Cover 4

We are a 4-4 (Wide Tackle6), adn this is how we play 1/4's out of an 8-man front. There are a number of different ways to play this coveage. We run it this way because we feel it fits in better with what we do overall.

Corners are locked on #1; expect no help

Safety 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 (to 2-receiver side) has 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.

On the backside the OLB and LB combo the back (in a 2-back set). If the OLB stunts, the LB has the back, and vice versa.

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. There is never a blocker assigned to block the FS; he's not only the 9th man in the bax, he's also an unblocked player.

When we face a 1-back team we will jump into a 4-3 scheme that has our SE-side OLB become the SE-side deep 1/4 player.