1/4 coverage / Robber safety rules/reads

Coach, we are a base 4-2-5 defensive package so when ever we get twins receivers one of the basic coverages we use is a robber coverage. Our Strong safety will buzz to the flats on the snap of the ball. He is not worried about is normal outside force of the run, he will be secondary contain in this coverage. His eyes are going to the #1 receiver immediately to get underneath the out route and into the flat zone. Our corner starts at 8 yards and at the snap of the ball he bails to the deep half zone. He must get inside in order to cover the #2 receiver that goes vertical. But he must also read the #2 receiver's route because we see the smash route so often that if he notices the corner route early he will have an easy interception. Our FS is a flat foot player. That means he will screw down to six yards and not move his feet. He must keep inside leverage on the #2 receiver and he also needs to read run because he is primary support. We tell him if #2 works outside before he gets to you take your eyes to #1 and play the route. You need to rob the curl route or and collision on a quick post route. If you can not tell what he is doing at 7-8 yards when he is to you collision and play trail technique expecting an inside break late. Help the corner on a strait vertical route. We also have a backside weak safety that may help, depending on the coverage we set up according to the backside formation. I hope this helps!


H&H = Hustle and Hit

Mike Lawrence
Plano East , Texas