Here is a general route tree, which shows different routes from various reciever positions. Note that when a route is switched from one side of the quarterback to the other, such as from reciever A to reciever Z, the route is flipped over (ie a corner is always run away from the QB and a post is always run towards the QB).
This is the "I" right formation. It is widely used in junior high and high schools, and it provides a great run setup with the ability to dropback pass as well.
This formation is called "right." It is optimal for passing offenses, as it spreads the field and forces the defense to cover five men. There is also the ability to run with the lone back.
"Twins" is a direct overload formation. It is great for sprint out passes to the twins side. It can also get tricky with runs to the weak side.
The "wishbone" is a very old scheme that is not as popular now as it has been in the past. It is reminiscient of the "three yards and a cloud of dust" offense. It is balanced and was created for the pounding run offense. The "bone" is weaker than other formation for the pass.
The "pro" formation earned it's name because of its wide use in the pro's. It is the best balance between run and pass with two split backs, a wide reciever and a split end. The "pro" set is perfect for a balanced offensive attack.
Here are the five most common defensive coverages. The red marks signify the general post-snap movement of the defender, and the blue circle shows the bubble, open spots where the coverage is vulnerable to the pass.
This is "cover 0", better known as man. It is difficult to directly identify cover 0, but typically the defenders will be looking directly at the reciver instead of the quarterback. Man can have one, two or no safties. Notice that there are no open bubbles. This is because man does not split the field into zones. Each defender is responsible for one reciever. In "cover 0" the best pass is the crossing route. Crossing patterns will clip off the defenders, who will naturally be chasing the recivers. The open bubbles will open up after and wherever the recievers cross.
"Cover 1", as shown below is identified by a single safety, who is responsible for the deep ball. The cornerbacks play a tight jam on the recivers and are responsible for the flats. The linebackers cover the middle of the field. This defense is strong against the run but weak against the pass. It's big weakness is the deep pass to either sideline.
"Cover 2" is identifield with two safeties and the two corners playing tight. The two safeties cut the deep field in halves, while the corners cover the flats. The linebackers cover the middle of the field. The passing hot spots lie short in between the corner and linebackers and long by splitting right in between the safeties. This is perhaps the strongest defense against the pass, but in turn it is weaker against the run.
This is "cover 3." Notice the single safety with the two cornerbacks playing loose. The outside linebackers attempt to cover the flat, but they have to check run first. The bubbles of "cover 3" are in the short flat, the short middle, and sometimes between the deepbacks, depending how quick they are.
"Cover 4" is my personal favorite coverage to throw against. There are two safeties and the two corners play loose. Again the linebackers try to play the flat, but they must check run first. Passing hot spots open up in the short flat, the quick slant, and the mid rangle middle of the field. This coverage attempts to take away the deep ball by dividing the deep field into fourths. This is done at the expense of the short pass and the run.
Put it all together
Know these schemes. The better a QB knows both his offense and his opponant's defense, the better he will be. This mental part of the game is just as imprtant if not more than the physical aspect. And it's success lies in direct corrolation with the amount of preparation the Qb invests.
"Football is 90% mental, the other 40% is sheer desire."
The Little Giants
