Coverages

Zone coverage

Each defender guards an area of the field rather than a specific receiver.

In zone coverage defenders are responsible for space, passing receivers off as they cross from one area to the next. Everyone keeps their eyes on the quarterback, which produces more interceptions than man coverage.

The soft spots sit between zones, which is where option routes and crossers live.

Diagram

DEEP HALFDEEP HALFFLATHOOKFLATTEQBRBWRSLOTWR
Zone coverage

Related terms

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