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Systems/5-2 Defense (Oklahoma)/Cover 4 Quarters
CoverageBest for: Base down6U+ · Basic

Cover 4 Quarters

Four-deep zone dividing the deep field into quarters for passing downs.

Concept: Corners and safeties each cover a deep quarter and read keys to trigger downhill on run.

Age version
ETNTEBBCSSC
RushBlitzDrop to coverage
12U — Full call: Combine front, pressure, and coverage — and disguise it pre-snap.
Play movement — schematic, not to scale

Grows with your players

Same play, more layers as they age up — teach it once and build on it every season for a consistent program.

  1. 6UIntroduce: Line up right and own your gap — win with alignment, pad level, and pursuit to the ball.
  2. 8UAttack blocks: Add get-off and block destruction so the front controls the line of scrimmage.
  3. 10UAdd coverage: Teach the coverage drops behind the front and read run vs. pass.
  4. 12UFull call: Combine front, pressure, and coverage — and disguise it pre-snap.

Every position's job

NG

0-technique, two-gap or rush the A-gaps.

Coach it with
DL Stance and Get-Off DL Shed and Block Destruction DL Gap Control and Two-Gap Read
DT (strong)

5-technique C-gap contain rush.

Coach it with
DL Stance and Get-Off DL Shed and Block Destruction DL Gap Control and Two-Gap Read
DT (weak)

5-technique backside C-gap contain rush.

Coach it with
DL Stance and Get-Off DL Shed and Block Destruction DL Gap Control and Two-Gap Read
DE (strong)

Contain the strong edge.

Coach it with
Edge Rush & Bend the Corner
DE (weak)

Contain the weak edge.

Coach it with
Edge Rush & Bend the Corner
Mike

Drop to the middle hook, read the QB and rob crossers.

Coach it with
Zone Drop & Pattern Read LB Read Keys and Shuffle Team Skelly Pass Period
Sam

Drop to the hook/curl and carry the number-two vertical.

Coach it with
Zone Drop & Pattern Read QB Stance and Footwork
SS

Cover the strong deep quarter, read number two for run/pass triggers.

Coach it with
QB Read and Keys RB Vision and Cut DL Gap Control and Two-Gap Read
FS

Cover the middle-to-weak deep quarter, read keys and trigger on run.

Coach it with
QB Read and Keys DL Gap Control and Two-Gap Read LB Read Keys and Shuffle
CB (strong)

Cover the strong deep quarter over number one.

CB (weak)

Cover the weak deep quarter over number one.

How to teach it

  • 1Each deep defender owns a quarter and reads his key (number two) to trigger downhill on run.
  • 2Safeties are run-pass conflict players, so they read first before committing.
  • 3Corners stay over the top of the outside receiver's vertical.

Common mistakes to fix

  • !Safeties triggering on play-action and giving up the seam; fix by reading number two's release first.
  • !Corners squatting on the flat and losing the deep quarter; fix by staying on top of number one.
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