Using the R4 system to teach coverage

KEY coaching points

 QUIT WASTING LANGUAGE that YOU know but the QB doesn’t, USE common easy language.
 R4 creates RAPID COGNITION

DEFENSIVE BASICS

1. Eliminate the VERTICAL THREAT

2. Gain a MAN ADVANTAGE
3. PRESSURE the QB

MAINSTREAN ANSWERS

1. Use Mirrored Routes

2. Two different coverage beaters
3. Both are great ideas however, Both FORFEIT one side of the field!

Replace terms MOFC and MOFO with CAPS

The Field can be divided into 5 tubes (Tubes can change in relation to the ball, meaning in “Trips” both inside receivers
on 3 receiver side are in “Collision Tubes.”
Eliminating the Vertical Threat

HARD DECK: The area 7-10 yards from the LOS where the WR can defeat the coverage.
The HARD DECK defines if the TUBE has a CAP CUSHION.

There are only 5 coverages to CAP the tubes.

COVER 0

 No Caps
 Weakness = Deep
COVER 1

 1 Cap (Centerfield)
 Weakness = Away from the Cap

COVER 2

 2 Caps (Deep Halves)

 Weakness = Middle & Strong Side
COVER 3

 3 Caps (Deep Thirds)

 Weakness = Middle Tubes

COVER 4

 4 Caps
 Weakness = Flats
Man Advantage
The Defense outnumbers the formation by 1 defender

 Prevent Quick or Hot Throws

 Force QB to Go Quicker into his Reads
 Provide Sound Alignment for the Rush

What if the defense outnumbers the formation by 1 defender?

ANSWER: Bring ROUTE ACROSS the MIDLINE

What if the defense outnumbers the formation by 1 defender?

ANSWER: USE PLAY ACTION to INFLUENCE DEFENDER

What if the defense outnumbers the formation by 1 defender?

ANSWER: LOOK OFF to INFLUENCE DEFENDER

Pressure the QB
To delay and disrupt until the QB is sacked

 Cushion
 Collision
 Cap

ANSWER: CLOCK QB must have ball out in under .4 seconds

QB can buy 1 more second of time by escaping a defender
Rhythm Routes
**NOT DEPTH of ROUTE but the BREAK of the ROUTE**

 FIRST OPTION in PROGRESSION

 ROUTES THROWN off the LAST STEP of DROP
 BREAKS in 1.8 SECONDS
 1 STEM/ 5-7 STEP BREAK ROUTE
 OFFENSIVE BLITZ
 TWO RHYTHM ROUTES MAKE a READ

SNAP ROUTES: THEY CAP IT, YOU SNAP IT

Build in TWO RHYTHMS that beat TWO different coverages

FUTURE Hallways can be CAPPED from underneath COVERAGE

Additional Information
 Against 1 high safety RUN 4 Vertical
 Against 2 high safeties RUN 3 Vertical
 If you don’t release the RB into a route, control the LBs with PLAY ACTION FAKE
 Review game film and you would be surprised how many times the RHYTHM route is OPEN