While a relatively new fad, the Tampa 2 is as old as the forward pass itself. In the modern NFL its popularity is already on the down cycle and in college it was never really practical. However, in the pixilated world of football the Tampa 2 is just now finding a home. The Tampa 2 requires the offense to be patient and consistent and by taking away the vertical passing game it is very hard to score quickly on as well as difficult to attack in the redzone. But there are ways for a good offense to attack the Tampa 2.

The key to beating a defense is knowing where it is weak. The Tampa 2 is a fairly simple defense to beat in theory and its’ weaknesses are now common knowledge to most football fans. There are two simple ways to beat the T2 through the air, one is the “flood” method, the other is hitting a few simple routes.

Before we get any further into the X’s and O’s of the T2, perhaps the biggest key to your success is your offensive line. There is no “quick” passing attack against the T2, as that is what is designed to stop. Simply put, if they can rush you with 4 defenders and deny you the time to take a 5 step drop (typically drop for a 10 yard out or 12 yard curl) you have virtually no hope of winning. Perhaps you need to go with max protect, shift your protection or rollout, but finding a way to have the time to throw is priority number one.

The T2 has a large “window” created behind the corner, in front of the safeties and outside of the linebackers. This rectangle is easy to attack with simple out patterns or layered curl patterns with two receivers (you simply attack the one the linebacker does not cover).

The T2 has another window that forms in front of the safeties but behind the linebackers that can be exploited with touch pass’s on simple streaks, posts double moves. These are not easy throws as they require precise timing and “touch” but can be highly effective.

The “Flood” method is very simple in principal, you send 4 people into an area guarded by 3 defenders and pick your target. A common “Flood” would be a streak by the outside WR, a curl by the TE, an arrow/flats pattern by the RB and a drag by the backside WR.

Another type would just be running multiples of the same pattern and flooding a “zone”. An example of this would be a double slant in which you decide which slant the OLB picks up and throw to the other. Perhaps an easier combo would be the double curl with the same read, but a stationary target.

You can also flood by placing a defender in controversy, such as running a post/corner cross where the outside receiver runs the post and the inside runs a corner and you find which one the safety picks and throw the other.

Perhaps the easiest way of all to beat the Tampa 2 is with the running game. While the T2 is a fairly balanced defense and leaves 9 defenders “up”, there is no easier way to pass then with play action.

If you can get the MLB to bite up, the post goes from a difficult touch pass to a wide open “gimme”. The threat of the run may slow down the pass rush, or force the defense to blitz which will open up the window for your quick throw.

Even better, you may get a safety to bite up. Establishing a solid rushing game and keeping it going throughout the game is the perhaps the only way to beat a good T2 defense.

The Tampa 2 defense is not an impossible defense to score against. It just requires you to shift your game plan. You can’t throw quick pass’s and you can’t open it up vertical, but you can get consistent, mid-range gains with solid play calling and good quarterback play.

The Tampa 2 will give you as the offense an option to throw too, but you have to take what they give you and not force the throw before seeing what the defense does. Your going to need balance and a willingness to take what is given to you, but if you are patient you can put up points.