muskie quarters
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1/4\'s Coverage SimplifiedTRANSCRIPT
¼’s Coverage Made Simple
“The Muskie Way”
Muskingum College
Table of Contents:
Introduction
1. Why Quarters (1/4’s) Coverage
2. Terminology
3. Offensive Formations – How They Affect Coverage
4. CB’s Reads
5. Safety’s Reads
6. Big Picture – How it all fits together
Introduction:
The purpose of this presentation is to dispel some of the notions about ¼’s coverage. For some people when you mention ”quarters” there is a sense of uneasiness that comes over them. A sense of not knowing, as if ¼’s coverage was some newfangled invention. We are not reinventing the wheel. Quarters coverage is not as difficult as many people would have you believe. I hope this manual will help clear up many of the questions that you might have about the coverage.
(*At least as far as this simple football coach can understand it!!)
Chapter 1: Why Quarters Coverage
Why Quarters coverage (1/4)? Why do we need to reinvent the wheel when cover 3, cover 2 (2-deep), cover 1 (man free), and 0 (no one free) seem to handle all of the situations in football that we encounter. In the game of football, we still need to stop the run, that is the name of the game. In my opinion there is no other coverage that allows me to commit up to 9 players to defend the run. The displacement of personnel also allows us to defend the field for the passing game.
Cov Description: Run Defenders: Pass Defenders:
0 Man Coverage / 6 man pressure (nobody free)
6 people committed to the run 5 people committed to the pass
1 Man Coverage / 5 man pressure (One Free)
5 people committed to the run 6 people committed to the pass
2 2 deep scheme / 5 underneath (either man or zone)
Up to 9 people playing run however offensive splits usually make it no more than 8 and often times 7.
Up to 4 – usually one of the cornerbacks is oversplit so he can’t be and affective run player.
3 3 deep scheme 8 people committed to the run 3 people are committed to the pass
4 ¼’s scheme (multiple)
- ¼, ¼, ½- ¼, ¼, ¼, ¼- ½, ½,
Up to 9 people playing run, no fewer than 8 vs. Pro Set – 9 man front.
2 people most of the time, sometimes 3 and up to 4.
Chapter 1: (Cont.) Why ¼’s Coverage
• Whatever your defensive scheme you need to be able to commit as many people as it takes to stop the run. There is nothing worse than defending someone that is running the ball at will on you and you can’t do anything to stop it. Now they can throw at will because we have everybody thinking run. We must stop the run and make them throw when we want them to throw.
• MAKE THE OFFENSE PREDICTABLE – NOW THEY LOSE ANY ADVANTAGE THEY MIGHT HAVE HAD!!
• In looking at the chart on the previous page one can see how many players can be committed to the run and pass in certain coverages. Some defenses or coverages pull more or less people into the coverage. It seems that the trendy defense is the 8-man front (at least in Hs.) The 8-man front is a great front, however the last time I checked 9 was still more than 8. The utilization of ¼’s coverage allows the defense depending on certain formations to play a 9 man front to stop the run. It also allows for a robber coverage scheme vs. the pass that unfolds differently each time it is run because of the offensive pattern that is run into it.
• The versatility of the coverage does not stop with the numbers advantage. The coverage also allows for the ability to disguise coverages between 2 deep and 4(1/4’s) which are very different. The Qb’s pre-snap read is the same every snap with many different variations unfolding once the ball is snapped.
• The main objective of any defense should be to stop the run first. In stopping the run you know when the opponent is going to throw. If we know when the opponent is going to throw the ball, we can now game plan and scheme specifically for the pass. We have taken away at least half of the offenses arsenal which should make it more predictable. In doing this we now gain an advantage.
Chapter 1: (Cont.)Why ¼’s Coverage?
