Best Zone Defense?

Currently running Cover 2 Man LB Blitz out of Dollar 3-2 but my players often get burned despite being high overall with man abilities.

Most Cover 4 formation work best for me. But it comes down to who you have on your team and your preferred playstyle. Also if you are a zone-first player, absolutely give Match Coverage a shot. Makes the defender cover any receiver that runs through their zone and is an amazing defense that I run.

ThatPFPGod said:

Most Cover 4 formation work best for me. But it comes down to who you have on your team and your preferred playstyle. Also if you are a zone-first player, absolutely give Match Coverage a shot. Makes the defender cover any receiver that runs through their zone and is an amazing defense that I run.

Thanks. How do I do match?

Go to coaching adjustment, scroll to the very bottom, and adjust it to Match.

ThatPFPGod said:

Go to coaching adjustment, scroll to the very bottom, and adjust it to Match.

Awesome! Thanks so much bro!

Be careful with match, it requires a high defensive IQ to run it correctly. Do not mess with shading pre play because it will change assignments leaving you very vulnerable over the top.

irishdawg22 said:

Be careful with match, it requires a high defensive IQ to run it correctly. Do not mess with shading pre play because it will change assignments leaving you very vulnerable over the top.

That is correct, people who just say it matches whatever runs into the zone are wrong. I run all match and you need to know the rules vs different sets and what each player is responsible at all times or else you will give up easy one play TDs.

ThatPFPGod said:

Most Cover 4 formation work best for me. But it comes down to who you have on your team and your preferred playstyle. Also if you are a zone-first player, absolutely give Match Coverage a shot. Makes the defender cover any receiver that runs through their zone and is an amazing defense that I run.

It’s much more complicated than that. It’s all I’ve ran for the most part since the beginning of the year, and takes time to learn and understand who does what. Unless someone has a bunch of time to learn it, or really wants to get better at the game I wouldn’t recommend it as a starting point.  It’s just not as simple as turning on match and all is covered. Not even close.

irishdawg22 said:

Be careful with match, it requires a high defensive IQ to run it correctly. Do not mess with shading pre play because it will change assignments leaving you very vulnerable over the top.

Should I not shade at all? Normally, I shade outside.

TheChamp22 said:

It’s much more complicated than that. It’s all I’ve ran for the most part since the beginning of the year, and takes time to learn and understand who does what. Unless someone has a bunch of time to learn it, or really wants to get better at the game I wouldn’t recommend it as a starting point.  It’s just not as simple as turning on match and all is covered. Not even close.

How can I learn other than just running it and learning from my mistakes?

heffitos said:

How can I learn other than just running it and learning from my mistakes?

there's a bunch of good stuff on youtube as far as the rules sets go against all the different formations (guys like Zan, King Reggie, Civil). 

I'd recommend running it out of big nickel over g so you have all the different match plays (quarters, palms, cover 6/9). If you are willing to learn and make mistakes to start than it really is the best defense, and over time you'll learn what you like against each specific formation.

Best zone defense… inverted cover 3 out of Big Nickel or safeties package in Dollar

Outside thirds safeties. Inside third LB. perfect base against tight formations.

GGerz said:

Best zone defense… inverted cover 3 out of Big Nickel or safeties package in Dollar

Outside thirds safeties. Inside third LB. perfect base against tight formations.

Thanks! I’ll try it today

Thanks guys for telling me about match defense! I was using it last night and it worked pretty well, I am aware that it takes a lot of time to learn so I will keep using it and will probably switch between match and regular.