Read the B.E.A.DReading Coverage Pre-Snap

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◦ As soon as the Quarterback breaks the huddle his most important job is to start gathering information. This begins the process called the pre-snap read. To emphasize, it begins with the first step out of the huddle. While it is true that the QB must make sure his teammates are in proper alignment and set he must also begin his assessment of the defensive alignment.

◦ The pre-snap read (PSR) begins to establish the QB’s though process – how do I attack this defensive. Roughly 75-80% of the time the PSR will reveal the defensive alignment in total. There are obviously ways to disguise the actual defensive, which is why the QB continues to read the defense once the ball is snapped. Even when the defense is not completely given away pre-snap, the QB will be able to determine “focus” areas to read post snap.

◦ It is critical to note that the QB MUST approach the line of scrimmage the same way each play. Get into a routine. If you have done your job and conducted an efficient huddle you will have ample time to begin your routine. Look at the defense with wide vision. Then look to a direction (left, middle, right) and scan back to the opposite direction. Note any movement. Repeat. Any changes should be noted.

◦ The purpose is to identify (1) the depth of the corners, (2) number of safeties, (3) weakside flat defender, and (4) the number of run defenders (“front”)

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Find the Free Safety (FS) and the Strong Safety (SS/$) to determine the front. Is it seven man or eight man? Do the safeties react to any motion call you make? If so, watch out for Blitz.

Find the weak side Linebacker. He can tip an outside blitz. You can adjust your protection to help yourself with a good read here.

The PSR is the first step in deciding where to throw the ball. The Quarterback must also identify the “key” depending upon which pass route(s) were called. The ball is thrown depending on what the “key” aligns prior to the snap. For example, if the play calls for a strong side route the QB must find and use the Strong safety as the “Key”. Upon the snap the strong safety can either man-up, cover the flat, cover deep third (1/3) or cover deep quarter (¼), and it is the SS’s action that allows the QB to decide where to throw the ball.

Let’s look at this in more depth on the next slides.

Read the B.E.A.D

One thing a successful passing quarterback must do is to get a good pre-snap read of the defense. There are several basic defenses the quarterback might identify pre-snap these include:

Man – man by linebackers, corners, and safeties

Man Free/Cover 1 – man by corners, linebackers and strong safety (depending on defensive scheme) while free safety plays a zone in the middle of the field.

Cover 1 Robber – Cover 1 shell with the strong safety or Middle Linebacker playing in the “hole” – intermediate middle

Two Deep Zone/Cover 2 – both free and strong safety play deep zone while corners and linebackers play zone coverage

Three Deep Zone/Cover 3 – one safety and both corners play deep zone split field in thirds with zone coverage underneath

Four Deep ¼ Zone – a corner and safety split ½ the deep field to strength while a corner and safety cover the other half

Two Deep Zone- Man Under – both free and strong safety play deep zone while corners and linebackers play man defense To begin to identify these various coverages we will use a phrase called “Read the BEAD”.

BEAD stands for safeties in the Box, Eyes of the defensive backs, Alignment of the defensive backs, and Depth of the corners,

Read the B.E.A.D

Let’s look at the elements of the B.E.A.D one by one.

o The Box: The simple way to visualize the Box (ball middle of the field) is to imagine a rectangle 2 - 3 yards inside the hash marks and about 10-12 yards from the line of scrimmage and back. The depth of the Box from the line of scrimmage and width of the box will vary with each opponent. Scouting and watching film to get a feel for your opponent’s defense will aid the quarterback in identifying the Box. As the ball moves side to side the box moves to the middle of the formation accordingly.

o If there is a safety in the box that will indicate to the quarterback that the coverage may be Cover 1 Man Free, or Cover 3 Zone. This is also termed “middle of the field closed” or MFC.

o If there are no safeties in the box the defensive coverage indicated may be Man (Cover 0), Cover 2 Zone, Cover 2 Man Under, or 4 Deep Zone. This is also termed “middle of the field open” or MFO.

Identifying how many safeties are in the Box begins to narrow down the potential coverage but doesn’t really pinpoint the coverage. The next stage in identifying the coverage is to look at the corners and

linebackers.

