What is bump'n'run coverage? Does a SS play it?

Answer 1

Bump N Run Coverage:

Defenders can "bump" (in other words hit or push) the offensive reciever (could be a widereciever, tightend, fullback or running back, really anyone who is an eligable wr) within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage. Line of scrimmage is where the ball was snapped.

Offensive teams rely heavily on timing. The QB and Recievers run routes over and over in practice getting down the timing and the qb knows when to throw the ball and where to throw it.

Bump N Run disrupts the timing for obvious reasons.

Now the defense is in a position to give up a big play. But teams will mix a Zone with the Man to Man bump N run coverage to help protect against the deep pass and to just throw more confusion at the QB.

Can a SS play Bump N Run? Any player on Defense can play Bump N Run. A Line Backer may Bump N Run a Tight End for example.

There are many differen't defensive sets, but there are times the SS is responsible for covering a TE, WR or even a HB. At those times he (may) if he wishes move close to the line of scrimmage and bump his guy.

Perhaps a misunderstood area of Bump N Run is that it is only used in Man vs Man sets. It can be used in a Zone such as the Cover 2.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers used the Cover 2 as their base set a few years back when they won the Superbowl.

Answer 2

A cornerback can come up the the wide receiver before the WR reaches 5 yards ahead of the line of scrimmage. At that point, the CB can "bump" the WR to disrupt the route and crush the play called. After the bump, the CB should have a better time of maintaining a close proximity to the WR.

This works against less experienced WRs, but against a strong or fleet-footed WR, this could also blow up in the defender's face by missing the bump and leaving the target wide open. Bump & Run is a bigger gamble but can result in bigger payoffs (incomplete pass, INTs, etc.)

Strong safeties do not play in that coverage unless the defensive coordinator likes to shift players around a bit and throw the opposing offense off.

Answer 3

A SS will usually not play bump n run coverage but could, say an offense has a four receiver set, and the defense is running a 4-3, and want to blitz the three linebackers and rush seven people. They may want the two cornerbacks and the two safeties to play press coverage (bump n run) on the four receivers.

Answer 4

No only cornerbacks play it. It's a rougher (but legal) form of coverage where cornerbacks bump the receiver at the line so they don't get too much separation, as opposed to backpedaling with them and staying in front of them. The only problem w/ the bump'n'run coverage is that strong receivers like Owens and Johnson can muscle their way by it and burn the cornerback.

Answer 5

It is only a 5 yard grace zone that the corners have from the line to be able to bump the receiverto help in the coverage.

Answer 6

In bump and run coverage, the corner-back plays the receiver up close to the line of scrimmage. He prohibits the receiver from running a clean route by bumbling him coming of the line and then turning and running with him.

Answer 7

Cornerbacks are allowed to 'bump' the recievers within a certain yardage (I wanna say 5, but I may be wrong) so that it slows them down and gives them an advantage to stick close to them.