Playbooks

Roll 23 Cloud

Nickel·Over·Nickel 4-2-5

Diagram coming soon

Quick Reference

FormationNickel

SetOver

Personnel

Nickel 4-2-52 EDGE2 DT2 MIKE3 CBFSSS

In 24 playbooks

4-3 DefenseDefense 46 DefenseDefense 49ers DefenseDefense Bears DefenseDefense Bengals DefenseDefense Browns DefenseDefense Chiefs DefenseDefense Cover 2 DefenseDefense Dolphins DefenseDefense Franchise Defense TraphouseDefense Jaguars DefenseDefense Raiders DefenseDefense

Breakdown

Roll 23 Cloud is a zone coverage play out of the Nickel 4-2-5 that rolls the strong safety down into a cloud technique over the flat while the defense rotates into a three deep, four under shell behind it. The linebackers and nickel corner squeeze the underneath passing lanes while the cloud defender constricts the flat and quick out routes, making this primarily a zone beater killer against boundary sight adepts and pick routes. The primary read progression for the defense starts with the cloud flat defender jumping any quick game to the boundary, then working inside to the curl to flat combination before the deep third defenders gain width on any vertical stems.

Defensive Reads

Read the strong safety alignment before the snap since a tighter cloud depth signals this rotation and tips off receivers running quick flat or out routes to the boundary Key the running back release out of the backfield, if he leaks to the flat immediately without blocking assignment the cloud defender should widen and stay patient rather than crashing Watch for the offense stacking or bunching receivers to the boundary since this is the primary way to manipulate the cloud defender leverage and create natural picks Post snap, track the deep third safety width, if the offense pushes vertical routes with double moves off the cloud look, the safety needs to gain depth quickly or he gets exposed on double moves out of the slot This coverage is vulnerable to levels concepts and drag routes crossing underneath the cloud defender zone, so linebacker depth and reaction time to crossers is critical to avoid giving up chunk yardage over the middle

Usage Tips

Call this on early downs when you expect quick game to the boundary since the cloud defender is built to jump hitches, flats, and speed outs immediately at the snap

Use pre-snap motion to identify if the offense is running a bunch or stack look designed to rub off the flat defender, and if so consider shifting to Cover 3 Cloud instead for a cleaner leverage angle

User the cloud flat defender yourself in money situations so you can squat on the first read and bait the quarterback into an out route or speed out for a pick six opportunity

Pair this call with Cover 3 Sky or Cover 6 Willie in your play sequencing so quarterbacks cannot key the flat defender rotation based on presnap safety depth alone

On third and short, this is a strong choice because it takes away the easy completion to the boundary flat while still keeping three deep defenders in position against any shot plays off play action