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Eyes of the Cornerbacks

o If the Corner’s eyes are focused on the quarterback it most likely indicates a zone defense. If focused on the receiver it most likely indicates man.

o Remember this is but one indicator – it must be processed in conjunction with all the other elements of the B.E.A.D

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Alignment of the Cornerbacks

o An outside alignment by a defensive back on a receiver points to zone. Conversely, and inside alignment by a defensive back on a receiver points to man.

o This holds true 99% of the time, but again it is one indicator. An example where this alignment relationship may not hold fast is a situation where your receiver is lined up at or outside the “numbers. Some coaches will have their Corner ALWAYS line up inside against this receiver.

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DEPTH of Corners:  The quarterback should also be looking at the distance both corners are from the Line of Scrimmage (LOS).

How far from the line of scrimmage (LOS) are they playing? Distance of 7 or more yards from the LOS typically indicates zone. Distances of 6 yards or closer typically indicates man defense.

Depth can be easily disguised – with retreating/advancing Corners at the snap. Of all the B.E.A.D indicators, by itself, it is the least reliable determinant.

Each of the elements of the B.E.A.D provide a clue. Taking each clue, each element, and assemble a complete picture of what the defensive is doing.

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Alignment of the Cornerbacks with Safety location – The Bigger Picture

o Let’s look at the Corner/Safety combination reading the Corners’ alignment in conjunction with the Safeties position.

1. Corners low and inside, Safeties Low: If the corners were aligned inside and the safeties were not in the box and low, It may be some kind of true 0 coverage, that is, man coverage with some kind of blitz. The other way that people play the corners is what we call low and head up. Squared up with a slightly aligned inside, which is a true indicator of man.

2. Corners low and inside, single safety high – one safety in the box, for example, the free safety, indicates Cover 1, Man Free.

3. Corners Low and outside, Safeties High, not in the Box: In certain zone coverages, the receivers are going to be aligned by their corners low and outside. The low and outside alignment of the corner (perhaps turned at a 45 degree angle to the receiver), with his eyes looking at the quarterback. This is a very strong indicator of Cover 2 Zone.

4. Corner Low and inside, Safeties High, not in the Box: If the corner is aligned low and inside and his the sight line is on the receiver, disregarding the quarterback, it is a very strong indicator that it’s going to be man underneath, called Cover 2 Man Under.

5. Corners high and outside, single Safety high – one safety in the box: This is indicative of cover 3. Beware the location of the Strong Safety. If he is aligned low he may flow to the strong side flat. High and the may be disguising Cover 3 “Cloud” with the Corner flowing to the flat and the Strong Safety flowing to 1/3 deep zone coverage.

6. Corners high and outside, both safeties high and outside the box: This most likely indicates Cover 4, but could easily morph into Cover 2 Zone. The flow of the Linebackers to the flat will indicate Cover 4. If the corners play hard – flow to the flat it’s Cover 2.

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Basic Coverages & Weaknesses to Exploit

A brief summary of coverages, including strengths, weakness, and how to attack them follows. These are the basic coverages: Cover 3 Invert (“sky”); Cover 3 Rotate (“cloud”); Cover 2 Zone; Cover 2 Man Under; Cover 1; Cover 0 Man; Cover 4 - Quarter, Cover 4 - Quarter, Half; Cover 3 - Zone Blitz; and Cover 1 - Robber

Read the B.E.A.DThe pre-snap read (PSR) indicates Cover 3: 1. Safety in the Box2. Corners aligned outside and high

Note: the location of the Strong Safety (SS). This is an important read for the QB. He is low, with less depth than the Corner (C). This indicates and “INVERT” the SS will flow to the flat.

The SS is your “key” – with him covering the flat this opens up flood routes (send three receivers into areas covered by two DBs, strong side curl, dig route, AND if needed a weak side out.

Read the B.E.A.DThe pre-snap read (PSR) indicates Cover 3: 1. Safety in the Box2. Corners aligned outside and high

Note: the location of the Strong Safety (SS). This is an important read for the QB. He is high than the Corner (C). This indicates and “CLOUD” the SS will flow to cover the 1/3 deep zone to strong side.

The C is your “key” – with him covering the flat this opens up quick short pass away from the rotation.

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Take a look at these photos of Cover 3 with Zone responsibilities highlighted… Note how in the photo on the right the Defensive coverage is not revealed pre-snap. PSR gives you a clue but you must read post snap!!

See the Strong Safety aligned near the LOS – he’s flowing to the flat… Cover 3 Invert.

