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Step 1
Study any available film on the opposing defense. In these film studies, a person can pick up tendencies of the defense and be better able to read them when it happens on the field.
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Step 2
Practice with teammates to make you and they understand what an opposing defense may do on a particular play. These practices are invaluable, because if a quarterback reads a defense one way but his receivers read the defense differently, the play will not have a chance to succeed.
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Step 3
Check the position of the defenders on the field before snapping the football. In particular, notice where the safeties are on the field. The position of the safeties often dictates what type of defense the other team is using.
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Step 4
Notice if the cornerbacks are playing close to the line of scrimmage or if they are playing a few yards off the line of scrimmage. If they are playing close to the line this is often an indicator of man-to-man defense. Conversely, if they are off the line of scrimmage they are most likely utilizing a zone defense.
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Step 5
Send a receiver in motion. Most offense has a signal that a quarterback can use to send the receiver in motion. Take note of how the defense reacts. If a defender follows the receiver in motion then there is a good chance the defense is utilizing a man-to-man defense.
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Step 6
Watch to see if the linebackers or safeties start moving towards you. This is an indication that the other team may be blitzing and the quarterback must remember to the hot read to get the football out their hands quickly. A hot read is a predetermined route that the receivers and quarterbacks know and use in case the other team uses a blitz.
