Defending Trips with Quarter Quarter Half Coverage in the 4-2-5

This is the first post in a series about trips coverage adjustments. This is a 1/4 1/4 1/2 concept.

The Corner to the Trips is using Rattle technique. Rattle stands for Read Three. Corner is aligned 1x7 inside of #1 tilted. He is reading QB for quick game to #3.

The FS is also using Rattle technique (reading #3). The FS is aligned at 10-12 splitting the difference between #2 and #3. His initial footwork is a controlled pedal.

Rattle Technique

If #3 releases outside the FS will squeeze his coverage to #2, while the corner will squeeze outside to #1.

If #3 releases inside or vertical the FS will work to the middle 1/3 and the corner will squeeze #2 in the seam playing the outside 1/3.

SCiF Technique

The SS is aligned at 5 yards outside shoulder of #2 with a square stance. On the snap the SS will pop his feet and read through the EMLOS to the QB. His drop is SCiF (Seam-Curl-Flat). The SS has quick game routes to #2.

Against drop back pass if the #2 releases vertical the SS will stay square and collision #2. After collision the SS will pedal to a depth of 12 in the seam (2 yards outside the hash). 

While pedaling the SS will have his head on a swivel looking for the QB and receiving threats. If the QB tries to throw the ball on a line to #2 in the seam the SS should be able to make the play.

The SS will expand to the Curl and Flat if necessary.

If the #1 receiver is running a curl or in the SS should expand to cover him. The SS will only know to expand if he keeps his head on a swivel while pedalling. Also the Corner should give the SS an "IN" call.

If the #3 receiver is releasing outside the 3RH dropper (here the Mike) makes a "Push" call. The "Push" call pushes the SCiF dropping SS from Seam to #1's Curl and he should be ready to break to the Flat on the throw.

If #2 is inside immediately the SS will make an "Under" call and get depth in the seam.

If #2 is outside immediately the SS will top the flat route expanding from the Seam to the Curl and breaking on the throw to the flat.


3RH Technique 

The Mike is a 3 Receiver Hook (3RH) dropper and drops in relationship to #3. The Mike has quick game routes to #3.

If #3 is out immediately the Mike pushes the SS and expands looking for a route to cover coming back inside.

If #3 is inside immediately the Mike walls #3. We rarely see #3 running a route deep enough to wall. Typically the #3 is running very shallow. If the #3 is under 5 yards the Mike calls "Under" and gets depth to 12 with his head on a swivel for new routes entering his zone. The Mike can pass the under because the Will is in the weak Hook-Curl and should be ready to break and tackle any throw to #3 on the under.

If #3 is vertical the Mike collisions #3 if possible and will work to a max depth of 12. If #3 is vertical there will be a middle 1/3 safety so the Mike does not need to carry #3 vertical down the field.

If #3 tries to work to the backside hash the Mike will wall him. The Will is in the weak Hook-Curl to force the ball over the top where the FS and the backside Corner should have a play on the ball.

Those are the strong side drops. The next post will focus on Rattle coverage vs. common 3x1 strong side route combinations.