what is a cover 2 defense? what is the strategy behind it?

Answer 1

A true Cover 2 defense, is a zone defense all over the field. The two safeties play the deep zone and divide the field in two. The linebackers and the two corner backs play an underneath zone, to take away the short passing game.

The whole theory behind the defense is to always have a safety helping over the top on long throws. It prevents defenses from throwing long passes and makes them take shorter passes and work their way down field.

Answer 2

Cover 2 means that you have a two-deep zone. In most cover 2 defenses, your safeties are playing deep zones each covering half the field. Some advantages to cover 2 is it frees up nine other players to play in short or medium range zones or rush the passer. It also prevent the deep bomb because you have a deep safety over the top on both sides. A major disadvantage is the holes in the zone. There is usually a hole about eight to twelve yards down the field between the corner and the deep safety. The cover 2 is not a good defense to prevent short range passes.

Answer 3

Cover 2 defense is when 2 safeties play zone covering their 4th of the field (corners cover the other 4ths). The strategy is to eliminate the deep ball, and big plays. The disadvantage is that your taking out a big boy in the box for a safety in the secondary. In other words, the running game should open up.