I need Route-Running 101

alrighty, here is my dilemma:

I am still new to this game but am starting to get better and am at the point where i am using motions to determine man/zone, hot routing recievers to avoid a blitz, you know the things you are supposed to do as QB in this game, my only issue is that i dont know what routes are designed to beat man, and which are designed for zone defenses.

I know that the slant is a route to use in man converage, and i know basically what to look for out of the safetys (ie. cover two opens middle of the field, cover one gives me the sides, etc.) but for a zone/man read on my recievers gets me. And its just when i think i fugure something out in the practice mode and bring it to a game the results are polar opposite than what im assuming would happen.

Side note- on the play book what are the orange routes? are they my first read or does it say something about that route? i know the green route are motion routes, and the blue routes are release routes, which is why i am wondering about the orange.

thanks in advance, and i apologize for the long post but felt a describtion of the situation was in order. you guys have helped me get this far in my skillz and thats why im turning to you again!

yeah, thats really all you can do against the zone. just try to figure out what they are running and find the holes. and the orange route really means nothing, just the first option.

orange routes are your primary reciever but like osu7710 said they basicaly mean nothing.slants work against zone as well.i use em all the time against zone but u gotta hit em at the right time.if u hit em once ur reciever gets off the line and between linebackers youll tear up zone.as far as using motion to determine man or zone u have to be carefull because veteran players will audible to the opposite of what theyre running for a pick or a sack.

for me i run the same routes in man and zone. i run alot of inside routes like in and post against man and when theyre in zone i do the same routes but i make sure i have another guy goin to that zone first so the second guy will be open. its somethin that takes alot of practice because its all timin and recognition but it really helps. PM me if you need more help i love to help guys out with their passing game