There are three types of pass coverages are press, normal, and soft coverage. Each one of these types of pass coverages, have defensive backs lining up at different depths. Below, we take a look at all three of them, plus look at the pros and cons of each, and suggest pass routes to use to attack them.
Press Coverage
Press (tight) coverage has the cornerbacks lined up about 1 yard off the line of scrimmage. If man or Cover 2 zone coverage is called, the corners will jam the receivers at the line of scrimmage.
Pros
- Jams the receivers at the line of scrimmage.
- Slows the receivers down from getting out in their pass routes.
- Used for an aggressive style of defense.
- Gets safeties closer to line of scrimmage to defend inside runs.
Cons
- If the receivers beat the jam, there is a risk of being beat deep for a big play.
- Need corners with speed and high press ratings to have success with.
Suggested Pass Routes To Run
- Slant
- Drag
- Zig Zag
- Hitch with outside release
- Post with inside release
- Backwards C routes.
Normal Coverage
Normal (default) pass coverage has cornerbacks lined up about 8 yards off the line of scrimmage. Man or zone coverage are used with this type of pass coverage. Pros
- Keeps the receivers in front of corners if zone coverage is called.
- Slows the receivers down from getting out in their pass routes.
- Good for teams with cornerbacks that are slow and low press ratings.
- Safeties are in better position to defend outside runs.
Cons
- Quick pass routes beat this type of pass coverage.
- Not used for an aggressive style of defense.
Suggested Pass Routes To Run
- Curl
- Drag
- Hitch
- Out
- Screen
- Slant
Soft Coverage
Soft (loose) pass coverage has cornerbacks lined up about 10 yards off the line of scrimmage. Man or zone coverage are used with this type of pass coverage. The pros and cons of soft coverage are very similar to normal coverage. Pros
- Keeps the receivers in front of corners if zone coverage is called.
- Slows the receivers down from getting out in their pass routes.
- Good for teams with cornerbacks that are slow and low press ratings
- Hard to beat deep with cornerback and safeties playing further back before the snap.
Cons
- Quick pass routes beat this type of pass coverage.
- Not used for an aggressive style of defense.
- Easy to beat underneath.
Suggested Pass Routes To Run
- Curl
- Drag
- Hitch
- Out
- Screen
- Slant