Defeating the 4-2-5 TCU Robber Defense with the I Formation

Philosophy to Move the Football

A lot of teams today are switching to the 4-2-5 TCU defense which typically packages a 2 deep or quarters based coverage with a robber safety that goes with #2. Because of the nature of that safety, he can be aggressive in the run game, which essentially presents a 9 man front to traditional 21 personnel I formation teams. As an offense then, your goal must be to fit inside that safety and keep him flat footed and out of the box. If that safety is a real game changer, you need to stretch him vertically and horizontally through the quick pass attack, inside runs, and vertical passes. EDIT: I made some silly errors the first time around, so I edited the article and added some more content to it as well.

 

Strengths and Weaknesses of the TCU 4-2-5

The 4-2-5 can be presented in a number of ways. Many people think cover 3 is the predominate defense ran by 4-2-5 teams, however, that tendency is changing rapidly. Many teams play a split coverage, a version of cover 2 "robber", with the cornerbacks playing a 2 "cheat" position. This, in my opinion, essentially equates the team to a quarters concept when the robber safety is involved. The safety reads #2. The corners read #1. If #1 or #2 go vertical, the corners and the robber safety will lock onto their respective threats and cover them essentially man to man.Herein lies the greatest weakness, isolating receivers one on one.. With the split coverage philosophy, even if the TCU 4-2-5 is presented with 4 WR (another topic entirely), it can cover 4 verticals and stand stout against the run.

Defenses, like the 4-2-5 generally, have two key purposes besides winning and keeping the score low. Don't give up big plays, and don't let the team run it down your throat. Considering this defense can cover 4 vertical rather simply and insert an extra 9th defender in the box versus the run, this can spell problems for many teams. Just look at the success of Virgina Tech in the 1990's and TCU recently to see that this is ther case. However, the TCU defense is still very vulnerable to both of these things, maybe even more so than others, when the offensive football team develops a strong gameplan devised around quick passes and play-action fakes.

 

Attacking the 4-2-5 with the I formation with Quick Passes

The 4-2-5 plays cover 2 cheat with both corners. One of the primary goals of the offensive gameplan must be attacking them with quick curls and outs. If you are on the hash and can create wide seperation between #1 and #2, slants can also be effective. Limiting the flat or arrow route by #2 should be a strong consideration in your offensive gameplan. Depending on the coverage, #2 is read by the corner and the robber safety intially to determine the play's intentions. If #2 goes flat, specifically in "Blue" coverage, the corner will come down hard and fast to #2 in the flat. In this scenario, the #1 route is covered by the robber then (who is thinking Curl to Post). Essentially, the corner and robber switch assignments. In addition, if the coverage is "Cover 2" (often presented to the Tight End side of the offense), the strong safety or spur in the box will play the flat or arrow route by #2. The strong safety always maintains outside leverage on #2 in the TCU 4-2-5 cover 2, so the arrow route again becomes a tough matchup.

Running regular 4-6 yard 3-step drop curl routes accross the board will keep the robber safety flat footed, and in the box. The corner will have to come up to make the play. It is worth noting that the offensive strongside curl is an understood weakness of this defense, and many defensive back coaches will have the corner cheat and read the QB after reading #2 to see him hitch up at 3 steps. If the QB hitches up at 3 steps and drops the shoulder preparing to throw, the DB is often okay to jump the hitch. Herein lies the second weakness, double moves and pumpfakes, which is my next point. Based on the concept that any flat or arrow routes are outleveraged much of the time versus this defense, a curl by #1 and by #2 should be effective. A gameplan adjustment versus 4-2-5 teams may be to also have the #2 receiver break outside on his curl. Then, the QB only needs to feel that leverage by the strong safety, as he would versus a flat defender in cover 3. Overall, the QB may want to start his eyes inside and work outside. Doing so could keep the strong safety closer to the box. Because the offense wants to prefer the 1 on 1 matchup on the outside, this should leave more room for the #1 receiver running his curl.