Cover 3 Invert Strong Safety starts at early the same depth as the Corner, but flows to the flat.

Read the B.E.A.DThe pre-snap read (PSR) indicates Cover 2 Zone: 1. Two Safeties high but no Safeties

are in the Box2. Corners aligned outside and high

beyond 6 yards

The PSR is based on the depth of the Cs and safeties. The Cs will usually be outside of the wide receivers and the safeties will be near the hash marks, aligned deeper than the corners.

Note: corners can play “HARD”. This si

a term that simply means they will play “grass” from the flat extend to 10-12 yards out. Don’t be mislead by this term – it refers to a zone strictly and not man to man.

Read the B.E.A.DThe pre-snap read (PSR) indicates Cover 2 Man Under: 1. Two Safeties high but no Safeties

are in the Box2. Corners aligned inside and low

The PSR is based on the alignment of the Cs on the wide receivers. If the safeties give a 2 deep look (safeties near the hash marks, aligned deeper than the C’s) and both C’s are up tighter or looking primarily at the receiver instead of the QB, then Man Under Coverage (“MUC”) is confirmed. The Cs are the primary key, as they will usually be head up or shaded to the outside of the wide receivers. Also, the undercover (LB’s) will be head-up or at least in position to cover their man. Motion will force the undercover to adjust or run with the receiver.

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Cover 2 Zone… Only way to distinguish a PSR of Cover 2 Zone or Man Under to read the Lbers and Corners drops. This is Classic Cover 2 Zone. With the Middle Linebacker dropping into the “hole” in the middle it is also called Tampa 2.

Cover 2 Man Under would be a valid PSR. Why? Note the Defensive back aligned head up on the slot receiver. Read post snap to verify.

Read the B.E.A.DThe pre-snap read (PSR) indicates Cover 1 Man Free: 1. Free Safety high and in the Box2. Corners aligned inside and low

This coverage is man-to-man with a FS to help over the top. The PSR is based on the alignment of the Cs and linebackers on the receivers. The C’s may be head up or even in an outside alignment because they have help from the FS. This allows the C’s to take away the outs. Also, if the SS aligns head up on his eligible receiver at a tight to normal depth (four to six [4-6] yards) and the FS is deeper than normal (twelve to fifteen [12-15] yards), this will confirm the Man with a Free (“MwF”) coverage. The linebackers will have the backs man-to-man.

Read the B.E.A.DCover 1 Man Free

Note the single high safety in the box.

But take special note of the alignment of the Corner in the lower part of the picture. See his outside alignment!! Don’t be fooled. That is a dead give-away that this is Cover 1. Remember he has help over the top from the FS so he is coached to align outside to take away the outside routes!!!

Read the B.E.A.DThe pre-snap read (PSR) indicates Cover 0 man to man: 1. No safeties high none in the box2. Corners aligned inside and low

This coverage is a straight man-to-man with no safety help. The PSR is based on the alignment of the safeties. Usually in Man coverage, the SS will play head up on the TE and the FS will play shallow on the weak side. Typically, there is no safety in the middle of the field. We can confirm this coverage by the inside leverage alignment by the Cs on the wide receivers. The C’s need this alignment as they have no inside help. The QB should anticipate pressure from a blitz. The QB must identify whether a blitz is coming and throw the ball to the defenders vacated spot or a crossing receiver

Read the B.E.A.DCover 0 Man on Man

Note the receiver routes to beat coverage.

Read the B.E.A.DCover 4 Quarters Coverage

The PSR includes:

• Two safeties outside the box• Both corners high with an outside alignment

Quarters coverage features by four deep zones covered by safety and corners.

Two post snap keys 1. The corners will bail deep2. The safeties will hold their ground

and play run first… unlike Cover 2 where the backpedal and read.

Read the B.E.A.DCover 4 Quarters Coverage

How to attack it:

Routes to the flat are highly effective

Using #2 receiver to run at/near the Safeties will defeat any double team of outside receiver and basically turn the Quarters coverage into man-to-man

Read the B.E.A.DPre Snap Read:

Two high safeties outside box (looks like Cover 2 or Cover 4) get a god post snap read to verify

Two high Corners aligned outside. The Corners will bail on snap (Must read Cover 4 POST SNAP)

Corners and Safeties responsible for ¼ deep zones. Outside Linebackers have the flats, Middle Linebacker has the middle hook zone.

