Pre-Snap Reads

[GoldnBearBuck]

Playing offense, what are the pre-snap reads you guys make?

I always check for the blitz first, but I have a problem reading zone v. man.

What about on Defense? Do you align your DBs with WRs? Adjust blitzing DBs to disguise it?

[colb]

80% of the time, I line up in a shotgun formation. 50% of the time that I run a shotgun play, it's with 4 WR. So I usually check the position of the safety' first, then I take note of how many LB's are on the field. If only 1 LB, that means they should have at least 1 DB for each of my receivers, making it a pretty even matchup, presnap.

If he's matching me DB for WR, and they are lined up properly with my receivers, then I will usually send someone in motion to figure out what type of coverage I'm against. If the DB stays put, it's zone. If he moves with the receiver, it's most likely man. About the only time you can really read a blitz presnap is if A.) A safety creeps his way towards the line or B.) You notice a LB/DB slides over to man up against a receiver that already has a DB lined up against him. This usually means the said DB is blitzing so the LB/DB that slid over is going to cover him instead.

From there, I like to check my play art (if I'm playing online or on dynasty, this won't work with a friend over or in a tournament) because I want to see how my routes matchup with the coverage I'm seeing. Example: If he has a LB or 2 LB's that do not slide over to play man coverage on my slot receiver/TE, then they will probably either A.) Blitz or B.) drop into a zone. This is when I hotroute a slant or crossing pattern. Something quick in case they blitz. If they drop back, I read the safety(s). If I see a blitz, I throw to the slant.

Zone blitzes can be the most confusing to a heavy passer like me if you get into a rhythm and you get used to seeing 2 deep man under, zone, man blitz, and cover 2 zone. Zone blitzes are effective at throwing off passing games if thrown in the mix effectively, so watch out for those.

To me, an effective passing game is about mismatches, and making the right reads. Anytime you can motion a receiver in order to put him in man coverage with a LB, do it. The receiver will usually win.