This spring defensive coordinator Chris Ash detailed his 4-3 over, cover 4 defense. We previously examined his base front and rules for cover 4. Now we address how he responds to one threat to cover 4 – a trips offensive formation, i.e. 3 receivers to one side of the field.
As discussed, cover 4 provides a versatile response to spread offenses. Using one defensive back to defend each quarter of the field allows a defense to cover 4 vertical routes.
Yet quarters is also a matchup zone. Each defensive back will play man coverage in his quarter.