1 Funnel is one of Saban’s (and Kirby Smart’s) frequent responses to RPO-heavy offenses.

Why? Well, where does the ball go on most RPOs? To the #4 (weak #2 or strong #3). Most
RPOs are trying to take advantage of the defender over the #4 having both a run and pass
responsibility. (I mean it all seriousness: If you’re betting the quarterback will throw to
someone other than the #4 on an RPO, you’re losing money.) So, a simple solution is to
have the #4 defender play man on the #4 and drop the opposite safety into the box to shore
up the numbers against the run. It’s not a panacea for RPOs, and certainly not for all
situations. But it is another arrow in the quiver.

1 Clue – 1 Clue is Cover 1 with safety opposite the RB comes down to play Hook opposite
the running back side.

1 Clue is another option against RPO-heavy offenses, but it is also a solid option to defend
against the zone option. If the backside defense end is keeping contain, then the defense
will need an additional defender opposite the running back. 1 Clue fills that need.

1 Cross – 1 Cross is Cover 1 with the down safety playing robber at the sticks (yard line
needed for a first down). Versus 2×2 sets, the down safety will be the one opposite the
running back. Against 3×1 sets, the down safety will be the one opposite the 3-man side.

1 Cross is a great call on 3rd-and-4+, when the offense is likely to pass using man-beater
concepts such as mesh. By placing the Rat at the sticks, the defense has a potential extra
man to tackle the ball carrier short.

1 Alert – 1 Alert is Cover 1 with safety to the fullback side comes down and become the
Apex. Fullback includes an H-back that is inside the tackle.
Most college defensive coordinators have some version of 1 Alert and Zone Alert (described
below), and Saban is no different. If the offense has an H-back playing the role of a fullback,
then where do you want to drop your extra defender? To the H-back to better absorb the
mobile blocking surface.

Cover 3/6
Cover 3 and Cover 6 (or simply “3” or “6”) is Saban’s term for, you guessed it, Cover 3. For
Saban, Cover 3 denotes when the safety is coming down TO the passing strength of the
offense. Cover 6 is when the safety is coming down AWAY from passing strength of the
offense. Otherwise, Cover 3 and Cover 6 are the same. It is a pattern-matching form of
Cover 3 that prior to his association with Belichick with the Browns in the early 1990s simply
did not exist. While it has become so popularized at all levels today that it is almost taken for
granted, it is important to remember that a pattern-matching Cover 3 is relatively new
invention (football-wise).

Rip/Liz is the safety’s declaration to everyone else to let them know which side he is coming
down, so that they can bump their alignment away accordingly. The safety declares this
because, like in Cover 1, the safety can come down to the Strong Apex, Weak Apex, Strong
Hook, and Weak Hook.

Let’s break down the rules first before getting into individual coverages.

● Cover 3/6 vs 2×2

Cornerbacks – The cornerbacks are man on #1 unless #1 goes under (inside
and short) in the first 5 yards. If #1 does go under in the first 5 yards, then the
cornerback will yell “Under! Under!” and zones off to deep third, eyeing #2.Apex
– The Apex players are man on #2 unless #2 goes under (inside and short) in the
first 5 yards. If #2 does go under in the first 5 yards, then the Apex will yell
“Under! Under!” and zones off to the curl, looking to rob #1. The Apex player will
only drop to the #3 if he cannot help on #1 (e.g., fade route) or if the quarterback
is in the process of throwing to #3.Hook – The Hook players are the only
zone(ish) players. They will eye the releases of both #1 and #2 to their side as
they begin to drop to a spot about 10 yards inside of the #2. If both #1 and #2 are
vertical, then the Hook players have any #3 to their side. Otherwise, the Hook
players will defend the Hook area, protecting from deep to short. Only if there is
nothing in the deep Hook area will they come up on any crossing routes.

The above can be a lot to take in, so let’s look at a few examples.
Here, the offense is running four verticals. The corners match #1 vertical, and the Apex
players match #2 vertical. The Hook player to the running back side starts his drop, and only
upon seeing #1 and #2 go vertical does he break on the back. The opposite Hook player
stays in his drop.