ADVANTAGES OF QUARTERS ¼’s
1. Have 9 players involved in the run game. (large % of time)
2. Give QB’s the same pre-snap read every snap, while playing many different coverages.
3. Have a robber scheme within your coverages (gain an extra player to help out)
4. Play one coverage that unfolds differently vs. each route the offense runs.
5. One coverage with 4 different techniques (CB’s), 2 techniques (Saf.)
6. Work one coverage / allows for mastery of techniques through repetition.
7. Vs. Trips routes we end up with a double robber coverage. (Interceptions!!)
8. Allows us to play a zone tech. = eyes to QB while in reality playing a match up zone. (Squeeze man in your zone)
9. More interceptions on defense because we are playing a zone tech. most of the time with our eyes to the QB. (Man coverage DB’s don’t see the QB or ball most of the time)
10. Most interceptions come in Zone coverage as opposed to man because you have more eyes on the football and you get more people breaking on the ball.
Chapter 2: Terminology• TERMINOLOGY: The terms we will use from here on out are
the terms that I would use in talking to our players. From here on we will use this terminology to discuss our cover 4.
• Defensive Calls:- Our defensive calls are given by each safety to the CB and
LB’er on their respective side of the field. - Each Safety’s call is made independently of the other.- All calls made by the safety should be echoed by the CB and Sam or Will, to insure that all 3 people are playing the proper technique.
* For the most part our Safety’s will make one of 6 calls:
- Read (puts the safety into a robber mode playing RUN first)
- Alert (puts us into a soft cover 2)
- Flat (Tells the CB/Safety to read #2’s release / #2 to the flat the CB jumps)
- Cloud (Tells the CB to play a hard Corner / Re-route)
- Gilligan (Our base answer to 3 x 1 (trips) – commit our backside safety to the front side #3)
- Clue (Tells our CB and Safety to play IN / OUT on #1 and #2 / OLB handles #3, used vs. over-split by offense trying to remove our OLB from the box for run
support)
Chapter 2: Terminology
S M W BCFC
FSSS
S M W
BC
FC
FSSS
T N E$
S M W BCFC
FSSS
S M WFC BC
FSSS
Defensive Secondary TermsCover 4
READ
READ READ
#1
#3
#2
#1 #2
Vs. Pro
#1
#2
#1
#2 #3
Vs. Twins
READ READ
FCBCSMWFS/SS
FCBCSMWFS/SS
Inside and on top of #1Inside and on top of #1Drop outside #2 and run with WheelWork off of #3, Secondary Contain on QBDrop outside on #2 and Run With WheelRead #2's release:- verticle = man to man- Out = Help on #1, rob curl- Drag= eyes to QB - look for work
Inside and on tip of #1Drop outside of #2/Run with WheelDrop outside of #2(TE)/Run with WheelRead #2/#1, #3 pick upRead #2's release:- Verticle = man to man- Out = Help on #1 (rob #1)- Drag = eyes To Qb , look for work.
* We want to Play READ anytime that we can. it gives us the ability to play a nine man front. Vs. any 2 back sets we will try and play read, or any time our corners are cowboyed over. Vs. any normal TE/Flanker set we will also play READ.
#1
#2
#2
#1#3
READALERT
* Alert or Flat call based on #1 and #2 splits
CLOUDREAD
* Each Safety makes his call independent of the other. The safety works in tandem with his corner and Lb'er.
Base Secondary Call, puts us into a robber scheme. This call is given by the safety to the cb/olb to make them aware of thir coverage responsibilities. This puts us into safety force (sky) vs. run / vs. the pass we are < Rob the curl- push the post player > or find work. CB is responsible for staying on top of #1. OLB is responsible to drop outside #2, carry wheel. Safety has #2 verticle - if #2 goes flat help on #1, curl - if #2 drags find QB, look for work.
Chapter 2: Terminology
S M W BCFC
FSSS
S M WBC FC
FSSS
Defensive Secondary TermsCover 4
ALERTThis is a support call given to the OLB to alert him to be a curl/ flat player. He will wall #2 and expand to #1 (#3 pick-up). He does not have to run with #2 vertical nor does he have to run with the wheel by #2. This call will be made anytime #1 and #2 are within 7yds. of each other or if #1 and #2 are fast guys. This puts us into a soft cover 2, however we will still rob crossers. SAfety on top of #1 and #2. Cb's anticipate vertical routes.
