-Pattern Reading- "A way to better understand defense"

#1
Caleb59seal

Caleb59seal

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 29, 2014
Messages
2,684
Likes
1,883
#1
----------------------FS
-------------------
-----SS-------------
C--------------M-----J------------C
-----------S-________W
X----------------------------------Z
---W...Y
-----------------Q----R

So typical Zone rules are to keep your eyes FROM the WR TO the QB. The Zone concept is to cover a area so as to free you up to make breaks on the ball more quickly then playing man... And it also frees you up to "spy" on the QB as to where his body and eyes go.... But his can deceie you so also focus on the QB's shoulders....

Now, the man concept is to make throws tighter and stay with the WR through his breaks.... However it does give the defender less of a chance at the ball because you are taught to play the ball through the WR...

Now the reason I mentioned both Zone and Man concepts is that pattern reading is a combination of both....

So in a cover 3 there are obviously three deep defenders and four underneath defenders...

Now the jobs over pattern match defenders is to find work as they take a drop to their area, where PR differs is in their responsibility the drop but their resp is determined by where the WR end up... "The get their assignment after the WR's pattern distribution"
For example: in the above picture the Left C will have the deepest receiver on his side of the field
So let's say the X runs a a fade which is a route straight down the field usually fading a bit to create seperation... So that would mean C is man to man on him

It is also important to point out (the rules differ between teams) but if a WR takes a stem of atleast 7yrds straight up field then it instantly turns into M2M (man to man)

I should probably point out the areas of responsibility for the above players
Both C: deep outside from 4 yards out aide the hash closest to him to the sideline
FS: Deep middle
S: (for the sake of argument is not in coverage because he is blitzing)
W: will be a Curl to Flat player (so he drops to the curl until he has a reason to go to the flat... Also as a flat defender you will take the deepest flat route, mainly anythinganything less than five isn't your problem)
SS: has the same as the W just on the opposite side
Mike: will have a hook to curl drop stay in the hook until you have a reason to go to the curl
Jack: also hook to curl just in other side

So since we have the area responsibility now we can move on to what that looks like in an actual game....

So let's say this is what te offense runs

X: Fade
W: snag or stop route
Y: ten yard out route

Z: slant
R: wheel

So let's start with the Strong side of the formation...
C: would be alerted to man because of the stem (where the WR starts heading basically)
SS: he would drop to te curl getting depth and widen with the out by the Y
M: drops to the hook and would get the the curl because of the snag by the W

There are crosser rules as well so if someone goes scream across the middle #1 get a body to smack him going across the middle or just make him run around and #2 alert that there is a crosser so that will become the Jacks responsibility of course depending on the route distribution of the R and Z

So that brings us to the weak side iof the formation
Z: is running a slant which means the corner is gonna drop to his area and "find work" if one is going usually someone is coming... So that means the Jack will drop to hook and find the Z running at him...
R: is going to run a wheel which means since the C is "finding work" he will pick him up...
Now for the FS there are things you can do with him but typically he will double the most dangerous man...
So all in all that is why I would through the curl #1 and the R is my #2 read....

All in all there are a lot more things I could hit in just in this defense but that is kinda te bear bones of what pattern match is...
There are things like "banjo/switch"
Techniques like "shuffle technique"
Being "In phase/ Out of phase"
But there you go... If you like it let me know...
 
  • Like
Reactions: 9 people
#2
#2
Also if anyone wants to put the zones in a picture for me that would w great.... Couldn't do it...
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#3
#3
Caleb...when you joining the staff dog...we gonna need an offensive/defensive analyst...just tell'em Roller sent ya...:yes:...:victory:

GO VOLS!
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#4
#4
Caleb59seal said:
----------------------FS
-------------------
-----SS-------------
C--------------M-----J------------C
-----------S-________W
X----------------------------------Z
---W...Y
-----------------Q----R

So typical Zone rules are to keep your eyes FROM the WR TO the QB. The Zone concept is to cover a area so as to free you up to make breaks on the ball more quickly then playing man... And it also frees you up to "spy" on the QB as to where his body and eyes go.... But his can deceie you so also focus on the QB's shoulders....

Now, the man concept is to make throws tighter and stay with the WR through his breaks.... However it does give the defender less of a chance at the ball because you are taught to play the ball through the WR...

