PATTERN READING IN THE 4-3 DEFENSE

Casey Miller Head Football Coach Hillcrest High School 7350 S 900 E Midvale, UT 84047 cqmiller4@gmail.com

Pattern Reading in the 4-3 Defense

The Two Basic Coverage Philosophies

Spot Dropping Coverage players read the QB and drop to designated locations on the field determined by the drop and direction QB looks Primary Read = QB Secondary Read = Receivers Pattern Reading Coverage players read the receivers and drop to locations determined by the pass concept run by the receivers in the pattern Primary Read = Receivers Secondary Read = QB

Pattern Reading in the 4-3 Defense

Pros & Cons of Spot Dropping

Pros of Spot Dropping Easy to teach Everyone knows where they are going before the snap Everyone has their eyes on the quarterback at all times More interceptions due to seeing the ball all the time Cons of Spot Dropping Large passing lanes Receivers can use sight adjustments to get open Can loose track of receivers that slip behind coverage Less incompletions due to windows and easier throws

Pattern Reading in the 4-3 Defense

Pros & Cons of Pattern Reading

Pros of Pattern Reading Smaller passing lanes If receiver tries to adjust, the coverage adjusts too Easier to keep track of receivers and not lose them More incompletions due to windows and harder throws Cons of Pattern Reading Harder to teach Players dont know where they will drop before snap Eyes are not on the QB at all times and see ball less often Less interceptions due to not always seeing the ball

Pattern Reading in the 4-3 Defense

Philosophy Behind Pattern Reading

Cover Receivers, Not Grass
Spot dropping effective against poor QBs Good QBs will buy time and slide WRs into openings Why cover an area if no eligible receivers are there?

Tighter Coverage on Receivers

Almost get a bracket on each receiver in a route Smaller windows for the ball to travel through

Force the QB to have Great Accuracy

Must use appropriate power and loft on the throw Cannot lead or trail receiver with the football
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Pass Defense Statistics

2011

15 Interceptions (2 for TD) 16 Passes Broken Up 49.6% Completion Percentage for Opponents 117 Passing Yards Allowed per Game
11 Interceptions (2 for TD) 10 Passes Broken Up 40.5% Completion Percentage for Opponents 93 Passing Yards Allowed per Game
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2012

Communication is the Key to Success

Players need to help each other know when a receiver is entering or exiting a zone Each call has to be made from a specific defender and directed to a specific defender Calls have to be short, yet deliver the most information possible to the recipient When you hear a call you have to know where to turn, where to go and what to look for
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Cover 3 Calls Made/Received

Player and Calls Made Deep Outside Defender
In Smash Shallow

Player and Calls Received Flat Defender

Smash

Hook/Curl Defender
In Cross Climb Drag Shallow

Flat Defender
Cross

Hook/Curl
Climb Drag

Pattern Reading in the 4-3 Defense

Inverted 2 Calls Made/Received

Player and Calls Made
Deep Outside Defender
In Smash Shallow

Player and Calls Received

Flat Defender
In (Only After Giving a Smash or Cross Call)

Flat Defender
Cross Smash

Hook/Curl Defender
Smash In Cross Out

Hook/Curl Defender
Climb Drag

Middle Defender
Drag Shallow Climb
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Middle Defender
Out

Defender Reads vs. 2x2

Cover 3 or , , Deep Outside Defender
Read #1

Cover 2 or Inverted 2 Corner (Flat or Deep )

Read #1

Flat Defender
Read #2

Safety (Deep or Flat)

Read #2

Hook/Curl Defender
Responsible for Screen/Draw Open Outside, Read F/Q

OLB (Hook/Curl)
Late for Screen/Draw Open Outside, Read #2

Centerfield
Split the Formation Split #2s, Read Q

MLB (Middle)
Responsible for Screen/Draw Open with F/Q, Read F/Q
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Deep Outside Defender Rules & Calls in Cover 3 or , , vs. 2x2

#1 Vertical = Cover
Zone-Turn and Reroute to the Sideline
Cutoff the Fade/Vert, Make Play on Comeback or Back Shoulder

#1 Inside = Squeeze with Outside Leverage, Find #2

#1 Drive or Shallow = SHALLOW call to H/C Defender
Angle-Pedal and Stay D.A.D.W.O.W

#1 Slant, In, Dig, or Deep Curl = IN call to H/C Defender

Angle-Pedal and Stay D.A.D.W.O.W.