Here, the strong side corner is bailing because #1 is under, while the strong Apex matches
#2. By contrast, the weak corner matches #1 on a hitch route, and the Apex takes #2 on his
corner/flag route. The Hook players work to defend the hook area.

Here, the strong corner and Apex match #1 and #2 respectively. On the opposite side, the
weak corner matches #1. Since the tight end is under, the weak Apex works to rob the curl of
#1. Again, the Hook players work to defend the hook area.

Here is an example where 3/6 is a bit weak. With the #1 heading inside, the strong corner
and Apex will bracket the #2, while the strong Hook will take the #1 from the inside. This
covers the #1 and #2 routes in the most advantageous way possible, but does leave the
running back open coming out of the flat. On the opposite side, the corner will take the slant
of the #1 and the Apex will take the flat route of the #2.

I should note that Brent Venables, Clemson’s defensive coordinator, has his own adjustment
to Snag while in 3/6, which he otherwise runs just like Saban.

While the Apex taking the running back here is a break from the stated rules for 3/6, it is a
better way of handling Snag. It does, however, requiring spending significant time teaching
the players to recognize this specific route combination. I have not yet seen Alabama run
this adjustment, but given the number of high-level contests between Bama and Clemson, I
wouldn’t be surprised if Saban started to.

While Saban’s pattern matching Cover 3 has gained a great deal of popularity versus 2×2
sets, his adaptation for 3×1 has fewer followers. Most coaches, not without good reason,
would prefer their rules for Cover 3 against 2×2 sets mirror those against 3×1 sets as much
as possible. For example, one could simply ask the strong Hook player in 3×1 to take all #3
except when #3 goes under, make some rule for when you want the weak Apex to take the
running back weak, and be pretty much set. That, however, is not what Saban does.

Ever the maximalist, Saban has another set of coverage rules for 3×1 sets while in Cover
3/6. Saban has two terms for his Cover 3/6 adjustment to 3×1 sets, but to be clear: the
assignments are the same. “Mable” means that the safety is dropping down to the passing
strength (Strong Apex or Strong Hook). “Skate” means the safety is dropping down away
from the passing strength (Weak Apex or Weak Hook). Otherwise, Mable and Skate are the
same.

● Cover 3/6 vs 3×1

Strong Corner – Bail to deep third. Man on all #1 vertical. If #1 is not vertical,
then take all of #2 vertical.Strong Apex – Man on #2 except when #2 goes
under; then buzz to the flat. If #2 goes outside, then look to cut him
underneath.Strong Hook – Take #3 if he heads outside. If #3 is inside, then push
to the hook and take #2.Weak Hook – Defend all inside and deep cross by #3. If
#3 is out, then push to defend the hook.Weak Apex – Man on RB if he flows to
your (weak) side. If RB stays into block or flow away (strong), then cut the first
crosser.Weak Corner – MEG: Man Everywhere he Goes.

Again, the above is not immediately intuitive, so let’s review a couple examples.

The strong corner is man on #1 since #1 is vertical, and the strong Apex is man on #2 for the
same reason. The strong Hook works his drop and, upon seeing the tight end work a deep
cross, leaves him to the weak Hook. The weak Hook takes #3 since he’s running a deep
cross. The weak Apex takes the running back since he’s weak. And the backside corner is
man-to-man on #1 no matter what.

Here, the strong corner takes #1 since he’s vertical, and the strong Apex takes #2 since he’s
out. The strong Hook takes #3 since he’s out, and the weak Hook pushes strong. The weak
Apex takes the running back since the back weak, and the weak corner takes #1
man-to-man everywhere he goes.

Ultimately, Saban runs six main versions of Cover 3.

3 – 3 is Cover 3 with the safety to the passing strength (slot receiver versus 2×2) dropping to
become the strong Apex.
3 is a go-to zone 1-high coverage when you either don’t have a nickel or when you want the
safety to handle the slot receiver.

3 Buzz – 3 Buzz is Cover 3 with the safety to the passing strength dropping to become the
strong Hook.

3 Buzz is most commonly used when: (a) you have a nickel over the slot or otherwise are
comfortable with your Apex player handling him, and (b) you want to get an extra defender in
the box against the run while running zone coverage.