Now the reason I mentioned both Zone and Man concepts is that pattern reading is a combination of both....

So in a cover 3 there are obviously three deep defenders and four underneath defenders...

Now the jobs over pattern match defenders is to find work as they take a drop to their area, where PR differs is in their responsibility the drop but their resp is determined by where the WR end up... "The get their assignment after the WR's pattern distribution"
For example: in the above picture the Left C will have the deepest receiver on his side of the field
So let's say the X runs a a fade which is a route straight down the field usually fading a bit to create seperation... So that would mean C is man to man on him

It is also important to point out (the rules differ between teams) but if a WR takes a stem of atleast 7yrds straight up field then it instantly turns into M2M (man to man)

I should probably point out the areas of responsibility for the above players
Both C: deep outside from 4 yards out aide the hash closest to him to the sideline
FS: Deep middle
S: (for the sake of argument is not in coverage because he is blitzing)
W: will be a Curl to Flat player (so he drops to the curl until he has a reason to go to the flat... Also as a flat defender you will take the deepest flat route, mainly anythinganything less than five isn't your problem)
SS: has the same as the W just on the opposite side
Mike: will have a hook to curl drop stay in the hook until you have a reason to go to the curl
Jack: also hook to curl just in other side

So since we have the area responsibility now we can move on to what that looks like in an actual game....

So let's say this is what te offense runs

X: Fade
W: snag or stop route
Y: ten yard out route

Z: slant
R: wheel

So let's start with the Strong side of the formation...
C: would be alerted to man because of the stem (where the WR starts heading basically)
SS: he would drop to te curl getting depth and widen with the out by the Y
M: drops to the hook and would get the the curl because of the snag by the W

There are crosser rules as well so if someone goes scream across the middle #1 get a body to smack him going across the middle or just make him run around and #2 alert that there is a crosser so that will become the Jacks responsibility of course depending on the route distribution of the R and Z

So that brings us to the weak side iof the formation
Z: is running a slant which means the corner is gonna drop to his area and "find work" if one is going usually someone is coming... So that means the Jack will drop to hook and find the Z running at him...
R: is going to run a wheel which means since the C is "finding work" he will pick him up...
Now for the FS there are things you can do with him but typically he will double the most dangerous man...
So all in all that is why I would through the curl #1 and the R is my #2 read....

All in all there are a lot more things I could hit in just in this defense but that is kinda te bear bones of what pattern match is...
There are things like "banjo/switch"
Techniques like "shuffle technique"
Being "In phase/ Out of phase"
But there you go... If you like it let me know...
Click to expand...

Botch and company evidently missed this.
 
#5
#5
There is also palms coverage with split safeties but Saban tends to want middle of field closed
 
#6
#6
Vol865 said:
There is also palms coverage with split safeties but Saban tends to want middle of field closed
Click to expand...

Yes his thinking is complete opposite of most coaches... Open MOF on running downs and MOFC on passing downs... I like palm coverage for trips and run a banjo on a stack....
 
#9
#9
Caleb59seal said:
----------------------FS
-------------------
-----SS-------------
C--------------M-----J------------C
-----------S-________W
X----------------------------------Z
---W...Y
-----------------Q----R

So typical Zone rules are to keep your eyes FROM the WR TO the QB. The Zone concept is to cover a area so as to free you up to make breaks on the ball more quickly then playing man... And it also frees you up to "spy" on the QB as to where his body and eyes go.... But his can deceie you so also focus on the QB's shoulders....

Now, the man concept is to make throws tighter and stay with the WR through his breaks.... However it does give the defender less of a chance at the ball because you are taught to play the ball through the WR...

Now the reason I mentioned both Zone and Man concepts is that pattern reading is a combination of both....

So in a cover 3 there are obviously three deep defenders and four underneath defenders...

