Whats the best defense

Ive been having struggles getting stops on defense and it feels like someone is always open. What defense do you guys run and any recommendations on what defense to run?

If you're running zone there are always open areas in zone coverage. You just have to know what area of the field is open depending on what coverage you call and make adjustments

i run the rams playbook and use multiple formations in man and zone

.

6-1 with lurk artist everywhere, while running double Mable.

ElixerAlex said:

Ive been having struggles getting stops on defense and it feels like someone is always open. What defense do you guys run and any recommendations on what defense to run?

There is no "best" defense, only specific counters to what opponents try to run.  For example, if you're facing a ton of the usual RPO style cheese-fest we're experiencing of late, that might require something different than, say trying to defend deep (or double) sideline or corner breaking routes, which might benefit from what is called Double Mable style coverage.  To set this up, you can really start from any base formation, then adjust to either single or double mable your coverage.

Dollar is extremely popular and always plays quite well, allowing us to get tons of speed on the field, although linebackers finally play well and are usable again, assuming you run a series of 0AP LurkArtist on most linebackers, which will allow them to animate and actually play pass defense.  Without Lurker/LurkArtist, your linebackers simply will NOT attempt to make a play on the ball, they literally cannot pick the ball off.  It it wasn't already obvious, the abilities you run on defense are THE single most important determining factor if you'll succeed.  Without tons of Zone KOs, you will probably struggle against pass defense.

Let's use this extremely popular DB Fire 2 coverage play and turn it into Mable, or even Double.  Place the Slot receiver on the strong side of the field into a Curl Flat (purple zone) and manually set your Flats to 25-30 yards, 5 yard Curl Flats and 15 yard Hook Zones.  The goal is that you want your outside corners to back up and prevent the opponent from getting above their zone coverage, while having the Curl Flats to defend crossers, drags, etc.  You will control the weak-side MLB/SUBLB and your job is to take away the first read and try to defend the middle of the field, which will be the soft spots in your zone coverage.  There's better/different options if your opponent prefers to attack the middle, but it's often the corner posts and sideline stuff that gives me the most trouble.  Just one example.

Another variation you could use, which is also extremely popular, is this Cover 2 Press, also from Dollar, which will give you fantastic and near instant A-gap pressure from the blitzing SUBLB.  The same principles can be applied (convert the yellow Vert Hooks into Curl Flats).  Although this play isn't in most playbooks, you'd need to run either 46 or Multiple D to use this second option.

I think we're finally at the point where offense might be more difficult than defense with all the Zone KOs floating around.  Outside corners NEED to have at least Deep Out Zone KO, hopefully Mid Zone KO, as well.  Slot corners can benefit from either Flat or Mid Zone KO.  Deep Safeties should be getting Deep Zone KO (both Deep In & Deep Out) stacked with Mid Zone KO.  I would encourage most folks to invest nearly all of their 11 AP into various DB abilities, although having Unstoppable Force and/or Colossus on your D-line will certainly be a huge help.  Doesn't make sense to run many/most D-line abilities, as they are all basically directly countered by Secure Protector.  YMMV, hope there's some helpful ideas in here for you to apply and use.  It is by no means the best, let alone perfect defense.  4-3 Even 6-1 is also extremely popular and fairly quick to set up, can be used to blitz 6 or drop 7 into coverage, or even drop back 8 if you personally USER control a DE, making it quite versatile.  Be sure to have LurkArtist on ALL linebackers and/or perhaps even a DE if you hope to control him.  Otherwise, it's best to use MLB/SUBLB and know your job.  Often taking away your opponent's primary read will be enough to get you stops.  Force them to actually work for yardage, hoping to catch a mistake.

peatrick said:

There is no "best" defense, only specific counters to what opponents try to run.  For example, if you're facing a ton of the usual RPO style cheese-fest we're experiencing of late, that might require something different than, say trying to defend deep (or double) sideline or corner breaking routes, which might benefit from what is called Double Mable style coverage.  To set this up, you can really start from any base formation, then adjust to either single or double mable your coverage.

Dollar is extremely popular and always plays quite well, allowing us to get tons of speed on the field, although linebackers finally play well and are usable again, assuming you run a series of 0AP LurkArtist on most linebackers, which will allow them to animate and actually play pass defense.  Without Lurker/LurkArtist, your linebackers simply will NOT attempt to make a play on the ball, they literally cannot pick the ball off.  It it wasn't already obvious, the abilities you run on defense are THE single most important determining factor if you'll succeed.  Without tons of Zone KOs, you will probably struggle against pass defense.

