Where are you looking on the field when you are playing QB?

[ktd1976]

Re: Where are you looking on the field when you are playing QB?

Each pass I generally follow the same process:

1. Walking to the line I check the position of safeties, then outside corners. This alerts me to the over the top coverage and whether the middle is open (MOFO) or closed (MOFC). It also helps to know if corners are pressing.

2. Then I look at the underneath defenders and the front. Sometimes this step along with 1 will tell me if it is zone or man, more often I need more. This is more of a quick glance to look for flags (e.g. showing blitz)

3. I use the coach stick to check my matchups. If a corner is pressing my Z receiver I check the release figure, check route running, etc.

4. Pull back with coach's cam to get a good view of everything. This is the important step, and it takes practice. You are trying to decipher what defense they are in, trying to figure out everyone's assignments. Note: I haven't played 18 but this is when I would ID the Mike.

4b. Often times I can locate that one defender that spills the entire defense. You know what he is doing, you probably know what everyone else is doing. This is huge and takes a lot of time to learn. A good example is the weakside underneath defender. You want to find him and see what he is doing.

5. Do any hot routes or adjustments. In time you will learn how to use hot routes beyond cheese. Lets say you call z-spot and read zone. I'd consider putting the X receiver on a comeback route. You still got your playside zone buster, but if you are wrong you got a man beater on the backside, and due to the timing (comeback is a slow developing route), you don't have to rush. By the time your playside reads are finished, the comeback is there.

6. More of a ritual than anything else, but just before I snap the ball I take one last look at coach cam, and as I do I sit upright. THen when I release coach cam I lean forward again, the same way a QB does in shotgun. Like I said, ritual lol

After the snap,

1. Read the middle of the field, the two safeties and the LBs. This is hard for some people, but I find it is the best thing. Make sure the safeties are doing what you thought they would, e.g. if they came out in 2 deep alignment but after the snap go into a robber you have to catch that! The LBs very often give you a strong tell of what defense they are in. In general if they turn their hips to you it is man, if they stay faced up it is zone.

2. Read your key defender from 4b. This could be someone you think tells you the defense (weakside LB in a single high safety look, if he breaks for the flats its a good indicator you are looking at cover 3). Or it could be the typical hot read, where you check a guy that could be blitzing.

One and two should be enough to tell you everything you need to know.

I try not to read my receivers. Watching and waiting for your guys to get open is not a good approach. Know the play you called and where everybody is going, read where everybody is going. Look for open spots on the field, not open receivers.

Just before throwing I "peek" at my WRs, and sometimes right after the snap I peek to see if they get jammed or off the line. Other than that my eyes aren't typically on my guys.

This is pretty much spot on. But, I wanna add a couple things.

It was this way in Madden 17, and is more so in Madden 18. You have to THINK like a coach. Being able to read the coverage is great. But, you also have to know how to BEAT the coverage once you read it.

I know it doesn't exactly fit the topic, but in a way it does. Before you can focus on reading the defense, you have to KNOW your playbook. You have to know your personnel. For instance, if you have a power back with average speed, you probably won't be able to bust outside runs that often. If your receivers are slow, then running fly routes probably isn't a good thing to do all the time. KNOW your offense, and what you do well. Set up your audibles. Have a play that can beat any coverage. Have a deep pass, a play action pass, a slant, or screen, and a run play.

Probably 80% of the time, I don't call a play, I call a FORMATION. I have an idea of what I want to do. But, the defensive coverage will dictate what I will actually do. First thing I do is look at the number of defensive backs, and how many players are "In the box" 6 or less players in the box, and I automatically audible to a run play. More than 6, then I read the coverage. See where the safeties are, and how close the corners are lined up to your receivers. Reading the position of the safeties can give you a relatively good idea of the type of coverage. If the corners are right up on the line, they are most likely playing press. Press coverage can be susceptible to deep routes. If the corners are playing off the receiver (giving them a cushion) then adjust your route with a hot route.

If you read a certain coverage, have a play in mind that will beat it, and audible to it.

In a nutshell, what I'm saying, is 80% of the time, I don't actually call the play I want to run, until I am at the line of scrimmage.

[reyes the roof]

Re: Where are you looking on the field when you are playing QB?

I wish I had some advice to give you, but no matter how good my pre snap read is I turn in to Jay Cutler the second I snap the ball and force it to my first read regardless of what I see

[oneamongthefence]

Re: Where are you looking on the field when you are playing QB?

This was my methodology for learning to get better at passing...
When Madden first went 3D which for me was Madden 2000 I would always lock onto a specific receiver and stare him down and throw the ball at what I thought was the best time. There was no reading of defenses.

