Intro to Cut Coverage

Corners Low, Halfs High

There are lots of different Pass Coverages out there.

When it comes to your playbook, you want to be multiple enough to keep your opponents guessing, but at the same time you don’t want to confuse your own players.

Finding that balance is key.

One common weapon in the Canadian football arsenal is Cut Coverage.

Here’s a brief intro.

What is Cut?

Simply put, Cut Coverage is a Cover 3 Zone Coverage where the Corners are playing a Low Zone, and the Halfbacks are playing a Deep Zone.

You could play Cut to the Field, to the Boundary, or you could play Double Cut to both sides.

Here’s a look at Double Cut.

The Halfbacks

The Halfbacks are the Deep Zone Defenders here. They will want to get some depth before the snap.

They can either get depth by using a fast backpedal or by flipping their hips and opening up. Before the snap, they should get to a spot that’s OUTSIDE the #2 Receiver.

Once the ball is snapped, they should read the routes being run and squeeze to the appropriate threat.

The Corners

The Corners are the Low Zone players in Cut. They should work to get OUTSIDE the #1 Receiver before the snap.

There’s one caveat to the Corner’s technique here. If they get more than one Vertical Route to their side, the Corner should CARRY the outside vertical all the way down the field and become a Deep Zone defender.

Pros and Cons

As with any Coverage in football, there is a tradeoff.

This Coverage is great against Offences that run multiple Verticals down the field, as your Corners can carry those outside routes.

You are light in a few areas underneath, however, especially over the #2 Receivers where the Halfbacks have vacated. You are also a little lighter against the run.

Final Thoughts

Cut Coverage has been a staple for Canadian football Defences for quite some time.

When installing any Coverage, you’ll want to make sure you have a plan against all Formations and Motions you might see.

For instance, how will you play Cut versus a 41 Formation? What will you do versus an isolated Boundary Receiver?

These are the questions that will come into play if you decide to install this Coverage.

All the best,

Jon Svec
Defensive Coordinator
St. Francis Xavier University
X-Men Football
IG: @jonsvecx
Twitter: @jonsvecx

To read more check out the Canadian Football Chalk Talk e-books series, which includes: Defensive Basics, Linebacker Toolbox, and Modern Pressures.