Let's use this extremely popular DB Fire 2 coverage play and turn it into Mable, or even Double.  Place the Slot receiver on the strong side of the field into a Curl Flat (purple zone) and manually set your Flats to 25-30 yards, 5 yard Curl Flats and 15 yard Hook Zones.  The goal is that you want your outside corners to back up and prevent the opponent from getting above their zone coverage, while having the Curl Flats to defend crossers, drags, etc.  You will control the weak-side MLB/SUBLB and your job is to take away the first read and try to defend the middle of the field, which will be the soft spots in your zone coverage.  There's better/different options if your opponent prefers to attack the middle, but it's often the corner posts and sideline stuff that gives me the most trouble.  Just one example.

Another variation you could use, which is also extremely popular, is this Cover 2 Press, also from Dollar, which will give you fantastic and near instant A-gap pressure from the blitzing SUBLB.  The same principles can be applied (convert the yellow Vert Hooks into Curl Flats).  Although this play isn't in most playbooks, you'd need to run either 46 or Multiple D to use this second option.

I think we're finally at the point where offense might be more difficult than defense with all the Zone KOs floating around.  Outside corners NEED to have at least Deep Out Zone KO, hopefully Mid Zone KO, as well.  Slot corners can benefit from either Flat or Mid Zone KO.  Deep Safeties should be getting Deep Zone KO (both Deep In & Deep Out) stacked with Mid Zone KO.  I would encourage most folks to invest nearly all of their 11 AP into various DB abilities, although having Unstoppable Force and/or Colossus on your D-line will certainly be a huge help.  Doesn't make sense to run many/most D-line abilities, as they are all basically directly countered by Secure Protector.  YMMV, hope there's some helpful ideas in here for you to apply and use.  It is by no means the best, let alone perfect defense.  4-3 Even 6-1 is also extremely popular and fairly quick to set up, can be used to blitz 6 or drop 7 into coverage, or even drop back 8 if you personally USER control a DE, making it quite versatile.  Be sure to have LurkArtist on ALL linebackers and/or perhaps even a DE if you hope to control him.  Otherwise, it's best to use MLB/SUBLB and know your job.  Often taking away your opponent's primary read will be enough to get you stops.  Force them to actually work for yardage, hoping to catch a mistake.

Although this is all knowledge I know already and use, along with other formations and coverage drops etc out of dollar, I appreciate you taking the time to do this detailed write up for the OP. Great Job

peatrick said:

There is no "best" defense, only specific counters to what opponents try to run.  For example, if you're facing a ton of the usual RPO style cheese-fest we're experiencing of late, that might require something different than, say trying to defend deep (or double) sideline or corner breaking routes, which might benefit from what is called Double Mable style coverage.  To set this up, you can really start from any base formation, then adjust to either single or double mable your coverage.

Dollar is extremely popular and always plays quite well, allowing us to get tons of speed on the field, although linebackers finally play well and are usable again, assuming you run a series of 0AP LurkArtist on most linebackers, which will allow them to animate and actually play pass defense.  Without Lurker/LurkArtist, your linebackers simply will NOT attempt to make a play on the ball, they literally cannot pick the ball off.  It it wasn't already obvious, the abilities you run on defense are THE single most important determining factor if you'll succeed.  Without tons of Zone KOs, you will probably struggle against pass defense.

Let's use this extremely popular DB Fire 2 coverage play and turn it into Mable, or even Double.  Place the Slot receiver on the strong side of the field into a Curl Flat (purple zone) and manually set your Flats to 25-30 yards, 5 yard Curl Flats and 15 yard Hook Zones.  The goal is that you want your outside corners to back up and prevent the opponent from getting above their zone coverage, while having the Curl Flats to defend crossers, drags, etc.  You will control the weak-side MLB/SUBLB and your job is to take away the first read and try to defend the middle of the field, which will be the soft spots in your zone coverage.  There's better/different options if your opponent prefers to attack the middle, but it's often the corner posts and sideline stuff that gives me the most trouble.  Just one example.

Another variation you could use, which is also extremely popular, is this Cover 2 Press, also from Dollar, which will give you fantastic and near instant A-gap pressure from the blitzing SUBLB.  The same principles can be applied (convert the yellow Vert Hooks into Curl Flats).  Although this play isn't in most playbooks, you'd need to run either 46 or Multiple D to use this second option.

I think we're finally at the point where offense might be more difficult than defense with all the Zone KOs floating around.  Outside corners NEED to have at least Deep Out Zone KO, hopefully Mid Zone KO, as well.  Slot corners can benefit from either Flat or Mid Zone KO.  Deep Safeties should be getting Deep Zone KO (both Deep In & Deep Out) stacked with Mid Zone KO.  I would encourage most folks to invest nearly all of their 11 AP into various DB abilities, although having Unstoppable Force and/or Colossus on your D-line will certainly be a huge help.  Doesn't make sense to run many/most D-line abilities, as they are all basically directly countered by Secure Protector.  YMMV, hope there's some helpful ideas in here for you to apply and use.  It is by no means the best, let alone perfect defense.  4-3 Even 6-1 is also extremely popular and fairly quick to set up, can be used to blitz 6 or drop 7 into coverage, or even drop back 8 if you personally USER control a DE, making it quite versatile.  Be sure to have LurkArtist on ALL linebackers and/or perhaps even a DE if you hope to control him.  Otherwise, it's best to use MLB/SUBLB and know your job.  Often taking away your opponent's primary read will be enough to get you stops.  Force them to actually work for yardage, hoping to catch a mistake.

