Man Free Hole Coverage at the NFL Level
The Man free Hole or lurk concept is a very popular defense in today's NFL. It used by man teams and has a few variations which you will see often on Sunday.
The lurk or hole concept starts as as 2 man look with one safety diving to the hole to take away crossing routes rather than stay over the top as a deep half player. Teams will often do this opposite 3x1 sets as the safety will be in position to take any deep crosser. You at times will see the safety do this to the 3x1 side with the weak safety over the top.
Another part of this package is defensive db passing their deep crosser off to the safety and then sitting and looking for other work. This is another popular part of the hole/lurk concept. It is a good concept and highly effective against those speedy slot WR running those deep crossing routes.
2 man hole concept opposite 3x1
Bucs ran man free lurk/robber concept vs the Saints in the playoffs.
#1 passes off the wr to the safety and takes crosser to the single wr side.
Example #2 Man free with a robber/lurk concept.
The Patriots are great at calling coverages by recognizing splits and formation. Here they recognize the Jets in their stack set. The Jets run a shallow cross with the dig concept and the safety is in perfect position to take away option 1 and 2, which is the shallow cross to the dig.
This is 3rd and 5. They play man free with the safety looking to jump crossers.
The Bills run an option route with Beasley underneath. Beasley wins the 1x1 matchup but the coverage downfield was very good. #14 Diggs was taken by the safety playing the crosser and double teamed.
Here they run it vs 3x1 vs Kittle and the 49ers.
Take away kittle as the safety is looking for him crossing. Really the game plan looked like your guy doesn't release, help on Kittle.
It's 3rd and 2
The QB tries to force it to kittle instead of the check down vs man free lurk concept.
The coverage starts as a 2 high look with the safety helping on any deep crossing route. The single cb is on an island in man to man.
Saints run it vs the Bucaneers
Other Variations:
hole player to the 3x1 same side of formation
The Bengals on a key 4th and 3 run the safety hole concept to the 3x1 trips side. Raiders try to run #1 on a crossing route and the safety is their to pick up the wr.
Steelers play man free lurk vs the Browns but drop the safety to the 3x1 side.
They bait Baker into a pick 6 on 3rd and 3. They show 2 high and the safety to the side of the 3x1 comes down and robs the slant route. The lb blitz engages the rb when he blocks.
Watch the free safety on the right anticipate and get the pick!
Patriots play with 2 lurk defenders looking for crossers
3rd and 5 vs the Dolphins,
They play both dime safeties on curl/crossing routes. Notice the outside leverage by the db in underneath man and perfect positioning by the safeties. The Dolphins get the reception but the tackle should be made before the sticks. The safeties do an excellent job playing curl and driving hard on crossing routes. Both lurk defenders in position.
Colts 3rd and 3 vs the Raiders Offense
They drop the strong safety down to the 3x1 side to play the shallow cross routes and the free safety down to play the deep crosser. This allows the Raiders to take the 1x1 matchup. The CB makes a great play and makes the interception.
Raiders
Raiders play with 2 lurk defenders in essence doubling both outside wr. They do a nice job and force the incompletion on 3rd and 9.
More to come on the lurk concept and passing off crossers! Hope you enjoyed this post!
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