Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 13 playbooks
Breakdown
Cover 6 out of the 2-3-6 Will Dime set is a zone coverage call that splits the field into quarters to one side and cover 2 to the other, giving defenders two deep safeties and underneath zone droppers spread across the formation. The diagram shows the three linebacker/DB droppers reading the quarterback and sinking into their landmarks while the deep defenders bracket the sideline routes, taking away vertical shots on both the boundary and field side. This is a pure zone defense with no blitz elements shown, so the primary read progression for an offense facing it is to attack the seams and the flat-to-corner stretch that forms between the quarter-quarter side and the cover 2 side.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, look at the safety alignment: a two high shell with one safety shaded to the quarters side and one to the cover 2 side confirms Cover 6 before the snap. Post-snap, the three underneath zone droppers shown in the diagram read the quarterback's eyes and sink to intermediate landmarks, so they are vulnerable to quick out routes thrown before they reach depth. This shell beats vertical shots and go routes on the outside because of the two deep safeties, but it can be exploited by crossing routes that put stress on the seam-to-flat defenders. Watch for user-controlled defenders sitting in the underneath zones as lurk threats against drag and crossing concepts, since a good user can jump those throws. Man beater route combos will not hurt this call since it is a zone shell, but rub routes and mesh concepts that create natural picks against zone droppers can still generate separation.
Usage Tips
Call this out of Dime personnel on early downs or third and medium when you expect a balanced pass look and want two deep safeties to protect against explosive plays.
Pre-snap, identify which side is playing quarters and which side is playing cover 2 by checking corner depth and safety alignment, then check to a play that attacks the cover 2 side flat and corner combo.
Use flat and curl droppers as bait, then dial up a sequence with Cover 3 Buzz Match or Cover 3 Hard Flat afterward so the offense cannot key on the same shell every snap.
If the offense shows tendencies to attack the seam, mix in Cover 4 Drop from the same set to disguise your quarters help while keeping the same personnel on the field.
Pair this call with SS Zone Blitz or FS Zone Blitz occasionally to keep the pre-snap picture consistent even though the underlying pressure package changes.
