This highlights regional issues really well. Meanings are pretty standardized (you and I both know what “under” and “over” is), but the way we use them might differ.

For instance, if we were talking together (two guys who have played and / or coached) we would know exactly what the other was saying. But in my region of the country, we might have said “tight”, “on”, “off” to describe how the CB should line up, or “over” / “under” to describe how to cover the WR.

In my region, “over” is behind the WR, and “under” is between the WR and the QB. We used “on” to mean an alignment about two yards off the WR, while “over” and “under” were strictly how the DB positions when the play is run.

This was how I defined the terms in my CB article:

“Tight” coverage features the CB as close to the WR as the line of scrimmage allows. It typicaly signals that the CB will “Bump and Run” the WR. This means the CB will “jack” or hit the WR when the WR starts to move, then cover him closely when he recovers. The advantage to this alignment is that timed offensive plays get disrupted. It also slows a WR who is faster than his coverage. The disadvatages are that the CB will get locked up in a run block if the play is a run, and if the bump is not well executed the WR will leave the CB in his dust.

“On” coverage features the CB a yard or two behind scrimmage. This allows him time to react to pass or run, but keeps him close enough to cover his assignment. Many zone CBs line up this way (relying on SAFs for deeper coverage), and this is the most common line-up for man coverage as well.

“Off” coverage is an interesting way to go. The CB lines up far back from the line of scrimmage, perhaps ten yards “off”. In most cases it signals that the CB is willing to give up short passes, but doesn’t want the WR to get away from him. Big mismatches favoring speed for the WR will get this line up. It is playing very cautiously, so as not to give up the big play. Oddly, the best CB in the NFL (Champ) prefers to line up this way. Most elite CBs do not.

And this is how I defined the actual coverages when the play unfolds:

While in man coverage on a WR, there are two more considerations. Do you play “over or under”. Over means you stay between the man and the endzone, and under means you play between the man and the QB. Playing over gives you less of a chance of a big play for the offense, and a better chance to tackle. Playing under is high risk/high reward because you are in a great position to knock down or INT the ball.

Coaches will consider the individual matchup, the score, field position, and other considerations when making the decision on whether to play over or under. Here again, great SAFs allow the CBs more flexibility.

There might be a little confusion, but if I went to your old stomping grounds (or you to mine), we’d understand what the other person meant because of the context of how we were speaking. But the regional differences make it difficult for many fans without a football background to follow along. I did a lot of traveling, and became very aware of how terms vary from region to region. (My favorite example remains “tailback”, a term we never used in our program.)

If I said, “2 is going to line tight and play under” you would know I meant that the weakside CB is going to be as close to the line as allowable, and play underneath. If I said, “Bailey will line off”, you might deduce that Champ Bailey will both line up far from the line, and play over the WR. In your vernacular, you probably worded it differently, but I could figure out what you’re saying.

Thanks for highlighting this point. You aren’t missing anything at all. I’ve even heard two commentators during a game use different regional phrases during a game that you and I wouldn’t take a second glance at, but the average fan is asking, “What the heck”?

BTW: your explanation of coverage angles describes perfectly why a touch passer may actually be superior to a QB with lazer throws. A concept the MSM seems to be clueless about lately.

I’ve been involved in an email conversation, and part of it concerns the fact that Cutler apparently isn’t accurate on high-arcing deep balls, the kind Brett Favre beat us with in which the ball seemingly drops down out of the clouds directly in front of a receiver running flat out. When Cutler is accurate on long throws it’s usually a flatter pass, with lots of velocity but not much arc, and that’s the kind of throw a defender can cut under and pick off, as in hoosierteacher’s very clear illustration. But if the ball has air under it the defender’s only recourse is to beat the receiver to the spot where it comes down. Is that what you were referring to?

I am becoming a student of the Game. who says you can’t teach an old fan…

MHR Where the Rubber meets the Road Baby…

13-3

GO BRONCOS

..understand the terms. Here’s where the problem is:

1) They don’t realize that they are talking to fans from around the country, who during the course of the season will hear different regional descriptions for one action. This confuses many fans.

2) A lot of commentators like to “show off”, and use terms that are more likely to confuse a fan then help him.

3) And yes, some commentators try too hard, and just mis-use terminology. (The best example is calling any play or formation a “cover 2” simply because there are two deep safeties).

If I did the color commentary, I would avoid technical terms like “2 gap”. I might use a picture to illustrate the concept, then use it later in the game as an educational point, but there’s very little time during a game to do this. If I did play-by-play, I would just describe the action in laymans terms.

Thanks for sharing that. I always felt that for a guy like D-Will, performance and confidence went hand in hand. When he was first starting out, it seemed that he was only beaten when he was sort of questioning himself. When he was confident, he was Baby C Bailey.

A CB who gets burned (and it happens to everyone) is likely to think too hard, which translates into hesitation. Hesitation kills a CB.

I wasn’t above raising my voice at a player, but when one of my guys got beat I was careful to praise him and boost his confidence. Yelling about a blown coverage would make the next play that much worse.

Yelling was reserved for safety issues, a player being classless, or to get a player’s attention. If you’ve ever worked with a teenaged boy high on testosterone and pumped up to go back on the field, you can tell he isn’t listening (“deer in the headlights” look). He isn’t ignoring you, his adrenaline isn’t letting him focus. It’s not his fault.

Champ will continue to play man, and be given the lattitude to play his WR the way he wants to. I like that.

Very hard! You have to keep up with the WR, despite not knowing the route. Worse, sometimes the WR is just plain faster. It’s a rough position, and unbearable when the opposing team decides to pick on your match-up.

Good point on Champ’s line-up. If you read the CB article I link to, you’ll see that he loves to play off and why. He’s just super-human!

Much like HT’s writings. Nicely done

Your gracious comments always leave me feeling that I’ve done a good thing, and… hungry at the same time!

Man; now I’m starving!

Thanks so much for the kind words Firstfan.

…is a solid CB. He plays under and over coverages indifferently, and plays smart. He’s not the gambler that Bly was, but instead plays for the sure hit. He’s not afraid to tackle RBs, and is a sound tackler. He’s fast, but not “light speed” fast.

In short, he’s a good all around CB. Not a standout in any one skill set, but well rounded. He’s a little but older, but not yet slowing down. I’m very glad to have him.

I would also like this. Maybe an analysis of the Nolan way. I have really enjoyed your 3-4 posts and this post. More would be great.

Guru won’t disappoint us.

We’re glad you’re here!

I’ve done a few “football appreciation” presentations (at the local library and university extension). Its a “football for couples” kind of thing. I teach how the ladies can appreciate a football party (get together with other ladies, make some goodies, hang out) and how the guys can appreciate the ladies (don’t force the game on them, serve yourself, etc). Part of the presentation involves an introduction to the game, and I’ve noticed that the hardest concept for folks to understand is the concept of “downs and yardage”.

So here’s my trick (try this on the girlfriends Choo). Instead of saying “first, second, or third down” say, “first, second, or third TRY”. Explaining that you have four ‘tries’ is easier than explaining ‘downs’. Outside of that, the game gets pretty easy to figure out.

I learn things at MHR too. It’s a great place!

Thanks sbhc!