Brian Borland
Defensive Coordinator
University of WI-Whitewater
(262) 472-1058
Email: borlandb@uww.edu
 Coverage
concepts described are in addition
to playing or adjusting with the “cover 3” or
“cover 1” coverage concepts.
 UW-W’s
4-3 defense’s base zone coverages
are mainly the ¼’s (cover 4) and cover 2
concepts. Adjustments described spin off
these coverage alignments & responsibilities.
You’ll have to determine if/how these
adjustments can fit into your scheme.
Corner & Safety key #2: If #2's
route is 5 yards or less:
QB
T
Z
X
R
W
Curl and #3 flat or wheel
Read vs. no #2 to flat:
Play cover 4 as normal
C
FS
Go to #1 vertical
Cover
#2 to
flat
Gold
Can be used vs. any 2 or 3 removed recievers
by game plan.
T
#3
C
S
This side plays
Cover 2 - MIke LB no
3 vertical rule
SS
$
T
QB
N
M
R
W
C
FS
Cross key to #3 strong
This side
plays
Cover 4
Silver
QB
#2
T
#3
#1
$
M
LB and SS key #3
S
LB responsible for #2 or #3 to flat
If #2 and #3 both vertical, LB has #2
C
m/m #1 unless under route
N
T
Cover 4
R
W
C
This side
plays cover 2 or 4
SS
FS
SS has #3 vertical,
If #3 not vertical, SS has #2 vertical (if applicable)
Silver
QB
#2
#3
#1
$
LB and SS key #3
S
LB responsible for #2 or #3 to flat
If #2 and #3 both vertical, LB has #2
C
m/m #1 unless under route
SS
T
N
R
M
W
Cover 4
Wall
Wall
FS
SS has #3 vertical,
If #3 not vertical, SS has #2 vertical (if applicable)
C
This side
plays cover 2 or 4
STRESS
QB
#3
$
S
Sam: curl to flat
C
T
N
M
Hook to curl
Wall
SS
C & SS: key #3 for vertical match-ups
If #3 vertical, SS matches, C responsible for #1 & #2
If #3 not vertical, SS and C play "Cover 4" on #1 & #2
R
W
Wall
FS
C
This side play 4 or 2