2-Read Coverage goes by a lot of names. Palms coverage, Alert check, or Cover 7. Doesn’t matter what you call it, this is a great quarters coverage package for defending the pass.

2-Read Coverage is a variation of Cover 2 zone coverage using pattern matching principles. In our deep dive look at the coverage package, you find out the origins, how to run it, and how to attack 2-Read Coverage.

   • According to a 2018 article from TouchdownWire, Nick Saban and Bill Belichik’s early 1990’s Cleveland Browns developed the pattern match coverage concept.
   • In his book Coaching Pattern-Read Coverage, Tom Olivadotti claims to have been          running basic pattern-read principles since he was coaching in high school. I cannot find  his high school coaching resume, but in 1981 he joined the University of Miami staff and        never looked back.
   • 2-read coverage is a pattern match coverage based on Cover 4 zone concepts with man principles. By reading the receiver releases, pattern match assigns defenders to play
      man to man with the players that enter their zone.
    • 2-read coverage solves the problem of being able to defend the run when facing an        offense that also threatens you with the deep pass.

2-Read Coverage is the Blue Check in our 4-3 Defense System.

How do you teach 2-Read Coverage?

     • Any defensive front can use 2-Read Coverage, though some fronts create a weaker
        run defense and weak side flat coverage than others.
     • The key to the coverage is reading the release of the #2 receiver. Who picks up man              coverage on whom is determined by the route the slot receiver runs.
     • 2-Read Coverage Rules:
             • Cornerback: Align 7×2 inside leverage of the #1 receiver. Some 2-read packages                    align tighter and use outside leverage. Other packages press the #1 receiver.
                      • If the #2 receiver releases inside or vertical, lock on the #1 receiver.
                      • If the #2 receiver releases outside, lock on the #2 receiver if he passes the                                vertical line. Some packages jump the #2 receiver’s out route, while others                                slow play over the #2 receiver to prevent a wheel route.
             • Safety: Align 10×2 inside leverage of the #2 receiver. Use deeper or together                                  alignments based on situation. Some coaches prefer to apex #2 and the end                          man on the line of scrimmage.
                     • If the #2 receiver releases vertical, lock on the #2 receiver.
                     • If the #2 receiver releases outside, play over top of the #1 receiver.
                     • If the #2 receiver releases inside, it depends on the route and the coach.                                   Release any inside breaking route under 5 yards and play over top of #1. Drag                         routes, deep posts and other in-breaking routes depend on the coaching                                 principles.
             • Linebacker: Align based on the front. On a pass read, open up and drop to the                              inside hip of the #2 receiver.
                    • If the #2 receiver releases outside, play to the inside hip of the #2 receiver.
                    • If the #2 receiver releases vertical, collision the release and look for the #1                                receiver breaking inside. If the #1 receiver is not releasing inside, look for an                              outside release by the #3 receiver or running back.
                    • If the #2 receiver releases inside, re-route the receiver and carry him inside.                             Listen for an “Out” from the linebacker inside or check for an outside release                             by the #3 receiver and pick him up.
    • The ‘Flat Check’ tells the Cornerback to jump the out route by a #2 receiver.
    • In Press Quarters Coverage, the corner only releases the #1 receiver if he gets an                         immediate inside release.
    • 2-Read Coverage is also known as Palms Coverage, Alert Check in our old 4-3 Defense            system or Saban’s Cover 7 coverage.

    • 2-Read is a great pass defense. It has weaknesses in the run game. Teams run 2-Read         mostly against 10 personnel with spread 2×2 alignments.
    • This is a great answer for spread four verticals concepts. It is a zone coverage that                 turns into a 4 deep man coverage against four verticals.
    • The weakness in the coverage is the weak side flat. It is difficult for an outside                           linebacker to get out to cover the flats quickly.
    • When the corner jumps the flat route, use a wheel route to get behind him.
    • The sideline concept with an out route by #2 and a vertical route by #1 makes it hard          for  the safety to get outside to the vertical in 2-read.
    • Since 2-Read coverage is a variation of Cover 2 zone, the smash concept is a good              route to attack it.
    • For teams that like to play the cornerback outside leverage, run the safety off with a              vertical by #2 and use a deep in-breaking route to get over top of the linebacker.

    • 2-Read Coverage with Fred Hubert on Season 7 Episode 20. Coach Hubert’s defense             won a New Hampshire State Championship in 2019.
    • Simplified Quarters Coverage for the 4-3 Defense | FBCP S06 Episode 08
    • Quarters Coverage Technique for Safeties from Season 6, Episode 20 of The Football            Coaching Podcast. The technique is similar regardless of the defensive front.