St.

Edward 4-3 Defense:

Overview of 4-3 Press Cover 4 and Corner: Stance, Align, &
Drills
What our program stands for:
 Character: “Play as hard as I can for as
long as I can.”
 Pride: “Know I won’t quit when the going gets
tough.”
 Toughness: “Accept discomfort and learn to live
with it.”
 Selfless: “Is what I am doing best for the team?”
TEAM Before ME
ACCEPT THIS OR THERE IS THE DOOR
Elements of St. Edward
Defense
All 11 players have a responsibility to stop the
play.
If you can’t align, you can’t play.
As coaches, what we demand is what we will get.
In every individual session of practice, coaches
practice core technique and not a minute of time
is wasted.
We have a common standard of what a loaf is.
We pride ourselves on workman attitude.
Teaching progression of Whole-Part-Whole
 Situational Philosophy
Goal line
1/10 & 2/Medium Eliminate the Run
Stop the run. Take away dominate WR
2 Minute
3rd & 4th Down ($) Tackle in bounds, prevent score.
11 fastest players & attack
4 Minute
Backed up Takeaway. Stop Run & PAP.
Defensive Score or Punt
Protecting the Lead
No big play.
Red Zone
Make them kick FG. No easy throw
Sudden Play
Put fire out. BREATHE.
 What we over coach:
No matter the score, situation, or the period of practice, there are a few
items that all defensive coaches on our staff over coach.
1. Effort. Effort is our eraser. Pursuit drill is conducted every summer in our
installation period. After pursuit angles are taught and mastered we only
conduct pursuit drill if effort is lagging. Loafs are grade down in production
points and grade.
2. Turnovers: Recovering & Forcing. Any pass that is not completed in the
Secondary and LBs are drilled in scooping and scoring the football. We
call this “Loose Change” One of the tempos we have in team/11-on-11
setting is Strip Tempo. All players attempting a tackle: shimmy and take a
strip attempt at the football. We want, at a minimum 7, legitimate strip
attempts every strip tempo period.
3. Alignment, Communication, & Stance: We want the offense (players &
Coaches) to see the same picture every play.
4. Chaos: Players that panic is never a good thing. We always stress
Chaotic situations: scramble rules, break-away run/pass, Transition plays.
5. Tackling.
Notes about our Fronts
When we set a front against our opponents we keep
in mind 3 major things:
Numerical superiority: We need +1 more than
offense. Be creative when achieving this.
Dictate to the offense what they can & cannot do.
An example is our run-fits: we want to build a wall
&/or force ball to the unblocked defender.
Affect the football. Most importantly the
Quarterback.
Sound and simple alignment rules.
Players play as fast as they can when they don’t think!
Defensive Overview
4-3 Cover-4 Press Base Defense.
Alignment rules are based on formation of the Offense.
Spill & Overlapping concepts between all position groups.
Against Run plays: ball needs to be directed to uncovered
LB/Safety.
Safety driven defense. They are racing the Linebackers to
the football!
Must affect the QB.
Cardinal Rules:
DL: 2-on-1 we win. Affect the ball.
LB: Cannot run the ball through middle of defense.
Safety: Make everyone right.
CB: Must win vertical routes
Why Cover 4?
Cover 4 is the most flexible coverage in football
today.
8-9 players in the box to stop the run.
Flexibility comes from Alignments, Key Read,
Rules, Responsibilities all against various
formations and plays that we have to stop to win.
Adaptable: Answers within each formation,
motions, shifts, and fits our pressure packages
really well.
Disguise: Offenses see us align the same way
every play.
Ultimately, we have to stop the run, smother routes,
and affect the QB. Cover 4 answers everything.
Cover 4 Variations:
Cover 4-Box
Cover 4-Read
Cover 4-Alert
Cover 4-Midpoints
Split Coverage (used on the Weak-side):
Cover 2, Bracket, Inverted-Cover 2, & Man
Additional Coverage: Special/Star Coverage,
Red Zone, and Pressure Coverage
Outside/Overhang
Linebackers:
Apex (Cover 4)
Easier to reroute #2.
Easier to defend inside
vertical Release of #2.
See #1 inside release.
Difficult covering wheel
route.
Difficult to see release of
the ball.
Rely on communication of
DL when ball is thrown.
Outside Leverage
(Special/Star)
More difficult rerouting
See #2-#3 Exchange.
Vision on the play is better.
Safety & Sam run fits are
different but effective.
Easier covering Wheel
route.
No Cover Zone
Position Alignment #2 IN #2 OUT #2 UP
Reroute with
Collision, vision on #1.
Will/Sam Match 2 • #1 up & Out: work to
Apex 2-OT deliver to
(Read #2) (carry wheel) back to ball.
Mike • #1 Up & In expand to
inside shoulder of #1.

