Quarters Coverage vs. The spread

To clarify, I'd have it set up something like this:

......................................................HB...QB

.................................WR...................................................WR.............
...WR...............................................T..G..C..G..T....................................WR
.....................................................5...3.....1.....4
....C......................................S....................................W.............................C
...............................................................M.......

...................................SS..................................................FS


Corners-7x1 off #1, with deep quarter (or half, depending on the routes run)

FS and SS- 10 yards off number two (utilizing their quarters coverage read vs. #2 and reacting accordingly).

S and W- Outside Run contain, splitting distance between number 2 and T (Sam thinking speed option, toss his way and Will thinking Zone Run his way). Keying near triangle. OLB's wall off number 2 from the seam and work their way out to the flat.

M-Has the hole. Drops off #3. Keying the guards v. run

How do you defend an out by #2 with the CBs in man on #1? Do you mix in other coverages that look the same pre-snap? What about smash? The corner route by #2 would be wide open if the CB is in man on #1 running the hitch, right?

Getting "Quarters" straight vs. 3x1 spreads is not as easy as vs. 2x2 spread sets!

Oneback,
What would you end up doing vs. the 3x1 spread? Would you try to go quarter-quarter-half (quarters to the trips) or would you try and play man with the OLB covering #3? Any other coverages, or maybe a mixture of both?

Mdunny - Vs. 3x1 - play QUARTERS with the Corner (#1), Safety (#2), & OLB (CURL/FLAT off release of #2) to 3 receiver side. On the backside - the F/S cheats over & mans up on #3 strong. Backside Corner = M/M on #1 weak. MLB keys RB, & covers hook/curl to side he releases! OLB weak = M/M on #2 that side.

This is how the Dallas Cowboys adjusted Quarter Coverage to 3x1 in their Super Bowl years in the 1990's (they were the #1 proponent of 1/4 coverage in NFL).

No more typing time. If you wish to discuss this further - phone me at 804-378-0116 (up to 10 PM/Eastern).

We are a G defense (425) not 43. So I have DB type kids playing 3 of the 4 backers. My only TRUE backer type is my Mike.

We LOVE Cover 1 to this set.

Leaves 6 in the box against the run plus the FS over the top to make 7. 2x2 sets are real easy. 3x1 brings our "scrapper" ILB out to cover #3. We do not go "backer over. Mike plays 10 tech and plays the hole. We teach the MIke and BUC to pattern read #3 and the Back. If the back releases to #3 at the snap, Buc plays the back and the Mike drops to play #3 with the FS helping everyone. If the back goes opposite the trips side, Will plays him M/M.

We teach the Off-Man technique where you jam the receiver at 5 yds. Alignment is 5yds off each receiver. On the snap they can see run/pass by alignment so they are not run off by the receivers.

Change up is Cover 2 or 4 or even 2-man.

2 backs = Robber
1 back = Cover 1

everything else is a change up to us. We determine if the Spread team is a throwing team or a running team then adjust how we change it up.

Base to us is 2 backs = robber, 1 back = Cover 1.

I am a HS coach and our kids go both ways. We do not have a ton of time to install a bunch of coverages where I feel confident my kids can play it right against the multitude of formations some of these OC's have. (which by-the-way the reason OC's do what they do.... to confuse you and make you attempt to have 4-6 coverages). We live and die on Robber and Cover 1. Not saying they are the only 2 coverages BUT... we believe in KISS and will never out scheme ourselves. I feel my kids know every situation that may present itself to them. I worked with coaches that had 8-9 coverages and I felt that the kids knew a little about them all but were not excellent at the 2-3 coverages we ran most of the time. I gave up out scheming for out executing our opponents. I have slow, little, white kids. We hit the weights and conditioning program and keep our offense and Defense with KISS and GATA as our mottos.

Our individual period for Defense is ALWYAS teaching and repping Cover 1.

Ethan,
That's what scared me too. I've seen this happen to many teams, which is why I wanted to see people's thoughts on playing this against the spread. After listening to the D-Line coach at Boston College speak, it seems as if they just rely on their nose to soak up that double team and have the rest of the D Line get immediate penetration and keep the mike free to make the play. Unfortunately, I'm not sure if we have a B.J. Raji that can do that at the nose . For teams less fortunate, my guess would be that you would have your OLB's line up over the tackles to give you 7 in the box and cheat your safeties up to give you almost a Cover 0 look. Again this would make you more vulnerable in the flats, so the offense is always going to have you somewhere. I don't have experience running this defense, so anybody that does, feel free to chime in.

allisojh,

We do a lot of the same things as you do. Is it possible to get some info on your defense, especially what you do vs a 2x2 and 3x1 formations?

You can send it to educ8tu@yahoo.com

Thanks....