Systems/5-3 Defense/Quarter Quarter Half
CoverageBest for: Base down6U+ · Basic

Quarter Quarter Half

Plays quarters to the field and a two-deep half to the boundary.

Concept: Field defenders match verticals while the boundary corner and safety split the deep half.

Age version
ETNTEBMBCSC
RushBlitzDrop to coverage
12UFull 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

DT

Both tackles rush their B-gaps on the four-man rush.

DE (boundary)

Rush and contain the boundary C-gap.

Mike

Drop to the middle hook and help the field/boundary read.

Sam

Drop to the field curl/flat under the quarters.

Will

Drop to the boundary hook/flat under the half.

CB (field)

Match the field-side deep quarter.

CB (boundary)

Split the boundary deep half with the boundary safety.

SS (field)

Match the field inside deep quarter, reading #2.

FS (boundary)

Split the boundary deep half with the boundary corner.

How to teach it

  • 1Field defenders play quarters and match verticals; boundary plays a two-deep half.
  • 2It's a split-field coverage — the field and boundary play different rules on the same snap.
  • 3The Mike/backers must know the field/boundary declaration to drop correctly.

Common mistakes to fix

  • !Players confused about field vs boundary rules and busting; fix by clearly declaring the field pre-snap.
  • !Boundary half defenders overlapping; fix by splitting the half cleanly (corner outside, safety inside).

Build this into your call sheet.

Adopt this system in your coach portal, tag plays by situation, and print call sheets and player wristbands.