the four vertical concept - part 2

8/10/2019 The Four Vertical Concept - Part 2

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he Four Vertical Concept - Part 2

ublished on Friday, 28 June 2013 00:54

d

st week, X&O Labs presented the first installment of the four vertical concept a staple for most

ograms entering this busy 7-on-7 season. We touched on pre-snap landmarks and post-snap route

ogressions for the outside and inside receivers as well as QB read off of one and two high safety

fenses. Quite frankly, we were impressed with the intricacies of how coaches teach and develop th

ncept. There are various tweaks and adjustments that coaches make to the scheme based on facto

fety depth, corner leverage and linebacker leverage, etc. so well start this weeks research report o

utilize the four vertical pass game out of 3x1 formations.

ips Adjustments/Variations:

would be silly to address the four vertical concept without detailing how coaches utilize it out of 3

rmations. Weve found that this concept is becoming more present in these unbalanced formation

ainly because of two distinct reasons:

You have the presence of three vertical threats to one side of the formation. 2. You have the ability

late the single receiver (X) to the backside of trips; often creating a mismatch with your better rec

the boundary cornerback.

ute Progressions for 3-Man Side:

ot surprisingly, weve found that when using the four vertical concept out of trips formations, 76.6

rcent use the opposite hash mark by the number three receiver in trips as a landma

any coaches will call him the "slicer" in the concepts, literally because its his job to cut through th

fense, ending up on the opposite hash. In whatever way he gets there, he MUST make sure he infl

at backside safety to distort his read (Diagram 1).


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ck Hajjar, the offensive coordinator at Ohio Northern University feels that the number three recei

1 formations should be the catalyst for the success of the play. Its his job to understand coverage

hat path he needs to get to his landmark, which is fifteen yards downfield crossing the near safety.

urse, which safety this is may change based on coverage, but he must find the best path to influenar safety and react off his movement.

asically, we tell him (#3) to go over the Sam LB and under the Mike LB (Diagram 2)," said Hajja

hat Sam should be splitting number two and three or over number three so hes already undernea

m. Hes trying to catch that ball fifteen yards down the field over his shoulder and the ball should

ope. The QB shouldnt be leading him out to dry."


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hile Hajjar admits that his first read in a 3x1 progression is the X because of the possibility of sing

verage, his QB must be able to decipher between "depth" and "width" safeties in any two deep she

ow can a QB tell if a safety will play with width or depth post-snap? Hajjar believes its all in the

meanor of the player. "If they are width safeties, they are opening up with their outside foot and go a crossover run for three steps and then backpedal," he claims. "Some will weave at an angle, bu

etty easy for our QBs to see their demeanor. If its a depth safety hes on a vertical plane on a

ckpedal."

whats all this mean? "If we get cover two with a safety getting depth, we may be able to throw th

the X right in the spot in the 15 yard rule and were off to the races (Diagram 3). But, if we see th

st snap safety get width, were off him now, hoping we can get number three who is replacing his

cated area (Diagram 4)."


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he key for us is the number three receiver must understand whether it is a two-high or one-high s

ad, and he has to do it immediately after he clears the Mike linebacker." says Hajjar. "After he gets

e Mike, he has to understand is it one high or two high safeties. If its two high, we tell him to spli

otch of the backside safety and go right down the middle of the safeties as quick as you can. Once

re reading the boundary safety. If that safety is getting width, there is no way that front side safet

t over to play him. The biggest thing our number three has trouble with is the backside safety does

the midline vs. trips. He gets just inside that backside hash and works for depth. By rule, our num

ree must cross his face, but he will see that its two high so he will take the middle of the field. So,

R messes up, he needs to just take the top of the route and get vertical and well pass him up on ou

ogression."

