Attacking Quarters Coverage Through 6 Stress Points

Attacking Quarters Coverage Through 6 Stress Pointsby: AFM Research Staff July 2001

Cover 4 (4 man rush, 3 under, 4 deep zone) is a pass defense popular on all levels. In this article, we will provide the basic overview of the steps involved in attacking cover 4 with the pass by looking at six stress points inherent in a cover 4 scheme.

1. Corners are not guaranteed post help2. "Banjo" call when 1 and #2 are close3. Trips formation dilemma4. Unfavorable match-ups (WRs vs. LBs.)5. Gray area outbreaks by #2 receiver6. Create confusion over LBs exchanging routes

Stress Point #1

The corners are one on one without post help when an offense uses up the safeties by one of two methods:

1.) Release #2 receiver vertical: The safety has to cover #2 once he clears the LBs. The toughest route for the corner to cover by himself is the post. This play can go the distance and it is the most preferred throw when there is no safety help in the middle. This means offenses need to use the safety up vertically - but keep him from helping on the post by #1. The possible routes by #2 the safety has to account for are: the dig (6 route), deep turn in (15-18 yards) and the corner (7 route) - if the corner and safety do not pass the 7/8 scissors combination off from a normal split. These are all based on how deep a defense has the linebackers responsible for #2. Study an opponent's tendencies. Some teams do it by depth; for example: safeties have #2 past 12 yards, some may use 15 yards, and some go up to 18 yards. Other teams do it by routes; for example, a safety might only be responsible for routes that break upfield, while the LBs have any route that breaks at 90 degrees or below. The following pattern is a common method to take a shot downfield on the corner. (See Diagram 1)

Diagram 1.

2.) Involve the safety on a run fake: This will prohibit helping the corner on the #1 receiver. To do this on an offense needs to study the particular style of cover 4 the defense is playing and see which safety has a run gap responsibility. In general terms, the defense can be deploying seven-man spacing (no safeties assigned to run gaps), eight-man spacing (assigning one safety a specific run gap - very common), or nine-man spacing (using both safeties in the run front). This example will utilize eight-man spacing. An offense must predetermine which safety is being used as the 8th man for run support by front, and how it can manipulate him. In this example, the SS will be the 8th man in an over-shifted front. This means a lead weak action, the SS has cutback "A" gap responsibility. The Will LB is leveraging the ball back to the Mike LB. By showing aggressive run blocking, the SS has to honor his gap responsibility. This translates to the strong corner not betting post help. (See Diagram 2)

Diagram 2.

Many teams track the corner to play off technique and read #2 to define if he has help (corner can then use outside leverage if the safety is not used up as he becomes available to help on inside breaking routes). This is accomplished by #2 releasing shallow inside or outside, meaning the linebackers have him and the safety now helps on #1. If in his read the corner realizes he has no help, he must be in inside leverage to stop the post himself. To review, this comes about because: A) #2 vertical release uses up the safety, and B) the good run action fake requiring the safety to fill his gap. Next, the offense must see if the defense plays cover 4 from bump. If so, is the corner inside or outside leverage? Remember, now the corner cannot read what #2 is doing - doesn't know if he has help from the safety or now. If a defense takes away the post by putting the corners on inside alignments, the next obvious step is to throw the outbreaks on them. (See Diagram 3)

Diagram 3.

Stress Point #2

By motioning or aligning #1 and #2 close together, many defenses will go to an "in and out" or "banjo" situation between the safety and corner. The reason for going to this banjo check is to pass off the common "scissors" pattern (7/8 combination) that happens frequently, particularly in the Red Zone. Offenses know many defensive choices for zones here are more restricted and quarters coverage fits nicely inside the 20-yard line. (See Diagram 4)

Diagram 4.

When the two DBs are in a Banjo situation, double inbreaks or double outbreaks are the hardest, as one of the DBs will have the wrong leverage. (See Diagrams 5A, B & C)

Stress Point #3

Any form of 3 receivers on one side, and one to the other (trips), results in the defense Diagram 5A.

Diagram 5B.

Diagram 5C.

having to decide how to cover the trips side because generally staying straight quarters coverage is not sufficient. Defenses normally react with one of two adjustments:

A.) Mike carries #3 - so he is vulnerable deep.

B.) The FS comes over to cover #3 vertically - so the backside corner is vulnerable. (See Diagrams 6 & 7)

Diagram 6.

Diagram 7.

Offense must make sure to align #2 opened up away from the TE by at least 5 yards because many defenses will not count trips pair as a problem formation - the logic being that both #2 and #3 probably will not both go vertical after aligning this close together, and even if they did, the SS would be able to handle both of them.

