Zone coverage is a defensive strategy in American football where defenders are assigned specific areas of the field rather than individual players. Each defender is responsible for covering any offensive player that enters their designated zone, allowing for better teamwork and coverage against passing plays. This approach helps to minimize gaps in the defense and can be particularly effective against teams that rely heavily on short, quick passes. Zone coverage can be utilized in various formations, such as the Cover 2 or Cover 3, each offering different strengths and weaknesses depending on the offensive strategy being faced.