Three Deep, One Under
Three defenders each guard a deep third while one works underneath and one rushes. This emphasizes depth but leaves short areas for the offense to attack.
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- Offense (shown faded, for alignment)
- Defense
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Who does what
- RRusherStart from your competition's legal rush position and close toward the quarterback under control. The diagram does not set a universal rush distance.
- 1DBDrop into the deep left third. Watch receivers entering that space and communicate as they leave it.
- SSafetyDrop into the deep middle third. Watch receivers entering that space and communicate as they leave it.
- 3DBDrop into the deep right third. Watch receivers entering that space and communicate as they leave it.
- UDBDrop into the short left-middle area. Watch receivers entering that space and communicate as they leave it.
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How to teach Three Deep, One Under
By FlagPlays · Updated . Practical starting points for volunteer coaches. Check your competition’s rules before using a play.
Left and right refer to the diagram. Route depths are illustrations; adjust them to your field and players. Check eligibility, running and rush rules.
- When to try it
- Practice three deep lanes when preventing a long completion matters more than covering every short area.
- Coverage plan
- The three deep defenders share the width. U starts underneath to the left; agree how the group responds to short right-side throws.
- Teaching cue
- Keep a receiver in front of you before closing forward.
- Common mistake
- Expecting one underneath defender to cover both sidelines at once.
- zone coverage
- three deep
- stops the deep ball
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