Zone Defense

[nick]

this isn't a complain thread, just need answers please.

what is good and what is bad against it? I need to know. like routes and shit. it seems everytime i face a zone d i throw right to where they're waiting.

thanks

[TerpsMustDie]

Zone is susceptible deep usually, and to crosses and ins. Other routes work as well, you just have to make your reads.

[ReignOnU]

this isn't a complain thread, just need answers please.

what is good and what is bad against it? I need to know. like routes and shit. it seems everytime i face a zone d i throw right to where they're waiting.

thanks

Do you want a technical answer on how to read it?

[nick]

this isn't a complain thread, just need answers please.

what is good and what is bad against it? I need to know. like routes and shit. it seems everytime i face a zone d i throw right to where they're waiting.

thanks

Do you want a technical answer on how to read it?

i guess.

[ReignOnU]

Most prefer the triangle read.

---------X-----------
--------/--\---------
-------/----\--------
------/------\-------
-----/--------\------
----/----------\-----
---X-----------X----

1.) Read the FS / SS movement 1st. If both drop, you have Cover 2 (C2) or Cover 4 (C4). If only 1 drops, you have C1 or C3.

2.) Read the CB that you feel most comfortable with. Left or right.
- If your FS/SS read was 1 deep and the CB is flying back, you have C3 Zone. If the CB is sticking to the WR, you have C1 Man.
- If your FS/SS read was 2 deep, you have 3 likely outcomes here. If the CB flies back, it's C4 Zone. Your other 2 options are Man/Zone.

3.) Read across to the other side of the field. You're looking for gaps / blitzes from players leaving the area.

At different points of the read, you'll want to know the routes that work best with each one and make your pass whenever you see something open.

C1 Man - Good for deep shots with good WRs in potential 1 on 1 scenarios. Also usually means more heat on the QB, so quick routes against the slower defenders. (LBs)

C2 Man - Less pressure, more time to pass. Stay short.

C2 Zone - Posts and Corners work best. The longer the throw, the more time the safeties have to react. Throw these passes on the breaks. This coverage can get destroyed by double outside streaks with a deep post in the middle. The downfall of C2 zone is that the 2 fastest coverage guys are sitting in the flats twiddling their thumbs. Usually a lot of underneath coverage with the backers. Or frequent blitzes by the LBs.

C3 Zone - Usually better to stay short. Look for In routes, slants and the RB in the flats. In most cases, an LB has flat coverage and the RB will beat them out there. The CB is busy flying off off the line. For Ins/Slants, normally 1 LB and 1 S are responsible for the middle of the field. There are gaps in the coverage as the players cross across the field. Try to avoid the deep ball, since there's 3 Deep. Also, throwing a post / corner can be deadly, since the zone is played deeper on the edges. Most LBs have the speed to get over there and swat it.

C4 Zone - Underneath and flats. Similar to C3.

This is probably more than you were looking for, but it's how many QBs are taught to read it, mixed in with some video game logic. I used this system on the old gen system. But since then, I've gotten pretty sloppy with my passing and just kind of do my own thing. Looking more for match ups and keying on specific targets. It takes some time to get used to, but most guys that end up understanding it, eventually kill it with the passing game. Good luck.

[nick]

you're all fucked now with your zone defenses!! muhahahaha

thank u reign

[BFiVL]

Look at a couple of things to see if its zone. I am saying this in all seriousness and I dont mean this as insulting at all as I am sure you know the difference between zone and man.

Watch the line backers, see what they are doing ( are they dropping back or are they following folks. If you run a drag route over the middle make sure he clears the last LB or hit him in between the Lbs for a modest gain.

IF the DBs running about 5 yards and squat then a curl route at the first down line works whenever the WR stops.

Now how can you tell if its cover 2 or 3 zone? Watch the safeties. If the 2 safeties split the middle and cover the sidelines then a TE or slot post once they clear the LB should be open, that is a cover 2. In a cover 3 this will not be open since a DB will be playing center field unless you can hit him in between the safety and the LB.

[packsyD22]

first read in zone for me is the OLB's. After that its all gravy but you need to know all your routes so you know which WR to hit. Use motion too really helps in seeing what kind of coverage it is.

O one more little hint if someone is playing Cover 2 against trips they are A insane and B going to get beat deep by me everytime.

[Hoos]

Screw reading a D. I just chuck the fucking ball and the rest is in God's hands.

[Weasel]

Screw reading a D. I just chuck the fucking ball and the rest is in God's hands.

No wonder you blow

[Hoos]

Kiss my WAC championship ring.

[Weasel]

The JV circuit?

[shel311]

this isn't a complain thread, just need answers please.

what is good and what is bad against it? I need to know. like routes and shit. it seems everytime i face a zone d i throw right to where they're waiting.

thanks

3 routes is all you need to know.

Curls- money against zone
Zone busters- Not sure what else to call em, but that's what i've always known em as lol. Wher your TE or WR runs that little route where he basically runs straight towards the sideline slightly up field.

ANd finally, sending everybody deep is money as well. If you send 4 guys deep with cover 3 zone, 1 guy should be open 20 yards downfield.

[shel311]

Another thing, I try to look at the middle of the field and read the LBs and safeties at the same time. If the LBs are blitzing, i'm looking for a hot route or a streak 1 on 1. Then check your safeties to read if it's cover 2 or cover 3 zone like mentioned above.