•In front of buy line:

Make sure route is Must read #1
SP/SK 2x10 Inside of delivered-M. READ Q! with angle of Buy
(Read #2) #2 •Behind buy line: buy intercept or rob.
#2.

•Automatic Banjo
Mike 10 Strong
Collision & with S/W.
Buy
(Read #3) Play Screen. •Call out and
expand to curl/2.
Cover 4-Read
Players use this coverage as a check at the line or a call
from the sidelines.
CB will check Read Coverage if they cannot take all of
#1. Bunch (twins/trips), under-split, or pile.
CB are responsible for the outside release (negative or
positive) of #2 underneath 5 yards.
Will/Sam are not responsible to carry Wheel with #2
releasing outside because the CB will responsible for it.
W/S have to push to the Curl until Mike pushes him off.
Should the Safety not be able to cover Fade from #1
(fade, out combination) check Box.
 Position Alignment #2 IN #2 OUT #2 UP

Expand to Reroute with

Collision, vision on #1.
Will/Sam Apex 2-OT deliver to
Curl while • #1 up & Out: work to
(Read #2) reading ball.
Mike release of #1. •inside
#1 Up & In expand to
shoulder of #1.

•In front of buy line:

SP/SK 2x10 Inside of Make sure route is In front of buy line:
(Read #2) #2
delivered-M. READ Q! must read #1 with Buy
•Behind buy line: buy angle of intercept.
Auto Backpedal #2.

•Automatic Banjo
Mike 10 Strong
Collision & with S/W.
Buy
(Read #3) Play Screen. •Call out and
expand to curl/2.
Cover 4-Alert
Trips adjustment. No call from sidelines. Player
adjustment based on formation only.
Check is used for Cover 4 Box & Read.
Weak-Safety is Responsible for #3-vertical. If
#3 does not go vertical, Weak-Safety reads
QB’s eyes for pass and “scratch where it
itches” against run.
Mike widens his alignment relative to supporting
underneath #3 vertical & play strong B-gap.
Check the front to Under. 3 Technique is weak
for run weak-side run fits for the Will.
 Play Coverage that was
called: Box or Read

Position Alignment #2 IN #2 OUT #2 UP

Will Clear
(Read #2/4) screen work Match 2 Match 2
#2 becomes #4 20 weak
strong: auto to weak (carry wheel) (carry Vertical)
push to Mike! curl/hash

Collision & keep. •Automatic Banjo Short wall and

Mike 50 Strong Don’t know if W
with S/W.
read #2. Max
•2 & 3 out: expand for
(Read #3) is there pass off. width then depth drop of 10 yards

