CB Technique vs Trips Formations

Trips formations (three receivers to one side) force defenses into a single-side communication problem. The CB's leverage and call decide who takes which receiver — and a missed call is usually a 60-yard touchdown.

The basic call is 'cut.' Field corner takes #1 in man, the apex defender (nickel or LB) takes #3 inside, and the safety takes #2. That's three man-on-man matchups against three receivers, with a deep safety helping over the top.

'Cone' is the alternate: corner takes #2 inside, safety takes #1 deep, apex takes #3. Cone is better when #1 is the worst route runner of the three — you're freeing the corner to chase the better matchup.

Leverage is everything. Inside leverage on #1 takes away the slant and post; outside leverage takes away the comeback. The CB's leverage has to match the call so the safety help can get there.

The disaster is communication. A switch call that one CB hears and another doesn't gives away two receivers downfield. The fix is loud verbal calls and finger signals — both, every snap, even when it's the same call as the snap before.