5 Plays to Dominate the Cover 2 Defense

The Cover 2 defense is one of the most widely-used schemes in football, evolving into a staple at all game levels. While it was rare 30 years ago, today, teams have adopted numerous variations of this strategy for a simple reason: it works.

This scheme simplifies defensive assignments while effectively neutralizing many commonly successful passing routes. It’s a challenge for offensive coaches, but the Cover 2 isn’t invincible. With the right approach, you can exploit its weaknesses.

Here’s a breakdown of 5 plays designed to beat the Cover 2 defense, followed by an overview of how this scheme works.

Table of Contents

What Makes the Cover 2 Defense So Effective?

When appropriately executed, Cover two blankets in nearly every area of the field. However, one of its main vulnerabilities is that it gives quarterbacks more time if the defensive line struggles to generate pressure. By exploiting gaps in coverage, your offense can gain the upper hand.

Below are five plays that target those weak points.

Play #1: Spread Mesh

The Spread Mesh play is a classic way to disrupt Cover 2 by stretching the safeties and creating confusion among defenders.

Deep Routes: Both the X and Z receivers run Deep Corner routes toward the sideline, pulling the safeties away from the middle of the field.
Crossing Routes: The H and Y receivers execute Shallow Crosses, crossing paths about 5–6 yards beyond the line of scrimmage. The near-collision creates defensive hesitation or forces adjustments, leaving space for a catch-and-run opportunity.
Open Zone: These routes place the receivers behind the cornerbacks and in front of the safeties, attacking the intermediate zone.
Safety Valve: The running back runs a Flat Route to the right, providing an outlet option.

This play takes advantage of the Cover 2 safeties’ profound responsibilities, leaving plenty of room for short to mid-range gains after the catch.

Play #2: Spread H Option

The Spread H Option leverages flexibility by allowing the H receiver to adapt mid-route, making it a versatile tool against Cover 2.

Profound Distraction: The X and Z receivers run Deep Post routes toward the middle, drawing the safeties out of position.
Crossing Routes: The Y receiver runs a Deep Crossing Route, forcing attention from the linebackers and opening the intermediate zones.
Option Route: The H receiver sprints about 6 yards before deciding between an in- or out-route based on defensive positioning. This adaptability is key to exploiting gaps in coverage.
Safety Valve: As with the previous play, the running back provides a Flat Route option to the right.

The play’s success depends on timing and strong communication between the quarterback and H receiver, making it highly effective.

Mastering these plays requires understanding Cover 2’s strengths and exploiting its weaknesses. By targeting open zones and creating defensive confusion, your offense can consistently find ways to dominate this popular scheme.

Play #3: Smash and Go

The Smash and Go concept is an excellent tactic for challenging the Cover 2 defense. It targets the cornerbacks with a combination of high and low routes.

Dual-Level Routes: Each cornerback must cover the deep route or stay shallow to defend the shorter one.
Left Side Setup: The X receiver runs a Quick Hitch, while the H receiver runs a Deep Post route, creating vertical pressure.
Proper Side Setup: The Y receiver executes a Quick Out while the Z receiver runs a Go Route along the sideline.
Safety Valve: The running back offers a Flat Route option for the quarterback.

This play isolates the cornerbacks’ decisions. If the safeties stay shallow, the deeper routes exploit their coverage gaps. If they drop back, the shorter routes gain significant yardage.

Mike linebacker is effectively neutralized, as no route attacks his zone.

Play #4: Weakside Flood

The Weakside Flood is designed to overwhelm the defense on the weak side by stacking three or more routes in that direction.

Route Distribution: Three of the four receivers—and sometimes the running back—attack the weak side.
Strong Side Setup: The Z receiver runs a mid-depth Out, In, or Hook Route, positioning himself in the open zone between the cornerback and the strong safety.
Weak Side Setup:
The X receiver runs a Quick Hitch.
The H receiver runs a Deep Post.
The Y receiver executes a deep slant with a rounded angle at the target zone.