6 – 6 is Cover 3 with the safety away from the passing strength dropping to become the
weak Apex.

Like 1 Invert, 6 is preferred when you want the safety to handle the weak #2 in pass
coverage, allowing the Hook players to focus on the run.

6 Buzz – 6 Buzz is Cover 3 with the away from the passing strength dropping to become the
weak Hook.

Like its strong side equivalent, 6 Buzz is most commonly used when: (a) you are in dime or
otherwise are comfortable with your weak Apex player handling the weak #2, and (b) you
want to get an extra defender in the box against the run while running zone coverage.

Zone Open – Zone Open is a Cover 3 with the safety away from the tight end side dropping
down to be become the Apex player in most cases. In 2×2 with a tight end and slot receiver,
however, the safety will drop down to become the strong Hook opposite the tight end.
Zone Open is in many ways the best of both worlds of 3 Buzz and 6 Buzz. If you’re
comfortable with your Apex players in coverage, then you get to drop an extra defender right
where he’s likely needed most against the run.

Zone Alert – Zone Alert is a Cover 3 with safety to the fullback flow side comes down.
Fullback includes an H-back that is inside the tackle.

Like 1 Alert, Zone Alert is used to bring the extra defender where he’s most needed against
an H-back or fullback.

Fire Zone
Fire Zone is Saban’s term for his zone one-high coverage with a 5-man rush. Most Fire
Zones are described as a 3-deep, 3-under coverage. In all 2×2 and 3×1 sets, however,
Saban places the corners in man coverage, so describing as a 3-deep coverage would be
inaccurate. Rather, it would better to describe Saban’s Fire Zone as man coverage on the
outside with the Apex and Hook players operating on similar principles as Cover 3/6.

Fire Zone

● Corners – They are man-to-man on #1. They will play aggressively on any likely
‘hot’ route, e.g., slant, hitch, quick fade, etc.
● Apex – They are man on #2 unless #2 goes under (inside and short) in the first 5
yards. The Apex players must, however, wall off the #2 from getting a clean
release inside since there is only one Hook player. In addition, in all 3×1 sets
where the #3 goes out, they will take the #3 to the flat and pass off #2 to the Hook
player.
● Hook – Against any 2×2, the Hook player will begin to drop to the middle hook
area and will defend the Hook area, protecting from deep to short. Only if there is
nothing in the deep Hook area will they come up on any crossing routes. Against
any 3×1, the Hook player will drop to the 3-man side. He will have all of #3
vertical. If the #3 goes out, however, then the Hook will have #2 man-to-man.
Here is an example of the Fire Zone concept at work against a 2×2 route combination. The
corners each take #1 man-to-man. Neither #2 receiver is inside and short, so each Apex
player has them man-to-man. And finally, the Hook player defends the middle hook area.

Here is a Fire Zone against a Yankee concept out of 3×1. Again, the corners each take #1
man-to-man. The weak Apex player has the running back weak. Since #3 is out, the strong
Apex player must take him and the Hook must take #2 vertical.

Cover 5 and Variants

Cover 5 is the first and most basic of Saban’s two-high coverages. It is a form of 2-deep,
man-under coverage with the five underneath players engaging in a Dog technique. Dog
means that the underneath players can trail versus any vertical route since they have help
over the top. Both safeties will play deep half and stay on top of any vertical routes.

Coaching Point – Dog does not mean the man defender should always trail their man on any
vertical route. Rather, Dog is a signal to the man defender that he can – and should – play
aggressively on their man, comfortable in the knowledge that they have help deep if the
receiver gets a step on them going vertical. If you can stay even with him, then stay even.
Dog means “play aggressive” – not “let your man get behind you.”

While most teams have some version of Saban’s Cover 5 in their playbook, Saban has two
additional variants that are more unique.

5 Cougar is the same as Cover 5, except that if the #2 receiver is out in the first five yards,
then Apex player will yell “Out! Out!” and the corner will take him and the Apex player will cut
any route by #1. Essentially, it mixes what most coaches would describe as Palms or Cloud
coverage with Cover 5. This can be a particularly devastating coverage since the corner will
make a full man turn while eyeing the #2 if the #1 is vertical, which can lull the opposing
quarterback into a false sense of security before he attempts to throw the out route by #2.
Saban also runs 55, which is a double bracket coverage. Each safety on either side will be
responsible for bracketing the most dangerous receiver (WR, TE, or RB, based on game
plan) to their side.

