Bump and run coverage

<h2 id="history">History</h2>
In one view, the bump and run originated in the <a href="/facts/American_Football_League/IQaEvK3J">American Football League</a> in the 1960s, one of whose earliest experts was <a href="/facts/Willie_Brown_(American_football)/lS27hGrX">Willie Brown</a> of the <a href="/facts/Oakland_Raiders/Aa6gxoI6">Oakland Raiders</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:1" href="#fn:1">1</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:2" href="#fn:2">2</a> Before playing for the Raiders, Brown was a rookie with the <a href="/facts/Denver_Broncos/dVY51Yl2">Denver Broncos</a> in 1963 and played there through 1966.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3">3</a> In another version of the bump and run's origins, Brown created the bump and run defense as a linebacker at <a href="/facts/Grambling_State_University/GT1fw7VM">Grambling University</a>, and then first brought it to professional football in 1963, when he was a defensive back with the Denver Broncos.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4">4</a> 
In yet another version of possible origins, <a href="/facts/Jack_Faulkner/ssnVTDEo">Jack Faulkner</a> gets significant credit for development of the bump and run. Faulkner was head coach for the Broncos from 1962-64, during Brown's first two professional years.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5">5</a> While Faulkner was the <a href="/facts/Los_Angeles_Rams/zV3pVtj1">Los Angeles Rams</a> defensive backfield coach in 1958, the team tried out future <a href="/facts/Naismith_Memorial_Basketball_Hall_of_Fame/HbvfMG8r">Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer</a> <a href="/facts/K.C._Jones/wPjdLIpq">K. C. Jones</a> as a defensive back. Using his style as a basketball defender, Jones would cover receivers at the <a href="/facts/Line_of_scrimmage/dqovSmMB">line of scrimmage</a> and hand check them as they ran down the field. Jones decided on a basketball career, but Faulkner took the knowledge of what he had seen from Jones with him when he became an AFL defensive backs coach with the Los Angeles Chargers; and then to Denver, where Willie Brown became a pro player.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:6" href="#fn:6">6</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7">7</a>
On the other hand, <a href="/facts/National_Football_League/cBH0hxRV">National Football League</a> defensive back <a href="/facts/Pat_Fischer/z6RlBwHw">Pat Fischer</a>, who is closely associated with the bump and run, believes that cornerback <a href="/facts/Abe_Woodson/uBx1nzQc">Abe Woodson</a>, who taught Fischer the technique when they both played for the <a href="/facts/St._Louis_Cardinals_(NFL)/eUArEUam">St. Louis Cardinals</a> (1965-66), originated the bump and run while playing for the <a href="/facts/San_Francisco_49ers/k84dwG63">San Francisco 49ers</a> in the late 1950s and early 1960s. In another telling, Fischer said he learned the bump and run in the early 1960s from teammate <a href="/facts/Jimmy_Hill_(American_football)/jxb5lBu8">Jimmy Hill</a>, at the urging of Cardinals defensive coach <a href="/facts/Chuck_Drulis/Ne1jR1fb">Chuck Drulis</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:8" href="#fn:8">8</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:9" href="#fn:9">9</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10">10</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:11" href="#fn:11">11</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:12" href="#fn:12">12</a> 
Pro Football Hall of Fame executive vice president Joe Horrigan, stated: "'But if I were to say who generally has been credited for it, Willie Brown is generally historically credited with popularizing the bump-and-run - not inventing it, but popularizing it.'"<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:13" href="#fn:13">13</a> <a href="/facts/Mel_Blount/NFu1BwAd">Mel Blount</a> of the <a href="/facts/Pittsburgh_Steelers/ArD7FTxQ">Pittsburgh Steelers</a> specialized in this coverage to such a point as to cause numerous rule changes (see below) strictly limiting when and where a defender may make contact with a potential receiver in order to make it easier for receivers to run their routes and increase scoring.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:14" href="#fn:14">14</a>
In contrast, under <a href="/facts/National_Collegiate_Athletic_Association/nLkY4pm1">NCAA</a> rules, contact is allowed anywhere on the field as long as contact is in front of the defender and a pass is not in the air.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:15" href="#fn:15">15</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:16" href="#fn:16">16</a>