Now the jobs over pattern match defenders is to find work as they take a drop to their area, where PR differs is in their responsibility the drop but their resp is determined by where the WR end up... "The get their assignment after the WR's pattern distribution"
For example: in the above picture the Left C will have the deepest receiver on his side of the field
So let's say the X runs a a fade which is a route straight down the field usually fading a bit to create seperation... So that would mean C is man to man on him

It is also important to point out (the rules differ between teams) but if a WR takes a stem of atleast 7yrds straight up field then it instantly turns into M2M (man to man)

I should probably point out the areas of responsibility for the above players
Both C: deep outside from 4 yards out aide the hash closest to him to the sideline
FS: Deep middle
S: (for the sake of argument is not in coverage because he is blitzing)
W: will be a Curl to Flat player (so he drops to the curl until he has a reason to go to the flat... Also as a flat defender you will take the deepest flat route, mainly anythinganything less than five isn't your problem)
SS: has the same as the W just on the opposite side
Mike: will have a hook to curl drop stay in the hook until you have a reason to go to the curl
Jack: also hook to curl just in other side

So since we have the area responsibility now we can move on to what that looks like in an actual game....

So let's say this is what te offense runs

X: Fade
W: snag or stop route
Y: ten yard out route

Z: slant
R: wheel

So let's start with the Strong side of the formation...
C: would be alerted to man because of the stem (where the WR starts heading basically)
SS: he would drop to te curl getting depth and widen with the out by the Y
M: drops to the hook and would get the the curl because of the snag by the W

There are crosser rules as well so if someone goes scream across the middle #1 get a body to smack him going across the middle or just make him run around and #2 alert that there is a crosser so that will become the Jacks responsibility of course depending on the route distribution of the R and Z

So that brings us to the weak side iof the formation
Z: is running a slant which means the corner is gonna drop to his area and "find work" if one is going usually someone is coming... So that means the Jack will drop to hook and find the Z running at him...
R: is going to run a wheel which means since the C is "finding work" he will pick him up...
Now for the FS there are things you can do with him but typically he will double the most dangerous man...
So all in all that is why I would through the curl #1 and the R is my #2 read....

All in all there are a lot more things I could hit in just in this defense but that is kinda te bear bones of what pattern match is...
There are things like "banjo/switch"
Techniques like "shuffle technique"
Being "In phase/ Out of phase"
But there you go... If you like it let me know...
Click to expand...
q0eyOCa.gif
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 people
#10
#10
Caleb59seal said:
Yes his thinking is complete opposite of most coaches... Open MOF on running downs and MOFC on passing downs... I like palm coverage for trips and run a banjo on a stack....
Click to expand...

Im still learning pattern match among other things in various formations. Plan on coaching in the future so trying to pick up as much as possible. Against trips in palms coverage I've seen it drawn up to where the defense is in a 4-2-5 and the trips side CB plays press man on outside WR and and then they just treat the rest as a 2x1 formation and play normal palms. What base do you run and what are your thoughts? Strengths/weaknesses. I know it's 5 under/2 deep but a little more complex for an offense but whats good against palms/2 read passing wise?
 
#11
#11
Well with palms we don't run a lot of it I'm a cover 1, Cover 3 3-4 kinda guy.... However there are becoming more spread so I have had those conversations about more 4-2-5( which we run just not as much).... One thing I like about palms is the chance to bracket a WR that is really good and also to be able to trap coverage...
However the weak zones in palms are going to be the intermediate sideline routs so 10-12 yrd outs and also (especially in trips with man covering the out most WR in that side) running a rub with either a pivot route or a slant/arrow route for the guy they are man-ing....
Also that creates chances for wheel routes usually timing up right for that weak area in the middle... "Mills" concept is good here to
I don't mean to insult your intelligence but since I don't know you... A "mills" concept is either a ten yrd in and a post on top or a ten yrd curl with a post on top of it...

Look up ole miss palm coverage... I do it a lot like that... Banjo call the two inside and jam the SH!+ out of that WR with an alert to the Will if he crosses...
With running a 4-2-5 a lot like michigan you need a "Swiss army knife kinda safety" to get it done well...
Also for the offensive side of the ball the back side is always open for either a levels concept with a dragger from the opposite side or a wheel from the R or a slant arrow concept from the Z and R.... That make sense?
 
#12
#12
Caleb59seal said:
Well with palms we don't run a lot of it I'm a cover 1, Cover 3 3-4 kinda guy.... However there are becoming more spread so I have had those conversations about more 4-2-5( which we run just not as much).... One thing I like about palms is the chance to bracket a WR that is really good and also to be able to trap coverage...
However the weak zones in palms are going to be the intermediate sideline routs so 10-12 yrd outs and also (especially in trips with man covering the out most WR in that side) running a rub with either a pivot route or a slant/arrow route for the guy they are man-ing....
Also that creates chances for wheel routes usually timing up right for that weak area in the middle... "Mills" concept is good here to
I don't mean to insult your intelligence but since I don't know you... A "mills" concept is either a ten yrd in and a post on top or a ten yrd curl with a post on top of it...

