1v1ME Logo
Blog / How to Set Custom Zones in College Football 26

July 23, 2025

How to Set Custom Zones in College Football 26 A Complete Guide to Custom Zones and Defensive Adjustments

🛡️ Understanding Custom Zones

Custom zones are a new addition to College Football 26, giving players the power to control the depth and placement of their defenders in zone coverage. By manually adjusting these zones, you can create a more dynamic defense that can effectively counter specific offensive strategies.

How to Set Custom Zones:

  1. Select a Defender: Choose a defender who is currently assigned to a zone coverage.
  2. Activate Zone Adjustment: Press and hold the LB button (Xbox) or L1 button (PlayStation).
  3. Adjust the Zone Placement: Use the left stick or D-pad to move the zone to the desired location on the field.
  4. Adjust Zone Depth: Modify the depth of the zone, tailoring it to counter specific offensive plays such as deep passes or short routes.

This customization allows you to position your defenders precisely where they’re most needed to disrupt the offensive flow.


🎯 Using Custom Zones with Other Defensive Strategies

Custom zones aren’t just about positioning—they can be combined with other defensive strategies for even more powerful results. By blending custom zones with man-to-man coverage or blitzing, you can make your defense unpredictable and difficult to break.

Effective Combinations:

  • Custom Zones and Man Coverage: When paired with man coverage, custom zones can help defend against route combinations by providing extra coverage in critical areas.
  • Custom Zones and Blitzes: Applying a blitz while adjusting your zones ensures that your defense doesn’t leave gaps when applying pressure to the quarterback. It also allows you to quickly react to offensive plays.

These combinations can be game-changers, especially against well-coordinated offenses.


🧠 Tips for Mastering Custom Zones

To make the most of custom zones, here are a few expert tips to keep in mind:

  • Study Your Opponent: Understand the routes your opponent favors, and set up your zones to counter them effectively. Predicting offensive plays allows you to react quicker and with more precision.
  • Be Flexible with Formations: Different formations require different defensive approaches. Custom zones allow you to tailor your defense based on what your opponent is doing.
  • Practice Makes Perfect: Mastering the timing and accuracy of zone adjustments is key. The faster and more accurately you can set zones, the more effective they’ll be during the game.

🏁 Conclusion

Custom zones in College Football 26 provide an excellent way to fine-tune your defense, giving you the flexibility to shut down opposing offenses. Whether you’re adjusting the depth of your zones, combining them with other strategies, or predicting offensive plays, mastering this feature can give you a significant edge on the field.

Explore more tips and tricks for College Football 26 on the 1v1Me Blog!

We use essential cookies to make our site work. With your consent, we may also use non-essential cookies to improve user experience and analyze website traffic. By clicking "Accept," you agree to our website's cookie use as described in our Cookie Policy.