How to Leverage It: Run quick out routes to CFB 25 Coins your receivers or tight ends. These routes move toward the sideline, away from the defense’s focus on the interior of the field. Since linebackers and safeties are likely paying more attention to the run, they may be slow to cover these quick routes, giving your receiver a chance to make a play.
Run Play-Action Screens
Screen plays are another great way to catch linebackers and safeties off-guard, especially if they are aggressively trying to stop the run. A play-action screen can bait the linebackers and safeties into overcommitting to the quarterback or the running back, leaving the ball carrier open in space.
How to Leverage It: After a few successful runs, run a play-action screen. The linebackers will often bite on the fake handoff and rush toward the quarterback, while the safeties will try to help stop the run. This will leave the running back or tight end wide open for a quick pass, and they can take it down the sideline for a big gain.
Create Mismatches with Motion and Shifts
By moving your receivers or tight ends with motion, you can force the defense to adjust their alignment, potentially leaving a linebacker or safety in a mismatched position. This can create confusion in the defensive coverage and lead to opportunities for easy completions.
How to Leverage It: Use motion to move your receivers or tight ends into different positions. If you motion a tight end out into the slot, you might get a linebacker or safety matched up on them, which could create a favorable matchup for your offense. Once the defense is adjusted, you can then exploit that mismatch with a quick pass or deep route.
Target Safeties Who Are Too Aggressive
If safeties are too aggressive in their run support, they will be vulnerable to deep passes. When they bite on the run or commit to stopping the run too early, it leaves deep routes open.
How to Leverage It: Take a shot downfield after the defense has overcommitted to the run. If the safeties are focused on the run and come up to the line of scrimmage, you can launch a deep pass, such as a post route, go route, or a wheel route from the running back. With the safeties out of position, this gives you an excellent chance for a big gain.
Mix in Tight End Routes and Backs Out of the Backfield
After the defense becomes focused on the run, your tight ends and running backs can be the perfect targets for quick passes. Linebackers and safeties often focus on the ball carrier, leaving these players open in short to intermediate areas of the field.
How to Leverage It: Run short routes with your tight ends, like seam routes or curl routes, or send your running back out into the flat for a quick pass. Linebackers and safeties will be preoccupied with the run, allowing these players to cheap College Football 25 Coins find soft spots in the defense and make easy catches.