Coaching Football Pass Defense: Zone Drop 8 Coverage Variations

This article looks at some drop 8 coverage variations. Most of these concepts you will see in passing situations on 3rd down or 2nd and long vs 11 or 10 personnel in college or the NFL.

Saints drop 8 Cover 42

They play 4 on one side and 2 on the other.

The Saints do a great job playing their drop 8 concept. It’s a split field concept with an extra deep hole and shallow hole player. They drop the DT to play the shallow area. You can do this with either DT or even a DE if you choose.

They force a bad throw as the LB rocks back inside to make a great play and interception.

Cover 2

The Seahawks on 3rd and 4 are in their nickel defense. The 49ers are in 11 P. The Seahawks are running a spin rotational concept. The deep safety is dropping into the hook area from depth as the nickel drops and plays the deep 1/2. The 49ers make a good throw and complete it but if the ball is late it’s a pick or pass break up.

Notice the emphasis of 3 over 2 on each side. They try to run what I call triangles with proper spacing defensively.

Film Clip

Bengals Cover 3

Bengals on 3rd and 6 are showing pressure and drop 8. They play cover 3 and do a great job with their underneath coverage and getting underneath routes with their CB and SS. They also do a good job compressing routes at the LB level. They are spying Allen with a shallow cross defender. He adds in late.

Film

Cover 2 Hole

odd front

NC State runs cover 2 hole. They are in a 3 man front and drop 8. They have a cover 2 concept with another safety closing the middle of the field.

5 Clips of Cover 2 Hole

These are a few concepts you can add to your defense on 3rd down. I hope you enjoyed this article.