[ForUntoOblivionSoar∞]

Quote: Originally Posted by Shamhat1915

I've found my main issue is I have an extremely bad habit of using the burst/acceleration button when I shouldn't in the pocket. It's in my head that I need to use that to avoid the rush, even when it's just stepping up into the pocket. And it seems to trigger the blockshed and get off for defenders in my eye. It will also affect your quarterback's throws. I've been so bad with using the speed burst that I've started practicing playing without using it at all to try to break that habit. I've noticed a difference in my passing when staying away from it. But as others have said, it mainly comes down to just reading the defense. Not being afraid to just take the checkdowns and take what is open. I'll admit, I absolutely suck with the deep passing game. My offense is a dip/dunk/dive offense because for the life of me I can't throw deep. I see the play, think it's open, but there's never the separation or opening I think is there lol

Much of the time it's the opposite for me. Deep passing is a lot easier because there's zero question about what the coverage is. Conversely, in the short game, you can't know if the linebacker is going to fade into your passing lane until the ball is snapped, and it requires much faster decision making and reflexes.


If I have a WR running a deep in, before he breaks I'm going to know if there will be a window open to throw it.


Of course, the downside to the deep game is that you're much more likely to take a sack. And if your primary read isn't open and you panic, you're going to throw a pick.


Usually I will have a primary, a checkdown plan if the coverage isn't what I thought it would be presnap (or if I'm about to get sacked by unexpected pressure), and one contingency progression plan that I implement immediately after the snap if I see a particular thing happen. For example, if I'm running a deep in, I don't have to look at my primary receiver the moment I snap the ball, so instead I'll look at a tight end that might be wide open quickly if, say, a linebacker vacates a zone at the snap.


So what I'll do is key on that linebacker and the safety behind him, and if that part of the field is immediately open, I'll throw to the tight end. If that part of the field isn't immediately wide open, I'll let my eyes drift to the defenders and the area of the field that the deep in will need open (for example, if the safeties remain in the same position they were at the snap, e.g., if the field is closed or open [a single high or a cover 2 or 4 look]). At this point, my deep in WR is about to make his break. If there's a window, I throw the ball just before or just as he makes his break. If there is not a window, I'm looking at the check down. If that's covered, I'm looking to run or throw it away.


Another piece of information I get from looking at my contingency progression is if there's a blitz from the linebackers (sometimes I'll also notice if one of my linemen is immediately blitzed, but normally I don't have the peripheral vision for that).


Lastly, the two things that get me in trouble the most are (1) refusing to leave my primary read (if the deep in in my example play is covered, for example, sometimes I'll try to make a hero throw, and that usually ends in a pick) and (2) improvising in a stupid way, like Jimmy Garoppolo. You have to know when to fold. Sometimes you should just take that third down sack and punt.