How to improve in reading the game for a neophyte

Hi there,

I started to watch football this year. I'm from France, and the sport isn't really known to the general public here. But I enjoy playing Madden 23( mostly), and I enjoy watching the NFL games every week.

I play videos games a lot, but I'm not really good at it. I have pratically played only against IA, as I'm really stressed to play against real players, and as my first games ended really badly for me. But I could see improvements in the way I play lately.

However, I have a hard time to level up my football knowledge, having a better understanding of the games, and be able to play better against other players. I can sum up my problem in one sentence:

How to understand what is a good offensive/defensive call for a particular situation?

I understand what's going on, on the field, for both NFL and Madden 23 games, but I am completely lost about why the coach/player is using this call against this defense and vice versa.

I bought some books, but none seems to go as deep as I need. I also played the training drills in Madden 23, notably about attacking coverage, but it isn't as detailled as I wish. I also watched some streams, but the players are going way to fast for me to understand what they are doing.

I guess a lot of times, someone interested in football learns directly from people, talking with them, but as I wrote earlier, football isn't really popular here in France, and it's hard to find people that have a deep knowledge about football.

So finally there is my question for you guys: are you aware about any kind of ressource that could help me to improve my readings comprehension please?

go to practice than franchise, and learn two good playbooka and use em. i run the rams or chiefs on offense and defense, multiple d. after that start learning how zone and man coverages work. good luck bro france seem crazy btw 😂

Yeah ok, thank you mate, I guess that's what I'll do.

Hey, a Fellow International. Don't see one of those every day.

What you have described is a common problem, and one I have helped my mates with over the years. I will assume you know how the downs and distance system works, but if you don't, send me a dm and I will explain it.

There are 3 types of Offensive play

Run: Most Commonly done by the running back, this type of play is great for earlier downs, but is tough to get a real chunk. A good RB will go for around 3 YPC (Yards per carry) every time. The strength of Your Offensive Line also affects the effectiveness for Running the Ball

Pass: This type of play is made for yardage, but has significantly more risk. More used in the later downs, this play involves the QB Passing the Ball to 1 of 3 Positions

1: Wide Reciever (WR). These are your designated recievers and your better route runners. They have the best hands on the team, and will try to break away from coverage.

2: Tight End (TE). Your Tight End is like a bigger, Slower WR. These are used in the passing game, but can also somewhat block for the run game.

3: Running Back (RB/HB). Most commonly out of the backfield, the QB can throw what is known as a checkdown and throw it to his running back. Normally gets around 3-5 yards if successful

Run-Pass Option (RPO). Becoming more popular in the NFL and Madden, the RPO is simple, either you throw it to your WR quickly, or you hand it off to your running back.

Players:

Quarterback (QB): Throws the ball

Running Back (RB or HB): Runs the ball

Wide Receiver, Tight End (WR, TE): Catches the ball

Right Tackle, Right Guard, Centre, Left Guard, Left Tackle (Offensive Line): Blocks the defenders

There are 3 Main Types of Defensive Plays as well

Zone: A zone coverage insists of your defensive line rushing, and everyone else on your defense plays their assigned zone.

Man: A Man Coverage is when you have your Defensive Line Rushing, and everyone else is responsible for guarding their assigned man on Offense

Blitz: This can be in Man or Zone, but a Blitz is when you send extra players than just your Defensive line to rush. This is a great way to put pressure on your opponents, but might leave other routes wide open

Players:

Right End, Defensive Tackle, Left End (RE, DT, LE). This is your defensive line, and are responsible for stopping the run, and trying to sack the QB (tackle him before he can throw the ball).

Outside Linebacker, Middle Linebacker (OLB, MLB). This is your Linebacker core, and mainly play the middle. In Madden tho, Linebackers aren't very good, so you will see alot of Nickel Defense, so linebackers don't see the field.

Conerbacks, Free Safety, Strong Safety (CB, FS, SS). These are your coverage players, and specialize in trying to clamp the oppositions players so they can't get open.

I would Reccommend if your just starting Madden, to Pick the Rams offensive Playbook, and the Chiefs Defensive playbook. Those 2 Have most good formations, and have alot of info on youtube.

Hope This Helps, and reply if you have any Questions/Queries

Hi SteelersFan19, thank you for your detailed answer, I appreciate it. In fact I think I already know most of what you wrote. I played a lot, and I understand the difference between each type of offensive (pass/run/option) or defensive (man/zone/blitz) plays.

Where I struggle, is about when to choose a specific type of play, according the the opposition. Like, let's say I want to play a double slants offense. I choose it, then the opponent select it's defense. How to read if my double slants has good chances to work, or on the contrary if the opponent's coverage will not let me play the way I want?

