Nickel Coverage is for passing situations. Basically you are playing man to man on all receivers and keeping 2 safetys on top of everything to help out. Rules are very simple. Corners play number 1. Sam and Will backers will play number 2. Mike plays number 3 .If the TE is number 2, Sam can play from the L.O.S. Do not play Mike from there. If Mike has T.E. Let him play him from his normal position. There are games you can play. You can substitute another Defensive Back for the Will Backer. That is where the name "Nickel" comes from. 5 Defensive Backs. If they run Trips and you do not want Mike to cover, have the Will and Sam to to the number 2 and 3 receivers.