Alert Read
Vs. Green
Alert Alert
Vs. Red
#1
#2#3#2
#1 #1
#2
#1#2
#3
Play like soft Cov. 2, squeeze #1 until #2 crosses your vertical. Stay on top of the new #1. React back to flat w/OLB.
Play READ technique/
Wall #2 expand #1, #3 pick-up. Do not run w/wheel.(underneath player)
Play Read Technique.
Deepen up @ least 12 yds. True 1/2 field player. Work to outside leverage on #2..
FC
BC
S
W
SS
FS Play Read Technique
Play like soft Cov. 2, squeeze #1 until #2 crosses your vertical. Stay on top of the new #1. React back to flat w/OLB.
Same as FC above
Wall #2 expand #1, #3 pick-up. Do not run w/wheel.(underneath player)
Same as Sam Above
FC
BC
S
W
SS
FS
Deepen up @ least 13 yds. True 1/2 field player. Work to outside leverage on #2.
Deepen up @ least 13 yds. True 1/2 field player. Work to outside leverage on #2.
Chapter 2: Terminology
S M WFC BC
FSSS
S M WFC BC
FSSS
Cover 4
Flat This support call tells the CB to jump #2 to the flat. OLB becomes a wall #2 player or a curl player. this call tells the OLB that the cb is responsible for the flat if #2 goes to flat. If #3 goes to the flat OLB hhas #3 pick up.Safety is a true 1/2 field player and must get on top of both #1 and #2.
Vs. RedVs. Green
Flat AlertFlat Read
#1#2
#3 #2
#1 #1#2
#1#2
#3
FC
BC
S
W
SS
FS
FC
BC
S
W
SS
FS
Read #2, if flat jump route. If #2 vert get eyes to #1, stay on top. Play deep to shallow / rally to flat.
Play Your Read Technique
Wall #2, become a curl player, possible #3 pick-up. Cb has #2 to flat , OLB has #3 to flat.
Play your read Technique
Read Release of #2, True 1/2 field player. Work to outside shoulder of #2.
Play READ Technique.
Read #2. If #2 to flat / jump. If #2 goes vertical get eyes to #1. stay on top of #1. CB has flat
Defensive Secondary Terms
Wall #2, become a curl player, #3 pick-up.
Play your alert tech. Wall #2, expand to #1. #3 pick up.
1/2 field player. Stay on top of both #1 and #2.
1/2 field player. Stay on top of both #1 and #2.
FLAT CALL - Two receivers are spread out they are not within 7 yds. of each other. (Anticipate flat route)
What is the difference: ALERT / FLAT ?
Play your alert tech. Squeeze #1 until #2 crosses your vertical. Stay on top of new #1.
Call made any time #1 and #2 are more than 5yds. away / vs. a minus split.
ALERT CALL- Two receivers are withn 7 yds. of each other(anticipate the wheel route)
Chapter 2: Terminology
S M WFC BC
FSSS
S M W FCBC
FSSS
SMWFC BC
FS SS
S M WFC
BC
FSSS
Defensive Secondary TermsCover 4
Cloud This support call tells the OLB to play Curl, and #3 pick-up. Wall #2. CB is responsible for force on run and flat on passThis can be played from a "Press" tech., we are trying to get a re-route and disrupt the WR's release. Mike handle #3 vertical.
#1
#1#2
#3 #2
Vs. Pro
Cloud CloudCloud Cloud
Vs. Twins
Cloud Cloud
#1
#2#2
#1#3
Cloud Cloud
#1
#2
#3
#2
#1
CB's are the force players vs. run/ Flat defender vs. pass. Get a re-route and disrupt WR's release.- Inside release / shuffle in eyes to #2 to QB- Outside release / re-route and get eyes to QB, play man until you can see where ball going.
Wall #2 , and expand with #3 to the flat.
Wall #2 , and expand with #3 to the flat.
Handle #3 vertical, secondary contain.
