3 Cover 3 Variations to Shut Down RPOs and WR Screens - Pat Ruley

Take a look at these 3 variations of cover 3 to allow you to better defend the pass, RPO's, & WR screen game out of the 3-4 defense.

The presenter in the video is The Defensive Coordinator at Susquehanna University (PA)--Pat Ruley.

The video shows Coach Ruley discussing their cover 3 variations on a chalk talk.  You can see his entire Glazier Drive presentation, including game application video here: Cover 3 Variations to Defend the Pass, RPO's, & WR Screen Game out of the 3-4 Defense

Zone Coverage Philosophy

• Susquehana plays a decent amount of man to man
• When they do play zone, they are a pattern match team--no spot dropping.
• Goal is to create tight windows.
• Want to create contested catches.
• Force low percentage throws that have the lowest yield--throws in the flats, throws to the sideline and then rally to the ball.
• Push underneath coverage zones.
• Be multiple in checks and shells to keep the offense off balance.

Coverage Types--from the video above. (What it's great against) 

• 3 Cloud--Chicago (Sprint--Clear/Out--Bubble)
• 3 Sky--STR/WK & Houston/Fresno (Glance, Run Support)
• 3 Buzz--Hofstra (RPO, Sprint, Naked)