Reading a defense

do they favor press or zone? How do they cover motion if in zone? Do they change fronts a lot? Do they always align their secondary in coverages that will compliment the called front? How far off does the WCB play when in zone, the SCB ?
Are they sophisticated enough to play combo coverages,i.e press on one side, zone on the other, etc? Do you see any mismatches right off the bat(do you have a 6'4 receiver vs. a 5'8 CB or do you have a legit 4.4 sprinter or better being covered by a 4.8 guy ?) At the High School level I always looked to see if they knew how to line up correctly, and if they didn't I would ride it to death until they adjusted. Are they sophisticated enough to give one look in the PSL and to change up to sometihng else on the snap, or what they show is what they pretty much stay with? Can you trap them successfully? Did the LB's come to play, or do they wait for the ball carrier to come to them? Are they agressive enough to stop iso's and anything else in your "Power Play" section of your play book? My first look, bar none, is always the Defensive Line!!! Can we dominate the LOS, or not? Depending upon your answer, adjust your calls accordingly. What is their base? What is their goal line and short yardage packages?Are they a four or a five front team ? Are they playing "sound" football, or some off the wall Pop Warner stuff? The list goes on and on. Hope this helped.

Hey Coach Campbell,

Could you expound on this answer "reading the outside inverts is the key to reading defenses" a little deeper in depth?

Sincere thanks,
Coach Easton