hat about a one-high safety read? "If its one high, hell speed roll that thing in front of him to the

posite hash(Diagram 5)" says Hajjar. "The rule is to still cross his face." Hajjar even classifies s

rm of Tampa 2 coverage to be one-high because of the depth of the Mike LB. "Some teams will dro

ke to 15 yards which is where we are telling that guy he should expect the football," he says. "So toats really a one high safety look. Hell play his rule and speed roll in front of the Mike (Diagram


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o see video of those adjustments that Hajjar makes out of 3x1 click on the link below.

oy Rothenbuhler, now the offensive coordinator at the University of Findlay (OH) has a different

ogression read for his QB out of trips formations. Against one-high safety defenses, the primary re

the inside seam away from safety rotation post-snap. This is ideal against zone pressure teams wh

tate their coverage post snap, leaving a safety to leverage two vertical threats (Diagram 7).


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ainst two-high safety defenses, Rothenbuhler will eye the boundary safety on the backside seam r

he is getting width, we take the backside seam read down the middle unless he is getting carried-

go straight to the dump (Diagram 10)," he says.

he is not getting width, we go to the vertical read down the sideline if hes winning (Diagram 11

s not winning, well hitch and throw the comeback (Diagram 12). If a second level defender is u

e comeback, we hitch again and throw to the dump (Diagram 13)."


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awn Behrend, the offensive coordinator at Bloomington High School (IN) will also try to create co

th that deep safety in his 3x1 sets. "Out of a 3 x 1 look we will usually have our number three recei

oss the face of the safety, trying to get him to turn his hips," he says. "Then we will sneak the numb

o down the hash, while the number one attacks the outside number of the corner back. In this casll read the Free Safety. The solo backside receiver must do a good job of eating up the DB's cushio

tting him to turn his hips away from the middle of the field. This is what I tell the QB:

If the FS gets depth right away we can hit the #3 between the backers or down the hash over the to

e backers(Diagram 14).


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If the FS turns hips to chase number three, then we want to stick the throw down the hash (Diag

).


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mphasize the fact we need to get it in there and not hang it up there as good safeties will make a p

olating the X Backside:According to our surveys, 32.1 percent of coaches use comebacks or

eed outs by the Single X in trips formations when using the four vertical pass concep

eve found that this may vary depending on whom that player is and which route is more effective

nning, but it also will depend on how much of an influence that receiver is in your package. Some

aches, like Phil Longo, the offensive coordinator at Slippery Rock University (PA) feel that the com

a better option because its breaking at 15 yards and an outside linebacker cant get under those ashe would on a speed out. Yet, some coaches feel that the speed out takes much too long to develop

rticularly if you have a considerable mismatch on the perimeter, and can get the ball to your X in

rry on an 8-10 yard speed cut.

o see some of Phil Longos four vertical concept out 3x1 sets click on the link below:

ne of the more interesting X concept variations was submitted by Rodney Bivens Jr., the receiver c

Pell City High School (AL) who will use a "bang post" concept to the backside of trips in his four vss game. Its a tagged concept which is a quick post route, made famous by former 49er great Jerr

Bill Walshs West Coast offense. Although its efficiency was off the charts when Rice ran it, Biven

more as a second option against rotating safety coverage to the trips side. "We used the bang post

eate a safety net for the QB when the defense presented us with a strong field side rotation," said B

allowed us to essentially create a one-on-one matchup with a bigger receiver (X) on a smaller cor

Receiver Rules on the "Bang Post":

Landmarks are bottom of the numbers in high school or two yards behind bottom of the numb

college.

He will push vertical and make his break on his 3rd outside step (which should be at 10 yards)

must break at a flatter angle at the near upright so that he will protect the throw from the DB.

He is not reading a defender, so he should always anticipate the ball. He should expect the bal

out coming upon his break. It should be caught between 12-14 yards.

cording to Bivens, the post should NEVER conflict with the number three receiver because of the

the play. "The QB will release the ball on a quick three-step plant and throw," he said. "It will hap

fore number three ever reaches the opposite side of the field."

