Cover 2: 5v5 flag football defense

Cover 2 is a 5v5 flag football zone defense. Two safeties split the deep field, two underneath defenders each take half of the short field, and one declared rusher comes from 7 yards. It keeps everything in front of you and protects the deep ball on a small field.

5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 LOS LS RS LC RC R
Two High

How to run it

  1. LS lines up 10 yards deep, left of center, and drops to the deep left half, about 12 yards.
  2. RS lines up 10 yards deep, right of center, and drops to the deep right half, about 12 yards.
  3. LC lines up 5 yards off the widest receiver on the left and takes the short left side, flat to hook, at 4 to 5 yards.
  4. RC lines up 5 yards off the widest receiver on the right and takes the short right side, flat to hook, at 4 to 5 yards.
  5. R lines up 7 yards off the ball with a hand raised, at a slight angle, and rushes the QB on the snap.
  6. Center: LC or RC, whichever side the center releases to.
  7. Run fit: R attacks, the corners squeeze and keep contain, the safeties stay home.
  8. For younger divisions, shorten the deep depths by 2 to 3 yards.

The coverage read

The corners take the first receiver into their short half and pass a deep runner to the safety. The safeties stay deeper than the deepest receiver and drive on throws in front of them.

  1. LS DEEP HALF
  2. LC SHORT HALF
  3. R RUSH

When to call it

  • Against a team that throws deep or has one fast receiver.
  • When you're ahead and want to keep the ball in front of you.

Tags and formation

Two Highzonetwo-deepbeginner

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Common questions

How do you line up Cover 2 in 5v5 flag football?

The safeties start 10 yards deep on either side of the center, the corners 5 yards off the outside receivers, and R raises a hand at the 7-yard rush line.

What beats Cover 2 in 5v5 flag football?

A receiver in the hole between a corner and a safety, around 8 yards, and a seam route right between the two safeties. The corners have to sink a step when nothing comes short.

Is Cover 2 good for beginners in 5v5 flag football?

Yes. Each player has one half of the field, short or deep, which is easy to remember, and nothing gets behind the safeties.

Video transcript

Cover 2. Two safeties split the deep halves. The corners take the short field on each side. One rusher raises a hand and comes from seven yards. Keep everything in front and pull the flag fast. Build your plays free on Flag Fifty.

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