<h2 id="technique">Technique</h2>
This play works well against routes that require the receiver to be in a certain spot at a certain time.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:17" href="#fn:17">17</a> The disadvantage, however, is that the receiver can shed contact and get behind the <a href="/facts/Cornerback/AE6Yog1a">cornerback</a> for a big play.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:18" href="#fn:18">18</a> This varies from the more traditional defensive formation in which a defensive player will give the receiver a "cushion" of about 5 yards to prevent the receiver from getting behind him.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:19" href="#fn:19">19</a> In the <a href="/facts/National_Football_League/cBH0hxRV">NFL</a>, a defensive back is allowed any sort of contact within the 5 yard bump zone except for holding the receiver, otherwise the defensive back can be called for an illegal contact <a href="/facts/Penalty_(American_football)/hbvkACJ2">penalty</a>, costing 5 yards and an automatic first down, enforced since 1978, and known colloquially as the <a href="/facts/Mel_Blount_Rule/Q2dsbVJ7">Mel Blount Rule</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:20" href="#fn:20">20</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:21" href="#fn:21">21</a>

<h2 id="see-also">See also</h2>
<ul><li><a href="/facts/American_football_strategy/GRv7BjhC">American football strategy</a></li></ul>

<h2 id="references">References</h2>

<ol>
<li id="fn:1">STRAUB, LUKE (2018-01-09). "Raiders' legend Willie Brown recalls glory days". Petaluma Argus-Courier. Retrieved 2024-11-27. <a href="https://www.petaluma360.com/article/sports/raiders-legend-willie-brown-recalls-glory-days/" target="_blank">https://www.petaluma360.com/article/sports/raiders-legend-willie-brown-recalls-glory-days/</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:2">"Hall of Fame cornerback Willie Brown dies at age 78". AP News. 2019-10-22. Retrieved 2024-11-27. <a href="https://apnews.com/article/c7f5fcdc45124731b8d9d8296a0ba1f8" target="_blank">https://apnews.com/article/c7f5fcdc45124731b8d9d8296a0ba1f8</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:3">"Willie Brown Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2025-04-10. <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BrowWi01.htm" target="_blank">https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BrowWi01.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:4">Steinberg, Dan (January 12, 2015). "Scot McCloughan's dad, Pat Fischer, and the birth of bump-and-run coverage". Washington Post. <a href="https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA397114533&sid=sitemap&v=2.1&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w&userGroupName=anon%7E352b4022&aty=open-web-entry" target="_blank">https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA397114533&sid=sitemap&v=2.1&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w&userGroupName=anon%7E352b4022&aty=open-web-entry</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:5">"Jack Faulkner | Pro Football History.com". pro-football-history.com. Retrieved 2025-04-10. <a href="https://pro-football-history.com/coach/122/jack-faulkner-bio" target="_blank">https://pro-football-history.com/coach/122/jack-faulkner-bio</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:6">"Bump and run, or just boxing out? K.C. Jones left impact on NFL | Pro Football Hall of Fame". pfhof. November 21, 2017. Retrieved 2025-04-10. <a href="https://www.profootballhof.com/blogs/2017/11/blogs-stories-from-the-pro-football-hall-of-fame-archives-bump-and-run-or-just-boxing-out-kc-jones/" target="_blank">https://www.profootballhof.com/blogs/2017/11/blogs-stories-from-the-pro-football-hall-of-fame-archives-bump-and-run-or-just-boxing-out-kc-jones/</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:7">"1963 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2025-04-10. <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/den/1963.htm" target="_blank">https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/den/1963.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:8">Shapiro, Leonard (October 9, 2024). "Undersized cornerback was a fierce competitor". Washington Post. <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:9">"Pat Fischer Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2025-04-09. <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FiscPa00.htm" target="_blank">https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FiscPa00.