Football library · Plays
Best plays to beat Cover 4 (quarters)
Cover 4 plays quarters over the top with only three underneath — built to stop the deep ball. Beat it underneath with stick, snag, slant-flat, and the quick game.
Plays that beat Cover 4
Where Cover 4 is soft
- Underneath and the flats — only three short defenders (stick / snag / quick game)
- Intermediate crossers in front of the bailing quarters defenders
- Hitch / smash-hitch quick game on the squatting corners' soft cushion
Where it's strong — don't attack here
- Deep shots — four deep defenders make it very hard to win over the top
- Straight verticals get bracketed
Use these matchup notes as a starting point, then adjust for your opponent's personnel, leverage, and pressure tendencies.