In football, offensive strategies play a crucial role in determining the success of a team. One such strategy that has gained significant popularity over the years is the “Four Verticals” concept.
This offensive play design involves sending four receivers on vertical routes down the field, stretching the defense, and creating opportunities for big plays.
Here we look at the details of the Four Verticals concept, its history, execution, variations, and its impact on the game.
The Origins of Four Verticals
The Four Verticals concept has its roots in the Air Coryell offense, which was popularized by legendary coach Don Coryell in the 1970s and 1980s.
Coryell’s innovative offensive system emphasized stretching the defense vertically with multiple receivers running deep routes.
This approach aimed to exploit the space between defenders and create opportunities for explosive plays.
Over time, the Four Verticals concept evolved and became a staple in many offensive playbooks.
It has been embraced by both college and professional teams, with coaches incorporating their own variations and adjustments to suit their personnel and game plans.
Execution of Four Verticals
The Four Verticals concept involves sending four receivers on vertical routes down the field, attacking all levels of the defense simultaneously.
The primary objective is to stretch the defense vertically and create mismatches or open areas for receivers to exploit.
Here is a step-by-step breakdown of how the Four Verticals concept is executed:
- Route Tree: Each receiver is assigned a specific route based on their position and the desired outcome. The most common routes used in Four Verticals are Go, Post, Corner, and Seam routes.
- Quarterback Read: The quarterback reads the defense pre-snap and post-snap to identify potential weaknesses or mismatches. The primary read is typically the safeties, as their positioning determines which receivers are likely to have favorable matchups.
- Vertical Stretches: The four receivers run their assigned routes vertically, aiming to stretch the defense and create separation from defenders. This forces the defense to cover a large area of the field, opening up opportunities for receivers to find open spaces.
- Timing and Accuracy: The success of the Four Verticals concept relies heavily on the timing and accuracy of the quarterback’s throws. The quarterback must deliver the ball with precision to exploit the windows created by the receivers’ routes.
- Explosive Plays: The ultimate goal of the Four Verticals concept is to generate explosive plays down the field. By stretching the defense vertically, receivers have the opportunity to make big catches and gain significant yardage.
Xs & Os: Four Verts
Variations of Four Verticals
While the basic concept of Four Verticals remains consistent, coaches often incorporate variations and adjustments to exploit specific defensive coverages or personnel matchups.
Here are some common variations:
- Switched Verticals: In this variation, two receivers switch their vertical routes after a certain depth, confusing defenders and creating potential mismatches.
- Levels Concept: The Levels concept combines shallow crossing routes with vertical routes, creating multiple layers of receivers at different depths. This variation aims to create confusion for defenders and open up passing lanes.
- Mesh Concept: The Mesh concept involves two shallow crossing routes underneath the vertical routes. This variation is effective against man-to-man coverage, as it creates natural rubs and picks to free up receivers.
- Post-Wheel Concept: In this variation, one receiver runs a post route while another runs a wheel route from the same side of the formation. This combination puts stress on the defense, forcing them to make difficult coverage decisions.
The Impact of Four Verticals
The Four Verticals concept has had a significant impact on the game of football, revolutionizing offensive strategies and challenging defenses in new ways.
Here are some key impacts:
- Explosive Plays: The Four Verticals concept is designed to create opportunities for explosive plays down the field. By stretching the defense vertically, offenses can generate big gains and score quickly.
- Defensive Adjustments: To counter the Four Verticals concept, defenses often adjust their coverages and assign additional defenders to deep zones. This can open up opportunities for other areas of the field, such as underneath routes or running plays.
- Strategic Flexibility: Coaches can incorporate the Four Verticals concept into their offensive game plans to exploit specific defensive weaknesses or matchups. Its versatility allows teams to adapt and attack different coverages effectively.
- Opening Up the Run Game: By stretching the defense vertically, the Four Verticals concept can create more space in the box for running plays. Defenses must respect the deep threat, potentially leading to more favorable run-blocking situations.
Is the Four Verticals Concept Used in the West Coast Offense, Air Coryell, Air Raid, and Spread Offense?
Yes, the Four Verticals concept is a common passing scheme that is used in various forms across a number of offensive systems in football, including the West Coast Offense, Air Coryell, Air Raid, and Spread Offense.
The basic idea of Four Verticals is to threaten the defense deep downfield at multiple points simultaneously, forcing the defensive backs to cover large areas and make tough decisions.
Here’s how it’s used in each of these offensive systems:
West Coast Offense
While the West Coast Offense is often associated with short, horizontal passing routes, it can and does incorporate the Four Verticals concept.
The purpose of using this concept in the West Coast Offense is to stretch the defense vertically and open up the underneath routes that are a hallmark of this system.