It's the same thing when I play defense, but I guess it's even harder to me. I don't have a clue about what defense to bring according to the opponent. I mean, sometimes I know he will run on third and short, or pass if he's lossing on the 4th quarter, but I don't know what coverage to call. So I choose randomly most of the time, or just always select the same few plays, like cover 2 man or cover 6 when I guess it's a pass for example.

So I think I need to understand that in order to level up my football acknowlegment. I'm sure it will also be useful for me when I'm watching real games, because for now, I just look at the ball, but I wish I'd be able to understand what playcall are the players trying to execute, at least on the defensive side. I'm sure it's much more fun and rewarding to watch a game while understanding this.

I know it's very large as subject, and that it probably can't be learn easily, but that's why I was asking if someone knows about some book, or videos, or whatever else, that can be helpful about that.

If you head to huddle.gg, they have some great videos on how to make reads, what offenses and defenses are good to run, etc. It's a super valuable tool for someone just starting out.

I took a look at it, and yeah it's seems relevant for my situation. I wish there was more free gameplans to try it, but from the ones I've seen it fits what I'm looking for. I think I will take a shoot at it, thank you Legend.

pierrotpeint said:

Hi SteelersFan19, thank you for your detailed answer, I appreciate it. In fact I think I already know most of what you wrote. I played a lot, and I understand the difference between each type of offensive (pass/run/option) or defensive (man/zone/blitz) plays.

Where I struggle, is about when to choose a specific type of play, according the the opposition. Like, let's say I want to play a double slants offense. I choose it, then the opponent select it's defense. How to read if my double slants has good chances to work, or on the contrary if the opponent's coverage will not let me play the way I want?

It's the same thing when I play defense, but I guess it's even harder to me. I don't have a clue about what defense to bring according to the opponent. I mean, sometimes I know he will run on third and short, or pass if he's lossing on the 4th quarter, but I don't know what coverage to call. So I choose randomly most of the time, or just always select the same few plays, like cover 2 man or cover 6 when I guess it's a pass for example.

So I think I need to understand that in order to level up my football acknowlegment. I'm sure it will also be useful for me when I'm watching real games, because for now, I just look at the ball, but I wish I'd be able to understand what playcall are the players trying to execute, at least on the defensive side. I'm sure it's much more fun and rewarding to watch a game while understanding this.

I know it's very large as subject, and that it probably can't be learn easily, but that's why I was asking if someone knows about some book, or videos, or whatever else, that can be helpful about that.

Wassup

You get better at reading a defense/offense as you keep playing/watching

For your double slants example, you must first identify if the coverage is pressed (right up against your Recievers), or backed off (5-10 yards downfield)

A slants type offense will work better when not pressed. 

Next, you must look into the box, (area right above defensive line), and from there you will be able to identify the coverage. If they move with a receiver or running back, it is man. If they drop back and only move when a receiver comes close, it is zone. If they run at your QB, it is a blitz and look for a quick, open read. 

When playing madden, after a play is over, to the right of the screen will be a 'previous play' section with your play and also the play your opponent called.

On defense (I am defo not the right person for this, but anyway) you must quickly identify what type of scheme they will run, whether it be quick passes, deep passes, or runs. Don't be afraid to give up a few yards or a penalty to adjust your defense. If your just starting out, I would suggest playing zone coverage. It is more adjustable and overall easier to play

For overall knowledge of defense, what works, what doesn't, I would suggest this video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v61y2yr9g

Hope this helps, and I must ask, what do you watch the NFL on in France?
Because if its the same as here in Australia and its through NFL Game Pass, then I can reccommend some programs that helped me out when I was starting to watch it all those years ago

:)

Hi SteelersFan19, thanks for this explaination, it definitely helps. I'll also took a look at the video!

Yes I'm also watching games on the NFL Game Pass. I saw that there was several programs but didn't took a look at it. Is there some that may help me in your opinion?

pierrotpeint said:

Hi SteelersFan19, thanks for this explaination, it definitely helps. I'll also took a look at the video!

Yes I'm also watching games on the NFL Game Pass. I saw that there was several programs but didn't took a look at it. Is there some that may help me in your opinion?

Glad I could Help

Also if you go to the NFL Originals section, there will be a program called 'film session'. It involves HOF QB Kurt Warner and others interviewing NFL players about how they win their matchups and what happens in the film room. I would take a look at the Stephon Gilmore, Devante Adams, and Darius Slay episodes. Even if they don't help, there still great viewing

Hope this helps you bud

Yeah I have the Originals section, I just took a look at the one with Gilmore. Indeed it was pretty interesting, it really helps to understand, for some situations, what was the guy thinking in order to make great plays. I sure will look at the others interviews, it may not directly help for Madden 23 but will definitely for understanding the play calls in general.

Thanks a lot one more time!