Cover 7 Introduction
Cover 7 is arguably the work horse of Saban’s pass coverage concepts. Ostensibly, Cover 7
is a form of quarters coverage. But Cover 7 contains so many variations and checks,
however, that it defies any individual label.

Before we get into the weeds of Cover 7, we will need to explain two additional terms I will
be using.

First is Triangle Coverage: any 3 defender over 2 receiver pass coverage concept. Against
many 2×2 sets, Saban will call one triangle coverage to the passing strength or
two-detached receiver side, and a second triangle coverage to the weak or one-detached
receiver side. So, in order to simplify the process, we will be discussing each triangle
concept on their own.

Second is the term Box Coverage: any 4 defender over 3 receiver pass coverage concept.
Against 3×1 sets, Saban has many different forms of trips coverages. But these coverages
are separate and distinct from the coverage run on the one-man side. This gives Saban the
ability to mix and match his trips side coverages with those on the backside. So, whenever
the backside safety is not involved in defending the trips side, I will be calling it a box
coverage because it involves four defenders and always includes a box player.

Cover 7 Structure
As indicated above, Saban calls his Cover 7 plays so as to allow him to run different triangle
and box coverages depending on the situation.
The first and simplest way for Saban to call a Cover 7 coverage will be to use the number 7
followed by a word (i.e., “7 X”). The word following 7 will indicate the triangle coverage that
will be run against any 2 detached receivers in 2×2. To the 1 detached receiver side (tight
end and receiver), the defense will run Cut (a triangle coverage) by default. For example, “7
Mod” means that the defense will run Mod versus any 2 detached receivers in 2×2, and run
Cut to the 1 detached receiver side. By default, the defense will run the Stubbie (a box
coverage) versus all 3×1 sets.

Second, if Saban wants the same triangle coverage concept run on both sides versus 2×2,
then he will designate as such by stating 77 followed by the coverage he wishes to run. For
example, “77 Mod” means the defense will run Mod on both sides versus any 2×2 set.

Third, Saban likes to run what he calls triple called coverages. Whenever he uses the word
“Triple,” it indicates what box coverage to run versus any 3×1 set. For example, “Triple 7
Clip” means “run 7 vs 2×2 and run Clip vs 3×1.” If there is no “Triple” in the play call with
Cover 7, then the defense will run Stubbie versus all 3×1 sets.

Triangle Coverages in Cover 7

● Mod (Triangle Coverage)
Corner – The corner will begin in press alignment. The corner will be
man-to-man on all #1 except when #1 breaks at 5 yards or less (e.g., shallow
cross, 5 yard hitch). If #1 breaks at 5 yards or less, zone to deep quarter.Apex –
Take the first man to the flat. E.g., #1 if he runs a 5 yard hitch, #2 if runs out or
bubble, #3 if the RB swings to the flat, etc. If #2 begins to go vertical, always
reroute #2 before breaking to cover the first man to the flat.Safety – Take all of #2
vertical. If #2 is not vertical, then bracket #1.
Hook – Depends on the call to the opposite side.
If Clamp, Cut, or Switch to opposite side: Take any #3 that will not be covered
by the CB, Apex, or Safety. If none, defend the hook area deep to short.If Mod or
Box, or CC to opposite side: Man on #3.

Mod is essentially the base form of quarters coverage for most defenses. The main
difference between Mod and most quarters coverages out there is that the corner will not
cover any short hitch route by #1. Saban runs Mod this way because if #1 runs a short hitch,
then the most likely route by #2 is a corner or flag route, known collectively as a Smash
concept. By having the corner bail in such a situation, Saban defends the corner route by #2
in the most advantageous way possible: bracketing the #2 by the cornerback and safety.
Box is Saban’s term for Mod when he wants cornerback in a soft or off coverage alignment.
Otherwise, it operates by all the same rules as Mod.

