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

Matchups are derived from XO Gridmaker's coverage catalog — the same engine that grades plays inside Coach Cal.