Man-Match Cover 2: 3x1s and Empty

by Andy Merfeld

Description

Playing good pass defense is difficult. That’s why you’re reading the description for this course, and that’s what this coverage is designed to address. Playing Man-Match Cover 2 gives your pass defense three distinct advantages: it allows you to take pressure off your corners, it allows for tight coverage without playing man-to-man, and it is the best way to defend the middle of the field from a two-high coverage structure.

This is the second course of Coach Merfeld's Man-Match Cover 2 Bundle. This coverage is part of the Cover 2 Man (Saban verbiage Cover 5 Buster/Cougar) and man-match quarters (Saban Cover 7 Clip/Cut) worlds. It is a tremendous third-down concept to take pressure off of your defensive backs while still playing tight coverage on all routes.

In the first presentation, Coach Merfeld does an in-depth installation for each position and focused on 2x2 formations. In this presentation, he covers the specifics of defending 3x1 and empty formations (both the strong and weak sides of the formation). He provides thoughts on game-planning for different situations and formations. In the third presentation, he discusses other tools to help make this coverage even more effective: motion adjustments, simulated pressures, a coordinated disguise package, QB scramble control, and fitting the run.

As an added bonus, Coach Merfeld has included a Powerpoint presentation which contains all the diagrams from all three Man-Match Cover 2 courses. This includes all formation adjustments, as well as the position responsibility charts from each coverage check. The Powerpoint is editable, so coaches can download it and change what they need to, in order to best suit their team's needs!

These presentations include everything you need to install this coverage!

Part 2 Contents:

Review and overview of defending 3x1 formations

Defending the 3-WR side

Defending the 3-WR side: Bunch

Defending the 1-WR side: Poach, Solo, Dog, Cut, Cop

Empty formations

Lessons

1 Review Part 1 and Overview of Part 2 Free 1:59 2 Wall Cover 2 vs. 3x1 Formations 13:59 3 Wall Cover 2 vs. Bunch 7:38 4 Defending the 1-WR Side: Poach Free 6:49 5 Defending the 1-WR Side: Solo 4:29 6 Defending the 1-WR Side: Solo, Part 2 3:05 7 Defending the 1-WR Side: Dog 6:08 8 Defending the 1-WR Side: Cut 7:40 9 Defending the 1-WR Side: Cut, Part 2 2:40 10 Defending the 1-WR Side: Cop 6:45 11 Wall Cover 2 vs. Empty Formations Free 3:10 12 Wall Cover 2 vs. Empty, Part 2 7:07 13 Other 3x1 plays (recent additions) 9:32 14 Man-Match Cover 2 Presentation 15 Man-Match Cover 2 Presentation

The Coach

Andy Merfeld

Coverages, DBs, and Special Teams

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Andy Merfeld has experience coaching at the small-college and high school levels and specializes in coverages, defensive back play, and special teams. His CoachTube courses focus narrowly on very specific topics, which allows coaches to effectively implement the strategies and processes he discusses.  

 

He currently is the corners coach and special teams coordinator at Benedictine College (NAIA – KS) and previously coached at Upper Iowa University, the University of Minnesota Duluth, and Edgewood High School (WI). Relevant coaching achievements:

• Benedictine College (CBs). In 2019 the Ravens led all NAIA and NCAA schools with ten blocked punts, and also led the NAIA in punt return yards at the end of the regular season. In 2020 the team again led the NAIA in blocked kicks, and also finished sixth in punt return yards. The defense finished 3^rd in the NAIA in sacks, 4^th in interceptions, 2^nd in rush defense, and led all NAIA and NCAA schools with four shutouts in ten games. In 2022 the Ravens blocked eight total kicks and were fifth in the country in kickoff return average. In 2023 Benedictine had the top special teams unit in the NAIA, again leading the country in blocked kicks (T-1st), finished 4th in the NAIA in gross punt, 4th in gross kickoff average, 5th in punt return average, and 9th in NAIA in KOR average. 
• Upper Iowa (DBs). In 2017 the Peacocks finished second nationally in punt return touchdowns and fifth in punt blocks. They also finished 10th in the country in pass defense.
• Minnesota Duluth (Def. GA). In two years the Bulldogs compiled a 22-4 record, including three postseason wins and a #3 national ranking in the 2014 season.
• Edgewood High School (DC, strength and conditioning). In 2011 the Crusaders set the school record for wins and advanced to the WIAA state semifinals for the first time.

Ratings and Reviews (1)

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Coach Blair

Outstanding course. Coach does an excellent job of breaking down the intricacies of these concepts. Can't wait to add to our package and install next season.. Must have addition to your coaching vault

Jan 5, 21 03:18 PM

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