Route combos for cover 3

[Iamczar]

I play with some guys that run cover 3 exclusively and I'm having trouble throwing the ball against it. The only open parts are the flats but the gains there are minimal(2-3yds). So what I'm wondering is what route combos work against cover 3, I play with the Niners so I have no deep threats really, and my line isn't good enough to run consistently. I've flip-floped with using the Atl,Sea, and WC playbooks. Actually I'm settling in the SEA playbook because of the Split Pro/Slot formations.It was either Split Pro or Near Far and I simply find it easier Split Pro than Near Far. In a perfect world I would pound the ball to set-up the pass but that cover 3 and cover 3 press is giving me the blues. Any help would be appreciated.....

[shutdowncity]

the middle of the field is wide open in cover 3...theres usually only 1 LB sitting in there...go at it hard with slants, drags, etc. cover 3 is very easy to pick apart.

[GAV]

Use the curl-dig combo. Make the shorter route your 1st read and the deeper one your 2nd.

[WFColonel]

Originally Posted by GAV

Use the curl-dig combo. Make the shorter route your 1st read and the deeper one your 2nd.

Curl dig????? I've never heard of that one b4..... So is the curl the inside WR or the outside???? and if u got trips to one side, is the dig the middle WR, And if so what route do you use on the outside????

Ive heard of the drag-dig (follow) and the Dig-drag(levels swich)...but ive not heard of the curl-dig b4

[GAV]

Originally Posted by WFColonel

Curl dig????? I've never heard of that one b4..... So is the curl the inside WR or the outside???? and if u got trips to one side, is the dig the middle WR, And if so what route do you use on the outside????

Ive heard of the drag-dig (follow) and the Dig-drag(levels swich)...but ive not heard of the curl-dig b4

Whichever one is deeper clears for the one underneath - whether it be the curl or dig. It's a nice flexible option. It's a timing route though, so if it's not there - look it off.

Michura and JerseyJay both showed me this a while ago and it has never let me down.

[Play Action]

Key word is "stick"

[mightypharaoh]

Originally Posted by GAV

Whichever one is deeper clears for the one underneath - whether it be the curl or dig. It's a nice flexible option. It's a timing route though, so if it's not there - look it off.

Michura and JerseyJay both showed me this a while ago and it has never let me down.

which side of the field? is the combo opposite the safety in the hook zone? does it matter middle of the field or on the hash marks?

[classic]

yeah stick is my fav passing concept very easy read and found in just about everyplay book...just motion the TE or the WR who is running the stick to the side that the outside WR is running the slant in..if the LB commits to the stick ran by the TE and the slant should be open over the top if he back off the the TE should be open...stick kills most if not all zones tho move the ball in small chunks and force the D to switch up there game plan

[daphillydon]

Originally Posted by Iamczar

I play with some guys that run cover 3 exclusively and I'm having trouble throwing the ball against it. The only open parts are the flats but the gains there are minimal(2-3yds). So what I'm wondering is what route combos work against cover 3, I play with the Niners so I have no deep threats really, and my line isn't good enough to run consistently. I've flip-floped with using the Atl,Sea, and WC playbooks. Actually I'm settling in the SEA playbook because of the Split Pro/Slot formations.It was either Split Pro or Near Far and I simply find it easier Split Pro than Near Far. In a perfect world I would pound the ball to set-up the pass but that cover 3 and cover 3 press is giving me the blues. Any help would be appreciated.....

Try the post route run by the flanker (right most WR). Normally I motion the FL left and hike just before he gets to the Tight End. You may want to have a TE or HB running a curl underneath to occupy any LBs playing underneath. If the LB's play deep and cover the post, hit the HB. If they play underneath and focus on the HB, hit the Post route.

[Sun]

Corner-Streak combo with the outside WR running the streak and the slot running the corner. If you don't have big pressure on you, this is a nice combo to make them pay.
The logic behind it is that, in Cover 3, you want to attack the gap between the CB's deep zone and the OLB's flat zone. To do this, you will use the corner-streak combo. The streak will pull the CB very deep, leaving space underneath. This is where your slot receiver will be with his corner route. If the D doesn't adjust by setting up purple zones, this guy should be open. I also suggest that you send a guy in the flat on this side, therefore, if the OLB cheats and goes deeper with the corner, you have a wide open dude under.

[ThEdAwGpOuNd]

The main strength of the cover 3 defense is that usually covers the deep field very efficiently but sacrifices adequate underneath coverage to do so. The best area to attack is underneath coverage. The best concepts to use are shallow horizontal concepts (Stick, Spot, Mesh and spacing are my favorite). When you mix them up from different formations you keep your opponent off balance.

[GAV]

Originally Posted by mightypharaoh

which side of the field? is the combo opposite the safety in the hook zone? does it matter middle of the field or on the hash marks?

Doesn't matter. Just remember that it's a timing route. If you're late, look it off.

This is a positive in that if you use another route combo - or money route - on the other side - you can look over and throw - or quickly look it off. It gives you another option without shutting your vision off to the rest of the field. For a novice passer, it's pure gold.