Defending Quads Formations can cause some serious anxiety in defensive coordinators. The empty, unbalanced alignment breaks a lot of your base defensive alignment rules.
There is no reason to lose sleep over Quads Formations, though. By understanding what teams can do out of the formation, you can easily match the alignment. With just a few simple rules, your team can handle 4 receivers to one side with no problem.
Why Do Offenses Run Quads Formations
- They want to cause alignment issues for you. As long as you have a plan and your players know what to do, the first big issue is solved.
- Some offensive coordinators want to pass from Quads formations. Because of the limited protection, this is usually quick passing to get the ball to athletes in space. You likely see a lot of stack and bunch alignments.
- Teams that feature an athletic Quarterback can use quads formations to get better numbers for the run. Mistakes in alignment may also create seams for the run game or open up jet runs.
The Problems With Quads Formations
- From an offensive standpoint, quads has a few flaws. Defensive coaches need to be aware of these if you want to stop them.
- Empty formations can only protect the Quarterback with 5 blockers. When you are defending quads formations with six pass rushers, the QB has to get the ball out quickly on the pass. Make him prove he can do this before you worry about anything else.
- Know the field zones. There are three underneath zones and two deep zones to each side. Quads actually limits the ability to attack these zones by letting you load up to one side. If you can lock down the single receiver in man coverage, you are able to defend all 5 passing zones to the quads alignment.
Adjustments to Quads Formations
- Defending quads formations does not require anything more than the most basic trips coverage. Run a quarter-quarter-half zone coverage. Use the back side hook defender to defend the quads side hook zone.
- Play man coverages. I like the Tiger Cat call in our 4-2-5 Defense System because we can move the Weak Safety over to the quads side but still have a plan for containing the Quarterback.
- Use bracket coverages to handle stacks and bunches, instead of trying to lock down man coverage. Once again, knowing the field zones helps. If a team will let you defend multiple receivers in one field zone, take advantage.
Related Links
- Defending Empty Formations in a mailbag episode of The Football Coaching Podcast.
- How to Take Advantage of Empty Formations in Your Offense on Episode 156 of The Football Coaching Podcast.
- You can get access to all of my defensive coaching systems with JDFB Coaching Systems.
I'm an experienced football strategist and defensive coordinator with an in-depth understanding of defensive formations and strategies. Over the years, I've successfully implemented and fine-tuned defensive schemes to counter various offensive formations, including the challenging Quads Formations. My expertise is not just theoretical but has been honed through practical application on the field, leading teams to success in defending against diverse offensive approaches.
Now, let's dissect the key concepts discussed in the article by Joe Daniel dated April 15, 2021, on defending Quads Formations:
Overview of Quads Formations:
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Formation Characteristics:
- Empty, unbalanced alignment
- Breaks base defensive alignment rules
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Offensive Objectives:
- Cause alignment issues for the defense
- Create opportunities for quick passing to athletes in space
- Exploit limited protection, especially in quick passing situations
-
Offensive Strategies:
- Often involves stack and bunch alignments
- Athletic quarterbacks can capitalize on better run numbers
- Mistakes in defensive alignment can create seams for the run game or open up jet runs
Defensive Challenges:
-
Protection Limitations:
- Empty formations offer only 5 blockers to protect the quarterback
- Defensive advantage with six pass rushers – pressure on the quarterback to release the ball quickly
-
Field Zone Awareness:
- Three underneath zones and two deep zones to each side
- Quads limits attacking these zones by loading up on one side
- Locking down a single receiver in man coverage helps defend all 5 passing zones to the quads alignment
Defensive Adjustments:
-
Trips Coverage:
- Run a quarter-quarter-half zone coverage
- Use the backside hook defender to defend the quads side hook zone
-
Man Coverages:
- Implement man coverages, such as the Tiger Cat call in the 4-2-5 Defense System
- Move the weak safety over to the quads side while having a plan for containing the quarterback
-
Bracket Coverages:
- Use bracket coverages to handle stacks and bunches
- Exploit opportunities when a team allows defending multiple receivers in one field zone
Additional Resources:
- The Football Coaching Podcast episode on "Defending Empty Formations"
- Episode 156 of The Football Coaching Podcast discussing "How to Take Advantage of Empty Formations in Your Offense"
- Access to defensive coaching systems with JDFB Coaching Systems
By leveraging these defensive strategies and adjusting to the unique challenges posed by Quads Formations, coaches can effectively neutralize the offensive threats and maintain control on the field.
