Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Tampa 2 out of the 4-3 Odd is a zone coverage shell built to take away the deep middle while playing a two deep, five under structure underneath. The diagram shows both corners jumping the outside flats, the two outside linebackers running vertical seam drops up the numbers, and the middle linebacker pushing straight downhill through the deep middle hole to rob any crosser or seam route, while the two deep safeties sit at the top of the screen protecting the deep thirds. This is a zone beater designed to bait quarterbacks into throwing behind the flat defenders or into the deep middle, where the primary defensive read progression is flat to seam to the deep middle robber dropped by the Mike linebacker.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, confirm your two deep safeties are aligned at depth and not cheating toward the box, since Tampa 2 needs that deep half shell intact to prevent explosive plays over the top. Watch the offensive formation for three or four verticals concepts, since this call is designed to beat exactly that with the Mike linebacker sinking under the deep middle threat. Post-snap, key the flat defenders getting out quickly to the numbers, since any delay in their drop opens up quick outs and flat routes underneath the corners. This coverage is vulnerable to speed outs and quick hitches thrown before the corners can sink into their flat zones, so expect quarterbacks to attack that space on early timing throws. Look out for delayed running back releases into the seam or flat, since Tampa 2 can be stressed by check downs that split the difference between the linebacker seam drop and the flat defender.
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs or third and long when you expect a vertical passing attack, since the two deep safeties and the Mike linebacker robbing the middle take away go routes and deep crossers.
Use your pre-snap reads to check if the offense has stacked or bunched receivers near the sideline, since that can overload your flat defenders and create natural picks against your corners.
Hot route the outside linebackers into deeper zone drops if you are facing heavy seam or bench route concepts, since Tampa 2 is naturally vulnerable to throws in front of the outside linebackers but behind the corners.
Pair this call with Cover 3 Sky or Cover 3 Cloud in your play-calling sequence so the offense cannot key on your two deep safety shell every snap, keeping quarterbacks guessing between two deep and three deep coverage looks.
Use user control on the Mike linebacker to rob deep in and dig routes, since his downhill run to the deep middle is the single most important assignment for stopping big plays over the middle.
