The foundation

Start here

In man coverage, a defender usually follows one eligible receiver. In zone coverage, defenders watch routes enter and leave an area. Modern coverages often combine both ideas by matching a route once its release meets a rule.

See it in context

  1. Cover 1 Robber matches five receivers while a safety waits underneath to cut crossing routes.
  2. Cover 2 Zone gives corners the flats, safeties the deep halves, and linebackers the middle underneath areas.