Look up ole miss palm coverage... I do it a lot like that... Banjo call the two inside and jam the SH!+ out of that WR with an alert to the Will if he crosses...
With running a 4-2-5 a lot like michigan you need a "Swiss army knife kinda safety" to get it done well...
Also for the offensive side of the ball the back side is always open for either a levels concept with a dragger from the opposite side or a wheel from the R or a slant arrow concept from the Z and R.... That make sense?
Click to expand...
So mills is basically shallow cross right? Except opposite side is running shallow/corner?


Basically lined up like this


X......H.................Y......Z

Q.T

X= Shallow
H= Corner
Y= Dig
Z= Post
T= Swing/Arrow


Or are Mills and Shallow Cross just different terminology?
 
#13
#13
Caleb59seal said:
----------------------FS
-------------------
-----SS-------------
C--------------M-----J------------C
-----------S-________W
X----------------------------------Z
---W...Y
-----------------Q----R

So typical Zone rules are to keep your eyes FROM the WR TO the QB. The Zone concept is to cover a area so as to free you up to make breaks on the ball more quickly then playing man... And it also frees you up to "spy" on the QB as to where his body and eyes go.... But his can deceie you so also focus on the QB's shoulders....

Now, the man concept is to make throws tighter and stay with the WR through his breaks.... However it does give the defender less of a chance at the ball because you are taught to play the ball through the WR...

Now the reason I mentioned both Zone and Man concepts is that pattern reading is a combination of both....

So in a cover 3 there are obviously three deep defenders and four underneath defenders...

Now the jobs over pattern match defenders is to find work as they take a drop to their area, where PR differs is in their responsibility the drop but their resp is determined by where the WR end up... "The get their assignment after the WR's pattern distribution"
For example: in the above picture the Left C will have the deepest receiver on his side of the field
So let's say the X runs a a fade which is a route straight down the field usually fading a bit to create seperation... So that would mean C is man to man on him

It is also important to point out (the rules differ between teams) but if a WR takes a stem of atleast 7yrds straight up field then it instantly turns into M2M (man to man)

I should probably point out the areas of responsibility for the above players
Both C: deep outside from 4 yards out aide the hash closest to him to the sideline
FS: Deep middle
S: (for the sake of argument is not in coverage because he is blitzing)
W: will be a Curl to Flat player (so he drops to the curl until he has a reason to go to the flat... Also as a flat defender you will take the deepest flat route, mainly anythinganything less than five isn't your problem)
SS: has the same as the W just on the opposite side
Mike: will have a hook to curl drop stay in the hook until you have a reason to go to the curl
Jack: also hook to curl just in other side

So since we have the area responsibility now we can move on to what that looks like in an actual game....

So let's say this is what te offense runs

X: Fade
W: snag or stop route
Y: ten yard out route

Z: slant
R: wheel

So let's start with the Strong side of the formation...
C: would be alerted to man because of the stem (where the WR starts heading basically)
SS: he would drop to te curl getting depth and widen with the out by the Y
M: drops to the hook and would get the the curl because of the snag by the W

There are crosser rules as well so if someone goes scream across the middle #1 get a body to smack him going across the middle or just make him run around and #2 alert that there is a crosser so that will become the Jacks responsibility of course depending on the route distribution of the R and Z

So that brings us to the weak side iof the formation
Z: is running a slant which means the corner is gonna drop to his area and "find work" if one is going usually someone is coming... So that means the Jack will drop to hook and find the Z running at him...
R: is going to run a wheel which means since the C is "finding work" he will pick him up...
Now for the FS there are things you can do with him but typically he will double the most dangerous man...
So all in all that is why I would through the curl #1 and the R is my #2 read....

All in all there are a lot more things I could hit in just in this defense but that is kinda te bear bones of what pattern match is...
There are things like "banjo/switch"
Techniques like "shuffle technique"
Being "In phase/ Out of phase"
But there you go... If you like it let me know...
Click to expand...

