One of the key components with video game football is having everything look the same. Similar to the first version of the Ace: Base Bunch, Deep Post, the second version also is flexible and open to adjustments.
The first thing I like to do with this version is motion the Flanker to the left. Here I have him on a drag route. The defense is in cover 2. This is evident with the safety alignment and the CB alignment.
Now an alternative here is to send the TE in motion. I want to emphasize this because against zone one might want to keep the flanker post route.
Now against cover 2 the OLB will move out with the motion man. This actually is to the demise of the defense.
On the snap, the CB will collision the WR. The OLB will open his hips to move outside.
Not only does the OLB open his hips to move outside, he actually follows the TE outside, while the CB releases the SE inside to no one. This will require a little patience.
Allow the WR to recover and deliver the pass. No one is in the window.
Once you hit the receiver get as many yards as you can before the MLB and FS converge.
Let’s look at the play from another view. There are plenty of options on the play. Notice the Dig/In is also open.
Let’s look at the play against cover 3. One thing that gives cover 3 away is the shell. If only one safety is deep then it has to be cover 3 or cover 1.
Against cover 3, the quick pass to the SE is tough and very risky. Notice both the OLB and the MLB scrape to the left.
This makes the widow very small for this pass. Sometimes I will still make the pass, however, it is very risky. If your QB is not very accurate this pass could sail to the CB or an interception.
Even if I get this pass, I’m not going to get very far.
Thus I like to hit cover 3 and cover 3 zone blitzes for a big gain. One adjustment that can be made here is to send the TE on a streak. Secondly, I send the right slot on a drag route. The right slot will be the hot read against the blitz.
On the snap the MLB and OLB again slide to the left. The drag is open right now and I could take that, however, since there is only a four-man rush we have time. Now against the blitz I like to block the HB for extra protection.
If we wait the post by the Flanker will be open.
The TE running the streak will draw the Corner and lead him up the seam.
His route will also draw the FS deep. What this does is leave the corner route wide open. As I mention earlier, spacing and creating space is very important. The coverage reminds of 09. So you will definitely need to think about creating space.
We get the reception for a big gain and have enough room to pick up yards after the catch.
Note: What I like about this formation and these two plays is that they give the offense quick passing options on both sides as well as a deep route combination to exploit zone coverage. Now it is just a matter of strategically calling the offense. I like to get the defense playing on the quick routes first then set them up for the streak/corner deep route combo. Also, I would say, do not forget the run. If the defense moves to Dime, Dollar, or Quarter then that’s when you want to run the football.
