Cover 4: 5v5 flag football defense

Cover 4 is a 5v5 flag football prevent defense. Four defenders split the deep field into quarters about 10 yards back, and one declared rusher comes from 7 yards. It almost never gives up a long touchdown, so save it for the end of a half or game.

5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 LOS LC LS RS RC R
Four Deep

How to run it

  1. LC lines up 7 yards off the widest receiver on the left and drops to the deep outside left quarter, about 12 yards.
  2. LS lines up 10 yards deep, left of center, and drops to the deep inside left quarter, about 13 yards.
  3. RS lines up 10 yards deep, right of center, and drops to the deep inside right quarter, about 13 yards.
  4. RC lines up 7 yards off the widest receiver on the right and drops to the deep outside right quarter, about 12 yards.
  5. R lines up 7 yards off the ball with a hand raised, at a slight angle, and rushes the QB on the snap.
  6. Center: LS or RS comes downhill on a center throw; the short field is the trade-off.
  7. Run fit: R chases, the nearest deep defenders come down, the corners keep contain.
  8. For younger divisions, shorten the deep depths by 2 to 3 yards.

The coverage read

Each deep defender keeps the receiver in their quarter in front of them. On a short throw, the nearest deep defender comes downhill and pulls the flag.

  1. LC DEEP QUARTER
  2. LS DEEP QUARTER
  3. R RUSH

When to call it

  • The last play of a half or game, or any time the offense needs a long gain.
  • Not an every-down defense: the short field is open.

Tags and formation

Four Deepzonefour-deepsituational

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Common questions

How do you line up Cover 4 in 5v5 flag football?

Corners 7 yards off the outside receivers, two safeties 10 yards deep on each side of the center, and the rusher 7 yards back with a hand raised.

What beats Cover 4 in 5v5 flag football?

Short throws underneath, especially to the center, because all four coverage defenders start deep. Give up the short catch and pull the flag fast.

When should you call Cover 4 in 5v5 flag football?

At the end of a half or the game, when the only way the offense can beat you is a long completion.

Video transcript

Cover 4. Four defenders drop into deep quarters, ten yards back. One rusher raises a hand and comes from seven yards. Nothing gets over the top, so come downhill fast on anything short. Build your plays free on Flag Fifty.

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