Probably the most important factor to running a good offense is being able to tell what the defensive coverage is, before the snap. How can you do this? You must be able to pick up on subtle differences in the defensive allignments. Below, we're going to show you some techniques that will help you sniff out man or zone coverage, on nearly every play. Once you know what type of coverage you're facing, it's much easier to attack.
The first way to tell man vs. zone is to come out of the huddle in a bunch formation Here's the offense has a trips bunch set to the right side of the offensive line. When the play is called, the defender in front of Chambers lined up directly in front of him. This is a clear indication that the defense is playing man coverage.
This time, the defense comes out in a zone coveage. Notice how the highlighted defender is not lined up directly in front of Chambers. He starts on the outside. You must look closely for this as you break the huddle, because within a second or so, the cornerback will slide inside.
As noted above, this is the same zone defense, and the highlighted defender is sliding in to move in front of Chambers. Because the DB will move in, you have to look for this difference immediatly upon breaking the huddle.
Now the defense looks the same as the man to man --- but remember, this is after the DB slid to the inside. If you watch for this early, you will usually be able to tell man vs. zone when you come out in a bunch set.
The next way you can determine man vs. zone is simply placing a WR in motion. Here, we've highlighted the receiver to the far right of the field. We're going to send him in motion to the opposite side of the line by clicking to the reciver, then hitting left on the left analog stick.
