Crosses/Streaks, Seams

[rhombic21]

I am having all sorts of success with throwing the crossing pattern against both man and zone coverages, and I can get the streak/seam patterns for a few deep balls if I manually catch right. I'd say that over 80% of my completions are off of crossing patterns or drag routes. But I can't get ANY other routes to work consistently. The post gets robbed by the MLB almost everytime, and in man coverage the DB or MLB will almost always get between my reciever and the ball, and either pick it off or knock it down. Outs are code for "interceptions" as the CB camps out underneath the route EVERYTIME, and jumps the route. Curls/Hitches just seem to be completely useless. The WR doesn't run the DB up the field nearly enough, and he doesn't shield the DB with his body, plus the QB often doesn't throw the ball on target at all. Flat routes are almost impossible to complete, especially against zone coverages. Corner routes are also pretty inconsistent. Angle routes work OK, but only when I can get the MLB to vacate the middle completely, as my HB usually just bats the ball up in the air for anyone to pick if there's anyone even CLOSE to him.

So can you guys get any routes other than Crossing Routes or Vertical seams/streaks to work? If so, what coverages do you use them against, and how do you look to throw them?

EDIT: Sorry, i meant to post this in the offensive strategies section, feel free to move.

[kbell97]

I can get the post to work, you need to have a route where the MLB doesn't drop to His "buc" all the way to cover the post. In nickel cover 2 both lb's drop back , it is pretty hard to get the post on that cover 2. I went into the lab and against cover 3, Nickel cover 3 , the side opposite the nickel back, I can hit corner routes, with directional passing.

[seanmac]

I can get outs to work as well. The key is to motion the out receiver close and then snap the ball just before he gets to the tight end. When you throw the ball, put some touch on it. I've been getting high percentage results with this (thanks Bill Walsh for pointing this one out to me).

[bbysuge]

What you need to look for is where the safeties move after the snap. If they come down to man coverage then the post pattern is the best option. If they come out in zone coverage then the in route is open when the receiver cuts in past the corner. If all else fails then look for your hot receiver which is normally the 'back. Practice makes perfect so keep up the work in the lab and you will see improvements.

[djwill13]

try runnin play action to draw the LB's in to stop the run.

[K Freeman]

Out Route:
I have found that the best way to throw the out routes is to throw bullet to medium touched pass while the receiver is still running straight and push the analog stick toward the sideline. If you dont use the analog stich the QB will throw a fly. As soon as you release the ball take control of your receiver and break toward the side line: "User Catch." This tends to work well b/c you break away so quickly from the DB. This tends to work well for man coverage. Just watch out for zone coverage. :)

Hooks:
The LB's and DB's are so good at stepping infront of the hook routes which is what they are supposed to do if you dont throw the ball on time. I throw a bullet pass while my receiver is still running straight and the defender is still behind him. I then take control of the receiver and manually turn him around to come back to the ball: "User Catch." Again by manually taking control of the receiver it gives me a chance to make a quick break from the defender. And I usually have about a yard inbetween me and the defender to make a move.

Post:
Look at the advice from "bbysuge" The safety is my first read and then the CBs. You should be able to see what the LB's are doing out of your peripheral vision to see if a blitz is comming. The safety usually tell you 70 percent of what you need to know while scanning your progressions. For example is you see both safeties running hard to the line, it is a safe to assume that an all out blitz is comming. The safeties will be either picking up the backs and TE or they may be blitzing themselves.

Corner Routes:
I have found success throwing them against Cover 1 and Cover 0. Again I throw the ball while my receiver is running straight and push the stick toward the sideline. I usually throw a medium touched pass to allow it to hang just the right amount ( a lob will cause the DB to break on it and a bullet will cause you to over throw the target) Then I hold down the speed burst to accelerate away from the defender and usually catch the ball about a yard away from the side line: "User Catch." This is one of my favorite routes. :D If you call a play that combines this with the post on the same side the read becomes easier. If you see Cover 2 hit the post, Cover 1 / Cover 0 hit the corner. Cover 3 or Cover 4 look to another receiver.

Flats / Swing routes
These frustrate me the most, :mad: b/c it seems like when you throw them they hit the RB in the back or he drops them. I can complete them if I float it but that risks the chance of an INT or a big hit on my RB. This is usually just a last resort throw for me. I wait until he has gone up field at least 3 yds past the line of scrimmage and he usully catches it. This works b/c the RB opens up toward the inside (facing the defense) to look the pass in. If you throw it while he is still running parallel with the line of scrimmage he opens up toward the outside (back is to the defense) and he tries to look over his shoulder which is hard to see and catch the ball.

The bottom line is you have to learn to manually catch and take control of the receiver to increase your chances of catching the ball. It takes a lot of timing a work, but it is worth it. Also use the pump fake away from where you are planning to throw. It slows down the defense, buys you more time and allows rattled DB's to get toasted. I hope this helps. :cool:

[seanmac]

That's a good post, but it highlights what has always been a major problem with EA's football games- the risk/reward in the passing game is completely reversed from reality. In this game, the highest percentage throw (and the safest one) is the deep streak. The lowest percentage throw is the dumpoff in the flat. Needless to say, it's the exact opposite in reality. That's what leads to all the deep bombs, because they are simply safer and easier to execute than a simple check down to a back.

[GaryGuanine]

K Freeman,

Thanks for a great post. I'm definitely going to practice your suggestions. As it is now, I agree 100% with rhombic.

Gary