Reading the Defense

[ObliviousBaller]

Hey guys, was wondering if any of yas could help me out on this. I am loving the passing system in this years game, and having loads of fun with it. Was always a run first player with short passing routes mixed in, but this year im in the air all the time. Thought i was an air raid natural first few games untill i got into confernce play with some good defenses. I starterd throwing picks like crazy! Ive kept at it though and definatly gotten better, but my reason for this thread is im not sure what to look for pre snap. I mean i look for the blitz and where guys are aligned, but as far as having an idea of the coverage pre-snap im not sure exactly how it goes. Once i snap the ball i tend to figure it out pretty quick but if I had a better understanding of what cover2, cover3, cover4, man, man/zone combos, etc etc look like before i begin the play i think my passing game can improve greatly. Theres many times my terriable line gets ran over quick and with the very quick few seconds i have, i misread a LB or Safety on what i thought the coverage was and TOUCHDOWN.....for the other team haha. Anyway i know its not a perfect science and coverages can be masked, but any tips on how to get a general idea pre snap would be greatly appreciated.

[pirateraider]

2 safeties over the top = cover 2 or 4
1 safety over the top = cover 1 or 3

corners shaded slightly inside receivers = zone
corners directly over receivers = man

if someone looks like they're gonna blitz, they probably are

thats usually the stuff i look for, and just know the route progressions in your play, don't be afraid to dump off to the running back

[sirjam]

Quote: Originally Posted by pirateraider

2 safeties over the top = cover 2 or 4 1 safety over the top = cover 1 or 3 corners shaded slightly inside receivers = zone corners directly over receivers = man if someone looks like they're gonna blitz, they probably are thats usually the stuff i look for, and just know the route progressions in your play, don't be afraid to dump off to the running back

Are you sure the corners tip you off this year?

[prd689]

Quote: Originally Posted by sirjam

Are you sure the corners tip you off this year?

They do unless they are pressing while in zone. If they don't press they are for sure backed off the LOS about 5-7 yards. As for safeties this guy above is absolutely correct.

[Ky3217]

Quote: Originally Posted by pirateraider

2 safeties over the top = cover 2 or 4 1 safety over the top = cover 1 or 3 corners shaded slightly inside receivers = zone corners directly over receivers = man if someone looks like they're gonna blitz, they probably are thats usually the stuff i look for, and just know the route progressions in your play, don't be afraid to dump off to the running back

I personally love catching people with this. However, you are correct, if someone looks like they're coming, they probably are.

And agreed. Most people dont check down nearly enough

[sirjam]

Quote: Originally Posted by prd689

They do unless they are pressing while in zone. If they don't press they are for sure backed off the LOS about 5-7 yards. As for safeties this guy above is absolutely correct.

Right, but if they are pressing is there any tipoffs?

[Buckeye_Mafia]

Another thing, and this is probably old news to people, but the easiest way to figure out if its zone or man coverage is sending a receiver in motion. Two things about that though. First, it takes about 15 seconds to motion and the send the receive back (if you choose to do that). Second, don't just use motion on passing plays because that tips off the defense after a few series. I try to get to the LOS with atleast 25 seconds for motion, line adjustments, and audible/hot routes. Hope this helps...

[The_Rick_14]

One of my favorite moves when playing defense against human opponents is to call the defense I want to be in, immediately audible to something that disguises it and then before the snap hit Audible and Left Trigger to reset back to my original defense.

For example, if I want to be in off-man cover 1, I'll formation audible to cover 2 so my corners are up and i have a 2 safety look. Then before the snap, reset the play and watch my corners back off and my safety walk down.