Thank you so much for this. I honestly have never messed with changing the zones or zone drops but this will definitely help and have never heard of “Mable“.

peatrick said:

There is no "best" defense, only specific counters to what opponents try to run.  For example, if you're facing a ton of the usual RPO style cheese-fest we're experiencing of late, that might require something different than, say trying to defend deep (or double) sideline or corner breaking routes, which might benefit from what is called Double Mable style coverage.  To set this up, you can really start from any base formation, then adjust to either single or double mable your coverage.

Dollar is extremely popular and always plays quite well, allowing us to get tons of speed on the field, although linebackers finally play well and are usable again, assuming you run a series of 0AP LurkArtist on most linebackers, which will allow them to animate and actually play pass defense.  Without Lurker/LurkArtist, your linebackers simply will NOT attempt to make a play on the ball, they literally cannot pick the ball off.  It it wasn't already obvious, the abilities you run on defense are THE single most important determining factor if you'll succeed.  Without tons of Zone KOs, you will probably struggle against pass defense.

Let's use this extremely popular DB Fire 2 coverage play and turn it into Mable, or even Double.  Place the Slot receiver on the strong side of the field into a Curl Flat (purple zone) and manually set your Flats to 25-30 yards, 5 yard Curl Flats and 15 yard Hook Zones.  The goal is that you want your outside corners to back up and prevent the opponent from getting above their zone coverage, while having the Curl Flats to defend crossers, drags, etc.  You will control the weak-side MLB/SUBLB and your job is to take away the first read and try to defend the middle of the field, which will be the soft spots in your zone coverage.  There's better/different options if your opponent prefers to attack the middle, but it's often the corner posts and sideline stuff that gives me the most trouble.  Just one example.

Another variation you could use, which is also extremely popular, is this Cover 2 Press, also from Dollar, which will give you fantastic and near instant A-gap pressure from the blitzing SUBLB.  The same principles can be applied (convert the yellow Vert Hooks into Curl Flats).  Although this play isn't in most playbooks, you'd need to run either 46 or Multiple D to use this second option.

I think we're finally at the point where offense might be more difficult than defense with all the Zone KOs floating around.  Outside corners NEED to have at least Deep Out Zone KO, hopefully Mid Zone KO, as well.  Slot corners can benefit from either Flat or Mid Zone KO.  Deep Safeties should be getting Deep Zone KO (both Deep In & Deep Out) stacked with Mid Zone KO.  I would encourage most folks to invest nearly all of their 11 AP into various DB abilities, although having Unstoppable Force and/or Colossus on your D-line will certainly be a huge help.  Doesn't make sense to run many/most D-line abilities, as they are all basically directly countered by Secure Protector.  YMMV, hope there's some helpful ideas in here for you to apply and use.  It is by no means the best, let alone perfect defense.  4-3 Even 6-1 is also extremely popular and fairly quick to set up, can be used to blitz 6 or drop 7 into coverage, or even drop back 8 if you personally USER control a DE, making it quite versatile.  Be sure to have LurkArtist on ALL linebackers and/or perhaps even a DE if you hope to control him.  Otherwise, it's best to use MLB/SUBLB and know your job.  Often taking away your opponent's primary read will be enough to get you stops.  Force them to actually work for yardage, hoping to catch a mistake.

This is all great advice. I have used similar defensive concepts for a very long time. I do run it a little different than most though. I almost always user the Slot CB on the strong side and send the strong side SubLb to a deep middle third. I cover the HB in the flat and if they don’t throw it I drop back underneath the mid crosser for the INT.

SlowAndSteady said:

This is all great advice. I have used similar defensive concepts for a very long time. I do run it a little different than most though. I almost always user the Slot CB on the strong side and send the strong side SubLb to a deep middle third. I cover the HB in the flat and if they don’t throw it I drop back underneath the mid crosser for the INT.

I've just recently revamped my entire defense, have a nice, new (to me) HEAVY BOX out of Dollar, which was fantastic after my first full night of using and tinkering with it.  Seems to help offset the most glaring issues and weaknesses of Dollar, such as defending those TE streaks, or against the run, having both safeties walked up into the box is amazing.  I don't know why in the past i had only been doing this out of Dime and primarily for run defense, but Madden is often counter-intuitive, or so it seems.  Safeties almost NEVER get beat deep, even when they've been brought way down, so they're only 5+ yards off the line of scrimmage.

