Coaches use the Cover 4 defense as the base coverage option for a 4-3 defensive front. This coverage works well against the run and the pass, as it leaves nine players to cover the run, while providing adequate protection against a pass. This defense relies heavily on the defensive front's ability to get pressure on the quarterback, as this prevents the offensive team from attempting any long passes, which helps the corners.
Corners
The strong-side corner plays the opposing team's number-one receiver man-on-man, while the weak-side corner covers the team's number-two receiver the same way. Both players line up in either an inside-shade or a bump and run position. The corner cannot assume that he has any help from the safety, since the safety must read the play before offering assistance. The corner cannot play the run unless the receiver throws a crack block, as this takes away the threat of the pass.
Safeties
The strong-side safety will line up with an outside shade on the tight end and must cover that player. The weak-side safety can usually help the corner on his side by providing deep or inside coverage. The safety must also look for the run first, which can make it difficult to cover passing plays where the tight end releases deep. If the tight end stays home to block a pass play, the strong-side safety will fall back into a deep zone.
Linebackers
The linebackers will cover the underneath routes, but will not concern themselves with the wide receivers, since the corners already have man-on-man coverage. The linebackers must pay attention to the inside receivers, which come in a combination of tight ends, slot receivers and running backs, and cover them in a zone to start. If one of the inside receivers becomes the second option in a pattern, the right or left linebacker will pick him up in man coverage. The middle linebacker drops back on the strong side of the field and moves into man coverage if someone enters his zone. The linebackers must also read a running play, with all of them attacking the ball carrier in that situation.
Blitz
Coaches can also call a Cover 4 zone blitz, which will change how some players approach their coverage. The corners will not have any help on a post play, since the safeties must take man coverage on the tight end and running backs left by the linebackers. The middle and weak-side linebackers will blitz and attempt to get to the quarterback as quickly as possible. The offense can pick up this blitz, but it creates many one-on-one blocking situations and usually forces a running back to pick up a linebacker.
References
- "Coaching the Multiple 4-3 Defense"; Dennis Harris; 2003
- "Football For Dummies"; Howie Long, et al.; 1998
- "Coaching Football's 4-3 Defense"; Tim Simons; 2000
- "Arnsparger's Coaching Defensive Football"; Bill Arnsparger; 1998
Member Comments