Match Up Zone Coverage vs. The Drop Back Passing Game

Cover 4 coverage is our version of a match up zone defensive pass coverage. It is a zone taught through the concept of pattern reading specific receivers to determine what routes can aggressively be attacked and covered by linebackers as well as defensive backs. Pattern reading gives our linebackers and safeties the best chance to play all receivers in all routes and make adjustments for a particular game situation. It’s based on counting receivers from the outside to the middle of the formation (See Diagrams 1-A to 1-E). A certain receiver (usually #2 or #3) for the linebackers can be #3 or #4 in either trips or trey formations. They will determine how our eye progression will proceed and to which receiver our eyes go to as we pattern read from one receiver to another (See Diagram 2). This will enable linebackers to jump or attack certain routes, hold off and vision drop certain