Quarters (Cover 4): 6v6 flag football defense

Quarters, or Cover 4, is a 6v6 flag football zone defense. Four defenders split the deep field into quarters, the middle defender covers the short middle, and one rusher pressures the quarterback. It takes away almost every deep throw, so the offense has to beat you underneath.

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

How to run it

  1. LC lines up 7 yards off X and drops to the deep outside left quarter, about 15 yards.
  2. LS lines up 9 yards deep over the left slot and drops to the deep inside left quarter, about 15 yards.
  3. RS lines up 9 yards deep over the right slot and drops to the deep inside right quarter, about 15 yards.
  4. RC lines up 7 yards off Z and drops to the deep outside right quarter, about 15 yards.
  5. M lines up 5 yards deep in the middle and drops to the middle hook at 6 to 7 yards.
  6. R lines up 10 yards off the ball and rushes the QB.
  7. Center: M takes a center release.
  8. Run fit: M and R attack, LC and RC keep contain, the safeties stay home.
  9. For younger divisions, shorten the deep depths by 3 to 5 yards.

The coverage read

Each deep defender keeps the receiver in their quarter in front of them. The safeties read the slots: if a slot runs short, the safety looks for the next deep route. M takes the first crosser.

  1. LS DEEP QUARTER
  2. RS DEEP QUARTER
  3. M HOOK

When to call it

  • On the last play of a half or game.
  • Against four verticals or any offense with a fast deep threat.

Tags and formation

Four Deepzonefour-deepintermediate

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Common questions

How do you line up Quarters in 6v6 flag football?

Corners 7 yards off the outside receivers, two safeties 9 yards deep over the slots, the middle defender at 5 yards, and the rusher 10 yards off the ball.

What beats Quarters in 6v6 flag football?

Short throws to the flats and quick outs, since only one defender plays underneath. Expect the offense to dink and dunk, and pull the flag right away.

When should you call Quarters in 6v6 flag football?

When one long completion would lose the game, such as a Hail Mary or the last snap before halftime.

Video transcript

Quarters. Four defenders split the field into deep quarters. M sits in the short middle. The rusher attacks the quarterback. Nothing deep gets through, so pull the flag fast on anything short. Build your plays free on Flag Fifty.

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