Here are a few simple ways coverages used in todays football by defensive secondary's can be understood by youth coaches,these coverages are used from the high school level into the pro's.

Next time you watch the game (see the game)

1. 2 high safeties with corners within 5 yards of line and outside technique ( cover 2 being used)

2. 2 high safeties pressing corners with inside technique ( cover 2 man under)

3. 2 high safeties both corners off ( quarters coverage )

4. Single high safety corners pressing outside technique ( bail or turn and run from corners coverage)

5. Single high safety corners pressing inside technique (man free)

6. Single high both corners off (cover 3)

7. Zero safety high (blitz and or man across coverage)

8.Then there are field side or play side mix coverage packages such as zone on one side and man to the other or the zones will rotate and the corner can rob on the under coverage (usually used when offense is trying to flood a zone area)

Here is another simple tip if the safeties are staggered the coverage is cover 1 robber or 3 robber (the robber is a safety or linebacker under the corner)

Both safeties are high and on hash marks or inside the hash marks cover 2 or quarters cover 4.

You see the game isn't that complicated when you understand what games are being played out within the structure of a game.

The next time you are watching a game see it as coaches do and question what type of adjustments you would make .