The “Fangio protection”. Named after its creator, Vic Fangio, who was just lately employed because the Eagles’ defensive coordinator, this protection is thought for being advanced. Particularly, Fangio’s protection is thought for utilizing complicated terminology that may make issues sound extra sophisticated than they’re. I needed to check Fangio’s protection once more and write a collection of posts the place I’ll try and simplify the Vic Fangio type protection, breaking it down into easy-to-understand elements.
Quite a few writers have already written extremely in-depth articles on Fangio’s protection. I’ve realized essentially the most from Trustworthy NFL, Shawn Syed, and Cody Alexander (Match Quarters). I’ll regularly use their work in these articles, and I can’t thank them sufficient for his or her work and for educating me the intricacies of Fangio’s protection.
Nevertheless, whereas these accounts do a superb job explaining the intricacies of the Fangio protection, I feel a few of it may be too sophisticated or vital for the fan who needs to grasp the fundamentals when watching the sport on Sunday. Not everybody wants to investigate soccer, however understanding the schemes could make watching the sport extra pleasant. So, my purpose for this collection is to simplify the Vic Fangio-style protection and break it down into easy-to-understand elements. Please learn the articles so as in order that they make sense.
Beforehand: Half 1: The Fundamentals / Half 2: MFO Coverages
Half 3: Center of the Area Closed Coverages
On this article, I’ll study Fangio’s essential MOFC coverages. As a fast reminder, MOFC means there’s a security in the course of the sphere, so it’s ‘closed,’ as you may see under.
That is additionally referred to as single-high. Fangio runs many MFC coverages regardless of many individuals considering he solely runs MFO (two-high) coverages. Though he strains up pre-snap with a MFO look, this doesn’t imply he at all times finally ends up enjoying MFO coverages. You will notice a whole lot of post-snap rotation from an MFO look to an MFC look.
Zone (Match) Coverages
I gained’t clarify zone match once more, so please learn the earlier article if not sure! Do not forget that Fangio’s zone coverages are match coverages reasonably than customary spot-drop coverages.
Cowl 3 / Cowl 9
I’m guessing all of you’ll have heard of Cowl 3, however it’s possible you’ll be not sure of Cowl 9. Fangio prefers to name Cowl 9′ weak rotation Cowl 3′, however they’re mainly the identical protection. Cowl 9 is what is called ‘weak rotation Cowl 3’. It’s the place the weak aspect security (away from the passing energy) will come down and turn out to be one of many beneath defenders. Fangio prefers this as he at all times has his Nickel defender to the passing energy.
To be sincere, you may name it Cowl 3. Who cares. However bear in mind that Fangio guys confer with this as Cowl 9. So when you hear Cowl 9, simply keep in mind it’s weak rotated Cowl 3. Fangio runs a whole lot of this protection, and it’s extra in style than many individuals suppose.
4 verticals is the proper name in opposition to conventional Cowl 3 (as you get 4 receivers in opposition to 3 deep defenders), however in Fangio’s Cowl 3/9, the nickel or the protection (relying on formation) will carry the receiver vertically if he runs a vertical route. So, in Fangio’s protection, you shouldn’t see the protection get outnumbered by 4 verticals. You may see that within the diagram under from Trustworthy NFL.
In customary Cowl 3, the protection and nickel would play the flat/curl zones. However in Fangio’s Cowl 3/9, they’re referred to as seam/flat defenders, as they carry their receivers vertically if wanted. Do not forget that, ideologically, Fangio hates giving up massive performs. Even his MFC coverages not often surrender deep photographs. Right here’s a beautiful instance of Cowl 9, with Fangio’s traditional post-snap rotation.
A late night time Fangio clip breakdown
Cowl 9 with 3 choices:
4 beneath and three deep with a tweak. Primarily based on formation and leverage
Weak aspect security comes all the way down to MOF as an alternative of LB
Learn relies off RB going vertical, LB’s drop into “hook”
Tindall reads and will get fingers on ball pic.twitter.com/aFKX28hohp
— Hussam Patel (@HussamPatel) August 26, 2023
Man Coverages
Fangio is thought for his zone match coverages, however he performs a whole lot of man protection.
Cowl 1
Cowl 1 is a quite simple protection to identify. It’s man protection with a single-high security, and there’s normally a ‘free’ defender (not in man protection) who can have varied roles relying on the offense’s formation and personnel. The ‘free’ defender performs what we name the ‘gap’. The opening defender can differ relying on the decision. Right here’s the traditional Cowl 1 on Madden, with a linebacker as the outlet defender and, subsequently, not in man protection.
Fangio has completely different phrases for Cowl 1 come all the way down to regardless of the gap defender is doing. As with all of Fangio’s coverages, It’s onerous to distinguish what he’s working pre-snap, with the safeties normally staying in 2 Excessive and never rotating till after the ball has been snapped. You don’t really want to know the phrases. However I’ll let you know anyway as a result of I spent an embarrassing period of time attempting to determine Fangio’s Cowl 1 terminology. Typically, it’s unattainable to inform precisely what Fangio is working, however I may give you an concept of the three essential variations to look out for.
Robber / Lurk / Gap
Robber is when a security or linebacker turns into the outlet participant, relying on the working again’s launch.
Lurk is when a security is in man protection with a receiver or tight finish, and the outlet defender is without doubt one of the linebackers, relying on the working again’s launch. Lurk is a good protection in case you have a security who is robust in protection (aka CGJ) and a linebacker who is healthier suited. The linebacker may double up as a QB spy in Lurk, so I like this name in opposition to cellular quarterbacks.
Gap is when a security at all times performs the outlet defender, and the linebackers are in man protection. Many different groups name this Robber or Cross, however Fangio calls it Cowl 1 Gap. Gap is a improbable protection to remove crossing routes, as the protection within the gap ought to have the ability to see it coming.
I mentioned I might provide you with three variations. I lied. Right here’s a bonus one to complete off this text. What is absolutely cool about Fangio’s Cowl 1 is that generally the outlet defenders can take a crossing route and stay in man protection with the receiver as they’ve inside leverage already. This implies the cornerback, who was in man protection, is now free to turn out to be the free gap defender. That is typically often called change. This requires a whole lot of ability and communication, however it’s actually powerful for a quarterback to learn.
Even quarterbacks as good as Dak Prescott may be fooled by this one…
How stunning is that protection? It doesn’t get any higher.
Cowl 1 Canine
Lastly, there’s one other model of Cowl 1 that Fangio runs with no gap defender. This can be a five-man rush, with 5 defenders in man protection and a deep security. The diagrams are a little bit odd right here as a result of movement, however you may see no gap defender.
Fangio regularly runs this from a 5-man entrance. I might anticipate to see this rather a lot subsequent yr as not one of the Eagles’ EDGE defenders are nice at dropping into protection.
I hope half three of this breakdown of Fangio’s protection has given you a clearer image of his MFC coverages. As at all times, I might love to listen to your suggestions and ideas, and in case you have any questions, simply let me know!