Air Coryell
The Air Coryell offense is well-known for its vertical passing game, so the Four Verticals concept is a perfect fit.
Don Coryell’s system seeks to stretch the defense vertically and find mismatches in the deep passing game, which is exactly what Four Verticals aims to do.
Air Raid
In the Air Raid offense, the Four Verticals concept is one of the staples.
This offensive strategy typically involves spreading out the defense to open up passing lanes, and Four Verticals provides a direct way to threaten the defense deep.
The idea is to isolate receivers on defensive backs and exploit the resulting mismatches.
Spread Offense
The Spread Offense also uses the Four Verticals concept effectively.
By spreading the defense out across the field, this offense creates the space needed for receivers to run their vertical routes.
The Four Verticals concept in this system can put significant pressure on a spread-out defense.
In short, the Four Verticals is a versatile concept that can be adapted to different offensive styles. It’s a strategy designed to exploit vulnerabilities in the defense, and as such, it’s widely used in many offensive schemes.
FAQs – Four Verticals Concept
1. What is the purpose of the Four Verticals concept?
The Four Verticals concept aims to stretch the defense vertically and create opportunities for explosive plays down the field.
2. How does the Four Verticals concept impact defensive coverages?
Defenses often adjust their coverages to counter the Four Verticals concept, assigning additional defenders to deep zones and potentially opening up other areas of the field.
3. Can the Four Verticals concept be effective against any defensive coverage?
While the Four Verticals concept can be effective against various defensive coverages, its success depends on the quarterback’s ability to read the defense and make accurate throws.
4. Are there any specific routes used in the Four Verticals concept?
The most common routes used in the Four Verticals concept are Go, Post, Corner, and Seam routes.
However, coaches can incorporate variations and adjustments based on their game plan and personnel.
5. How does the Four Verticals concept impact the run game?
By stretching the defense vertically, the Four Verticals concept can create more space in the box for running plays, potentially leading to more favorable run-blocking situations.
6. Can the Four Verticals concept be effective at the high school level?
Yes, the Four Verticals concept can be effective at the high school level if executed properly.
However, it requires a quarterback with good decision-making skills and the ability to make accurate throws.
7. What are some common variations of the Four Verticals concept?
Some common variations of the Four Verticals concept include Switched Verticals, Levels Concept, Mesh Concept, and Post-Wheel Concept.
8. How can defenses counter the Four Verticals concept?
Defenses can counter the Four Verticals concept by adjusting their coverages, assigning additional defenders to deep zones, and potentially using press coverage to disrupt the timing of the routes.
9. Is the Four Verticals concept suitable for all types of offenses?
The Four Verticals concept can be incorporated into various offensive systems, but its effectiveness may vary depending on the team’s personnel, quarterback skills, and overall offensive philosophy.
10. Can the Four Verticals concept be used as a trick play?
While the Four Verticals concept is not typically used as a trick play, coaches can incorporate deceptive elements or variations to catch the defense off guard.
11. How can teams practice and execute the Four Verticals concept effectively?
Teams can practice the Four Verticals concept by focusing on timing, route running, and quarterback-receiver chemistry.
Repetition and film study are essential to ensure proper execution.
12. Are there any potential risks or drawbacks to using the Four Verticals concept?
Using the Four Verticals concept carries some risks, such as potential interceptions if the quarterback makes poor decisions or inaccurate throws.
Additionally, if the defense effectively covers all four vertical routes, it can limit the offense’s options.
13. Can the Four Verticals concept be used in short-yardage situations?
The Four Verticals concept is primarily designed for downfield passing plays.
However, coaches can incorporate variations or adjustments to adapt it for short-yardage situations.
14. How has the Four Verticals concept evolved over time?
The Four Verticals concept has evolved through various adjustments and variations introduced by coaches to exploit specific defensive coverages or personnel matchups.
15. Can the Four Verticals concept be effective in the red zone?
The Four Verticals concept can be effective in the red zone, but the condensed space and tighter coverage make it more challenging.
Coaches often incorporate variations or adjustments to create opportunities for receivers in the red zone.
Summary
The Four Verticals concept in football has become a staple offensive strategy, aiming to stretch the defense vertically and create opportunities for explosive plays down the field.
Originating from the Air Coryell offense, it has evolved over time and is now embraced by teams at all levels of the game.
By executing the Four Verticals concept effectively, teams can challenge defenses, open up the run game, and generate big gains.
However, defenses have also adjusted to counter this concept, making it crucial for offenses to incorporate variations and adjustments to exploit specific coverages.
The Four Verticals concept has had a significant impact on the game, revolutionizing offensive strategies and challenging defenses in new ways.
