Part 4!
4. SGibs Pass Balanced Tips – Play 2