On the backside, the curl may succeed as well. A major coverage for 4-2-5 teams on the weakside, besides "Blue" is Bronco. The TCU 4-2-5 Bronco coverage presents man on man in the secondary on the weakside (so the weakside safety and the corner). If you isolate #1 to the weakside far enough, big play opportunities do exist one on one with the corner there as well. Especially because in Bronco versus the I-formation, the weakside safety is thinking run first.

 

Attacking the 4-2-5 with the I formation with the Pump Fake and Double Moves

The pump fake is the most underutilized weapon an offense has in my opinion. Coverting a 3 step vertical after a pump fake to a short curl (which we've now converted into a vertical or go route after the intial move) and leave the corner isolated. With #2 running a curl or vertical himself, he occupies the robber safety, essentially leaving our corner 1 on 1 with no idea whether or not he should give up a quick 4-6 yards on a hitch or if he should ignore his Defensive coordinator and take a risk to stop it for no gain. Now, defenses have other coverages (corner play the flat, roll the typical robber safety over the top for instance), but most defensive coordinators want to play something comfortable and if they do change the coverage they've opened up our playbook which includes smash routes and outside runs to the strongside right at the flat corner.

The double move and pump fake can also cause that robber safety all kinds of problems. Perhaps my favorite is Y-Sail, which could be with a power play action fake or by itself. The Y or TE takes a vertical release of about 8 yards and breaks to the corner, #1 goes vertical right now,and a fullback sneaks into the flat. The Y should fake the post quickly before breaking to the corner. At this same time, the QB's eyes should be on said robber safety and lead him towards the post. There should now be 2 or 3 steps for that big tight end to out manuver that safety. Another adjustment, if you believe you can outmatch the corner or safety, is to tag the route with a post by number one (Rt 74 Y-Sail X-Post). A scissors concept to some, this will now isolate both the corner and safety. The skinnier the post, the better, because you want to avoid any backside help.

In addition to that there is the Y Freeze route. The Y or Tight End takes a vertical release making eye contact right now with the robber safety. He will then read his leverage and break opposite at a distance of 9-10 yards, coming back to the LOS initially. #1 will run a post at about 12 yards, exploding past the corner and over the top of the robber safety, who is now at least flat footed (or totally covering) the Y or tight end. I like packaging this with a hunt by #1 backside, in order to hold the LB's accountable incase the safety plays the post and the Y opened to the wrong side of his leverage. This can be combined with the draw isolation fake to help hold the safety still if he's talented enough to get back or if the linebackers underneath are causing you fits.

 

Defeating the 4-2-5 with the Running Game from the I formation

When you combine the quick pass game with the play action, your running game should open up nicely. Once that robber safety is completely flat footed, power is now a lethal weapon. Why? You can have your tight end work outside or almost arc release to the strong safety in the box. This isn't a typical look for a robber safety, as they expect a down block to a backer or on the 7 technique end versus power. This should stress the 7 technique defensive end, allowing your fullback to kick him out (the 7 will think you're running stretch or outside zone). Becasue the robber safety is an alley player lined up probable over the guard or tackle to the strong side, his path should take him a little further out with that arc release as well by the tight end. The guard can easily wrap underneath and the rest is history.

In addition to running power (and stretch with it), you should be able to run iso. The force players, no matter what, should be staying outside the box (if they're falling the play and causing problems, you need to work that flat after a playaction iso fake). Iso is nice because in addition to the downhill version we all love, there is the draw iso fake, which I referred to earlier. Draw is great because the play action pass pro is easy (... block draw... duh), and the defense is often out of position. Again, this works great because the Y might be able to work to the robber blocking him thanks to the Y freeze play. The force player to the strongside shouldn't be a threat (if he is, draw action with a flat route where he should be), and you should get a nice chunk of yardage if you can really sell the draw.

