How to Read the Defense As a Quarterback

Co-authored by Brendon Rearick

Last Updated: October 5, 2024 Approved

In order to become an effective quarterback, you have to be able to read the defense like a book. You need to be reading it before the snap. Are they blitzing? are they playing press coverage or zone? To be a good quarterback, you need to understand the basics.

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If they are deep, run the ball,or throw a quick pass. If they are not, play-action to look like you are going to run the ball. Look for the safeties to be in a zone, unless it's a blitz, when they will most likely be in man. ^{[1]
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The safeties will be playing close to the middle. If you see the safeties and cornerbacks freeze in coverage, attack the space between them. ^{[2]
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This is the most important thing to look for. If a receiver is not going to be in a hole, change the route.
If the linebackers or safeties are cheating toward the line at all, be ready to dump the ball off. Remember that linebackers might try to sack you. If you see a linebacker that looks like they will blitz, let the linemen know by saying something like this: Cover him! or Get this guy! so that they can keep them away from you. ^{[3]
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Know what to expect in each game. You need to be able to recognize cover-1, 2, 3, and 4. ^{[4]
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The two typical defense you will see are 4-3 and 3-4. 4-3 consists of 4 defensive lineman and 3 linebackers. 3-4 consists of 3 defensive lineman and 4 linebackers.
Know the zones of the field that are easiest to exploit for each specific type of coverage.
For example, a safety in cover-2 is creeping up and jumping the 15-yd quick post. A QB must recognize this and make the safety pay by pump-faking and then airing the ball out for the double-move fly route. This requires great focus.
If they are keeping a cushion, you need to make the quick throw such as a WR screen, quick out, curl, stop, or slant. If they are playing tight bump-and-run, you need to look to the fly, corner, fade, deep post, or deep out. ^{[5]
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If you are lucky enough to have a standout wide receiver, there will be times when the defense gets locked into a mismatch. You must instantly recognize it, seeing when a poor defender is on that receiver, and exploit it by going to that receiver. Get the ball in his hands and let him go to work.
If you're going to be able to read a defense like a book, you first need to understand the language the book is written in. Watch the film carefully and pay attention to the body language of each and every defender before each and every play. Look for patterns, and when you actually get on the field, you'll know exactly what's coming. You can also play realistic video games such as Madden NFL 16. That can help you read a defense and get game-time experience outside of practice.
You won't have very much time to read the defense after the snap. After the snap glance to make sure the defense wasn't disguising the coverage, and then make the throw that you know will be open.
If the safeties are next to each other while the corners are tight on their receivers, the safeties are going to be in cover two while the corners will play man. If a safety lines up on the tight end, all the defensive backs are playing man.
During your drop-back, remember the location of the routes. The defense has the ability to follow your eyes.
Safeties, linebackers, D-line. Read what coverage the safeties are running, which will tell you what all the DBs are doing. Then the LBs: if one is missing, find the receiver in that hole. Then look at the D-line to find out where the first pressure will come from.

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How can I recognize a cover two defense vs. a man defense?

Community Answer

A simple way to recognize this is by looking at the safety (most of the time). One high safety means man coverage. Two high safetys mean cover two (zone defense). The corner backs are in press technique in man and in zone (cover 2); they are usually five yards off. The corner back position varies team by team, so it's mostly looking at the safety's position on the field.

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I am a beginner QB, and it's hard to learn all the defenses and strategies. What is a strategy to learn quicker?

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Watch the NFL and study the game. Try to watch the professionals and try to read the defense at home. Practice.

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I want to know how to call a play change because im about to start to play in the youth league for the city soon. What can I do?

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If your team has audibles built into its playbook, your coaching staff will go over the how, why and when of it with you.

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The more games you play and the more defenses you read, the better you'll become. Nothing takes the place of experience.

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Nobody becomes a good quarterback without a lot of practice.

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Don't force it. Let it come naturally. A sack is better than a pick. A throwaway is better than either (when you're rolling out.)

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Warnings

if you get injured, don't hide it. You'll just make it worse. If you think something is wrong, tell your coach. Even if it turns out to be a season-ending injury, you could turn it into a career-ending injury by continuing to play on it.

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