1/2 field player. When the ball snapped get to a depth of 12 to 15 yds. outside shoulder of #2. Stay on top of #1 and #2.
1/2 field player. When the ball snapped get to a depth of 12 to 15 yds. outside shoulder of #2. Stay on top of #1 and #2.
FCBC
S
M
W
SS
FS
Chapter 2: Terminology
S M W FCBC
FSSS
S M W FCBC
FSSS
SM W
FCBC
FSSS
S M W FCBC
FSSS
Gilligan
Gilligan#1
Alert
#3
low hole
#1
#2#3
#1
ALERT
#3
low hole
Gilligan#1
#3
Gilligan#1
low hole
Alert
Cover 4
Cover 4 Cover 4
COVER 4
Alert
#3
low holeGilligan
#1
This is a call that we make to a trips formation. In order to run this adjustment to trips we must be in a home call with CB's displaed on both sides of the field.
Defensive Secondary Terms
This call only happens vs. a dbl width trips or in cover 4 with a home call.
Cover 4
Gilligan Call -
Play Alert to the two widest receiversMike becomes a low hole player / looks up an inside cut by 1,2 or 3. The backside safety handles #3 vertical , if #3 out Safety looks for a 2nd level crosser out of #1 or #2On the Gilligan side CB has #1, Backer has RB man to man.
We will handle any trips when in Cover 4 this way or any Dblwith trips when in Cowboy.
Chapter 2: Terminology
E N T
W M S
$
QB
C
C
FSSS
T N E$
S M W
QB
FC
BC
FSSS
Defensive Secondary TermsCover 4
Clue - This call is made by the Safety to the CB and OLB to his side when he feels that the #2 receiver is pulling the OLB too far from the box. A clue call will bump the OLB back towards the box which would help with run support as well as handling #3 out of the backfield or as a crosser.
"Clue"
#1#2
#1
#2#3
"Read" CB/SS - Play at a depth of 9 yds.
"Clue"
#3
#3
FC - Read #2, if #2 out CB jumps. If #2 verticle SS takes, CB stays on #1. (1/4)
SS - Read #2, If #2 verticle - LOCK. If #2 out jump #1. If #2 Drags / stay on top. Read QB!!
Sam - Handle #3, back out or crosser
FC - Read #2, if #2 out CB jumps. If #2 verticle SS takes, CB stays on #1. (1/4)
SS - Read #2, If #2 verticle - LOCK. If #2 out jump #1. If #2 Drags / stay on top. Read QB!!
Sam - Handle #3, back out or crosser
"Read"
CB/FS - Play at a depth of 9 yds.
Chapter 3: Offensive Formations – How
they affect Coverage
1. Any Defense that try’s to maintain a 2-deep shell can be manipulated to a certain degree. Most offenses are trying to gain a #’ s advantage either inside the Tackle Box or Outside the Tackle Box.
2. As a general rule of thumb if they get 5 in the box they will run. (Down and Distance will factor in)
3. 6 players in the box =‘s pass. (Down and Distance will factor in)
4. Are they spreading you out to Run or Pass?
5. Certain formations will dictate LB’er displacement.
6. Certain personnel groups will dictate LB’er displacement.
7. Certain personnel groups combined with motions and shifting of formations will all dictate LB’er displacement.
8. Linebacker displacement is how the offense will decide whether to run the ball and where to run the ball.
Chapter 3: Offensive Formations – How they affect Coverage
ENT
S M W
$FCBC
FSSS
ENT
S MW
$
FCBC
FSSS
ENT
SM W
$FC
BC
FSSS
ENT
S M W
$FC
BC
FS SS
ENT
S M W
$
FCBC
FSSS
ENT
S
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W
$
FCBC
FSSS
ENT
S M W
$FC
BC
FSSS
ENT
S M W
$
FC
BC
FSSS
ENT
S M W
$
FCBC
FSSS
E N T
SMW
$
FCBC
FSSS
Pro Twins
Tiger Green
Yellow Purple
Black Blue
Red Blue Open
ReadRead Cloud
Cover 4 vs. All
CloudRead Alert Read
AlertRead ReadRead
Alert Gilligan AlertGilligan
AlertAlert Gilligan Alert
#1
#1
#3
#3
I'm Here
Alert
Chapter 4: CB’s ReadsOur CB’s reads and or rules vary depending on the ¼’s call that
we are playing.