B Progression on the "Bang Post": Vs. One-High Safety Defenses (Diagram 16):

1. Pick best match-up pre-snap (usually either Y or Z)

2. Hit X, if not there throw Y to B


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. Two-High Safety Defenses:

Read backside safety for the following two progressions

a. If safety remains on the hash, work to the strong side of the play (Diagram 17).


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b. If safety w

f the hash toward the field, execute the bang post throw- quick three and throw (Diagram 18).


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tting Five Out:What weve found now is that more programs are starting to get five receivers out

ute in four verticals. While it hasnt completely caught on 46.6 percent use a fifth receiver

an half of the time it can be a solid option if you have a back that can catch the ball in space o

u have a fifth receiver/tight end that can threaten the middle of the field. Makes sense to us for th

lowing three reasons:

1. Most tailbacks either dont enjoy pass blocking or are not very good at it, so why not tie them i

the route.2. Gives offenses an opportunity to get their five best receiver on the field, and in the route, at th

time.

3. Against any zone or man coverage, that fifth receiver will likely be paired up on an interior

linebacker, a major mismatch that needs to be taken advantage of.

ow, before thinking about releasing five, you must be able to protect the QB with five, a subject tha

our columnists, Rich Alercio, will detail in a future report. But if youre able to do that, your possi

sending another back/receiver out are endless.

ing the Back as the fifth receiver:Of those coaches that use the back as a fifth receiver, 37.6 per

e a hole or dump route, while 33.2 percent use a check release into the flat.Since you

d everything you need on the check release option in our exclusive interview with Atlanta Falcons

fensive coordinator Dirk Koetter (click here to read the interview), well focus more on the

le/dump route.

r Rothenbuhler, he combines the dump and the check release into a read for the back. According

m, the dump route landmark should be four yards deep between the B gaps(Diagram 19). If a

fender occupies this area, the back will escape flat toward the seam read player (Diagram 20).H

s QB to "not be afraid of the dump" because often times it is a mismatch against a slower, interior

ebacker, whose assignment is to play anything over the ball.
http://www.xandolabs.com/members/2011/07/dirk-koetter-exclusive-interview/


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ing a Receiver/Tight End as the Fifth Receiver:

your back doesnt have the ability to catch balls in space (but he could run the heck out of the pow

ne schemes) using five wide may be another option for you. Weve found that coaches who will us

de in their vertical pass game package will use that receiver in two ways:

1. A "jerk" or pivot concept

2. A cross or dig concept

eve Canter, the quarterbacks coach at Norfolk State University (VA) prefers what he calls his "jerk

ncept because it creates natural separation against defenders. He will use a fifth wide receiver or a

hletic tight end. "Its better than a spot up over the ball because you get separation," he says. "He j

places the back and well run it off the first backer in the box. Usually, the Mike will have final num

ree over the ball, so we have an advantage."

We setup on outside shoulder of first backer in the box," says Canter. "We want him to match us m

an, then we get the bend over the top of him. He separates inside. The backside LB should have wa

e weak #2 (bender) so he should be out of the way (Diagram 21)which is why were hitting him

50 percent of the time. The QB has to be patient because it opens up late. Against quarters it shou

e throw, because everything else is dead. If you get blitz, he goes it right now. Its a terrific blitz be


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ian Flinn, the wide receiver coach at Villanova University (PA) teaches another form of his "jerk"

ncept where he will have his number three player pivot outside the first linebacker in the box. He

ught to step on the toes of the interior linebacker, than quickly pivot outside looking for the ball

iagram 22).Since the Wildcats run so much pivot out of there base offensive packages, it has

mendous carry over and he doesnt have to teach anything new.

ck McCall, the offensive coordinator at Northwestern University mixes the pivot and the spot up w

hat he calls his"jig" route which can be tagged for any receiver. "The receiver running the jig route

ross inside," says McCall. "He slams on his breaks, comes back outside as if hes going to run a piv

ute and then works across the field. Of course, he has some parameters that he has to follow once

ts to that area:

If no one comes outside with him, he can settle and look for the pass.