#1 Stops/Out = Get Depth, Find #2, Tell Flat Defender

#1 Hitch, Pivot, or Out = SMASH call to H/C Defender
Get on top of #2 and Steal the Smash Route
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Flat Defender Rules & Calls in Cover 3 or , , vs. 2x2

#2 Vertical = Carry and Reroute to Outside
Force Seam Route to Sideline, Zone-Turn @ 15 and Cover
Punch and Drive on a SMASH call or OUT call

#2 Inside = Open to Inside, Drift with Width, Rob

CROSS call to Hook/Curl Defender
Drifting with Width gets Underneath Routes by #1 Behind You Opening to Inside Allows Vision of Crossers Coming Back

#2 Outside = Jump Route, Eyes on QB, Sink & Steal

Your Shot at a Pick-Six if QB Lets it Fly
If QB Continues to Drop or Holds the Ball, Sink to the Hole & Steal

#2 Stops = Outside Leverage and Listen for Calls

Jump any Calls you Receive Do Not Let the Ball Outside of You
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Hook/Curl Defender Rules & Calls in Cover 3 or , , vs. 2x2

Back Stays in Backfield = Drop & Drift with QB
Listen for Calls and Pass Off Crossers
Dont Chase and Open a Window Shallow In-Crosser = DRAG call to other H/C Defender Deep In-Crosser = CLIMB call to other H/C Defender

Back Releases = He Becomes #3, Same Calls

SCREEN call to Everyone on Screen Read
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Centerfield Defender Rules & Calls in Cover 3 or , , vs. 2x2

Split the Formation, be as Deep as the Deepest
3 Step Drop = Play Rat 5 Step Drop = Be the Eraser
Keep Shoulders Square to the Line of Scrimmage Angle Pedal to Change Direction Cheat to the QBs Eyes

Pattern Reading in the 4-3 Defense

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Corner Rules & Calls in Cover 2 or Inverted 2 vs. 2x2

#1 Vertical = Cover
Zone-Turn and Reroute to the Sideline
Cutoff the Fade/Vert, Make Play on Comeback or Back Shoulder

#1 Inside = Squeeze with Outside Leverage, Find #2

#1 Drive or Shallow = SHALLOW call to H/C Defender
Angle-Pedal and Stay D.A.D.W.O.W

#1 Slant, In, Dig, or Deep Curl = IN call to H/C Defender

Angle-Pedal and Stay D.A.D.W.O.W.

#1 Stops/Out
Inverted 2 = Get Depth, Find #2, SMASH call to H/C Defender Cover 2 = Your Shot at a Pick-Six if QB Lets it Fly
If QB Continues to Drop or Holds the Ball, Sink to the Hole & Steal
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Safety Rules & Calls in Cover 2 or Inverted 2 vs. 2x2

#2 Vertical = Carry and Reroute to Outside
Force Seam Route to Sideline, Zone-Turn @ 15 and Cover

#2 Inside = Open to Inside, Drift with Width, Rob

CROSS call to Hook/Curl Defender
Drifting with Width gets Underneath Routes by #1 Behind You Opening to Inside Allows Vision of Crossers Coming Back

#2 Outside = SMASH call to H/C Defender

Sink with Width and Rob Any Inside Route by #1 or Any Climb Route by #2 From Opposite Side

#2 Stops
Inverted 2 = Outside Leverage and Listen for Calls
Jump any Calls you Receive Do Not Let the Ball Outside of You

Cover 2 = Get on Top of #1

Pattern Reading in the 4-3 Defense

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Hook/Curl Defender Rules & Calls in Cover 2 or Inverted 2 vs. 2x2

#2 Vertical = Carry
Man-Turn and Reroute to the Sideline
Wall Off #2 From Deep Crossing Route & Funnel to Deep Defender

#2 Inside = Squeeze with Outside Leverage, Find #2

Short & Across = DRAG Call to Middle & H/C Defender
Angle-Pedal and Listen for Out, In, & Climb Calls

Deep & Across = CLIMB call to Middle & H/C Defender

Angle-Pedal and Listen for Out, In, & Climb Calls

#2 Outside = Play Inside Hip and Listen for Calls

QB Throws Out = Pick 6 QB Holds Ball = Settle, Sink, and Listen for In & Cross Calls

#2 Stops = Play Inside Leverage & Listen for Calls

Jump Flats on Smash or Out Call
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Middle Defender Rules & Calls in Cover 2 or Inverted 2 vs. 2x2

Back Stays in the Backfield
Drop With QBs Eyes Listen for Calls

Back Releases Inside

Lock On and Cover Unless You get Climb or Drag Call at the Snap

Back Releases Outside

OUT Call to the H/C Defender Replace the H/C Defender on #2
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Defender Reads vs. 3x1

Cover 3 or , ,
Deep 1/3 Defender
Read #1

Cover 2 or Inverted 2
Corner (Flat or Deep )
Read #1

Flat Defender
3 Side = Read #2 1 Side = Read #3 Opposite

Safety (Deep or Flat)

3 Side = Read #2 1 Side = Read #3 Opposite

Hook/Curl Defender
3 Side= Open to #3, Read F
Responsible for Screen/Draw

OLB (Hook/Curl)
3 side = Read #3 to #2 1 side = Open to #3, Read F
Responsible for Screen/Draw

1 Side = Open to #3, Read F

Responsible for Screen/Draw

Centerfield
Split the Formation Split #2 and #3, Read QB

MLB (Middle)
Open to #3, Read #3 Late for Screen/Draw
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Pattern Reading in the 4-3 Defense

Game Clips of Pattern Reading

Pattern Reading in the 4-3 Defense

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