Cover 2 Beaters in Football (Plays That Beat Cover 2)

In football, the Cover 2 defense is a popular strategy used by teams to defend against both the run and the pass.

It involves two deep safeties splitting the field in half, with each responsible for covering one half of the field.

While the Cover 2 defense is effective in many situations, there are specific plays that can exploit its weaknesses and create opportunities for offensive success.

Below we look at some of the most effective Cover 2 beaters in football.

The Weaknesses of Cover 2 Defense

Before diving into the specific plays that beat Cover 2, it is important to understand the weaknesses of this defensive strategy.

While Cover 2 is effective in preventing deep passes and providing support against the run, it can be vulnerable to certain offensive plays.

The following are some of the weaknesses that can be exploited:

• Lack of coverage in the intermediate middle of the field
• Isolation of cornerbacks on deep routes
• Difficulty in defending against crossing routes
• Potential for mismatches against linebackers in coverage

Play #1: Four Verticals

One of the most effective plays against Cover 2 is the Four Verticals concept.

This play involves sending four receivers on vertical routes, stretching the safeties and forcing them to make a decision.

The goal is to create a mismatch or confusion in coverage, allowing one of the receivers to find an opening in the defense.

Let’s take a closer look at how this play works:

1. The outside receivers run straight up the field, occupying the cornerbacks and forcing them to cover deep.
2. The inside slot receivers run vertical routes, aiming to split the safeties and create a gap in coverage.
3. The quarterback reads the safeties and throws to the receiver who finds an opening in the defense.

By attacking the deep middle of the field, the Four Verticals play puts pressure on the safeties to make quick decisions and can exploit the lack of coverage in that area.

Play #2: Smash Concept

The Smash concept is another effective play against Cover 2.

It involves a combination of a short route and a corner route, designed to create a mismatch between the cornerback and the receiver.

Here’s how it works:

1. The outside receiver runs a short route towards the sideline, aiming to draw the cornerback towards him.
2. The inside receiver runs a corner route, aiming to get behind the cornerback and exploit the space in the defense.
3. The quarterback reads the cornerback’s movement and throws to the receiver who has the best chance of gaining separation.

The Smash concept takes advantage of the isolation of cornerbacks on deep routes in Cover 2, forcing them to make a difficult decision between covering the short route or staying deep to defend against the corner route.

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Play #3: Flood Concept

The Flood concept is designed to attack the sideline and create mismatches against linebackers in coverage.

It involves sending multiple receivers to one side of the field, forcing the defense to make difficult choices.

Here’s how it works:

1. Two receivers run vertical routes, stretching the safeties and creating space in the middle of the field.
2. One receiver runs a flat route towards the sideline, aiming to draw the attention of the cornerback and the flat defender.
3. The quarterback reads the defense and throws to the receiver who has the best chance of gaining separation.

The Flood concept exploits the difficulty of defending against crossing routes in Cover 2, forcing the defense to choose between covering the deep routes or defending against the short route to the sideline.

Play #4: Post-Wheel Combination

The Post-Wheel combination is a play that can create confusion and mismatches in Cover 2.

It involves two receivers running routes that intersect each other, making it difficult for defenders to stay with their assignments.

Here’s how it works:

1. One receiver runs a post route towards the middle of the field, aiming to draw the attention of the safeties.
2. The other receiver runs a wheel route towards the sideline, aiming to exploit the space left by the safeties.
3. The quarterback reads the safeties and throws to the receiver who has the best chance of gaining separation.

The Post-Wheel combination forces the safeties to make quick decisions and can create mismatches against linebackers who are responsible for covering the wheel route.

Play #5: Double Slants

The Double Slants play is a quick-hitting pass play that can exploit the weaknesses of Cover 2.

It involves two receivers running slant routes towards the middle of the field, aiming to create separation and exploit the space between the safeties and the linebackers.

Here’s how it works:

1. Two receivers run slant routes towards the middle of the field, aiming to create separation from the defenders.
2. The quarterback reads the linebackers and throws to the receiver who has the best chance of gaining separation.

The Double Slants play puts pressure on the linebackers in coverage and can exploit the lack of coverage in the intermediate middle of the field in Cover 2.

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Conclusion

While the Cover 2 defense is a popular and effective strategy in football, there are specific plays that can exploit its weaknesses and create opportunities for offensive success.

The Four Verticals, Smash Concept, Flood Concept, Post-Wheel Combination, and Double Slants are just a few examples of plays that can beat Cover 2.

By understanding the weaknesses of the defense and utilizing these plays strategically, teams can gain an advantage and find success against the Cover 2 defense.

FAQs – Cover 2 Beaters

What is Cover 2 defense in football?

Cover 2 defense is a strategy in football where two deep safeties split the field in half, with each responsible for covering one half of the field.

It is designed to prevent deep passes and provide support against the run.

What are the weaknesses of Cover 2 defense?

The weaknesses of Cover 2 defense include a lack of coverage in the intermediate middle of the field, isolation of cornerbacks on deep routes, difficulty in defending against crossing routes, and potential mismatches against linebackers in coverage.

What is the Four Verticals play?

The Four Verticals play is an offensive strategy that involves sending four receivers on vertical routes, stretching the safeties and forcing them to make a decision.

It aims to create a mismatch or confusion in coverage, allowing one of the receivers to find an opening in the defense.

How does the Smash Concept work against Cover 2 defense?

The Smash Concept involves a combination of a short route and a corner route, designed to create a mismatch between the cornerback and the receiver.

It takes advantage of the isolation of cornerbacks on deep routes in Cover 2, forcing them to make a difficult decision between covering the short route or staying deep to defend against the corner route.

What is the Flood Concept in football?

The Flood Concept is an offensive strategy that involves sending multiple receivers to one side of the field, forcing the defense to make difficult choices.

It aims to create mismatches against linebackers in coverage and exploit the difficulty of defending against crossing routes in Cover 2.

How does the Post-Wheel Combination play work against Cover 2 defense?

The Post-Wheel Combination involves two receivers running routes that intersect each other, making it difficult for defenders to stay with their assignments.

It forces the safeties to make quick decisions and can create mismatches against linebackers who are responsible for covering the wheel route.

What is the Double Slants play?

The Double Slants play is a quick-hitting pass play that involves two receivers running slant routes towards the middle of the field.

It aims to create separation and exploit the space between the safeties and the linebackers in Cover 2 defense.

Can Cover 2 defense be beaten consistently?

While Cover 2 defense is effective in many situations, there are plays and strategies that can exploit its weaknesses and create opportunities for offensive success.

However, consistent success against Cover 2 requires a combination of effective play-calling, execution, and understanding of defensive tendencies.

Are there any other effective plays against Cover 2 defense?

Yes, there are several other effective plays against Cover 2 defense, including the Mesh concept, the Sail concept, and the Stick concept.

These plays utilize different route combinations and concepts to create mismatches and exploit the weaknesses of Cover 2.

How can teams prepare to defend against Cover 2 beaters?

To defend against Cover 2 beaters, teams can focus on improving communication and coordination among defenders, studying offensive tendencies and route combinations, and adjusting defensive strategies based on the specific strengths and weaknesses of their personnel.

Additionally, incorporating disguise and pre-snap movement can help confuse the offense and disrupt their timing.