This play aims to manipulate the strong safety. If the safety follows the Y’s deep slant, the Z is left with plenty of open space. By strategically sitting in the zone vacated by defenders, the Z receiver becomes a reliable option for a significant gain.

Play #5: Shallow Crosses

The Shallow Crosses concept exploits the Cover 2 defense by creating chaos and confusion with multiple crossing routes.

Deep Routes: The X receiver runs a Go Route, and the Y receiver runs a Deep Post, pulling the safeties back.
Crossing Routes:

The H receiver runs a Deep In Route, targeting the soft spot in the middle of the field just beyond the Mike linebacker’s zone.
The Z receiver runs a Shallow Cross to the left, crossing the Y’s pre-snap alignment.
Safety Valve: The running back runs a Quick Out Route to the right, slightly dragging and rounding off his route to cross the Y’s pre-snap position.

This play forces the Sam linebacker and strong-side cornerback to deal with three quick crossings in their coverage path. The overlapping routes create confusion and open space for receivers to exploit.

Overview of the Cover 2 Defense

The Cover 2 Defense is a zone scheme that balances pass coverage and run defense. It can be executed from both base packages and sub-packages, such as nickel-and-dime formations.

Basic Structure: Four defenders rush the quarterback, while seven drops into coverage (except during blitzes).
Coverage Zones:

Two safeties split the deep field into halves, ensuring no big plays over the top.
Five defenders (cornerbacks and outside linebackers) divide the underneath zones into quarters.
Middle Coverage: Variations may assign the Mike linebacker to patrol the deep middle of the field, creating a “Tampa 2” look where the safeties share deep coverage in thirds.

The Cover 2 excels at limiting passing lanes and forcing quarterbacks to make precision throws. However, its vulnerabilities lie in the gaps between zones, significantly if the pass rush cannot disrupt the quarterback’s timing. By understanding these weaknesses, offensive play-callers can create opportunities to dominate this defensive scheme.

Cornerbacks: Key Role in Cover 2 Defense

In a traditional Cover 2 scheme, the cornerbacks play an integral role by aligning close to the line of scrimmage to press and jam receivers at the snap. This physical contact disrupts the receiver’s timing and route progression.

Press and Jam: Cornerbacks initiate contact to slow the receiver’s release and force them off their route.
Zone Transition: After the jam, cornerbacks release at a 45-degree angle, supporting the safety on their side and covering the flat zones.
Quick Reaction: They are responsible for reacting swiftly to short throws in the flat, ensuring minimal yardage on completions.

Linebackers: Seam-Hook Guardians

The linebackers play a crucial role in the intermediate zones, covering the seam and hook areas to disrupt short to mid-range passes.

Will and Sam’s Responsibilities:

The weakside linebacker (Will) and strong-side linebacker (Sam) drop back 10–12 yards into coverage, positioning themselves between the hash marks and numbers.
They read the quarterback’s eyes once in position, stepping into potential passing lanes to deter quick throws.
Dynamic Coverage: By adjusting based on the quarterback’s movements, linebackers provide critical support in both run defense and short passing plays.

Defensive Linemen: The Pressure Makers

A successful Cover 2 defense hinges on the defensive linemen’s ability to generate consistent pressure on the quarterback.

Pass-Rushing Specialists: With only four down linemen rushing, elite pass rushers are essential—especially at defensive tackle and end. History showcases players like Warren Sapp as pivotal to the success of Cover 2 systems.
Blitz Variations: While the base Cover 2 relies on a standard four-person rush, defensive coaches may incorporate occasional blitzes to apply extra pressure, keeping offenses on their toes.

Conclusion: The Challenge and Strategy of the Cover 2

The Cover 2 defense remains one of the most popular schemes in football because of its simplicity and effectiveness. It provides solid coverage, minimizes big plays, and forces offenses to execute with precision.

Although difficult to consistently beat, the plays outlined here offer a blueprint for exploiting its weaknesses. By understanding the structure of Cover 2 and attacking its vulnerabilities, offenses can gain a strategic advantage on the field.

5 Plays to Dominate the Cover 2 Defense