Coaching DBs and Outside LBs in Cover 2 & Cover 8 Defense within the 4-4 Defense

Cover 8 is defined as an eight-man front with a 7, 3, 1 and 5 technique backed by four linebackers, two corners and a safety. The beauty of the Cover 8 is you have eight to nine men in the box, which covers all situations that may be presented. In this football video, Frank Chimienti details all facets of defensive back and outside linebacker play in the Cover 8.

He begins with corner play techniques. Chimienti details pre-snap planning, including the offense's formation, down and distance, field landmarks, communication, stance progression, including the backpedal and transition, the speed turn technique, hip flips, vertical turns, bail & catch and inside and outside release. He also shows how to properly read receivers.

Next, Chimienti discusses the play of outside linebackers. These players are the "force players" defending the pitch. Linebackers "force" when the backfield comes at you outside the box and "vice" everything else. Chimienti does an excellent job of breaking down reads for outside linebackers.

The free safety must also make reads and work with both corners. Chimienti introduces the Cover 2 against 10 and 11 personnel. The look is more of a spread mentality coverage. He discusses alignments, reads and coverages against the run and the pass. Within Cover 2 are alternative coverages such as Cover 2 Man, Patriot, Sing and Bang. This coverage supports the blitz, offers solid run support and gives many looks from a sound package. Excellent use of game tape allows these defensive techniques to come alive.

All of the reads, alignments and position specifics are addressed in the game tape. Use these techniques, coaching tips, alignments and reads to develop a flexible, strong defensive unit.

109 minutes. 2006.