If the defender goes with him on the pivot, he comes back underneath to the inside and looks for t

ll.

ngo likes to tag a crosser out of empty in his four vertical package. Traditionally, hell have his ins

ts be "protection release players," making sure they work outside the defender over them in order

en up space for the crosser. The crosser will cut his split down by five yards and run the shallow c


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iagram 23). "The QB reads high to low," says Longo. "Against two-high safeties, the QB reads st

de first. He has the option to go to either drop out route. Against one-high safety, he still reads the

ovement key (alley player) but we dont have a bender- now he looks to the crosser matched up on

ke LB."

eader Request: Attacking Quarters Coverage AdjustmentsWe saved the best question fo

this report and that is how to attack some form of quarters coverage with the four vertical concep

alize that quarters coverage was implemented for the most part, to protect against four receivers

nning vertically down the field- so defenses should have a man for a man in coverage (Diagram

hat weve found is that when offenses use the four vertical pass concept against quarters (and man

) their efficiency lies in one of two areas:

Take the best pre-snap matchup outside and go to it (comeback or speed out).

Or, get a fifth receiver out and match him against the hole defender (interior linebacker). This we

tailed above.


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arzka takes a more aggressive approach and decides to run his vertical regardless of the coverage

ep all his reads the same, particularly for the inside receivers. "Against cover four, the route that h

ost flexibility is the read seam on the backside," says Marzka. "Hes doing the same thing as the fro

de seam. Which is anytime he reads two high, he knows there will be a bender. He wants to get to ham landmark, which is three yards outside the hash and push vertical until he gets to the outside

ebacker. Once he gets to the outside linebacker, hes leaving the seam."

We bend it behind the linebacker and in front of the safety regardless of his depth," said Marzka. "N

e angle of the bend will depend on the depth of that safety (Diagram 25). If its a cover two half s

will have separation on him. If its quarters with a tighter safety, then he needs to bend that thing

tle harder. He still makes a decision. If that safety is too aggressive, now we have an open seam an

re going to beat him deep(Diagram 26).Weve seen guys that are playing a cover four safety at

rds. We can beat it deep. Its all up to the receiver on what he can do. For our QB, it would be a fiv

ch throw for us."


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We practice that read seam 30 times a day every day for the entire year," says Marzka. "Its a defau

ute for us and Im confident that we can beat any coverage with it. Hes always reading the deep sa

s side, regardless of coverage. Were always trying to stem (move) defenders. What were trying to

ack the midline of the defender so that we have a two-way go. If you attack the midline, you take

s leverage- and we step on his toes before we make a cut."

o see how Coach Markza attacks quarters coverage, and to see some of his 3x1

justments click on the link below:

New Research

r more on this same topic, be sure to click through hereto access Trinity's OC Mark Melnitsky's f

ngth clinic reportexplaining how his Trinity College (CT) offense averaged 465 yards per game thi

ason with a good chunk of it came from their four vertical concept off play action.

oncluding Report:A quick note that most of us coaches know already: Although this four verticncept with the jig route and the jerk route, etc. looks appetizing, it really must be something you b

and live by in order to be effective. Perhaps the best nugget of research we got from this report is

ct that John Marzka told us he completes the seam route over 60 percent of the time because he

actices it over 30 times a day. Here is a coach committed to the concept. For anyone to install this

n it with any deal of efficiency, it is our belief that you have to be sold on it. When conducting this

search, not one of the coaches we spoke with used this play as a "fad"- it was a major part of their

fense, a scheme they ran between 10-25 percent of the time. So, good luck this summer with your

, hopefully you get some mileage out of this concept.

uestions or Comments?Post your questions or comments below and Mike Kuchar will respon

ortly.

pyright 2012 X&O Labs

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the four vertical concept - part 2

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