Coaching Point – When running Mod or Box, I think it is simplest to give the Apex and Safety
the same message: mirror the #2 for the first five yards. Only then make a break based on
your coverage assignment. Essentially, you want to ensure the Apex and safety are on a
string with each other (doing the same thing). For example, you don’t want the Apex to press
at the line of scrimmage and the safety to bail, leaving a lot of room for the #2 in between.
The easiest way to ensure that is for both to mirror the #2 for at least the first five yards.

● Clamp (Triangle Coverage)

Corner – Soft (off) alignment. Man on #1 for everything except when:
#2 is out in first 5 yards, then take #2.#1 breaks at 5 yards or less (e.g., shallow,
5 yard hitch), then zone to deep quarter.Apex – Man on #2 except when #2 is out
in first 5 yards. Then relate to #3. If no #3, then rob #1. You do not have #2
vertical.Safety – Take #1 vertical if #2 is out in first 5 yards. Otherwise, take all of
#2 vertical. If #2 is not vertical, then bracket #1.Hook – Take any #3 that will not
be covered by the CB, Apex, or Safety. If none, defend the hook area deep to
short.

Clamp is Saban’s term for what most coaches will call Palms or Cloud coverage. It
essentially operates just like Box, except that the corner will take all of #2 out in the first five
yards. This is a helpful coverage to run when the offense is running a lot of the #2 to the flat.

Coaching Point – Similar to Mod and Box, you want to ensure the corner and safety – rather
than Apex and safety – are on a string. So similarly, the corner and Safety should follow the
same rule: mirror the #2 for the first five yards. Only then make a break based on your
coverage assignment.

● Cut (Triangle Coverage)

​ Corner – Off (soft) alignment. Take the first man to the flat. E.g., #1 if he runs a 5
yard hitch, #2 if runs out or bubble, #3 if the RB swings to the flat, etc.
​ Apex – If #3 releases to your side, then man on #2 for everything. If #3 does not
release to your side, then man on #2 for everything except when #2 goes out to
the flat, and then cut (rob) #1.
​ Safety – Take all of #1 vertical. If #1 is not vertical, then bracket #2.
Hook – Take any #3 that will not be covered by the CB, Apex, or Safety. If none,
defend the hook area deep to short.

Cut is what most coaches would describe as a pattern matching Cover 2. In my view, I think
of it simply as Box with the cornerback and Apex roles reversed. Instead of the Apex, it will
be the cornerback who will have the first to the flat and outside run responsibility. In turn, the
Apex will take all of #2 vertical. Saban primarily uses Cut to the tight end and flanker side,
where most of the pass concepts involve creating a horizontal stress on the defense. By
having the cornerback sit in the flat area, Cut does a good job of countering this line of attack
by an offense.

Cut comes with three special adjustments, however, that can be made by the corner.

The first is Alert Smash. If the corner gets a hitch route by #1 while the #2 is continuing
vertical, then the corner will alert the Apex player of the smash. When the corner does so,
then the corner will bail to get underneath #2 and the Apex will take the hitch by #1, just like
in Mod.

If the #1 has a minus (compressed) split and there is no offset back near, then the corner will
make a Push Alert call. In Push Alert, the Apex will take all of #1 under.

If the #1 has a plus (wide) split and there is no offset back near, then the corner will make a
Tokyo call. In Tokyo, the corner will take all of #1 under.

Leach is term Saban uses to run Cut to the 2 detached receiver side.

● Switch (Triangle Coverage)

​ Corner – Press alignment. Man on #1 for everything.
​ Apex – Man on #2 except when #2 is out. If #2 is out, then rob #1 (think slant).
​ Safety – Bracket #2 except when #2 is under short, then rob #1. If #2 is out, then
you have #2 alone man-to-man.
Hook – Take any #3 that will not be covered by the CB, Apex, or Safety. If none,
defend the hook area deep to short.

Switch is your standard call against quick passes, particularly from a two detached receiver
side. Generally speaking, most quick two-man concepts have the #2 as the quarterback’s
first read except when the #2 goes out. So, if the #2 runs a hitch or a slant, for example,
Switch ensures that the Apex and Safety have him bracketed from beneath and over the top.
If, however, #2 runs out, then the Safety will take the #2 and the Apex works to rob #1. So, if
the offense runs a slant-flat, for example, the Apex will be in an ideal position to defend the
slant, and will not have to try to cross the #1’s face to cover the flat route. Instead, the Safety
can roll over the top of the #1 to get to the flat. Or if the offense runs a fade-out or curl-flat,
again the Apex will be an ideal position to defend underneath against the #1’s route.

