Originally posted by fogie55
+1, screens are too easy but I don't think its as much of a problem as some are claiming
It's not.
You just need to be in a zone to cover the screen. In m2m the defense moves in close to the guys who are going to block them (because at that point they are covering for a pass to them) and then when the screen pass goes out, the blocking receiver locks onto you and ties you up because you're right there. In zone, you are guarding an "area" on the field so when the screen pass goes out, you're not so tight up against the WR and you have a chance to get moving a bit before you start having your contact dice rolls.
Also, at low levels, that same zone defense is the best way to cover outside runs, too. It's a bit counter intuitive, but at rookie and sophomore levels, I hardly ever call outside run defense. I try to match it up so that I'm in short (or even medium) zone for every outside situation (run or screen pass or QB rollout runs, too). They may see a few positive yards, but you don't see nearly as many breakout TD runs and screens if you do this.
I should also point out that m2m would work better on screens if almost every DC didn't tell all their CBs to tighten up their coverage slider in the tactics. The trick to dealing with a screen is to avoid getting locked up with the guy you are covering and getting yourself closer to them is not the way to do that. True, it might help to be closer on regular passing plays, but it hurts on screens and running plays. There is a risk/reward to every tactic setting, though. You have the "balanced" option, and then you have the "this or that" option.
So, my advice is that if you are going up against a team that rushes and/or screen passes a lot - loosen up your CB coverage a bit for that game. If you are against a team that passes down field a lot, then tighten it back up again. Game to game tactics adjustments for players is important for any consistently successful team, IMO - especially on defense and even more so at lower levels.
+1, screens are too easy but I don't think its as much of a problem as some are claiming
It's not.
You just need to be in a zone to cover the screen. In m2m the defense moves in close to the guys who are going to block them (because at that point they are covering for a pass to them) and then when the screen pass goes out, the blocking receiver locks onto you and ties you up because you're right there. In zone, you are guarding an "area" on the field so when the screen pass goes out, you're not so tight up against the WR and you have a chance to get moving a bit before you start having your contact dice rolls.
Also, at low levels, that same zone defense is the best way to cover outside runs, too. It's a bit counter intuitive, but at rookie and sophomore levels, I hardly ever call outside run defense. I try to match it up so that I'm in short (or even medium) zone for every outside situation (run or screen pass or QB rollout runs, too). They may see a few positive yards, but you don't see nearly as many breakout TD runs and screens if you do this.
I should also point out that m2m would work better on screens if almost every DC didn't tell all their CBs to tighten up their coverage slider in the tactics. The trick to dealing with a screen is to avoid getting locked up with the guy you are covering and getting yourself closer to them is not the way to do that. True, it might help to be closer on regular passing plays, but it hurts on screens and running plays. There is a risk/reward to every tactic setting, though. You have the "balanced" option, and then you have the "this or that" option.
So, my advice is that if you are going up against a team that rushes and/or screen passes a lot - loosen up your CB coverage a bit for that game. If you are against a team that passes down field a lot, then tighten it back up again. Game to game tactics adjustments for players is important for any consistently successful team, IMO - especially on defense and even more so at lower levels.