Working weakside can be a challenge depending on how the defense plays the backside bandit or strong safety. If he's out of the box, RUN THE BALL there, if not, you can use twins sets to pull him out of the box (because the force player safety always keeps outside leverage on #2). Watch out though, you will likely pull the robber safety with him. If that robber safety comes over and you have a numbers problem, to the strongside you can have your big tough tailback, in a perfectly drawn play, end up one on one with one of those cover 2 cheat corners. Lovely matchup (got to get it blocked though!). Otherwise, if you do pull the force player safety out (which you should be able to with a twins look) and the robber safety, weakside iso is still usually good for 3-5 yards a crack.

 

Conclusions

Overall, although the I formation can get over whelmed by the 4-2-5 when they get into some of their blitzes (you should run screens then my friend and get them back into their split coverage concepts), you should have success against their base defenses. Again, the key is a balanced attack with a strong game plan. You don't need to use these examples, but you should be able to come up with elements in your own I formation offense to the same effect.

 

P.S.

Sorry for the late post... I got married. I have time again (until football... which starts in t-minus 17 days).

Miami Dolphins 4-3 Pt. 2

As mentioned in the first part of this series on the Miami 4-3 Defense, the short passing game in the West Coast Offense caused a great number of issues for the defenses. With a basic understanding of a couple of the fronts the 96 Dolphins 4-3 defense utilized, we shall go about understanding one of their coverages used to dominate the short passing game, "Cover 22". It is detailed below.

[Miami Base Cover 22]

(Sidenote: Click on the image to enlarge it. I would suggest opening it in a new window or tab.)

Cover 22 was is one of the first coverages listed in the Miami Dolphins 4-3 Defensive Playbook. It involves considerable pattern reading.

Corner Play
It utilizes outside leverage by the corner on the number one receiver to either side. This outside leverage is used to eliminate the possibility of the receiver getting an outside release, which would cause havoc for the safeties over the top who would be comprised by the potential distance between the sideline threat of #1 and any other deep receiver. When the corner "funnels" the receiver inside, he is also to sink with #1 receiver until another potential threat enters his Flat zone. Also, he is not all to cover any player under four yards until the quarterbacks eyes and shoulders indicate that the receiver in that zone is the new target. For instance, imagine the scenario shown below....

The squiggly lines indicate the drop the corner makes with the #1 receiver until the quarterback (not shown) makes eye and shoulder "contact" with the #2 receiver ("Y" or tight end) who is running the arrow route into the flat at a depth of 2-3 yards. Because of the shallow height in the route, the corner plays the #1, even though #2 is closer to the flat area. This area from the LOS to about 4 yards is often referred to as the "no cover" zone. The "no cover zone" is an area where the defense is willing to give up a short throw in order to cover deeper routes and make a physical play on the underneath routes, hopefully jarring the ball loose with a big collision. Also, if the Quarterback fails to put enough zip on the ball, the corner will likely have an opportunity for a big play interception.

The cornerbacks need to read "through" the #1 receiver to the #2 reciever and QB. If #2 goes flat, the corner needs to "feel" #1 and be ready for a curl, or perhaps a deep slant. Likewise, if #2 goes vertical, the corner needs to be ready for #1 to go vertical or sit. If he goes vertical, the corner needs to drop underneath with #1 until the flat is threatened. I'll save the #1 running a "sit" route for the end of this article.

Safety Play In The Miami 4-3 Defense

The safety aligns anywhere from 9-12 yards usually in cover 2, although this playbook specifically says 10 yards. The safeties will also align 3 yards outside the numbers. Note that the football field in the pro's is different from the college game, specifically the distance from the hash to the numbers. In high school and college ball, the safeties typically align 2 yards outside their respective hash.

