The most important component of your Quarters coverage is the play of the Safeties. They are a critical part of your run defense as well as helping to shut down the pass. In addition, the safeties must be coached on the mental aspect of making checks for the coverage on the field.

Run StoppingThe safeties have a huge responsibility in Quarters Coverage whenever we are using the Read Check. Read is used when there are one or no receivers removed, meaning split out from the line of scrimmage (LOS).In Read, the safeties are the box player, or contain player. No outside runs can get outside of them. Because they are heavily involved in the run game, the safety alignment is at 7 to 9 yards, on the outside shade of the end man on the line of scrimmage (EMOLS).

At the snap, the safety bounces in place 2 times and reads the EMOLS for a high hat/low hat read. On low hat he assumes run and attacks the LOS as he reads through to the backfield for flow.On flow to, he immediately sets to the LOS and boxes the play. On flow away, he throttles down at 4-5 yards and checks for Counter-Reverse-Bootleg. He is prepared to attack any of these or insert on a cutback. [Read more...]