What it is

In man coverage each defender follows one specific receiver wherever he goes. Safeties may help deep.

In a game

It works well when the defenders are faster than the receivers, and it lets the defense blitz more. Offenses use crossing routes to free a receiver.

More detail

Man coverage can be played with a single deep safety (Cover 1) or with two deep safeties. The defenders use inside or outside leverage, depending on where the help is. The weakness is a pick or rub route, where receivers cross and a defender is blocked from following his man.

Animated diagram

1. Each defender picks one receiver before the snap: a corner on each outside receiver, linebackers on the tight end and the slot.
2. The receivers run their routes, and the defenders follow them wherever they go.
3. A single safety stays deep to help against anything that gets past the defenders.