The safety is responsible for their deep half of the field. This means they must stay deeper than the deepest. They need to be ready for any ball that is lofted over the head of a linebacker. They must also know the weaknesses in the defense. Understanding that the corner has the flat, there is a gap around 12 yards behind the corner on any given play. Also, there is a gap in the middle of the field (which would eventually lead to the Tampa 2, but that is for another article). The safety needs to read #2's route. If #2 goes vertical, he needs to read #1 for the same reasons listed above for the corner. If #1 goes vertical as well, the corner has a dillemna. 2 Verticals on his side probably dictates that there are at least 1 if not 2 verticals on the other side (the offensive play is call "Verticals, genius, isn't it?). That means the 2 safeties need to cover 4 deep routes. The underneath coverage players (corners and linebackers) should be helping with this problem. The outside linebackers force the #2 receivers inside to the safeties. The corners force #1 inside to the safety as well, compressing them. The safety then needs to sit on the top of most the players, and take away the easier throw, which will be the one to the inside, or the #2 vertical routes. He should have the athleticism to cover a throw to #1, and the ball will need to be lofted if the corners and linebackers are playing the receivers properly, creating a big play opportunity. As for the sit route, again, that will be covered later on in this article.

If #2 goes flat, the safety immediately looks to #1, ready to rob the (1) post, (2) dig,(3) or curl route. If #1 runs vertically up the field, he needs to keep inside position. If #2 continues up the field, pushing vertical after running flat, and #1 runs vertical as well, the safety treats it like 4 vertical, as described above. In this case though, the #1 and #2 receivers switched rolls, so #1 is now #2 and vice versa.

Outside Linebacker Play in the Miami 4-3 Over Defense

The outside linebackers have hook to curl to their respective side. This is an area that is about 5 yards from the LOS to about fourteen yards deep. In this zone, the linebacker is responsible for "walling" or, according to this playbook, "Buzzing and Jamming" the #2 receiver on a vertical release. As described earlier, this will force the #2 receiver inside to the safety, and compress the distance for the safety. Also, it prevents the receiver from running down the middle of the field. If the #2 receiver breaks inside after running vertically up the field, the linebacker needs to be ready to carry the post pattern through his zone and alert the other linebackers of the deep threat.

If #2 runs flat, the linebacker trails underneath #1, ready to rob the curl route and make a play on any slant route. If #2 starts to run vertical, the linebacker needs to make a "wheel" call, allerting the corner that the corner needs to adjust to the wheel, and the linebacker needs to take the curl route. If, for whatever reason, the linebackers and corners have a problem with this, the coaches can teach the linebacker to follow the #2 flat receiver if he pushes vertically, and the corner then takes #1's curl route. This would mean swapping responsibilities in coverage. In essence, the corner becomes the linebacker.

If #2 runs vertical, as described earlier, the linebacker needs to glance at #1. If #1 is pushing vertical, then the linebacker needs stay inside and underneath the #2 receiver. If the quarterback throws this ball, he will need to loft it over and to the outside of the receiver, and the safety will be in a great position to pick the ball off.

If #2 runs inside and runs a drag route, the linebacker needs to be ready to let #2 go and alert the other linebackers with a "drag" call. Understand this as the no cover zone principle, as it will likely be shallow. If this is the case, the linebacker should be ready for a dig by #1 coming across his zone. If the linebacker heres a drag call from another linebacker, he needs to be ready for the incoming receiver after he leaves the middle linebacker.

Inside Linebacker Play in the Miami Over Front Defense

The inside linebacker has the duty of protecting the middle of the field, specifically working the strong hook zone. However, the direction of his initial drop is changeable, as the middle linebacker checks the #3 receiver, which may be the runningback. Which ever direction that player is aligned, or if they are in the backfield the direction of their route, will determine the linebacker's drop.

The linebacker is responsible for taking inside leverage and "walling" number 3 if they push vertical. This also applies to a tight end. If he works inside the outside linebacker and pushes vertical, the mike needs to take inside leverage on the route in a similar fashion to the outside linebacker's play vs #2 pushing vertical, as described above.

Normally, in cover 2, the inside linebacker is responsible for getting physical with any inside route (i.e drag) and knocking the receiver off coarse only if it will not take the middle likebacker out of his zone or won't make him overextend and get off balance. If the middle linebacker sees an inside route, he needs to alert the outside linebacker and potentially the corner who are in the direction of the receiver.