SP Read QB’s Read QB’s

B Gap @ 10 Buy
(Read #3) eyes. eyes.
St. Edward 4-3 Defense:
Press Cover 4 Technique and Drills
Why Press Coverage?
Turn the heat up and see who melts!!
Fits the mentally of the players. Identity. “Wolfpack”
CB takes all of #1. Give up Hitch, Drag, or Snap (speed out).
Frees up our safety to insert themselves into the play: Run
or Pass. Safety driven defense.
CB alignments will change only on pressure or player can’t
take all of #1 (area call-READ Coverage).
CB are still playing Zone Coverage but tight on #1 with
inside leverage.
Eliminate threats and allow our players to play faster.
Challenges all routes that are thrown.
Cardinal
Rule:
Must win
vertical
routes.
Notes about press coverage
Easy to get buy-in from players. “Us vs. Them”
Offenses will check to vertical routes because of your
inside-press alignment. That is why you have to win vertical
routes.
You must know the yardage of certain breaks: Post,
Comeback, Curl/Stop.
Corners must know how receiver reacts to press coverage:
Inside/Outside Release? Foot-fire?
Most important aspect of 1-on-1’s is the release of WR and
competition. Don’t look at as a win or loss.
Post is the most difficult route to defend. Don’t know if there
is help from safety. CB must win!
Vertical PBUs: we have to secure the outside hand/arm.
Football Homework!
All secondary players are assigned a Film Study packet
after we review the previous night’s game.
The purpose of the packet is to maximize the knowledge of
our players of their opponents.
The packet is due 3 days after it is assigned.
Players will be with 1 or 2 other players.
CB’s are responsible for #1 WR and Safety’s are
responsible for slots.
Here it is...
 Stance
• Feet: under arm pits.
Inside foot. Tighter is
better.
• Air under heels.
• Knees inside ankles for
mobility.
• Hands up in preparation
of off-hand jam.
• Chest: see top of
numbers. Transition sets
the height of the CB.
• Eyes: near hip to opposite Need more chest!
hip. Which foot is back?
• Check with Referee.
 Shadow Technique
Shadow is the technique that Corners use at the start of our Press
Cover-4. It is a vertical shuffle away from the WR. The purpose of
this technique is twofold:
1. Maintain vertical and inside leverage on the receiver.
2. Balance out the receiver’s foot-fire at the line of scrimmage.