● CC (Triangle Coverage)
 ​ Corner – Off (soft) alignment. Man on #1 with outside leverage
​ Apex – Man on #2 with outside leverage.
​ Safety – Bracket the first man inside. If no one is inside, then bracket #2 if he’s
vertical, or #1 if he is not.
​ Hook – Man on #3.

I don’t want to oversimplify, but CC is essentially a boundary coverage. Saban runs it in

other contexts, sure, but it’s at its best when you have two receivers compressed to the
boundary. Why? When an offense places two eligible receivers into the boundary, one of
them will run an in-breaking route and that guy is the quarterback’s first read. I’m not
knocking it; I actually think that’s probably the best way to attack most 2-high coverages from
the boundary. But that’s why Saban has CC in his back pocket. By bracketing the
inside-breaking route with the safety, you ensure the quarterback is staring down double
coverage on his first read, and a defender with outside leverage on his second. It’s another
tool in the toolbox.

● Bracket (Triangle Coverage)

​ Corner – Man-to-man on #1.
​ Apex – Man-to-man on #2.
​ Safety – Bracket the deeper of #1 and #2.

To the best of my knowledge, Bracket is not a regularly called coverage in Saban’s system.
Rather, it is a triangle coverage that the defense can check to based on certain formations
and game plan. I mention it because it is my favorite anti-Mills/Pin (Post-Dig) quarters
concept out there, and Saban and Smart are the only coaches that I know of who run it.

Backside Coverages in Cover 7 vs 3×1

Offenses most commonly place their most dangerous receiver on the backside of any 3×1
set. In response, therefore, Saban has five main ways of handling the one-man side,
depending on the game plan.

The first and most basic is MEG: Man Everywhere he Goes. MEG simply means the corner
will man up on #1 for everything (no exceptions). Saban most commonly uses MEG when
the #1 has a wide split, indicating that he will run an inside breaking route, and therefore will
not benefit much – if at all – from support from the backside safety.

The second is for the corner to run a Dog technique and the corner to play deep half. As
discussed above, Dog means that the corner can – but not necessarily should – trail versus
any vertical route since they have help over the top from the safety. In the context of Cover
7, Dog connotates both the technique of the corner and telling the safety to play deep half.
Saban most commonly uses Dog to cap a particularly dangerous deep threat receiver.

The third is for the corner and safety to run a special bracket coverage known as Cone. In
Cone, the corner will play #1 short and outside, and the safety will play #1 deep and inside.
Saban most commonly uses Cone against a slightly compressed split by a #1, or against a
truly dangerous receiver at all levels: short, moderate, and deep.

The fourth backside concept is Tuff. Here, the safety will take the first man to the flat and the
corner will take the first to deep third. If there is no #2, then the safety will cut (rob) #1
underneath. When Saban is looking to bait the opposing quarterback to make an ill-fated
decision to the backside of 3×1, Tuff is generally his first option.

The fifth and final backside concept, and perhaps my favorite, is simply to run our old friend
Cut. The idea here is that since the #2 here is a running back, most of the #2’s routes will be
to the flat. This means that the Apex player is freed up to cut #1 underneath and inside while
the safety brackets him over the top. For most quarterbacks, seeing the corner sit with a
deep safety over the top is an invitation to drill the #1 on any intermediate route: right where
the Apex will be sitting.
Box Coverages in Cover 7
● Stubbie (Box Coverage)
​ Corner – Press alignment. MEG (Man Everywhere he Goes) on #1.
​ Strong Apex – Man on #2 for everything except when #3 is out or #2 runs under.
If #3 is out, then take #3 man to man. If #2 runs under, then zone off.
​ Hook – If #2 or #3 runs under, then match that crossing route. Otherwise, wall off
the #3 from the inside and take him to safety if he goes vertical.
​ Safety – Take all of #3 vertical. If #3 is not vertical, then take/bracket #2 if he is
vertical.
​ Weak Apex – Depends on call to backside.
If Meg, Cone, Dog, or Tuff to backside: Take any #2 weak. If no #2 weak, then
take first crosser.If Cut to backside: Man on #2 for everything except when #2
goes out to the flat, and then rob #1.

