---
title: "Cover 3 in Flag Football and 7v7 Explained"
description: "How flag and 7v7 defenses play Cover 3 with three deep zones, where the coverage is soft underneath and how a flag football quarterback attacks it."
url: https://www.crucibletech.com/playbook/flag-football/coverages/cover-3/
---

Flag football coverage

# Cover 3 in Flag Football

Cover 3 splits the deep field into thirds, a corner in each outside third and a post safety in the middle, with the other coverage defenders in the short zones. It works the same way in flag and 7v7. In Crucible's diagram one safety rotates to the deep middle and the linebackers widen toward the flats.

![Cover 3 coverage diagram](https://www.crucibletech.com/playbook/img/flag_7v7/coverages/cover-3.webp)

## How It Works

Both corners bail to the deep outside thirds and one safety takes the deep middle, leaving the other safety and the linebackers in the short zones. In Crucible's flag game the seventh defender, usually the middle linebacker, rushes the quarterback.

## What Beats It

- A flood to one side at three depths.
- Curl and flat combinations against the underneath defender to one side.

## How to Recognize It

A single safety in the middle, and corners off the ball who turn and run at the snap.

## Common Questions

### What is Cover 3 in flag football?

Cover 3 splits the deep field into thirds, a corner in each outside third and a post safety in the middle, with the other coverage defenders in the short zones.

## Plays You Can Practice Against Cover 3

Every one of these is in Crucible, run against Cover 3 so you learn where the ball goes before you see it live.

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![Flood diagram](https://www.crucibletech.com/playbook/img/flag_7v7/plays/flood.thumb.webp)

Flood

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![Hi-Lo Opposite diagram](https://www.crucibletech.com/playbook/img/flag_7v7/plays/hi-lo-opposite.thumb.webp)

Hi-Lo Opposite

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![Smash diagram](https://www.crucibletech.com/playbook/img/flag_7v7/plays/smash.thumb.webp)

Smash

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