Let's Talk Usering... Dynasty vs. Practice Mode

[Collegefbfan]

I really do want to become more familiar with usering a position other than a lineman. I have done it a bit in some of my dynasty games after I have established a good lead, or I just try it out on some random play here or there. In my dynasty games, I am... let's say... just below halfway decent. I feel that if I am usering a LB, I always fail to look for the run. I assume it is going to always be a pass. How do I look for the run and then rush back to my zone to cover? The biggest thing, though, is I am nowhere near the player that I am "covering" when he is in my zone. You guys that can do this are like superhuman.



So, what do I do? I head over to the practice mode and try to get better. I feel like it was even worse there. So, if I am running the same defensive play, the CPU defense becomes aware of this, right?

[taylsz]

By no means am I an expert, but if you're usering a LB it can be helpful to watch the linemen at the snap - if they drop into pass pro it's likely a pass, and if they try to get up field you need to get into your run fit. You might get burned if they drop and then run a draw, or if they run PA, but you'll get better at noticing which is which as you go. Also, (bit of a cheat tip) the announcer often calls the PA or draw just before the mesh point, giving you an extra half second to react. When trying to fit the run, it can be helpful to strafe with L2 (or whatever back left bumper is on Xbox) so you don't overrun the HB. If you drop into coverage as a LB you're often watching the TE/HB or anything over the middle. CPU loves a check down!

Sure others here have some much better tips but the above helped me.

[Collegefbfan]

Man, this helps. I guess 50 year old fingers and eyes don’t have the complimentary reflexes they once did. I do find myself leaving my zone a lot of times and just mess things up even more. That part is so dumb of me. That is why it is zone coverage… Duh. Many thanks about reading the offensive line.

[DonkeyJote]

Quote: Originally Posted by Collegefbfan

I really do want to become more familiar with usering a position other than a lineman. I have done it a bit in some of my dynasty games after I have established a good lead, or I just try it out on some random play here or there. In my dynasty games, I am... let's say... just below halfway decent. I feel that if I am usering a LB, I always fail to look for the run. I assume it is going to always be a pass. How do I look for the run and then rush back to my zone to cover? The biggest thing, though, is I am nowhere near the player that I am "covering" when he is in my zone. You guys that can do this are like superhuman. So, what do I do? I head over to the practice mode and try to get better. I feel like it was even worse there. So, if I am running the same defensive play, the CPU defense becomes aware of this, right?

First thing is to look run first. Watch the offensive linemen. You want to be reading them more than the back. If they come forward, or somebody takes a drop step (the first step before pulling), then you fill your gap. Your instinct will be to go right for the back, but generally speaking, if you just fill gaps and take away holes, someone on defense will make the play; it doesn't have to be the one you're usering. If the Offensive line doesn't come forward, and their in a pass protection stance, it's a pass, and you concentrate on that. But that's all in the first step.

As far as pass defense, it's about anticipation. You should be ready for the player before he comes into your zone, and know where your help is. And stick with a guy, even if he leaves your zone, until someone else is there to pick him up (especially important in match coverage or against any kind of vertical route).

I'd also suggest starting a little simpler. Rather than usering the MLB and covering a middle zone/run fit, start by usering an OLB or Safety that has a flat responsibility in the pass and contain in the run. Against the run, your responsibility is simply to force the play back inside; nothing should ever get outside of you. And the same goes for the pass; you want to be in a position to make a play on the outside guy (just know that if that guy in the flat suddenly starts going upfield, you've got to stay with him). It's a good introduction to playing in space without having to cover every direction. And since the CPU generally isn't great at those flat coverages, you can make a big difference.

There's also nothing wrong with playing DL. Ignore what the idiots on social media say. That's what I do the majority of the time. DL is the only position on the field where you can always make an impact on ANY play. A good user on the DL can do a ton to shut down the run game, and generate a ton of pressure without having to blitz. Maybe it's because DL is what I played irl a very, very long time ago, but I also just think ripping that RT and chasing down the CPU is more fun than playing coverage.

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[GOIRISH65]

I agree that its ok to use DL. In fact Im a ton better when I do. Im close to fifty and have played this game forever. When the new one came out I finally put my xbox 360 and NCAA 14 down. BUT I decided to try some of the new things like usering a LB, switch sticking, running match coverages. All of them lead me to make crucial mistakes in coverage. I played DL in college and Coached it in HS for 25 years. I actually like to play NG in a 3-4 or the 3 tech in a 4-3. I feel I can quick shed vs. run and slow the back down or make a TFL. In the pass game - I personally don't usual get the pressure but draw a double and then switch to another guy for the sack. I get way more pressure when I'm rushing even its not my initial user. I then hit circle (B on xbox) to switch to the man in coverage once the pass is off. I will user a LB when blitzing or in man vs. a back. If the back stays in I blitz one more. Not knocking usering anyone else. Just saying I watched too many you tube videos when this game came back out and tried to do stuff that wound up making me worse. I stuck with usering a LB until recently and when I switched back it was great.

[GOIRISH65]

To answer your previous question though - absolutely watch the Line. Pulling guard is almost always a run in real life and may always be a run in the game. otherwise zone run the way the linemen are blocking. Get right in your fit. LBs have to play run first - except situationally based on down and distance. So on a 3rd and 10 you can wait to see if its play action. Other wise if in zone assume its run. Man is different. Now your locked on. Try to user the man on the back and if he runs it - run to him, if he pass releases cover him, if he blocks you have two choices. First choice and really only choice for me 9 times out of 10 is to blitz right to him. We used to call this hugging him up. Makes sure he can't screen and doesn't allow him to help anyone which puts your stud DL in more one on ones. Option 2 - (maybe id use in really long yardage on 3rd or 4th) is to play in the hole if he blocks. Meaning drop and look for crossers underneath. My two cents.