Football's Matchup Zone Coverages

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Summary: Nuts & Bolts of Matchup Covers
Review: John Durham has written a detailed and comprehensive primer on matchup zone coverage. He begins by reminding us of the problems we have with straight man, man-free, and zone covers and then shows how the matchup system handles the problems.His discussion of pattern reading-the foundation of matchup coverage-is worth the price of the book. Durham's presentation of quarters and quarter-quarter-half coverage is clear and complete, as are his chapters on formation adjustments and variations of the defense. His chapter on using the zone blitz is first-rate. A good companion text to the topic would be Jim Schwartz's "The Firezone Blitz Package," (Gameplan Publishing, 1999). The next-to-last chapter, confronting various popular offenses, is as valuable as Durham's discussion of pattern reading. The final chapter, "Special Consideration...," is not really special. It's good for the beginning coach but not particularly useful to the experienced one. All told, Coach Durham has written an excellent book. My coaching career began in 1965 (hasn't ended as of 2003), and I think Durham's book is among the most useful books, articles, and videos I've encountered.