Coaches Corner: Michigan Secondary

Coaches Corner: Michigan Secondary Coverages:

With Michigan going to a completely different secondary look there seems to be some questions regarding exactly what it all means. After watching spring practice, scrimmage, and listening to Coach Shafer talk we will share what we observed and heard about Michigan secondary play.

We will start with general overview of secondary play. Most secondary coverage is based on four different schemes. There are many different variations of these looks and combinations of the four basics, but still most comes down to four basic looks.

First is man, which we will refer to as cover one. Man is exactly what it sounds like. Each defender is assigned a specific skill player we blankets all over the field. Exception is Quarterback, who many mans is not accounted for. Teams will use what is called spy to trail Quarterback if he is definite threat to tuck the ball and vacate the pocket. Some teams will use a numbering system to help decide whom to man up with. Like Cornerback has SE/WR #1, guy closest to sidelines. Safety has #2, that can be either TE, or slot, and Linebackers will have backs out of backfield. Other method is to assign players specific players to match up with certain guys.

Next scheme is three deep coverage, which we will call cover three for purpose of article. That means exactly what it sounds like, three Defensive Backs with deep third coverage. Your two Cornerbacks will have deep outside 1/3 coverage, usually from hash to sideline. Your Free Safety will have deep middle coverage, which usually means area between the hashes. This defense probably 90% of college teams used 1 year ago, but with so many multiple Wide Receiver sets, spreads etc, playing three deep is tough. Your free safety is truly on an island and vulnerable to being attacked by two inside receivers. So most teams who still play cover three play some sort of zone blitz scheme, rotating the secondary either to the formation, or into short or wide side of the field.

Next two schemes we will combine into one section, because these are the two we feel Michigan will primarily use. This two deep and four deep coverage. We will call cover 2, for two deep, and cover 4, for four deep coverage. Michigan will play predominantly press coverage out of both schemes. This will require a specific type of athlete at each position that is different from what old Michigan used to use. In cover 2, you will find both safeties responsible for deep 1/2 coverage. That means each safety will need speed and instincts to read patterns and maintain deep leverage in 1/2 the field. They will also need to be solid open field tacklers rather than big hitters Michigan used to need. Michigan will not turn away an athlete who can hit and cover deep, but being able to cover 1/2 the field comes first.

This is why recruit J.T. Floyd became better fit for new Michigan instead of old. It also helps to have corners that are either bigger or stronger and able to jam and reroute Split Ends. If Split Ends/Wide Receivers are not funneled into the middle of the field, they will stretch the secondary and make it impossible for safeties to cover the entire 1/2 of field they are responsible for. If Split End/Wide Receiver goes immediately vertical, the press corner will run with the receiver until they read or under receiver enters short zone. At that point, they will come off the Split End/Wide Receiver and deliver a big hit on the receiver.

Cover 4 is similar to 2, only major difference is in 4 the Defensive Backs will not come off Split End/Wide Receiver and engage under receiver. He will keep deep leverage and count on nickel or outside Linebacker to handle force to flat responsibility. Again, there are many different variations and combinations of these basic coverage’s, but if you understand the four basic schemes, you can get a handle on these combinations.

written by CoachBt and ErocWolverine

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