While in stance the front foot’s toe are curled into the ground.
The back foot (staggered) will kick back. Slightly.
The front foot will slide/drag.
After each Kick-Slide, the Corner will be in his stance again and
ready to react to the next move of the receiver.
Corners will do this no more than 3 times.
Small steps are necessary! Bigger steps will result in poor balance
and the Corner will lose the route in the first few step putting him in
a constant out-of-phase position.
Man Coverage, Shadow will be 0-1 step. We have to win SLANTS!
After Shadow & Before
Phase
After the Shadow, the biggest concern is staying square and re-
routing the receiver.
1. Take a charge to keep leverage on receiver.
Just like basketball.
Close to a 45°
2. Off-Hand Jam and Skate
Opposite hand of direction of WR, Corner will stab him in his
chest.
Quick and fast movement. Be as square as possible to LOS.
Lockout elbow for maximum strength
Skate: step with opposite foot that jammed WR. Skating will
transition us into our phase work.
Do not reach for jam. Should the release be wider than arm’s
length get in-phase. WR re-routed himself with the release.
Cannot open hips and let WR run! We have to impede WR take
off and re-route!
Phases
Phases is the corner’s position on a receiver while the receiver
is attacking vertically. Under-thrown fades and a Pass
Interference: CB not held responsible.
In-Phase: able to see across to WR’s opposite pocket.
Over-Phase: above the receiver. Must invade running lane to
create contact and slow receiver down to get into phase.
Out-of-Phase: Behind receiver. No turning back AT ALL! All
effort. CB must run through the hands of the receiver. Red-Zone
Technique.
NOTE: I do not believe in telling the Corner to, “become the
receiver.” The reason for this is because it goes counter to
“Chaos Theory.” The last thing I want our CB to do is take their
eyes off the arbitrarily. Controlling WR means doing something
that is not natural to running form. This causes PIs. If the ball
hits the CB in the back of the helmet, I’m ok with that.
 Fade Progression
1. Release: Shadow, take a charge, off-hand jam, & skate.
2. While in phase:
Long Neck: Looking at feet of WR to see break in the route.
Waxing: Hand fighting with WR while running in phase and looking at
feet for break. Keeps CB in constant contact with WR and keeps WR
at our speed.
3. Top of the route: Stack the receiver.
Hands & eyes of WR is the only time we will turn and play the ball.
Waxing arm and jerk down on the inside arm of WR.
Corner needs to lead with his outside shoulder into the path of the
WR. If jerking the inside arm prior to the stack didn't’t work, leading
with the shoulder into the chest of WR will get him out of bounds.
Turn back for the ball. If WR’s hands go up CB’s inside arm goes
through the the receivers arms. If WR’s hands are down, CB will
reach for WR’s outside arm for breakup. Make WR catch one-handed
with inside arm
Teaching Progression
Note: Balance is one of the most important aspects of this technique. Pay
close attention that weight is not in their butt. After each drill, if the CB
stumbles backward or leans behind them, their weight is bad. This will slow
them down.
Stance
Shadow 1 time and restart.
Shadow 10 yards over a line. Make sure CB not wavering and finish each
shadow into their stance. Can be done inside ladders too. Ladders help if
pad of foot is against the ladder this forces air on CB’s heels.
Shadow 2-3 times.
Shadow & take a charge.
Speed Turns off of a charge. Incorporate various footwork drills to teach
turn.
Jam:
Lockout 1 arm on the chest of WR.
5 yard zig-zag-horizontal then gain ground. Must keep hand on chest.
CB need to know the jam happens in front of them not side/overturned.
Skate: Zig-Zag 2-3 yards without hands then with hands. Need to gain
ground and transition into phase WR.
In-Phase. Drills listed plus a lot of stutter work. CB never walk anywhere on
the filed. They stutter with a partner(s) wherever they go.
Press/Shadow Drills
Shield & Jam: shake bag & when release CB must jam with opposite hand.
Releases (EDDs):
Shadow only
Shadow & Take a charge (no hands)
Shadow, take a charge, & off hand jam
Shadow, take a charge, off hand jam, & Switch back.
Shadow, take a charge, off hand jam, & Speed Turn (90° & messed up)
Shoulder-to-Shoulder: Isolates on waxing and what it is like to be in phase. CB must
start with long neck. Drills can be performed as start-then-run or no running (top of the
route) Tags to this drill:
Wax, jerk, stack WR, & INT (no running).
Wax, shoulder to chest, & play hands of WR (down or up).
Back-shoulder. CB doesn't’t turn back at all. Breakup outside arm.
In-Phase:
WR & DB start ankle-to-ankle and in their stances.
Snap of ball, CB must get into phase and begin work. Better the player adjust
the start (heel-to-heel)
Triangle Breakup: CB is 5 yards away and he & WR runs straight at ball. CB has to
breakup ball. Throw ball at WR’s arm away from CB so CB has to secure the outside
arm.
Out of phase/Red-Zone: WR starts 2 yards ahead of CB. Play through hands.
Small M for footwork.
Before or After practice: Must catch balls.
Press Bail: Pivot off outside foot & crossover run. Execute with all off-drills.
Must teach recovery!!!!
Q & A!
Special Coverage
We like this coverage because...
CB are pressed on #1 and eliminating both
offense’s outside receivers.
Sam will still have Wheel and heavy vertical support
from outside leverage on #2. He has better vision on
the play.
Mike is protected vertical by the strong-safety. We
will never ask a player to do something they
physically cannot do.
Solid coverage in the Red Zone.
Combo coverage: we can attack the offense on the
weak-side run or pass.
 Play Tag coverage
Position Alignment #2 IN #2 OUT #2 UP
•Hawk Align Collision,
Sam •Outside deliver to
Match 2 Match 2
(Read #2-#3)
Buy the flat!
Leverage on (carry wheel) (carry vert)
Mike.
#2.

SK •In front of buy Must read #2

2x10 Inside of line: Read Q release. If vert: Stay over the
(Read #3-2) •Behind buy line: buy. All others:
#3 top
Help Mike 1st! buy #2. QB’s eye
•Automatic Banjo Wall for 10
Mike Collision & with Sam.
(Read #3 & keep him 50 Strong •Call out and yards and
on Strong side)
keep.
expand to curl/2. see #2 for in