Covering Downfield

[Ed Hickland]

Finally, our first year with 5-man mechanics.

The Officials' Manual goes through a good explanation of who is responsible for eligibles prior to the snap. My question is how does the BJ let the HL and LJ know which receiver(s) he is covering?

Second question: How do you cover once the ball is snapped? Is it zone coverage? What about eligibles coming out of the backfield?

Last question: Does it help and do you adjust to varying defenses, for instance, should you cover differently if a team is in a man-to-man versus a cover 2?

Thanks,