What it is

Four verticals is a passing play where four receivers run straight up the field at the same time, stretching the deep zones.

In a game

It is used against Cover 2 and other zone defenses, because the safeties cannot cover all four. The quarterback throws to the receiver who is open in the soft spot.

More detail

The play puts two receivers on each side to run seams, with a back as a check. The quarterback reads the free safety and throws to the open vertical or the hole in the zone. The play is also called all verticals, and it is a classic play against zone defenses.

Animated diagram

1. Four receivers each run straight up the field, spread across the width of the field.
2. A defense that usually plays three deep defenders cannot cover all four.
3. The quarterback reads the safety. If the safety goes with one receiver, he throws to another who is open.