Football Glossary

The cover 3 defense still has a prominent role in creating advantages for defenses looking to put a stop to big plays downfield, while also having a strong presence in stopping the run.  Pass-heavy attacks at both the college and professional levels have seen a rise in 2-high, split-field coverages in response from defenses over recent years. Still, Cover 3 remains a big part of defenses at every level. Reads for offenses in the passing game depend heavily on safety structure, and the use of cover 3 allows defenses to disguise their alignment pre-snap, forcing QBs to remain mentally sharp,...

Cover 2 is one of the most popular defenses at every level of football today, and that's for one big reason: It works. It's become the go-to coverage for defenses facing a limited QB, since defenses can take away quick game throws, while ultimately forcing throws in tight windows downfield with safeties on the prowl.  However, there are still plenty of ways to attack Cover 2 – creating explosive plays with the combination of reactive quarterback play, and wide receivers with awareness for zone voids in the defense.  Continue reading below to see how offenses attack cover 2.  How does Cover 2 Work?...

The reverse play is one of the most exciting high-risk, high-reward plays in football. Do it right, and the fans will cheer for a big play.  Do it wrong, and the offense is in danger of losing a ton of yards and killing their momentum. But how does the reverse work, why is it so effective, and how many different versions are there? Keep reading to learn how to add this to your football trick plays playbook. What is the reverse play? The reverse is a play designed to deceive the defense by running the ball in one direction before giving it...

Athletic, physical defenses looking to create tight-window throws for opposing quarterbacks use a heavy dosage of cover 1.  As defensive backs are left on an island on the perimeter, defenses can manipulate their scheme to take away the run, blitz the quarterback, and ultimately dare offenses to throw the football vertically.  Nevertheless, scheming against cover 1 is not overly complicated, as strong-armed quarterbacks and elite wide receivers can spring plays loose to make defenses pay throughout the course of a game. Look further below to see how offenses successfully attack cover 1.  How does Cover 1 Work? Cover 1 is a...

The 4-2-5 gets its roots from the 4-3 defense, with a hat tip to the 3-3-5 defense. The two merged and made the 4-2-5 defense. The 5 defensive backs are derived from the 3-3-5 defense, and the 6 man box gets its roots from the 4-3 defense. The 4-2-5 depends on pressure and athletic players all over the field to be successful.  Keep reading to learn more about one of the most popular defenses in football today, and what makes it work. What is the 4-2-5 Defense? The 4-2-5 defense is a defense with 4 down linemen, 2 linebackers, and...