Pocket presence

[ChiSoxFan95]

Any guys have some tips for staying patient in the pocket. I always tend to get happy feet and have a really far drop after I hike the ball. I am really parannoyed that I will get sacked. I know this is bad but I don't know how to get out this bad habit.

[resnor]

I'm paranoid about it too...know why? Because USUALLY when I stay in the pocket, or step up into the pocket to throw, I DO GET SACKED!!! LOL. It's probably because the Miami O-line sucks, though...

[mtorrella]

I was having the same problem. I spent 2 hours each night last week just in practice mode, playing offense against the random defense. Reading the defense and moving in the pocket. By the end of the week the game was alot slower to me and I am more comfortable in the pocket.

[TitansFan12345]

do the pocket presence drill in mini-games

[The Sphinx]

I'm paranoid about it too...know why? Because USUALLY when I stay in the pocket, or step up into the pocket to throw, I DO GET SACKED!!! LOL. It's probably because the Miami O-line sucks, though...

As a devoted, delusional and usually depressed Dolphins fan I can concur that the o-line, the receivers and unfortunately even the QB sucks. *sigh*

As far as staying in the pocket someone said on here once to just go into practice mode pick random defensive plays and just sit in the pocket and get sacked. Don't throw the ball, just stand there to get a feel for how long you have before you get sacked.

I had the same problem (especially because I use the Fins exclusively online). I don't really have the time to do the practice mode thing so what I did was just keep playing games but only picking plays that kept me under center.
After a while I got a feel for how much time I have before I get smashed. After a while I got sacked enough and threw enought picks that I eventually figured it out. My online record means very little to me, if your online record isn't a big deal to you getting real game experience is a great way to develop that PP. (Trying to learn during a real game is great for the experience but disasterous for the record)

Also one thing I found out for me was that whenever I threw I would always step up in the pocket because I was always pushing up when I was throwing. Since it takes time to double tap to get the cone to the receiver and throw I would end up stepping up like 2-3 yards which was getting me killed. I just had to make myself not hit up to unless I wanted to throw high. (I think back in '05 pushing up made it a bullet pass or something like that. Since then I have never been able to stop doing it).

Hope this helps...

-TS

[ChiSoxFan95]

Great post, TS. I appreciate it very much.

[TNT713]

I like to use protection to set the pocket... when I'm using a naked protection, I know I have little time to get rid of the ball, so I use a 3 sstep drop. When I use max protect, I'll have pelnty of time but the pocket will be crowded but I know I can use a 7 step drop.

It depends soley on what alignment the defense is in... I audible my protection at the LOS. I NEVER USE SLIDE PROTECTION. Only hot-blocking assignments to the backs and TE and motion...

If I plan to roll away from an uncovered OLB, I send a personal protector to the area I intend to use to setup for the throw (FB, or HB usually).

Time in the pocket is directly proportional to the number of resources used to protect the QB. The variable, is where the pressure originates.

Of course the pocket presence drill helps... But flying balls won't really get you ready for a defensive end.

Later

[MelloDrama]

More times you can tell who's blitzing. IF they didn't freeze their D they will be exposed when you fomation shift. When you formation shift usually the guys that don't move are blitzing. Now you no where the heat is coming from.

MAKE ADJUSTMENTS AT THE L.O.S, if they blitz hard tell your HB and FB to block. Some times tell all 3 Tight end to because if they are bringing HEAVY heat you tell TE's,HB's and Fb's to block you'll have enough time and usually if there is that much heat he can't compensate for deep help. Hot route to the fly and BOMBS AWAY;)

[EvBoogie]

when you guys are in practice mode playing against random defenses and not throwing the football are you looking at your quarterback the whole time and not throwing the ball?

to me that would not make much sense because you really aren't looking at the quarterback the whole time, but you're looking at your receivers.

[blitzrique]

I NEVER USE SLIDE PROTECTION.

Never ever?

Why?