Coverages of the 4-2-5

Tim Place explains the zone coverages that let Urbana University defend the pass out of variations of the 8-man front. Part 3 of his five-part 4-2-5 series details the Blue Knights' Black, Robber, 1 Rat and 1 coverages, the individual responsibilities at the second and third levels, and the subtleties of alignment and disguise that make it hard for an offense to adjust. Taken together with the fronts from Parts 1 and 2, the coverages force the offense to prepare for multiple fronts and multiple coverages at once.

What you'll learn

• The concept and strategy behind Urbana's pass defense coverages in the 4-2-5.
• The strategy behind Black, Robber, 1 Rat and 1 coverage.
• Keys to defending the pass out of variations of the 8-man front.
• Second- and third-level individual responsibilities in each coverage.
• Why the ability to disguise your pass coverage matters and how Urbana does it.
• How the flexibility of the defense makes the offense prepare for both multiple fronts and coverages.

Who it's for

High school and college defensive coordinators and secondary coaches running the 4-2-5 or any 8-man front who need zone coverages that hold up behind it.

About the coach

Tim Place installed the 4-2-5 as defensive coordinator at Urbana University in Ohio and later served as the Blue Knights' head coach, with defenses that ranked among the NAIA's national leaders in sacks and rushing defense.

Part 3 of Coach Place's five-part series, with extensive use of game film. Runtime: about 79 minutes.