Cloud Vs Sky Coverage

For this X’s O’s Football breakdown, we thought we would a take a look at Cloud Vs Sky coverage. For those of you who play NCAA and Madden football, you have seen these coverage names before. The question is do you really know what they mean? For those of you who don’t know, you will want to read this article.

Cloud Coverage

In cloud coverage, one cornerback and two safeties handle the deep part of the field, while another cornerback plays the flat.

In the image above the LCB plays the right flat, while the RCB,FS, and SS play the deep 1/3 thirds of field.

Pros

1. Strong deep coverage with three defenders playing deep
2. Coverage can have up to eight defenders dropping back in zone coverage. Three over the top, while five play underneath.
3. Can add an extra pass rusher, generally an outside linebacker, while still dropping seven in pass coverage
4. The CB playing the flat can jam a receiver at the line of scrimmage, thus slowing him down into getting into his pass route.

Cons 

1. If only three pass rushers rush the QB and eight defenders drop in pass coverage, the QB will have plenty of time to look for an open receiver
2. The safety playing the deep area could be a step or two late covering his deep 1/3 responsibility if the receiver to his side runs a vertical route such a corner or go route.
3. Floods eat this type of coverage up.
4. With the LCB covering the strong side flat area, the backside flat is left open.

Sky Coverage

In sky coverage, the two cornerbacks and a safety cover the deep zones, while the other safety covers a flat area.

In the above, the SS covers the right flat, while the RCB, FS, and LCB play the deep 1/3 thirds of the field.

Pros

1. Strong deep coverage with three defenders playing deep
2. With the strong safety down closer to line of scrimmage, the coverage is stronger against the run
3. Coverage can have up to eight defenders dropping back in zone coverage. Three over the top, while five play underneath.
4. Can add an extra pass rusher, generally an outside linebacker, while still dropping seven in pass coverage

Cons

1. If only three pass rushers rush the QB and eight defenders drop in pass coverage, the QB will have plenty of time to look for an open receiver.
2. Can not jam receivers at the line of scrimmage.
3. The safety playing the flat could be late to cover stop and flat, both weak and strong sides of the field.
4. Floods eat this type of coverage up.
5. With the strong safety covering the strong side flat area, the backside flat is left open.

Final Thoughts

Notice in both images, the coverage type is Cover 3. The difference between the images is the first image has a cornerback (cloud) covering the right flat, while in the second image, a safety (sky) covers the flat.

In Madden 12 and NCAA 12 there are not a lot of Cloud coverage defenses found in both games. Hopefully in Madden 13 and NCAA 13, we will see more of them as they will help add more confusion to the opposing the quarterback.