Stubbie is just Mod adapted to a 3-man surface. Understanding that the least likely man to
catch the ball in trips or trey is the outside receiver, Saban locks him down with only man
coverage. Then it is effectively Mod on the #2 and #3 receivers.

Stomp is the same as Stubbie only with a Smash Alert call built in. If the corner gets a hitch
route by #1 while the #2 is continuing vertical, then the corner will alert the Apex player of
the smash. When the corner does so, then the corner will bail to get underneath #2 and the
Apex will take the hitch by #1, just like in Mod.

● Seahawk (Box Coverage)

​ Corner – MEG on #1 from an off and inside alignment.
​ Strong Apex – Jam #2 and play the first out from #2 or #3. If neither of #2 or #3
are out, then play #2 man-to-man.
​ Hook – If #3 is out, then cut off #2. Otherwise, man-to-man on #3. The Hook
must stay on top of #3 if #2 is vertical since he has no help from the safety.
​ Safety – Bracket the deeper of #2 and #3. If both #2 and #3 are vertical, then
midpoint both vertical routes.
​ Weak Apex – Depends on call to backside.
If Meg, Cone, Dog, or Tuff to backside: Take any #2 weak. If no #2 weak, then
 take first crosser.If Cut to backside: Man on #2 for everything except when #2
goes out to the flat, and then rob #1.

I think of Seahawk as the more aggressive brother of Stubbie. The Strong Apex gets to jam
the #2 and play the first out of #2 and #3 from an ideal position. The downside of Seahawk is
that it can put a lot of pressure on the Hook player against any vertical route by the #3,
particularly when the #3 runs a deep cross.

● Zeke (Box Coverage)

​ Corner – MEG on #1.
​ Strong Apex – Take first out of #2/#3. If no out, then have #2 man-to-man.
​ Hook – Take first in of #2/#3. If no in, then have #3 man-to-man.
​ Safety – Play deep half.
​ Weak Apex – Depends on call to backside.
If Meg, Cone, Dog, or Tuff to backside: Take any #2 weak. If no #2 weak, then
take first crosser.If Cut to backside: Man on #2 for everything except when #2
goes out to the flat, and then rob #1.

Zeke is Saban’s go-to coverage versus 3×1 sets where #2 and #3 are compressed or
otherwise close to each other. Rather than having the Strong Apex and Hook potentially
battle across each other to get to their designated man, Saban will simply have the Strong
Apex take the first out and the Hook take the first in. If both #2 and #3 run vertical, then the
Strong Apex and Hook have them man-to-man.

● In-Out (Box Coverage)

​ Corner – Take the first man to the flat. E.g., #1 if he runs a 5 yard hitch, #2 if runs
out or bubble, #3 if the RB swings to the flat, etc.
​ Strong Apex – Take first out of #2/#3. If no out, then have #2 man-to-man.
​ Hook – Take first in of #2/#3. If no in, then have #3 man-to-man.
​ Safety – Play deep half. Always take #1 vertical.
​ Weak Apex – Depends on call to backside.
If Meg, Cone, Dog, or Tuff to backside: Take any #2 weak. If no #2 weak, then
take first crosser.If Cut to backside: Man on #2 for everything except when #2
goes out to the flat, and then rob #1.
In-Out is Saban’s preferred trips coverage when the #1 has a minus (compressed) split. For
the Strong Apex and Hook players, their assignments are exactly the same as in Zeke. The
difference is with the corner and the safety. In-Out has the corner sitting and taking the first
man to the flat, and the safety taking #1 if he goes vertical.

● Steeler (Box Coverage)

​ Corner – Man on #1.
​ Strong Apex – Man on #2.
​ Hook – Man on #3.
​ Safety – Play deep half. Midpoint all vertical routes.
​ Weak Apex – Depends on call to backside.
If Meg, Cone, Dog, or Tuff to backside: Take any #2 weak. If no #2 weak, then
take first crosser.If Cut to backside: Man on #2 for everything except when #2
goes out to the flat, and then rob #1.