Aligning in an empty 3 x 2 formation can work to an offense's advantage vs. cover 4 as now it will have a good idea which adjustment you will get to the trips side - the FS cannot come over to carry #3 because there are 2 receivers to his side, so now the Mike must carry #3 strong. (See Diagram 8)

Diagram 8.

"Match up" alignments also may play to an offense's advantage. If the defense wants to match the corners and safeties on "like" receivers - the offense can get the corners inside in an unfamiliar position, particularly on the issue of trips (carry #3 with Mike or now have the weak corner come across the formation to carry #3 vertically). This also creates a new set of communication problems, as now the corners are responsible to make the calls to the LBs, something they normally don't do. In the example below, one of the key match-ups is the RB vs. the FS isolated on the weak side. (See Diagram 9)

Diagram 9.

Stress Point #4

The LBs can be put in unfavorable match-ups vs. WRs or RBs (especially Mike). This is due to the concept of four offensive players can run off 6 defensive players, leaving one LB one-on-one vs. an offenses best player. The key to using up the defenders is the "wheel" route by #2. Most defenses teach the underneath coverage men to take a wheel (flat and up). (See Diagram 10)

Diagram 10.

If a defense does not teach the idea of Sam and Will running with wheel routes, then the offense can run the corner off with #1 on a vertical - now who are they going to ask to cover #2 on a wheel? (See Diagram 11)

Diagram 11.

If Sam drops the TE wheel, the SS can't get to him. Remember, his read says he is concerned with #2 on a vertical stem, not a shallow flat read. The trick is to start #2's route shallow, but end up deep.

With the post/wheel combination, Mike is left all alone underneath with a "skill" player. In order to exploit this, run an option (2 way go on Mike) and play pitch-and-catch with the following 3 types of isolations. (See Diagrams 12, 13 & 14)

Diagram 12.

Diagram 13.

Diagram 14.

The above isolation on the Sam LB is particularly tough in a front where Sam is on the LOS. Once #1 motions down close to #2 in the core, the "banjo" check kicks in. Now when #1 comes shallow underneath #2, he becomes Sam's responsibility because the SS is used up on #2's in route. Design the pattern so the RB does away from Sam, thus keeping Mike from helping on #1 because he is keying #3 (the RB).

Stress Point #5

Outbreaking routes by #2 can be tough when they occur in the "gray area," a little deep for the LBs, and a little shallow for the safeties. Study a defense's individual tendencies for the depth they need to work that week. Eight to 10 yards is a good starting point. The offense should persuade the linebacker that #2 is releasing vertically to the safety, clear the LB and then run the out cut. This is especially tough to the side on which the LB is lined up inside. This means the LB has to chase the out from this position. (See Diagram 15)

Diagram 15.

Stress Point #6

A strong side flood (Four receivers to that side) that incorporates a high-low between #3 strong and #1 weak (coming from the open side) can create confusion between Mike and Will on their responsibilities for handling these two receivers. This occurs because this coverage is a zone that quickly becomes man to man after the snap due to the fact this defense only has 3 underneath droppers. Communication and solid knowledge of pass/no pass rules are critical for the defense. The wheel route by #2 strong should be incorporated to force Sam to carry him. Now the high-low conflict for Mike and Will can be set up by running #3 strong on a dig route, and #1 weak on the shallow cross. This play is based on getting five receivers out into the pattern. The dilemma is now obvious: Should Mike keep #3 or attempt to exchange with Will? Mike is going to carry the TE early in the down. (If he does not, then the dig can be thrown in before the SS can get to him). An offense should align #1 weak on a tight split so he can cross over to the strong side quickly to set up the flood. One of two things usually happens at this point: Mike and Will pass the two receivers late. This is tough on Mike because he has his back to the Will and X; his vision is on the TE. Communication by Will to Mike must be impeccable. The second possibility is that Mike and Will stay locked on #3 and #1. Put 2 on a post, still keep the possibility of the home run throw depending on what the SS does, and the technique of the corner. (See Diagram 16)

Diagram 16.

Versus an empty set with a 3 X 2 alignment, most defenses assign Mike to carry #3, so again, the same dilemma exists. (See Diagram 17)

Diagram 17.

From a two-back set, offenses can get to the same concept. The unknown wildcard with this is how will the defense play the X in a tight alignment. With 2 backs, some defenses "jump" the X and have the FS carry him to the strong side, while the weak corner goes deep to replace the free safety. In this case the defense has enough to match up, so look for the defenses that make no special provisions vs. this tight alignment. (See Diagram 18)

Diagram 18.

Hopefully this article has provided some insights into how an offense can attack quarters coverage. Inherent in all schemes are certain weaknesses. By using these weaknesses as points of emphasis, an offense may well be able to score against another wise tough defense.