Zone coverage explanations?

[moser7388]

So this year they added a few new zone plays I understand what some of them do but there are some that I'm not sure what sets them apart from the others and I haven't really been able to find any explanation on them. Does anyone have any information regarding the different zones such as Cover 3 Match, Cover 3 Mable, and Cover 3 Sky? The new Cover 2 zones are fairly self explanatory but I'm still unsure what the difference is for the new Cover 3 zones.

[sebennayx]

It's more about the different zone concepts within the plays than it is specific plays -- the players now have responsibilities based on an "if/then" scenario according to the route combination being run on their side.

For example - Seam/Flat (light purple) will have the defender carry, man-up and run with a vertical route even if it's not within their "zone". Curl/Flat (dark purple) still primarily defends the vertical routes first, deep to flat, but doesn't man-up the receiver unless they break outside.

If you know the zones and how to identify them from the playcall screen, you know how every play will handle every route combination the offense can bring out.

EA actually did a good job explaining these in one of their early blogs. Hope this helps!

https://www.easports.com/madden-nfl/...-zone-coverage

[BadAssHskr]

The If/then in my franchise is more like, If i'm playing zone, Then i'm getting beat.

[sebennayx]

Quote: Originally Posted by BadAssHskr

The If/then in my franchise is more like, If i'm playing zone, Then i'm getting beat.

Lol true. Zone is still zone, and every zone has holes to be exploited. The key to playing zone IRL and in Madden is getting pressure before the QB can find the hole in the zone.

Cover 3 Rip/Liz aka Match was created to answer the holes in Cover 3 Sky (seams). Cover 3 Mable was created to answer the holes in Cover 3 Match (floods). Each has its own benefits and drawbacks - each relies on getting pressure.

[Hooe]

I actually prefer zone to man in this year's game. I'd rather get beat by 1000 paper-cuts than by one or two gashing plays.

[BadAssHskr]

I'm going to kick myself for not remembering the exact name of the play. It was one of my closer losses. I'd say about 75% of the game i kept the same defense.

3-4 Even Cover 2 (might have been 3-4 Even Man Cover 2). My D was like a madman, so much fun.

[Tatupu_64]

Quote: Originally Posted by CM Hooe

I actually prefer zone to man in this year's game. I'd rather get beat by 1000 paper-cuts than by one or two gashing plays.

100% with you there. I am in an online league with the Eagles and their CBs suck. With zone I have a fighting chance

[Oldsmobile19]

Its all about mixing up and knowing when the right time to use zone and the right time to use man, even if your CBs are not that great. Sitting in zone all game can be beat just as bad as man.