| Today the quarterbacks are schooled that reading the | | | | *Free Safety* |
| safeties is the key to being able to read the defense. | | | | The free safety is usually smaller and quicker than the |
| Whether the defense is blitzing, going with man to man | | | | strong safety. The free safety acts like the center |
| or zone, it is very important quarterbacks are able to | | | | fielder in baseball. The free safety covers the deep |
| read the safeties. | | | | areas to protect against the long ball by defending the |
| As a quarterback you will get your first read of the | | | | middle of the field and to protecting against the deep |
| defense when you break the huddle and approach the | | | | routes. |
| line of scrimmage. You want to see how the free | | | | *Safety Line Ups* |
| safety and strong safety are lined up, this will give you | | | | If the safeties are lining up deep, each on the hash |
| and idea of what play the defense has called. | | | | mark, this indicates a cover 2 defense, opening up the |
| Typically the strong safety lines up opposite the tight | | | | short routes and quick hitter short timing pattern |
| end closer to the LOS than the free safety. The | | | | passes. |
| primary role of the strong safety is to support stopping | | | | If you see both safeties inching up toward the line of |
| the run, while the free safety is focused on stopping | | | | scrimmage, this usually means a safety blitz, opening |
| the pass. This article will focus on the basic | | | | up medium and long passing routes. |
| fundamentals quarterbacks need to be able to read | | | | When you see the strong and free safeties are deep |
| the safeties. | | | | and the middle line backer has dropped back as a third |
| | | | safety, you are facing a cover 3 defense, which can |
| *Strong Safety* | | | | be beaten with a short quick hitter to the tight end, or |
| Watch how the strong safety lines up, usually he will | | | | short crossing routes by the wide outs. |
| be closer to the LOS opposite the tight end or the | | | | In conclusion being able to read the safeties is an |
| second receiver. If SS lines up close the line of | | | | essential skill you need to be a successful quarterback. |
| scrimmage and is inching up closer to the LOS, this | | | | This article gives you some of the basics in reading the |
| indicates the defense anticipates a run play to the | | | | safeties, there are many instructive DVDS available on |
| strong side of the field. If the SS is lined up deeper, five | | | | reading defenses that can help you learn to read the |
| to seven yards back, the defense is preparing for | | | | safeties. |
| pass defense. | | | | |