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:10">Steinberg, Dan (January 12, 2015). "Scot McCloughan's dad, Pat Fischer, and the birth of bump-and-run coverage". Washington Post. <a href="https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA397114533&sid=sitemap&v=2.1&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w&userGroupName=anon%7E352b4022&aty=open-web-entry" target="_blank">https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA397114533&sid=sitemap&v=2.1&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w&userGroupName=anon%7E352b4022&aty=open-web-entry</a> <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:11">Turney, John (2024-09-24). "State Your Case: Abe Woodson, 'The Willie Mays of Football'". Talk of Fame. Retrieved 2025-04-09. <a href="https://talkoffametwo.com/state-your-case/state-your-case-abe-woodson" target="_blank">https://talkoffametwo.com/state-your-case/state-your-case-abe-woodson</a> <a href="#fnref:11" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:12">Steinberg, Dan (January 11, 2015). "Figuring out the coverage". The Washington Post. <a href="#fnref:12" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:13">Steinberg, Dan (January 11, 2015). "Figuring out the coverage". The Washington Post. <a href="#fnref:13" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:14">"Mel Blount, NFL 100". NFL.com. Retrieved 2024-11-27. <a href="https://www.nfl.com/100/originals/100-greatest/game-changers-46" target="_blank">https://www.nfl.com/100/originals/100-greatest/game-changers-46</a> <a href="#fnref:14" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:15">Kirshner, Alex (2018-08-30). "College pass interference rules are better for DBs than the NFL's". SBNation.com. Retrieved 2024-11-27. <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/2018/8/30/17488358/ncaa-pass-interference-rule-nfl-differences" target="_blank">https://www.sbnation.com/2018/8/30/17488358/ncaa-pass-interference-rule-nfl-differences</a> <a href="#fnref:15" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:16">"Understanding The 5 Yard Illegal Contact Rule In The NFL - vIQtory Sports". 2018-07-30. Retrieved 2024-11-27. <a href="https://www.viqtorysports.com/understanding-5-yard-contact-rule/" target="_blank">https://www.viqtorysports.com/understanding-5-yard-contact-rule/</a> <a href="#fnref:16" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:17">Hatman, Dan (2017-02-15). "ITP Glossary: Bump And Run Technique | The Scouting Academy". Retrieved 2024-11-28. <a href="https://scoutingacademy.com/itp-glossary-bump-run-technique/" target="_blank">https://scoutingacademy.com/itp-glossary-bump-run-technique/</a> <a href="#fnref:17" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:18">Nguyen, Ted. "Explaining the four coverage categories: Man, zone, zone match and man match". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-11-28. <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/2275485/2020/12/22/defense-coverages-types-man-zone/" target="_blank">https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/2275485/2020/12/22/defense-coverages-types-man-zone/</a> <a href="#fnref:18" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:19">"Top Defensive Back Drills For Practice". www.glazierclinics.com. Retrieved 2024-11-28. <a href="https://www.glazierclinics.com/football-coach-resources/defensive-back-drills?hs_amp=true" target="_blank">https://www.glazierclinics.com/football-coach-resources/defensive-back-drills?hs_amp=true</a> <a href="#fnref:19" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:20">"Understanding The 5 Yard Illegal Contact Rule In The NFL - vIQtory Sports". 2018-07-30. Retrieved 2024-11-27. <a href="https://www.viqtorysports.com/understanding-5-yard-contact-rule/" target="_blank">https://www.viqtorysports.com/understanding-5-yard-contact-rule/</a> <a href="#fnref:20" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:21">"Mel Blount, NFL 100". NFL.com. Retrieved 2024-11-27. <a href="https://www.nfl.com/100/originals/100-greatest/game-changers-46" target="_blank">https://www.nfl.com/100/originals/100-greatest/game-changers-46</a> <a href="#fnref:21" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
</ol>

Bump and run coverage open-in-new

Bump and run coverage