Steeler is our last and most basic box coverage. Saban primarily runs Steeler when: (i) as a
possible empty check to the 3-man side; (ii) when he’s bluffing a blitz (man coverage makes
it easier to get back in position); and (iii) when he’s running a blitz to the weak side.

Full Field Coverages in Cover 7 for 3×1

Sets
While Saban prefers to run box coverages to keep his options open on the backside, that
does not prevent him from calling full field coverage assignments against 3×1 sets. To free
up the backside safety, Saban runs two primary full field coverages by placing the backside
corner MEG on #1.

● Palms (Full Field Coverage)

​ Strong Corner – Soft (off) alignment. Man on #1 for everything except when:
#2 is out in first 5 yards, then take #2.#1 breaks at 5 yards or less (e.g., shallow,
5 yard hitch). If #1 breaks at 5 yards or less, zone to deep quarter.
 ​ Strong Apex – Man on #2 except when #2 is out in first 5 yards. Then relate to
#3. If no #3, then rob #1.
​ Strong Safety – Take #1 vertical if #2 is out in first 5 yards. Otherwise, take all of
#2 vertical. If #2 is not vertical, then bracket #1.
​ Hook – Man on #3 except when #3 is under. If #3 is under, then zone to defend
curl area. If #3 runs a deep cross, then trail since you have help from the weak
safety.
​ Weak Apex – Man on #2 weak or #4 strong (RB). Otherwise, take first crosser.
​ Weak Safety – Poach #3 vertical. If #3 is not vertical, then poach #1 vertical
backside.
​ Weak Corner – MEG on #1.

Palms coverage is just Clamp on the #1 and #2 receivers in a 3×1 set. Nothing changes for
the strong corner, Strong Apex, or Strong Safety. The Hook player, however, has #3
man-to-man except when #3 runs under. In addition, by giving the weak corner a MEG
assignment on the #1, the weak safety is freed to help on any vertical route by #3. If #3 is
not vertical, however, then the weak safety will work to poach any routes by the backside #1.

● Clip (Full Field Coverage)

​ Strong Corner – Off (soft) alignment. Take the first man to the flat. E.g., #1 if he
runs a 5 yard hitch, #2 if runs out or bubble, #3 if the RB swings to the flat, etc.
​ Strong Apex – If #3 releases to flat, then man on #2 for everything. If #3 does
not release to flat, then man on #2 for everything except when #2 goes out to the
flat, and then rob #1 (think slant).
​ Hook – Man on #3 except when #3 is out to the flat or runs a deep cross route. If
#3 is out to the flat, then zone to defend curl area. If #3 is vertical back across,
then carry to weak safety.
​ Strong Safety – Take all of #1 vertical. If #1 is not vertical, then bracket #2.
​ Weak Apex – Man on #2 weak or #4 strong (RB).
​ Weak Safety – Poach #3 vertical. If #3 is not vertical, then poach #1 vertical
backside.
​ Weak Corner – MEG on #1.

Clip is effectively Cut, but for 3×1 sets. And like Cut, Clip is designed to defend against
horizontal-based attacks by the offense. With the strong corner sitting in the flat, the
remaining defenders are freed up to better attack any in-breaking routes by the offense. If
the offense runs a double slant flat combination, for example, then the strong Apex and
Hook players would be in perfect position to defend both slants with inside leverage.
Wrapping Up
As you hopefully have seen from the above, Saban’s pass coverage system is very modular
in its approach, giving the defensive coordinator a variety of options that he can piece
together to match what the offense might present. But in going through these materials, I
hope the reader can come away with a wholly different conclusion as well: that Nick Saban
is a great teacher.

Most college coordinators would balk at the prospect to teach all of the above to their players
so that they are ready to execute on Saturdays. Saban doesn’t. Every year, he has his
players ready to go out and run this entire system in face of graduations, incoming freshmen,
injuries, and the like. The only way a coach can do that – year in and year out – is by being a
great instructor. And that, despite all of the interesting strategies he employs, should be Nick
Saban’s greatest legacy.