Four verticals diagram
- 1
Four receivers run straight up the field against three deep defenders. QB watches the middle safety and throws to the seam he leaves.
When to call Four verticals
Call it against Cover 3 when the deep middle defender has been cheating toward one side.
Skip it if your quarterback cannot throw 15 yards on a line or if your league's pass clock is short. The seams take about three seconds to open.
Four verticals: each player's job
QB
Watch the middle safety from the snap. Throw H's seam first, and go to Y if the safety leans toward H.
C
Run a hitch at 5 yards over the ball. You are the checkdown when the deep routes are covered.
X
Go route from wide left. Stay 4 or 5 yards off the sideline so there is room for an outside throw.
Z
Go route from wide right. It keeps the deep defender on that third from helping on the seam.
Y
Run the seam from the right slot for 20 yards, bending a yard or two toward the middle.
H
The first throw is yours. Run the seam up the left hash, bending slightly inside, and expect the ball at 12 to 15 yards.
F
Run to the right flat to pull an underneath defender out of the throwing lane.
What the quarterback looks at
The middle safety has two seams to cover and can only get to one. The quarterback keeps his eyes on that safety and plans to throw H. If the safety stays put or leans toward Y, the ball goes to H on a line.
If the safety jumps H, come back to Y on the other seam. If both seams are covered, throw the hitch to C or the flat to F.
How to teach Four verticals at practice
- 1
Line up four cones at 12 yards, one for each vertical. Receivers run through their cone without drifting.
- 2
Add the quarterback with a coach as the middle safety. The coach steps left or right at the snap and the quarterback throws the other seam.
- 3
Add C and F and practice the checkdown when both seams are covered.
Common mistakes
- Slots drift outside next to X and Z, and one deep defender covers two receivers. Keep the seams on the hashes.
- The quarterback stares at one seam and the safety follows his eyes. Have him look at the safety for a full count before he throws.
- The throw comes late and floats. A high ball gives all three deep defenders time to get there.
Four verticals FAQ
What coverage does four verticals beat?
It is built for Cover 3 because four deep routes outnumber three deep defenders. It also stresses Cover 2, since two safeties have to cover four receivers.
Can younger teams run 4 verts in 7v7 flag football?
Most teams under 12 do not have a quarterback who can make the seam throw on time. Shorten it by having the slots look for the ball at 10 yards.
What is the difference between a seam and a go route?
A go route is run by the outside receiver along the sideline. A seam is run by a slot up the hash.
This play is drawn against cover 3 defense.
More plays: all 7v7 flag football plays. Draw your own in the flag football play designer.