Read the B.E.A.DThe pre-snap read (PSR) indicates Quarter, Quarter, Half (QQH): 1. One High safeties one in the box2. Strong Side Corner low and bailing. Weak

C low and hard.

The Quarter, Quarter, Half (“QQH”) coverage provides three (3) defenders deep, however it uses one (1) defender to cover half (½) of the three (3) deep zones and two (2) defenders each covering a quarter (¼). The underneath coverage can utilize four or five (4 or 5) defenders. This coverage employs a traditional weak side 2 Deep look with a squat corner and half coverage safety. The strong side can employ a multitude of variations (invert and rolls). The most common is a bail technique by the strong side C covering the deep quarter (¼) with the strong side OLB covering curl to flat. The PSR is based on the depth and alignment of the C’s and safeties. The weakside or side away from the quarters alignment will look like 2 Deep with the C head-up or to the outside of the wide receiver and the safety near the hash marks, aligned deeper than the C. The strong C can be aligned head-up and tight, but will bail (retreat) so that they are off six to eight (6-8) yards at the snap. The SS will be even with the C at the snap, and can also employ a bail technique.

Read the B.E.A.DHow to attack it•Horizontal stretch on the safety covering half

•vertically stretch the flats to create lanes

•strong side outs

•weakside curl

•cannot cover a flood route (three or four [3 or 4] receivers in the pattern)

•trips type formations & motion

Read the B.E.A.DQuarter, Quarter, Half (QQH) overhead look.

Remember your PSR clues • One high Safety in the box• One high Corner• One low Corner play hard (meaning he’ll stay in flat area)

Read the B.E.A.DThe pre-snap read (PSR) indicates Cover 3: 1. Safety in the Box2. Corners aligned outside and high3. Note the invert by the SS

The Zone Blitz is a defensive scheme used to confuse the offensive line’s pass protection schemes, and the QB’s reads. A frontal rusher — i.e. a linebacker or defensive lineman —  briefly engages the offensive lineman, then retreats to his pass zone, if he reads pass. The blitzers go through their assigned gaps. The droppers replace the blitzers in the pass zone. The coverage could be anything, but the most common zone blitz is the “fire zone,” which involves three deep and three intermediate pattern reading defenders.

Read the B.E.A.DHow to attack it

•Horizontal and vertical stretch on the pass zones

•TE versus defensive linemenscreen passes

•play action, with patterns to the backs

•Maximum protection with deep combinations through the open are

Read the B.E.A.DThe Robber coverage is a defensive scheme used to confuse the QB’s reads. It is designed to take away the middle pass zones, both the underneath and deep middle. It can be employed out of a four across or two deep look. A QB reading through the middle of the field (goal post) will read man or rotation and attempt to hit crossing routes or attack the deep middle which is where the “robber” (M linebacker) is. The coverage can also be used with man coverage allowing the “robber” helping out in the middle.

Read the B.E.A.DHow to attack it

•Outside on timing routes

•play action with deep routes

•crossing routes to the outside versus man

QB must look robber off clear lane throws

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Cover 1 Robber: Middle Linebacker flowing to underneath hole

Cover 1 Robber: Tighter Alignment for Corners MLB flowing to underneath hole

Proper PSR is Cover 1 Man Free. Only post snap read will reveal its Robber. Find the Strong Safety and MLB for your post snap robber reads.

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SUMMARY

A critical component to a successful pass is that the quarterback recognize the coverage.

Quick recognition of the secondary.

The strengths and weaknesses of the coverage.

Where to attack the coverage based upon the play called.

Getting a great pre-snap read can be very helpful in helping a savvy quarterback determine which pass routes may have the greatest potential to succeed. These examples and all BEAD indicators are usual and typical, however, for each opponent a thorough film study and scouting will indicate the defensive backs’ tendencies related to the size of the BOX and its depth from LOS, and the Eyes, Alignment, and Depth of the corners and linebackers.

Finally, each quarterback must understand that a pre-snap coverage read can and likely will change once the ball is snapped. That is why it is essential that the successful quarterback keep his head up and use every play to examine the defense to see how it reacts. This constant examination and evaluation of the defense includes, most especially, run plays where the quarterback can check overages as he executes all fakes after the handoff.

Here is a great instructional video covering many of the points made in this presentation:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOgLj4ruQk8