How to Read Pre-Snap Blocking Assignments
Hold Left Trigger + push Right Stick left on ANY run play or RPO. This shows exactly where your blockers are going BEFORE you snap the ball.
Red lines = one-on-one blocks. Blue lines = double teams that chip off to the next level.
Do this on EVERY single run play. No exceptions.
Why it matters — you see the plan before it happens. Maybe your right tackle is supposed to double team the defensive tackle then get to the linebacker. Maybe your center is sliding left to help with a tough nose tackle. You know where the holes SHOULD develop.
But remember — this is what the play is DESIGNED to do. Your offensive line still has to win their assignments. Defense has a plan too. Sometimes your guys just get beat.
Reading the Lines
Red Lines — Straight up battles. Your blocker vs their defender. If your right guard has a red line to the defensive tackle, that's a one-on-one block. Success depends on your blocker winning his assignment.
Blue Lines — Double teams with a purpose. Two blockers start on one defender, then one chips off to block someone at the next level. Usually a linebacker or safety coming down.
The blue lines tell you where the REAL running lanes should open up. That's where you want to hit it.
When to Use Pre-Snap Reads
Every run play. Every RPO. No debate.
Especially important when:
- Defense shows heavy box — 7+ defenders
- Running against odd fronts — 3-4 defenses, 5-2 looks
- Goal line situations where every gap matters
- Short yardage — 3rd and 2, 4th and 1
You need to know where your help is coming from. If you see a blue line double teaming the nose tackle, you know that A gap should open up clean. If the defensive end is getting a red line block and he's been beating your tackle all game — maybe check out of that run.
How to Make Blocking Adjustments
Untargeting Defenders
Flick UP on Right Stick. Puts a fire icon on a defender. This tells your line "don't block this guy."
Perfect example — inside zone left. The backside defensive end won't affect the play because you're running away from him. Untarget him. Now your backside blocker might get reassigned to help with a double team on the defensive tackle.
Results vary though:
- Sometimes the blocker gets a new assignment
- Sometimes he keeps his original job
- Sometimes no new assignment shows up
When it works — you get an extra blocker going downfield. More help at the second level.
Warning — if you untarget a defensive tackle and your blocker doesn't get reassigned, that DT comes FREE. Recipe for disaster.
ID the Mike
Left Bumper + A (Xbox) or X (PlayStation). Put the "M" on any defender.
This changes blocking assignments based on who you identify as the "Mike" linebacker. Even if you put it on a corner or safety — doesn't matter. The blocking scheme adjusts.
Use this to get unexpected help. Put the Mike ID on an outside corner who's creeping down. Sometimes you'll get a double team assignment that chips out to block him.
Stacking Adjustments
You can combine these:
- ID the Mike first — changes the base assignments
- Untarget defenders who won't factor in
- Add motion to mess with their alignment even more
More adjustments = more ways to screw it up. Start simple. Master one adjustment at a time.
What Counters These Adjustments
Defense isn't stupid. They adjust too.
Late shifts — they move right before you snap. Your pre-snap read becomes worthless because now there's a linebacker in a gap you thought was clear.
Exotic blitzes — corner blitz, safety blitz, delayed linebacker blitz. Your blocking assignments might be perfect for the base defense, but terrible for the blitz they actually run.
Individual matchup losses — doesn't matter what the scheme says if your right tackle just gets beat by their pass rusher every play.
User-controlled defenders — human opponent controlling a linebacker or safety. They're not following the AI logic your blocking assignments are designed to handle.
Common Mistakes with Pre-Snap Reads
Over-adjusting — making too many changes pre-snap. Keep it simple. One or two adjustments max.
Untargeting the wrong guy — untargeting a defender who WILL affect the play. Now he's free to make the tackle.
Ignoring the actual result — your pre-snap read shows a clean hole, but post-snap that hole doesn't develop. Don't force it. Find the actual open running lane.
Forgetting about the ball carrier — all the blocking adjustments in the world don't matter if you're holding Right Trigger when you should be using Left Stick only for better cutting control.
The blocking assignments show you the PLAN. But plans change. Be ready to adjust based on what actually happens after you snap the ball.