Pattern Read Coverage Out of the 3-4 Defense

By Mark Yates
Defensive Coordinator/Secondary
Mustang High School (OK)
Twitter: @thegoldball

Introduction:

Five years ago, we transitioned from a 4-3 to a 3-4 in order to be multiple and defend the up-tempo spread offensive attacks that we’re seeing every week. For the longest time, we taught multiple coverages to our players, but increasingly we felt that calling certain coverages to formations was a guessing game and allowed offenses to somewhat “have the pen last”. As spread offenses became more prevalent, we felt the need to teach a concept coverage that would allow us to fit the pattern as opposed to having potential holes in a called coverage. That is when we moved to a pattern reading system.

When we made the transition to pattern read, our production went up and our points per game allowed went down tremendously. We now fit the route combination and make high school quarterbacks make the decision as opposed to us jumping routes and making that decision for them. So many times when we would call coverage in the past our defensive backs would play more programmed. With pattern read, our DBs learn route combinations and improve their eyes. The better our eyes have become, the more our production in the secondary has improved. This clinic report will cover how we teach our defensive backs how to pattern read at Mustang High School.

Alignment:

Anytime we have two detached receivers to one side of the formation, we call “palms”, which is our pattern read coverage. Our corners base alignment is 1x7 outside leverage of the #1 receiver. We turn our corners inside at a 45-degree angle. They will slow tempo out with a shuffle as they read their primary key, which is the quarterback. Our safeties alignment is 2x10 inside of the #2 receiver. Our safeties will bounce, as they read they read their primary key, which is the quarterback (Diagram #1).

Quick Game:

Both the safety’s and corner’s primary key is the QB. We read the QB to clear the run game and the quick game before progressing from there. When he gets a quick game read (bubble, quick throw), our defensive backs know to react and play aggressively (Diagram #2). Our coaching point on quick game is “if the ball goes we go,” meaning we will quickly attack a quick throw. Conversely, “if the ball doesn’t go, we don’t go,” meaning we will be ready for a Bubble and Go or any pump fake and throw. Once we have cleared the quick game, we get into our pattern read progression. Since switching to “Palms,” we have virtually eliminated the Bubble and Quick throws. This is something that we will teach during our individual time in practice on a daily basis so that it is second nature. It is also great training for getting the defensive backs’ eyes right as they must quickly read the QB.

Pattern Read: #2 Inside Release

The first day we install “Palms,” we demonstrate to our defensive backs the progression of Ball-2-1. Once we clear the run game and quick throw, we start our progression reading #2-#1. Once the QB shows pass, the #2 receiver can release one of three ways.

If the #2 receiver gives us an inside release, the safety now knows he is a “robber” and his eyes go from the #2 receiver to the #1 receiver. As the corner reads the #2 receiver and sees the inside release, he now knows he is man on the #1 receiver. The corner knows he will have low wall support from the safety on any inside release in the order of Post, Dig, and the Curl (Diagram #3). The safety looks to “rob” the Post, Dig, and Curl. If the stem of #1 is vertical, our safety will now check backside looking for drags/digs.