Man coverage is a simple yet challenging to play defensive strategy. It isn’t used on every play, but man coverage is an essential part of football.
What is Man Coverage in Football?
Man coverage, or man-to-man coverage, is a style of defense that is common in football. A defensive player is lined up to guard each receiver, tight end, and running back in man-to-man coverage.
Key Takeaways
- Man coverage is good for forcing turnovers and making it difficult for the QB to complete a pass. But, there is a risk that a long pass play may be completed.
- Man coverage is straightforward and easy to explain. Defenders guard whoever is assigned to them.
- Off-man coverage and press-man coverage are common techniques that defensive backs use when defending in-man coverage.
- Quick receivers and play-action pass plays are good options to have in order to beat man coverage.
Man-To-Man FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about this defensive strategy.
What are the advantages of playing man coverage?
Man coverage allows players to be tighter to the receivers. Being tight, it makes it much more difficult for the quarterback to complete a pass. This can lead to turnovers and holding the offense to limited yardage when successful.
What are the disadvantages of playing man coverage?
The most significant disadvantage is that it is easier to get burnt. Since man coverage is tighter, it takes less to get past a defender when running a route. This can lead to big touchdown plays. Since it is easier to get burnt, many teams opt to play zone coverage more often.
Is man or zone coverage better?
Neither is better or worse. Some teams are better suited for man coverage than zone, and vice versa. The best thing would be to become great at both man and zone coverage, giving your defense the ability to adapt to different situations better.
How is man vs. zone coverage determined?
Deciding which defensive strategy to employ is determined by the point in the game and what the team’s needs are. If you need a big stop, you will probably go with man coverage. If you want to slow down the offense, then zone coverage would be the best option. The strength of the opponent’s pass protection might also factor into the decision as to which defense to employ.
Defense coordinators make elect to switch up defenses during the course of a drive or series in order to surprise the offense.
Which players don’t mark a man in this defense?
The only players that never mark a man are the pass-rushers. Usually, at least four, all they do is try to rush the quarterback or the ball carrier. Teams may also have safeties that mark space until the pass is thrown, in which they will try to break up the pass or make the tackle.
Which teams play the most man coverage?
In 2017, the Kansas City Chiefs were the only team in the NFL to play the majority of their plays in man coverage. They played about 64 percent of their plays in man coverage. They deployed the cover-one defensive strategy, meaning that every player was covering a player other than one deep free safety. All other teams spent most of the time playing zone coverage.
What is man-free coverage?
Free man coverage, or cover one, is when the defense matches up in man coverage with one free safety deep to prevent a big touchdown reception. This is a very aggressive man coverage strategy that is often used to blitz the quarterback.
What is off-man coverage?
Off-man coverage is a type of technique that defensive backs use when in-man coverage. The defensive back will line up six or seven yards away from the receiver and one yard closer to the center of the field. This encourages the receiver to go outside and forces the quarterback to attempt a more challenging pass.
What is press man coverage?
Press man coverage is a type of defensive technique that defensive backs use when in man coverage. The defensive back will line up one yard in front of the receiver. The defensive back must be quick and ready to go the moment that the ball is snapped.
Press Man Coverage Video
How do you beat this defense?
Mismatches favoring a wide receiver will always be an excellent option to beat man coverage. Also, play-action pass plays are good because they can get the linebackers to bite on the fake handoff, opening up space for the tight end to receive the pass.
Best Man-to-Man Cornerbacks
Some of the best cornerbacks at playing man-to-man defense include:
Richard Sherman,
Darrelle Revis,
Lester Hayes,
Emmitt Thomas,
Willie Brown, and
Mel Blount.
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