Cover 4 (Quarters)
Four deep quarters, soft underneath.
Four deep defenders each take a quarter, three underneath. Prevents explosives but gives up the underneath game and the run — the light-box coverage.
How each scheme beats it
Air Raid
Take the underneath game — hitches, quick outs, drive concepts. Run the ball vs. the light box; when the safeties creep up, double moves go over the top.
West Coast
A West Coast dream — short timing game vs. soft coverage all day. Slants, quick outs, backs on linebackers — and run it too.
Power Run (Gap)
Run downhill — quarters means a light box. Play-action shots when the safeties get nosy; they're lined up 10+ yards deep.
Wide Zone
Outside zone vs. safeties who don't want to come down. Bootleg crossers behind aggressive safeties; play-action deep overs.
Spread Option
The QB run game thrives — the box is light and the safeties are deep. RPO slants into the soft underneath; zone-read keeps.
Vertical
The toughest coverage for the vertical game — stay patient. Deep crossers, double moves, and play-action to pull the safeties down before going over them.