Tampa 2 Coverage: Defending the Run and Other Tools

In the modern game, defenses need to be able to play close coverage on receivers by using zone-match, man-match, and man-to-man principles. At the same time, it is important to have change-ups to take pressure off of the corners and give quarterbacks a different look. Tampa 2 coverage is a great way to play pure zone coverage and change up secondary rotations and run support without having to overhaul your defense or take too much practice time on an expensive new coverage. 

In the first course of Coach Merfeld's Tampa 2 Bundle, he focuses on coverage installation and pass defense and provides key coaching points for each coverage role: flat defenders, deep half defenders, the deep middle run-through player, and the hook-curl defenders. Coach Merfeld includes game and practice examples for each role and technique, along with relevant practice drills. 

In this second course, Coach Merfeld discusses stopping the run with Tampa 2 coverage. He details different ways for the defensive front and linebackers to make sure the ball ends up on the perimeter, where the flat defenders can force the play and the deep zone defenders can flow over the top. In the final few chapters of the second course, he emphasizes the benefits of disguising your coverage with a middle of the field closed look. Finally, he proposes a number of alternate coverage rotations that can be used with Tampa 2, from both base calls and creepers / simulated pressures. 

This bundle is a great resource for coaches looking to implement Tampa 2 coverage. It contains almost four hours of lessons and film, as well as the Powerpoint slides from the courses. Coaches are encouraged to contact Coach Merfeld to get access to the Hudl film used in this presentation. This is one of the only courses on Coachtube that is purely focused on Tampa 2 and is one of the best resouces you can find anywhere online regarding Tampa 2.