However, in Cover 22 for the Dolphins, this linebacker carries the crosser. That means he will lock on to the underneath route, unless someone gives him an over call, indicating they can handle the player without zone conflicts. This is a interesting coaching point, because it will eliminate this weakness, but at the same time it will make the overall coverage more vunerable to a post route, dig, or other inside route by #2.

If this linebacker also needs to be prepared versus trips sets. In trips, he will be moving to the #3 receiver as the coverage rules dictate. If #2 runs an outside route, lets say an "out" (clever, aren't I), and the #3 receiver runs an arrow into the flat, the Mike and the rest of the defenders should recognize this as a flood play. The Mike will move to the curl area then underneath #1. The corner would take the flat arrow route by #3, and the outside linebacker would cover the #2 receiver.
Smash and China Combination

Smash

The Smash and China are route combination concepts for the offense that are designed to outman the cover 2 or the Dolphin's Cover 22 based off working deep routes into areas the coverage should not be covering or would be significantly weak against.

["Smash" with ball thrown to "Z" (#1 Stop Route) vs Cover 22]

Smash is a combination that has #2 running a deep corner or post-corner route. The #1 receiver runs a "stop" or short hook route that stops at about four yards, and pushes the corner to the outside. Occasionally, this can be combined with a very shallow flat route by the #3 receiver. In order to stop this play, the defense must follow their rules. If #2 pushes vertical, the outside linebacker needs to wall him off. When the corner sees this, and he sees that #1 stopped, he needs to drop with #2 and help underneath. The safety takes the deep route, and can't be caught flat footed or guess on the first move. He needs to be ready for the break to the outside by the "Y" or #2. If the QB turns his should and head to number one, the corner needs to be ready to break on the stop route, along with the linebacker. The safety needs to stay disciplined and cover the deep route until the ball is in the air. If the ball is thrown to the #2 receiver running the post-corner, the corner needs to turn his hips and get underneath the ball. The linebacker needs to take a proper pursuit angle and the safety needs to be ready to break up the pass. Overall, as a defense, the group needs to understand the weaknesses of the coverage. Understanding the weaknesses will help in teaching the pattern reading concepts, because the defense will know how the offense will likely attack them in this coverage.

["Smash" with ball thrown to "Y" (#2 Post-Corner Route) vs Cover 22]

China

China is a similar concept. #2 pushes vertical running the corner or post-corner. #1 runs the stop, but as he is coming out of his break he almost turns it into a slat/drag route. This is used to stop teams that have outside linebackers who settle underneath the #1 sit route, because if they do the receiver will run right behind the coverage to the area between the outside linebacker and the middle linebacker. This gap will be increased vertically because the safety and corner are handling the post-corner route, so if a quick receiver runs this route, it can be deadly if the defense does not play it properly. Also, if the route is mirrored or run on both sides of a 2x2 set (2 receivers running the combination on each side) if the Mike is influenced (by #3) or chooses to help one side and the QB throws to the other, the offense has big play potential. Proper communication is critical to stopping this play. Players cannot be overly aggressive and must take proper angles. The corner has to help the OLB and the Mike by keeping an eye on #1 as he drops to prevent the deep throw to #2, as described in the smash route above.

["Smash" on the Left and "China" on the Right vs Dolphins Cover 22]

(Sidenote: The Mike is influenced by the flat route by the runningback. This is Smash to the left and China to the right. The #1 receiver, "z", catches the ball infront of the outside linebacker and corner who are caught off guard and he takes it to the house unless the free safety turns around. I forgot to draw his line. Either way, its a huge gain.)

Closing

I hope you guys enjoyed this article. It does not give full detail on pattern reading but it is enough to get by. I hope you enjoyed it. Of coarse, if you have questions, ask me or leave a comment.

You can read part 1 on the Miami 4-3 Defense by clicking here!