Editing Cornerback (section)

===Cover 2===
The [[Cover 2]] formation, which deploys four defensive backs in a "two-deep zone", is popular among NFL defensive coordinators because it uses two safeties to defend the deep routes instead of one. The safeties line up on or near their respective hashmarks between 11 and 15 yards off the line of scrimmage, while the cornerbacks line up around five yards from the wide receivers nearest to each sideline. With the safeties able to watch the play develop in front of them, the corners are free to pursue a more aggressive style of play.

In Cover 2, the cornerback is usually responsible for "containment", meaning that he is tasked with preventing any eligible receiver or ball carrier from running between him and the sideline. He funnels receivers toward the middle of the field and may physically "jam" them within five yards of the line of scrimmage in order to disrupt their assigned routes. If he determines that the offense is not attempting a running play or a pass into the flat, he then drops back to defend the secondary. This is often referred to as the "catch-and-run" technique.  Typically, cornerbacks mirror each other's zone responsibilities. However, sometimes they play a "man-up" style of [[bump and run coverage|bump-and-run]] coverage designed to eliminate the short pass, where the receiver is forced to the near sideline, which is the opposite of the run-oriented "containment" style of Cover 2.