Cover
How to understand “Cover”?
What does the football term “Cover” mean?
What characterizes “Cover” in football?
“Cover” is a defensive concept that has 3 meanings. One meaning refers to areas of the field that the team’s “defense” should cover. For example, when the ball is on their end of the field, their defense must “cover” their Danger Zone & if the ball is in their Danger Zone their defenders must especially cover the area in front of the goal. The area the defense must cover depends on how far away from the goal the ball is, which side of the field it is on and who is faster, their team’s fullbacks or the other team’s forwards (e.g., if the fullbacks are faster, then the team can “push up” more because they have the speed to “recover”).
A second meaning refers to a defender guarding an opponent (e.g., “Their job is to cover the Right Forward”). The term cover is also used as a synonym for defensive support (e.g., “The Sweeper is responsible for providing cover for their fullbacks”. This is similar to the concept of a free safety providing cover for their cornerbacks and linebackers in American football).