Coverages Explained: How to Play Cover 4

It has become quite popular on all levels so it’s time you learned how it works.  From high school to pro and even in some youth football leagues,  Cover 4 has become the coverage of choice for defensive coaches across the country.

In this video,  I explain the basics of the coverage and how it is run at it’s root.  As always,  different coaches will put their swing on coverages that are unique to them,  their experience and how the want to run it with their team.  Despite that,  knowing how the coverage works at it’s core gives you the ability to understand it better and faster once your coach begins adding onto it to suit the situations that your team may face in competition.

One of the biggest differences that occur with individual coaches comes with their terminology but what changes less is the structure of the defense.  Ultimately,  the coverage calls for 4 deep defenders.  The evolution of this coverage was take to take away seam throws from the offense as they attempted to attack Cover 3 defenses.  It also aimed to protect the deep outside throws that became prevalent vs. Cover 2 as offenses started running “4 verticals” to gain an advantage on the defense only having two defenders deep.

So,  at the end of the day,  as long as you understand the structure of the defense,  you can quickly adapt to any extras that your coach may want to put on it.

Enjoy the tutorial and as always,  if you have any questions,  feel free to reach out to me via email at: cwilson@alleyesdbcamp.com – Thank you for being a member.

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alleyesdbcamp

Owner at All Eyes DB Camp

Chad Wilson is the founder of All Eyes DB Camp and a former standout defensive back for the Miami Hurricanes. After an elite collegiate career, Wilson spent a season with the Seattle Seahawks before transitioning into coaching. A 3-time Florida state champion defensive coordinator, he has spent over 20 years developing the "All Eyes" blueprint that has produced NFL All-Pros and stars like Xavien Howard, Patrick Surtain II, Tyson Campbell, Minkah Fitzpatrick and more. His coaching system is proven at the highest levels—his own sons, Quincy and Marco Wilson, both excelled as starters in the SEC before being drafted into the NFL.

Chad is the author of "101 DB Tips"—The Ultimate DB Reference Guide. You can find more information on the manual and how to order your copy in the sidebar and footer of this page.

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