Great work, thanks buddy.
 
#14
#14
Vol865 said:
So mills is basically shallow cross right? Except opposite side is running shallow/corner?


Basically lined up like this


X......H.................Y......Z

Q.T

X= Shallow
H= Corner
Y= Dig
Z= Post
T= Swing/Arrow


Or are Mills and Shallow Cross just different terminology?
Click to expand...

No not really ok so mills is this

-------------------^-------------^
------------------|------------/
Z-----------------| ----------/
------------------------------/
X----------------------------

Or the Z can just motor down and not break in
 
Last edited:
#15
#15
So of its like this





X...Y....OO©OOH......Z

..............T.Q

X= Post
Y= Dig

What are H, Z, and T doing?

Is it irrelevant?
Are you always looking to the mills side?

Edit: Sorry if im not conveying what I'm asking very well. I get the concept of the mills side.just trying to figure out the responsibility of everyone else on the play. If its manipulating coverage of if you're reading one side for certain coverage vs the other side for something else.
 
Last edited:
#16
#16
Vol865 said:
So of its like this





X...Y....OO©OOH......Z

..............T.Q

X= Post
Y= Dig

What are H, Z, and T doing?

Is it irrelevant?
Are you always looking to the mills side?

Edit: Sorry if im not conveying what I'm asking very well. I get the concept of the mills side.just trying to figure out the responsibility of everyone else on the play. If its manipulating coverage of if you're reading one side for certain coverage vs the other side for something else.
Click to expand...
Ohhhh ok gotcha.... Yea it does and doesn't.... Lot if it just depends on who you want to manipulate.... So for sake if argument... I would send the RB on a swing route and run a form of short to intermediate route combo... Probably either a fade and five yard out or I would run a slant and arrow combo....
 
#17
#17
Caleb59seal said:
----------------------FS
-------------------
-----SS-------------
C--------------M-----J------------C
-----------S-________W
X----------------------------------Z
---W...Y
-----------------Q----R

So typical Zone rules are to keep your eyes FROM the WR TO the QB. The Zone concept is to cover a area so as to free you up to make breaks on the ball more quickly then playing man... And it also frees you up to "spy" on the QB as to where his body and eyes go.... But his can deceie you so also focus on the QB's shoulders....

Now, the man concept is to make throws tighter and stay with the WR through his breaks.... However it does give the defender less of a chance at the ball because you are taught to play the ball through the WR...

Now the reason I mentioned both Zone and Man concepts is that pattern reading is a combination of both....

So in a cover 3 there are obviously three deep defenders and four underneath defenders...

Now the jobs over pattern match defenders is to find work as they take a drop to their area, where PR differs is in their responsibility the drop but their resp is determined by where the WR end up... "The get their assignment after the WR's pattern distribution"
For example: in the above picture the Left C will have the deepest receiver on his side of the field
So let's say the X runs a a fade which is a route straight down the field usually fading a bit to create seperation... So that would mean C is man to man on him

It is also important to point out (the rules differ between teams) but if a WR takes a stem of atleast 7yrds straight up field then it instantly turns into M2M (man to man)

I should probably point out the areas of responsibility for the above players
Both C: deep outside from 4 yards out aide the hash closest to him to the sideline
FS: Deep middle
S: (for the sake of argument is not in coverage because he is blitzing)
W: will be a Curl to Flat player (so he drops to the curl until he has a reason to go to the flat... Also as a flat defender you will take the deepest flat route, mainly anythinganything less than five isn't your problem)
SS: has the same as the W just on the opposite side
Mike: will have a hook to curl drop stay in the hook until you have a reason to go to the curl
Jack: also hook to curl just in other side

So since we have the area responsibility now we can move on to what that looks like in an actual game....

So let's say this is what te offense runs

X: Fade
W: snag or stop route
Y: ten yard out route

Z: slant
R: wheel

So let's start with the Strong side of the formation...
C: would be alerted to man because of the stem (where the WR starts heading basically)
SS: he would drop to te curl getting depth and widen with the out by the Y
M: drops to the hook and would get the the curl because of the snag by the W

There are crosser rules as well so if someone goes scream across the middle #1 get a body to smack him going across the middle or just make him run around and #2 alert that there is a crosser so that will become the Jacks responsibility of course depending on the route distribution of the R and Z

So that brings us to the weak side iof the formation
Z: is running a slant which means the corner is gonna drop to his area and "find work" if one is going usually someone is coming... So that means the Jack will drop to hook and find the Z running at him...
R: is going to run a wheel which means since the C is "finding work" he will pick him up...
Now for the FS there are things you can do with him but typically he will double the most dangerous man...
So all in all that is why I would through the curl #1 and the R is my #2 read....

