Can Someone Help Me Learn How To Play Zone?

[DaTopDawg206]

It seems like cover 2 or cover 3 never works for me. Is zone defense broken in NCAA FB 11? Sorry if this has been brought up before but I need help playing zone. I usually use a MLB.

[stoncold32]

it doesnt work for anyone. lol

Well unless you can get the to the QB immediately. If he has time, there's always a man open on this game

[DaTopDawg206]

So basically zone defense is broken?

[iellingson]

Quote: Originally Posted by DaTopDawg206

So basically zone defense is broken?

I use zone D sometimes depending upon my talent. The key to me with zone D in NCAA this year is that I really focus on taking the long/deep routes and forcing them to go underneath. I play a bend don't break with zone pressures, make the offense make a mistake.

[sportyguyfl31]

I set my zone coverage to conservative to increase the depth of the hook zones, and I play manual FS..to user the middle.

I coverage audible my zones to roll to the side of strength, and manuall keep an eye out for anything developing backside.

Its tricky, but it can be done.

Don't sit in one look for too often, since disguising coverage is pretty much impossible, and these defensive playbooks are so obsolete and easy to read.

Mix your coverag shells up: I'll 'show blitz', behind a cover 4, 3 or 2 now and again, but then throw a zone blitz in from a base look..and vice versa.

I would say I play zone 70-75% of the time.

Its tricky, and I sometimes have to take some gambles, but its doable.

[mm boost]

zone usually works from me when I am hammering them with man and man blitz packages, and then I will disguise my call to make it look like I am blitzing again by shifting my secondary, but then they drop back on hike of the ball into cover 3/cover 3 press, or cover 2. Works if you know what you're doing. Cover 3 works pretty well if you can create pressure. But, like someone above said, you've got to get pressure. if not, the qb will sit back, make a sandwich, and wait for a receiver to get open, and someone always does eventually.

[209vaughn]

I use man coverage 90% of the time. The only time I use zone, is on a blitz or I'm playing a less talented team. But the CPU can have super human QB protection allowing for your zone to break down really fast.

My favorite play (mild cheese) is to use Two Deep Man, 4 DL rush, then control the strong side DE and manual drop him into a zone and let the other 3 DL's rush. The CPU seems to have no answer for you dropping a DE into coverage.

[adembroski]

I play zone 90+ percent of the time. Cover 2 vs. base sets, Cover 3 vs. multiple sets, Cover 4 in the red zone. What you have to understand about zone is that, unlike man, athleticism wont save if you if aren't getting pressure. If the QB has time, a receiver will find a seam. Not getting pressure hurts against man as well, but sometimes the sheer athleticism of your defense can hang onto coverage.

The idea behind zone is to keep the eyes in the backfield so you can have 11 men running to the football, and the ability to react to the ball in the air and hawk it. Zone, all else being equal, is going to allow more positive plays in the passing game, but produce more turnovers and limit big plays compared to man. Man has a greater chance of completely shutting down the passing game, but only the most talented DBs will get many picks and more completions will become big plays.

I like to use zone to allow my opponent to beat itself. Stop the run, make them throw, wait for the mistake, capitalize. Bend but don't break, get big plays, pressure the QB. Make them be consistent and mistake free.