How to Read the Defense As a Quarterback
Look at the safeties., Look for a zone defense., Check for holes., Look for a blitz., Be familiar with the opponent's defensive tendencies., Know the type of defense the opponent is running., Know the weak areas, the hard-to-cover spots., Recognize...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Look at the safeties.
If they are deep, run the ball,or throw a quick pass.
If they are not, play-action to look like you are going to run the ball.
Look for the safeties to be in a zone, unless it's a blitz, when they will most likely be in man. -
Step 2: Look for a zone defense.
The safeties will be playing close to the middle.
If you see the safeties and cornerbacks freeze in coverage, attack the space between them. , This is the most important thing to look for.
If a receiver is not going to be in a hole, change the route. , If the linebackers or safeties are cheating toward the line at all, be ready to dump the ball off.
Remember that linebackers might try to sack you.
If you see a linebacker that looks like they will blitz, let the linemen know by saying something like this:
Cover him! or Get this guy! so that they can keep them away from you. , Know what to expect in each game.
You need to be able to recognize cover-1, 2, 3, and
4. , The two typical defense you will see are 4-3 and 3-4. 4-3 consists of 4 defensive lineman and 3 linebackers. 3-4 consists of 3 defensive lineman and 4 linebackers. , Know the zones of the field that are easiest to exploit for each specific type of coverage. , For example, a safety in cover-2 is creeping up and jumping the 15-yd quick post.
A QB must recognize this and make the safety pay by pump-faking and then airing the ball out for the double-move fly route.
This requires great focus. , If they are keeping a cushion, you need to make the quick throw such as a WR screen, quick out, curl, stop, or slant.
If they are playing tight bump-and-run, you need to look to the fly, corner, fade, deep post, or deep out. , If you are lucky enough to have a standout wide receiver, there will be times when the defense gets locked into a mismatch.
You must instantly recognize it, seeing when a poor defender is on that receiver, and exploit it by going to that receiver.
Get the ball in his hands and let him go to work. , If you're going to be able to read a defense like a book, you first need to understand the language the book is written in.
Watch the film carefully and pay attention to the body language of each and every defender before each and every play.
Look for patterns, and when you actually get on the field, you'll know exactly what's coming.
You can also play realistic video games such as Madden NFL
16.
That can help you read a defense and get game-time experience outside of practice. , You won't have very much time to read the defense after the snap.
After the snap glance to make sure the defense wasn't disguising the coverage, and then make the throw that you know will be open. , If the safeties are next to each other while the corners are tight on their receivers, the safeties are going to be in cover two while the corners will play man.
If a safety lines up on the tight end, all the defensive backs are playing man. , During your drop-back, remember the location of the routes.
The defense has the ability to follow your eyes. , Safeties, linebackers, D-line.
Read what coverage the safeties are running, which will tell you what all the DBs are doing.
Then the LBs: if one is missing, find the receiver in that hole.
Then look at the D-line to find out where the first pressure will come from. -
Step 3: Check for holes.
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Step 4: Look for a blitz.
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Step 5: Be familiar with the opponent's defensive tendencies.
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Step 6: Know the type of defense the opponent is running.
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Step 7: Know the weak areas
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Step 8: the hard-to-cover spots.
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Step 9: Recognize which defenders are cheating or overcompensating.
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Step 10: Look at how loose or tight the corners are playing.
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Step 11: Recognize mismatches.
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Step 12: Pay attention to game film.
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Step 13: Do most of your work before the snap.
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Step 14: Read during the pre-snap.
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Step 15: After the snap
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Step 16: do not keep your eyes on one spot.
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Step 17: Read the defense in layers.
Detailed Guide
If they are deep, run the ball,or throw a quick pass.
If they are not, play-action to look like you are going to run the ball.
Look for the safeties to be in a zone, unless it's a blitz, when they will most likely be in man.
The safeties will be playing close to the middle.
If you see the safeties and cornerbacks freeze in coverage, attack the space between them. , This is the most important thing to look for.
If a receiver is not going to be in a hole, change the route. , If the linebackers or safeties are cheating toward the line at all, be ready to dump the ball off.
Remember that linebackers might try to sack you.
If you see a linebacker that looks like they will blitz, let the linemen know by saying something like this:
Cover him! or Get this guy! so that they can keep them away from you. , Know what to expect in each game.
You need to be able to recognize cover-1, 2, 3, and
4. , The two typical defense you will see are 4-3 and 3-4. 4-3 consists of 4 defensive lineman and 3 linebackers. 3-4 consists of 3 defensive lineman and 4 linebackers. , Know the zones of the field that are easiest to exploit for each specific type of coverage. , For example, a safety in cover-2 is creeping up and jumping the 15-yd quick post.
A QB must recognize this and make the safety pay by pump-faking and then airing the ball out for the double-move fly route.
This requires great focus. , If they are keeping a cushion, you need to make the quick throw such as a WR screen, quick out, curl, stop, or slant.
If they are playing tight bump-and-run, you need to look to the fly, corner, fade, deep post, or deep out. , If you are lucky enough to have a standout wide receiver, there will be times when the defense gets locked into a mismatch.
You must instantly recognize it, seeing when a poor defender is on that receiver, and exploit it by going to that receiver.
Get the ball in his hands and let him go to work. , If you're going to be able to read a defense like a book, you first need to understand the language the book is written in.
Watch the film carefully and pay attention to the body language of each and every defender before each and every play.
Look for patterns, and when you actually get on the field, you'll know exactly what's coming.
You can also play realistic video games such as Madden NFL
16.
That can help you read a defense and get game-time experience outside of practice. , You won't have very much time to read the defense after the snap.
After the snap glance to make sure the defense wasn't disguising the coverage, and then make the throw that you know will be open. , If the safeties are next to each other while the corners are tight on their receivers, the safeties are going to be in cover two while the corners will play man.
If a safety lines up on the tight end, all the defensive backs are playing man. , During your drop-back, remember the location of the routes.
The defense has the ability to follow your eyes. , Safeties, linebackers, D-line.
Read what coverage the safeties are running, which will tell you what all the DBs are doing.
Then the LBs: if one is missing, find the receiver in that hole.
Then look at the D-line to find out where the first pressure will come from.
About the Author
Evelyn Evans
A passionate writer with expertise in practical skills topics. Loves sharing practical knowledge.
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