Tampa 2

Watch for the offense stacking receivers on one side pre-snap since that alignment often signals an attempt to overload the deep middle hole this coverage covers. Post-snap, key the quarterback's eyes to the deep middle first since that dig or seam route into the vacated area is the first look this defense is designed to close down. If the running back releases into the flat, check that your underneath zone defender is sinking and not biting on any play-action fake, since this call is vulnerable to well-timed screens and swing passes if linebackers overcommit. Beware of four verticals concepts since a fast slot receiver can stretch the seam before the middle linebacker gets enough depth, so react quickly to any vertical stem from the slot. This shell struggles against man beater rub routes and pick concepts near the line of scrimmage since the underneath zone defenders can get picked off by crossing patterns.