CoverageBest for: Base down6U+ · Basic
Cover 6
Combines quarters to the field and Cover 2 to the boundary.
Concept: Field side plays quarters while the boundary corner and safety split two deep halves.
Age version
RushBlitzDrop to coverage
12U — Full call: Combine front, pressure, and coverage — and disguise it pre-snap.
Play movement — schematic, not to scale
Grows with your players
Same play, more layers as they age up — teach it once and build on it every season for a consistent program.
- 6UIntroduce: Line up right and own your gap — win with alignment, pad level, and pursuit to the ball.
- 8UAttack blocks: Add get-off and block destruction so the front controls the line of scrimmage.
- 10UAdd coverage: Teach the coverage drops behind the front and read run vs. pass.
- 12UFull call: Combine front, pressure, and coverage — and disguise it pre-snap.
Every position's job
NG
0-technique, two-gap or rush the A-gaps.
Mike
Drop to the middle hook, wall crossers.
Coach it with
ILB
Drop to a hook zone.
SS (field)
Play the field-side deep quarter (quarters side).
FS (boundary)
Play the boundary deep half (Cover 2 side).
CB (field)
Play the field-side deep quarter over number one.
How to teach it
- 1Cover 6 plays quarters to the field side and Cover 2 to the boundary side.
- 2The field corner and safety split the field into quarters; the boundary corner and safety play two-deep halves.
- 3Communicate which side is quarters and which is Cover 2 pre-snap.
Common mistakes to fix
- !Confusion about which side is quarters versus Cover 2; fix by declaring the field/boundary strength pre-snap.
- !Boundary corner bailing instead of jamming; fix by jamming and sinking to the flat like a Cover 2 corner.
Build this into your call sheet.
Adopt this system in your coach portal, tag plays by situation, and print call sheets and player wristbands.