Originally posted by SteveMax58
I think it should probably be the pairing of zone coverage that has automatic behaviors. The 1st part (Shallow/Medium/Deep) should dictate the defenders behavior and the 2nd part should dictate placement. Feel free to change the name of the 1st part as I think those names are kind of redundant currently, but should be renamed to Strict/Default/Safe (or something like that) where:
STRICT = Adhere to zone regardless of receivers entering & leaving zone
DEFAULT = Adhere to zone until receiver enters and attempts to leave zone. Defender will then (vision+chemistry) check if there is another defender with Man OR Zone responsibility of receiver & will follow VERTICALLY if no other defender does. Will follow 5 yds beyond zone HORIZONTALLY ONLY. If more than 1 receiver is found in the FS zone, FS will (vision+chemistry) check to follow the receiver that is uncovered (if applicable).
SAFE = Adhere to zone until receiver enters and attempts to leave zone. Defender will follow VERTICALLY and NOT check if any other defender has responsibility. Will follow 5 yds beyond zone HORIZONTALLY ONLY. If more than 1 receiver is found in the FS zone, FS will (vision+chemistry) check to follow the receiver that is uncovered (if applicable).
So the coupling of these (FS examples) might look something like this:
Cover Zone STRICT/Deep Weak Half = FS will patrol the Deep Half as normal. When a receiver enters zone, FS will move to cover and follow ONLY within his assigned zone. Receiver leaves, FS checks for others in his zone & refocuses to center of zone if none are found.
Cover Zone DEFAULT/Under Weak Third = FS will go to Under Weak third as normal. If receiver enters & attempts to leave zone, FS will check to see if receiver has coverage. If not...he follows VERTICALLY & no more than 5 yds HORIZONTALLY. If he has coverage...FS does not follow & refocuses on his zone.
Cover Zone SAFE/Flat Weak = FS will go to Flat Zone as normal. When a receiver enters zone, FS will follow the receiver VERTICALLY regardless of whether there is already man coverage on the receiver.
Sounds Good