In this X’s and O’s Football breakdown we take a look into what differences between spot dropping and pattern reading are that defenses used when playing zone coverage.
What Is Spot Dropping?
Spot Dropping (also know known as Land Mark Dropping) has zone defenders dropping to specific landmarks. After defenders read pass, they immediately sprint for a specific spot on the field.
In Madden 11, defenders dropped to specific area when dropping back in zone coverage, such as in the image above.
In Madden, that is the type of zone coverage concept logic that has been used over the years. The problem with Spot Dropping is for the most part it is very simple to attack because the CPU controlled defenders drop to specific spots on the field with little regard for other factors around them.
Pros
- Simple to teach
- Simple to execute
- More eyes are on the ball
- Better pursuit
- Poor throws can easily be intercepted
Cons
- Defenders can be stuck covering grass
- There are many windows in the defense
- Requires a better than average pass rush
- A proficient passing team can slice you apart
- Very susceptible to Intermediate routes.
What is Patten Reading?
Pattern Reading is the ability to play aggressive zone defensive coverage. This type of coverage involves taking coverage to the most dangerous threat a defender recognizes in his zone. When a receiver comes into the area a zone defender is responsible for, that defender will play man coverage on him until he runs his route outside of that defenders zone area responsibility. That receiver will then be passed on another defender covering that zone area.
This type of coverage logic is going to change the way attacking zone coverage is done in Madden NFL 12. It will be harder to find open voids and will force players to learn passing concepts to beat this type of zone coverage concept logic.
Pros
- Fewer windows
- Fewer completions
- Ability to play run and cover intermediate routes
- Defender aren’t stuck covering grass
- Confusing for the quarterback
Cons
- QB scrambles could hurt
- Takes more time to teach initially
- Fewer interceptions
- More susceptible to the big play
- More potential mismatches.