When Madden introduced the vision cone I would select my primary receiver but I learned to look off a defensive back. I could make 2 reads after the play was snapped but this still lead to bad passes and bad decisions.

When Madden introduced the skills trainer a few years ago it really got me used to reading a defense presnap. My qb play went from reactive to proactive. And it was small steps.

One of the key things for me at first was learning take a note of the safeties. Is there one or two? Were they coming up to blitz or dropping back? This gave me an idea who my first read was gonna be. Single high safety? I'm looking at my outside receivers first. This is all done pre snap. 2 high safeties I'm looking at my slot receiver or tight end.

After the ball is snapped I look at the safeties and notice what they do. Then the linebackers. If they blitz I'm looking at the hot read which usually means a tight end or running back should be where you want to go or a slot receiver running a drag or slant in the middle.

These are all just examples but the idea is just start with one part of reading defenses and add on as you get more comfortable. But it starts with before the ball is snapped then adding on postsnap reads and decisions. You'll feel good that you actually beat a defense with your mind than just throwing it and hoping you made the right decision. But it doesn't come overnight and it does take practice and reps in practice mode to get proficient at it.

Sent from my LGAS992 using Operation Sports mobile app

[adembroski]

Re: Where are you looking on the field when you are playing QB?

A good simplification is to begin by reading passing lanes.

Choose a side of the ball. This should generally be the side away from the best positioned safety (that's relative, which safety is best positioned to defend your deepest receiver to their side).

Read lanes post-snap. Play ground ball- just figure out if you have a clean throwing path to the catch spot. Make a decision quickly and throw just before the break (a split second after the passing icon goes opaque). Or check down to the next deepest. Finally, throw outlet.

This will get you going until you start picking up on defensive tells like shells and corner depth.

The hardest aspect of this method is having the patience to let 2nd level defenders commit. Remember, sacks are better than picks, so don't rush a throw if you're not sure the nickleback is biting on the underneath route.

Sent from my SM-G930P using Operation Sports mobile app

[BigSexy]

Re: Where are you looking on the field when you are playing QB?

Yeah, safeties are huge for me. If I see a single high safety, I've got a QB with a good arm, and my WR can break the press, I'm sending it deep. Slants can be tricky, especially if the safety drops down at the end of the route and can jump it.

Thankfully, super-LBs in Madden no longer exist (or so they claim) so feel free to run an inside corner and drop a floater over their heads. Otherwise, it's all about timing and knowing your personnel.

"Nobody can defend the perfect pass." -Dan Marino


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

[4thQtrStre5S]

Re: Where are you looking on the field when you are playing QB?

Looks like everyone covered how to read a defense, so I'll just give a link to a YouTube video about How to Beat Cover 2, by Sgibs. There is also videos for how to beat cover 3, cover 4, M2M, etc. cause it is nice to know what the defense is, but doesn't help if you don't know how to beat it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4KkfZySRsg

[ggsimmonds]

Re: Where are you looking on the field when you are playing QB?

One big tip that is easier said than done, take what the defense gives you.

If you call strong flood from a trips formation and you have the flat, take the flat. Don't sit and wait to see if the deep out becomes available.

Its easier said than done, we all get greedy and force things sometimes, but try not to

[trchamp]

Re: Where are you looking on the field when you are playing QB?

I just look at my 1st or 2nd read, if neither open then I'll see if I'm getting rushed or if there's a hole to run, or if I have time to look at more receiving options.

[mathteachernerd1968]

Re: Where are you looking on the field when you are playing QB?

My favorite offensive formation is Gun Trips TE or any of its many similar variants. Much easier to read zone or man before snapping the ball because no other offensive player is on the side of the TE. So if there are several defensive players to the side of your TE, it's probably zone - otherwise man.

Have a custom playbook ready with good audibles that beat both man and zone. Speed outs and ins are man-busters, but so are corner routes. If you're not sure whether they're in man or zone, you can always make some guy run a slant, drag, out....to play it safe.

Lab, lab, and lab some more against random zones & man defense. Look for primary, secondary, tertiary receivers. I've done this with my Gun Trips TE formations enough so that I feel prepared vs. any coverage or blitz that I see.

I run other formations other than just Gun Trips TE, but this is a good start I think for anyone. I notice the greatest Madden Tournament player of all time (Eric Problem Wright) was using the Patriots playbook just this past week and it has the BEST gun trips TE plays of any playbook out there. It's all about custom playbooks and good audibles in my opinion, and LABBING practice.

[testorz]

Re: Where are you looking on the field when you are playing QB?

I read the defense first to see if they're blitzing or in zone or man or a combination. I then scan the field for my primary receiver and if he's covered I then check down.

