Playbooks

Cover 2 Sink

Dime·2-3-6·Big Dime 4-1-6

Cover 2 Zone Coverage

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Quick Reference

FormationDime

Set2-3-6

Personnel

Big Dime 4-1-62 EDGE2 DTMIKE3 CBFS2 SS

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Breakdown

Cover 2 Sink is a zone coverage defensive play out of the Dime 2-3-6 set that drops both safeties deep to split the field into two vertical halves while the corners and underneath defenders sink into flat and hook zones. This is a zone beater killer designed to shut down deep sideline throws and vertical route combos by forcing quarterbacks to check down underneath, since the two deep safeties eliminate the seams and outside verticals that gash traditional single high shells. The primary read progression for the defense is safety depth first, confirming both safeties stay deep at the snap, then flowing to the flat defenders to see if they can squeeze quick outs or hitches before the corners sink over the top.

Defensive Reads

Read the two deep safeties first and confirm they are staying at depth instead of rotating down, since that confirms the offense has not baited you into a run fit or play action rollout. Watch the flat defenders closely against speed outs and quick game, since Cover 2 Sink is designed to sink corners deep but leaves a soft spot at the sideline in the five to eight yard range that user-controlled slot receivers exploit. Key the middle linebacker's drop against shallow crossers and drag routes, since the natural void between the flat and the deep safeties is the biggest weakness of this shell. This coverage shuts down four verticals, deep comebacks, and any man beater relying on a nine route since the double deep safety shell eliminates one on one matchups over the top. It gets exposed by quick slants, mesh concepts, and any route combo that attacks the shallow middle before the sink defenders can rotate into position, so be ready to user a linebacker into that throwing lane on early downs.

Usage Tips

Call this play on third and medium to third and long when you expect the offense to attack the sideline or run a vertical stack concept, since the two deep safeties take away the deep outs and go routes. Pre-snap, identify if the offense is running four verticals or a sluggo concept and be ready to widen your flat defenders so they do not get walled off inside. Use the flat defenders' user control to jump underneath routes in the five to twelve yard range, since Cover 2 Sink is naturally vulnerable to quick slants and shallow crossers that beat zone drops before the sink defenders can react. Pair this play in your call sheet with Tampa 2 to disguise the middle of the field, since both shells look identical pre-snap but Tampa 2 adds a robber underneath that closes the seam Cover 2 Sink sometimes leaves open. Mix in Cover 2 Invert and Cover 2 Hard Flat from this same set to keep offenses guessing on which underneath defender is sinking versus jumping routes.