Cover 1
Single high safety, man underneath.
One deep safety in the middle, man coverage underneath, often with 8 near the box. The classic aggressive NFL coverage — beat the man, beat the coverage.
How each scheme beats it
Air Raid
Mesh, drive, and shallow crossers vs. man — rubs create the separation. Four verticals stresses the single safety: he can only take one side. Deep choice routes for your best separator.
West Coast
Timing and option routes — slants, quick outs, backs on linebackers. Play-action holds the safety and opens the deep post behind him.
Power Run (Gap)
Single-high often means a stacked box, so stay patient — but play-action is lethal: the safety bites on the run fake and the post is wide open behind him.
Wide Zone
Bootleg floods away from the safety rotation. Play-action deep crossers behind the linebackers; the outside run stresses the force defender.
Spread Option
Zone read keeps the extra man honest — the safety is deep, so it's really 7-on-7 in the box. QB keepers and RPO glances punish man defenders who turn and run.
Vertical
Pick on the single safety with 4 verts — two deep routes, one safety. Deep posts and double moves on man corners; the backside dig opens when the safety shades.