Receiver coverage

[Forksref]

In 5-man, how do your guys cover receivers when they cross? Let's say an inside receiver (covered by LJ) crosses to the outside of the field and the outside receiver (covered by BJ) crosses to the inside of the field. They are moving to new "zones."

[mbyron]

Depends on the play. For running plays, we keep our keys through their initial blocks.

Sounds as if you're asking about pass plays. First read: run/pass, quick screen. Second read: stay with keys through potential picks and OPI, quick outs and ins. Third read: switch to zone coverage on deeper passes.

[JRutledge]

The progression is: Key, Zone and Ball.

You do the best you can. You cannot stay with one receiver in 5 man like you can in 7. So you have to cover what is going to cause the problem and hope you catch this. This is also why you have a BJ to watch some of this action as well. It is not perfect, but no one has a receiver that long usually. So either a wing or a BJ could see some action that should be addressed or passed on.

Peace