Cover 2 vs Quarters

I agree with zulu about cover2.

1/4's is strong against the vertical passing game. Also 1/4's allows the defense to double the #1 recievers if #2 blocks or goes to the flat.

jordan233, yes...

QUARTERS (this is how we play it) -there are a number of different ways to play this coveage.

Corners are locked on #1; expect no help

Safeties read #2
#2 to flat - get inside and ontop of #1 - but - if #2 runs a wheel, get ontop of it
#2 vertical - lock on #2
#2 shallow inside (under LB's drop) - look for crosser or help corner
#2 deep inside (behind LB's drop) - lock on #2
We tell that safety that if he ever becomes confused as to what #2 is doing, simply lock on to #2.

OLB's have whoever comes to the flat #2 or #3. If #2 goes vertical, the OLB should try to give him a shot (to help the safety). If #2 does a wheel, the OLB will run to the flat with him, but the safety will play the deep part of the pattern.

We run this coverage only to the following formations: pro, tight slot, 2TE/2FL.
We do not run this coverage to a twins or to a TE/wing.

In this coverage the corners are really pass defenders; they don't have to be great run defenders. The safeties have to be able to play the run. I like this coverage vs double width formtions better than cover2 because I feel it does a better job of squeezing the runs off-tackle and outside. It cuts down the alley that a 2-deep half field player must fill, and it puts a defender closer to the action than a 2-deep corner.
If the offense does not release #2, the defense ends up doubling #1.

jordan223

Glad I could be of some help. If you have any question, post them and I'll answer.

Your question is the reason we run 1/4's the way we do. Some coaches play 1/4's with the C playing a deep zone if #1 runs a post. In other words, the safety would become repsonsible for #1 on the post and the C would zone off his 1/4. We weren't too wild about having the C play #1 man and then have to pass off #1 and play a deep 1/4 zone. If you think about it, there is a seam there.

If #1 runs a post, the C is locked on all the way. If the S does not have to cover #2, the S will get inside and ontop of #1. The S is responsible for any double move by #1 (post/flag). The S will be inside and ontop of #1. Now there is really not much of a seam.

The only time the C would release #1 would be if #1 ran a post and #2 ran a flag. Both the S and C would start by playing each man (S's read has him man on #2 if #2 vertical). When the receivers cross the S and C will simply play the man who comes to them. We call this technique IN&OUT. Depending on the S and C, we might simply tell them to stay with thier respective man, but we'd rather have them switch.

So if #1 runs a post C locks, and if #2 runs a wheel then S will come over and pick it up? YES

How about if #2 runs an over route, will S pass him off to the undercoverage as he breaks inside? If an under is a shallow drag, the LB and backside safety will look for the dragging #2. The MLB will also try to him a shot as he crosses.

So if I run a smash combo, C will lock on to the hitch, and F will pick up #2 on the Corner route? Then my RB running a divide down the middle of the field is uncovered, or will Mike pick him up? MLB is responsible for the back down the middle (MLB responsible for #3). Yeah, I know what you're thinking: You have a mismatch.....

We tell our MLB's that they are responsible for #3, so a RB running down the middle is his; don't expect help. I know some guys who tell the MLB to tackle the back. On paper I guess this would be a good a idea. From a balanced 1-back formation put 5 blockers on 4 rushers, send the WR's on deep or out breaking patterns, and send the RB up the middle.

Because we will align in a 4-deep look and stunt, we don't often see the back release down the middle. Some teams will try to sneak him out on a flare screen, but we have a call that alerts our DE's to play the screen and rush. It really becomes a guessing game. If the offense guess incorrectly, the bacn is playin gof ro us.

Some guys have the safeties bounce in place while reading; my guys didn't like that, so I let them slow shuffle. I tell the safeties that if #2 is still coming vertically down the field after the safety takes his three shuffles, it's a vertical. If the safety is not sure what #2 is doing, the safety should lock on to #2.

We will not play 1/4's to a 3x1 set; we'll play cover3. The strong C will play deep 1/3; the OLB will play curl/flat; and the FS will slide1/2 between #3 and the OT (if #3 is wide) or play just outside #3 (if #3 is tight).

We consider 1/4's a match-up zone. Defenders will play man on a receiver in their zone without chasing them across the field. If receivers run inside, defenders will look for recievers coming out to their zone. If recievers cross, the defenders simply switch.