1. READ – CB’s Rule is “inside and on top” of #1. If we are playing “Off” we utilize a Zone tech. by watching the QB through the 3 step before getting our eyes back to the #1 receiver. We will handle all vertical routes including the POST. (Ends up being an “off” man concept)
2. ALERT – CB’s Rule is “squeeze #1 until #2 crosses your vertical”. Zone your ¼ do not chase #1. On an inside release by #1 get your eyes to #2. As with a read call, we watch the QB through the 3 step before snapping our eyes back to the #1 receiver. (Ends up being a zone concept)
3. FLAT – The focus of our attention is now the #2 receiver. We will read #2’s release. If #2 is vertical we play ALERT, if #2 goes out we jump the route and it puts us into a CLOUD call, or a hard corner.
4. CLOUD – Tells the CB to play a hard corner / Re-route #1 receiver getting eyes to #2.
5. GILLIGAN – Our base answer to trips. This call refers to the CB on the backside of trips (any 3x1). The call tells that CB that he has no help, he is on an island. He has #1 man to man.
6. CLUE – Tells our CB and SAFETY to play IN / OUT on #1 and #2, the OLB handles #3, used vs. over-split by offense trying to remove our OLB from the Tackle Box for run support.
Chapter 5: Safety’s Reads
Our Safety’s reads and or rules vary depending on the 1/4’s call that we are playing.
1. READ – (9-10) yds. Off of #2, reading #2’s release.If #2 is vertical lock onto, if #2 out eyes to #1, if #2 drags work on top getting vision to QB. Find work!
2. ALERT – (12-15) yds. Off and on top of #2. Read release. If #2 vertical lock onto, if #2 out get eyes to #1, if #2 drags eyes to QB. Find work!
3. FLAT – (12-15) yds. Off and on top of #2. Progression is the same as the Alert call, exception is #2 to the Flat. Safety will have to Drive on #1 because the CB is jumping #2 in flat.
4. CLOUD – (12-15) yds. Off and on top of #2. Progression is the same as Alert call. (1/2 field Defender)
5. GILLIGAN – Our base answer to trips. The backside safety away from trips bumps his read to the trips side. He reads #3’s release. #3 vertical = lock, #3 out look for deep inside cut by #1 or #2. #3 drags eyes to QB. Find Work! (Look to help on backside #1, post or dig.
6. CLUE – Tells our CB and Safety to play IN / OUT on #1 and #2, the OLB handles #3, used vs. over-split by offense trying to remove our OLB from the Tackle box for run support.
Chapter 6: The Big Picture – How it all
fits togetherIn Summary, we have found that the Quarters package
with adjustments has been the best fit for us in defending both the run and the pass. There are a lot of people that chose not to run the coverage because of what they say are the pattern reads and the time that it takes to teach. Well as in anything else when it comes to football we don’t pattern read every route that is out there. WE work the top 5 or 6 routes that our opponent runs. It is just like defending the Running game, you don’t practice all runs equally – we practice what we are going to see. From week to week we may change how we are going to handle certain route combinations – but again this is tweaking to us, not overhauling.
We have found that once the initial concepts are learned the coverage takes on a life of its own. This is a coverage that we have utilized at all levels from the High School level to our current situation at Washington University. It is a coverage that can be taught to any an all levels of football. I expect our players to perform the coverage, set your sights high and accept nothing less.
Have fun with the coverage it has been great to us!!
Shap BoydAsst. Head Football Coach
Defensive CoordinatorDefensive Backs Coach
Muskingum College163 Stormont St.
New Concord, Ohio 43762
Cell: 740-255-6333Office: 740-826-8311