[ehh]

Re: Where are you looking on the field when you are playing QB?

After I hike the ball it's always a quick look at the LBs, then safeties to see if there's a blitz or anything funky going on. Then immediately to my #1 option from my pre-snap read. If he's not open, I take a quick glance at the pocket to see how that situation is playing out, then on to my other targets or a QB scramble if I'm out of time.

For me, the key is to never stare down anything. Always keep your eyes darting and scanning the field and don't forget to check back in on your pocket/pressure and you'll be alright.

[Alfie]

Re: Where are you looking on the field when you are playing QB?

This is pretty much spot on. But, I wanna add a couple things.

It was this way in Madden 17, and is more so in Madden 18. You have to THINK like a coach. Being able to read the coverage is great. But, you also have to know how to BEAT the coverage once you read it.

I know it doesn't exactly fit the topic, but in a way it does. Before you can focus on reading the defense, you have to KNOW your playbook. You have to know your personnel. For instance, if you have a power back with average speed, you probably won't be able to bust outside runs that often. If your receivers are slow, then running fly routes probably isn't a good thing to do all the time. KNOW your offense, and what you do well. Set up your audibles. Have a play that can beat any coverage. Have a deep pass, a play action pass, a slant, or screen, and a run play.

Probably 80% of the time, I don't call a play, I call a FORMATION. I have an idea of what I want to do. But, the defensive coverage will dictate what I will actually do. First thing I do is look at the number of defensive backs, and how many players are "In the box" 6 or less players in the box, and I automatically audible to a run play. More than 6, then I read the coverage. See where the safeties are, and how close the corners are lined up to your receivers. Reading the position of the safeties can give you a relatively good idea of the type of coverage. If the corners are right up on the line, they are most likely playing press. Press coverage can be susceptible to deep routes. If the corners are playing off the receiver (giving them a cushion) then adjust your route with a hot route.

If you read a certain coverage, have a play in mind that will beat it, and audible to it.

In a nutshell, what I'm saying, is 80% of the time, I don't actually call the play I want to run, until I am at the line of scrimmage.

How can you tell the number of defensive backs? The defensive formation is not displayed the way offense is (i.e. 1TE 3WR or 2TE 2WR etc.) at the play-call screen - at least I haven't seen it.

[4thQtrStre5S]

Re: Where are you looking on the field when you are playing QB?

How can you tell the number of defensive backs? The defensive formation is not displayed the way offense is (i.e. 1TE 3WR or 2TE 2WR etc.) at the play-call screen - at least I haven't seen it.

For starters, your Defensive Linemen will be in a 3 point stance or 4 point stance; get those out of the way so you know ur front. Everyone else is in a crouched position; a simple way to get used to how many DB's there are is, just remember that if you come out in a 2 WR set, there will generally be 4 DB's - 2 safeties and 2 CB's.

If you 3 WR set: 3 CB's and 2 Safeties.
IF 4 WR set: 3 CB's, 2 safeties and either an extra CB or Safety.

2 CB's will be on the far outside of the formation. If you see one high defender in the middle of the field, that is a safety, and that means you have another safety in the box (closer to the line of scrimmage) and will be inside the 2 far outside CB's, but outside your Middle LB(s).

Best way to learn, IMO, is go into practice mode and pick a defense from each formation, like 3-4, 4-3, nickle, dime, quarter, run a play and then go into replay mode and take note of the players in the defensive formation and then go to the roster/depth chart and see which players are which for each formation. then map it out on a paper so u have it next to u while u play for easy reference.

(I always have to write stuff down and it works wonders for me as I am learning)

[adembroski]

Re: Where are you looking on the field when you are playing QB?

Looks like everyone covered how to read a defense, so I'll just give a link to a YouTube video about How to Beat Cover 2, by Sgibs. There is also videos for how to beat cover 3, cover 4, M2M, etc. cause it is nice to know what the defense is, but doesn't help if you don't know how to beat it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4KkfZySRsg

That guy beat me in a drinking contest once because the ******* waiter walked by and randomly added more everclear to my drink right in the middle of it.

[ktd1976]

Re: Where are you looking on the field when you are playing QB?

How can you tell the number of defensive backs? The defensive formation is not displayed the way offense is (i.e. 1TE 3WR or 2TE 2WR etc.) at the play-call screen - at least I haven't seen it.

Look at the defense (Not trying to sound condescending, or sarcastic) The defensive backs will normally either be lined up opposite a receiver, or back in a safety position. Linebackers will be in the "box" (Imagine a box from the line of scrimmage to 5 yards past the line of scrimmage, and the box extends the length of your offensive line plus tight end(s) plus a yard on either side. Any one lined up outside this "box" is most likely a defensive back.