All in all there are a lot more things I could hit in just in this defense but that is kinda te bear bones of what pattern match is...
There are things like "banjo/switch"
Techniques like "shuffle technique"
Being "In phase/ Out of phase"
But there you go... If you like it let me know...
Click to expand...

If you are pattern matching you are matching receivers and not spot dropping to zones and looking for work. There are different types of matches as well, both man matches and zone matches. If you are trying to describe what Pruitt will do here then when they are playing a 3 deep zone and they get a 3x1 formation they will play Mable or Skate. They are the same but different safety rotations. If if it’s like you have it drawn then it would be Mable. SS would match the final 1, Mike the final 2, Jack final 3 (and 3 up is 3 meaning that if 3 runs vertical he has to carry it), Will would have 4 or the first crosser (based on the release of the back) and backside corner is playing man on the single receiver to his side. Strong corner and middle safety are playing true 3 deep zone.

The question about palms. What was described was an X out concept. Play man on the #1 receiver and play 2 read on #2 and 3 receivers. Great trips check. Saban terminology that is called Stubbie. Most people refer to it as Special which is TCU terminology.
 
#19
#19
Go Vols 5 said:
If you are pattern matching you are matching receivers and not spot dropping to zones and looking for work. There are different types of matches as well, both man matches and zone matches. If you are trying to describe what Pruitt will do here then when they are playing a 3 deep zone and they get a 3x1 formation they will play Mable or Skate. They are the same but different safety rotations. If if it’s like you have it drawn then it would be Mable. SS would match the final 1, Mike the final 2, Jack final 3 (and 3 up is 3 meaning that if 3 runs vertical he has to carry it), Will would have 4 or the first crosser (based on the release of the back) and backside corner is playing man on the single receiver to his side. Strong corner and middle safety are playing true 3 deep zone.

The question about palms. What was described was an X out concept. Play man on the #1 receiver and play 2 read on #2 and 3 receivers. Great trips check. Saban terminology that is called Stubbie. Most people refer to it as Special which is TCU terminology.
Click to expand...
You're 100% right I completely forgot about Mabel and Skate.... I forgot to describe Rip/Liz to them as well....
 
#20
#20
Go Vols 5 said:
If you are pattern matching you are matching receivers and not spot dropping to zones and looking for work. There are different types of matches as well, both man matches and zone matches. If you are trying to describe what Pruitt will do here then when they are playing a 3 deep zone and they get a 3x1 formation they will play Mable or Skate. They are the same but different safety rotations. If if it’s like you have it drawn then it would be Mable. SS would match the final 1, Mike the final 2, Jack final 3 (and 3 up is 3 meaning that if 3 runs vertical he has to carry it), Will would have 4 or the first crosser (based on the release of the back) and backside corner is playing man on the single receiver to his side. Strong corner and middle safety are playing true 3 deep zone.

The question about palms. What was described was an X out concept. Play man on the #1 receiver and play 2 read on #2 and 3 receivers. Great trips check. Saban terminology that is called Stubbie. Most people refer to it as Special which is TCU terminology.
Click to expand...

Also I wasn't trying to say you're dropping to a zone but you have regulations as to where you can go so if you have a slant away from you, you still must drop in your "area" looking to someone coming to you or the back out of the backfield... (Talking about the weak side C)

Edit: nevermind our pushing four to front side of formation and playing man backside.... Smh (at myself)
 
Last edited:
#21
#21
Caleb59seal said:
Ohhhh ok gotcha.... Yea it does and doesn't.... Lot if it just depends on who you want to manipulate.... So for sake if argument... I would send the RB on a swing route and run a form of short to intermediate route combo... Probably either a fade and five yard out or I would run a slant and arrow combo....
Click to expand...

Thanks for your time
 
New posts
You must log in or register to reply here.
Advertisement



Back
Top