Gives me the ability to bring multiple types of pressure, either A-gap 5 man rush, a la FS Zone Blitz or the usual edge pressure, via DB Fire 2, sending both Slot corners, which typically will get home even if my opponent is doing the usual, sliding blocking protection right, keeping RB in to also block, etc.  I'm slowly improving.

peatrick said:

I've just recently revamped my entire defense, have a nice, new (to me) HEAVY BOX out of Dollar, which was fantastic after my first full night of using and tinkering with it.  Seems to help offset the most glaring issues and weaknesses of Dollar, such as defending those TE streaks, or against the run, having both safeties walked up into the box is amazing.  I don't know why in the past i had only been doing this out of Dime and primarily for run defense, but Madden is often counter-intuitive, or so it seems.  Safeties almost NEVER get beat deep, even when they've been brought way down, so they're only 5+ yards off the line of scrimmage.

Gives me the ability to bring multiple types of pressure, either A-gap 5 man rush, a la FS Zone Blitz or the usual edge pressure, via DB Fire 2, sending both Slot corners, which typically will get home even if my opponent is doing the usual, sliding blocking protection right, keeping RB in to also block, etc.  I'm slowly improving.

Sounds like you’re using the “Show Blitz” adjustment? I used to mix that in a while back but I kinda forgot about it. 

 I’m still on PS4 and MUT23 so I’m sure I will have a lot to learn if I ever decide to buy a new console. Madden is the only game I play and it’s been getting worse every year so I’m not sure what my future will be.

glasscitytitan said:

If you're running zone there are always open areas in zone coverage. You just have to know what area of the field is open depending on what coverage you call and make adjustments

You can always slap Zone Knockouts on everyone and let the game play Defense for ya.

peatrick said:

There is no "best" defense, only specific counters to what opponents try to run.  For example, if you're facing a ton of the usual RPO style cheese-fest we're experiencing of late, that might require something different than, say trying to defend deep (or double) sideline or corner breaking routes, which might benefit from what is called Double Mable style coverage.  To set this up, you can really start from any base formation, then adjust to either single or double mable your coverage.

Dollar is extremely popular and always plays quite well, allowing us to get tons of speed on the field, although linebackers finally play well and are usable again, assuming you run a series of 0AP LurkArtist on most linebackers, which will allow them to animate and actually play pass defense.  Without Lurker/LurkArtist, your linebackers simply will NOT attempt to make a play on the ball, they literally cannot pick the ball off.  It it wasn't already obvious, the abilities you run on defense are THE single most important determining factor if you'll succeed.  Without tons of Zone KOs, you will probably struggle against pass defense.

Let's use this extremely popular DB Fire 2 coverage play and turn it into Mable, or even Double.  Place the Slot receiver on the strong side of the field into a Curl Flat (purple zone) and manually set your Flats to 25-30 yards, 5 yard Curl Flats and 15 yard Hook Zones.  The goal is that you want your outside corners to back up and prevent the opponent from getting above their zone coverage, while having the Curl Flats to defend crossers, drags, etc.  You will control the weak-side MLB/SUBLB and your job is to take away the first read and try to defend the middle of the field, which will be the soft spots in your zone coverage.  There's better/different options if your opponent prefers to attack the middle, but it's often the corner posts and sideline stuff that gives me the most trouble.  Just one example.

Another variation you could use, which is also extremely popular, is this Cover 2 Press, also from Dollar, which will give you fantastic and near instant A-gap pressure from the blitzing SUBLB.  The same principles can be applied (convert the yellow Vert Hooks into Curl Flats).  Although this play isn't in most playbooks, you'd need to run either 46 or Multiple D to use this second option.

I think we're finally at the point where offense might be more difficult than defense with all the Zone KOs floating around.  Outside corners NEED to have at least Deep Out Zone KO, hopefully Mid Zone KO, as well.  Slot corners can benefit from either Flat or Mid Zone KO.  Deep Safeties should be getting Deep Zone KO (both Deep In & Deep Out) stacked with Mid Zone KO.  I would encourage most folks to invest nearly all of their 11 AP into various DB abilities, although having Unstoppable Force and/or Colossus on your D-line will certainly be a huge help.  Doesn't make sense to run many/most D-line abilities, as they are all basically directly countered by Secure Protector.  YMMV, hope there's some helpful ideas in here for you to apply and use.  It is by no means the best, let alone perfect defense.  4-3 Even 6-1 is also extremely popular and fairly quick to set up, can be used to blitz 6 or drop 7 into coverage, or even drop back 8 if you personally USER control a DE, making it quite versatile.  Be sure to have LurkArtist on ALL linebackers and/or perhaps even a DE if you hope to control him.  Otherwise, it's best to use MLB/SUBLB and know your job.  Often taking away your opponent's primary read will be enough to get you stops.  Force them to actually work for yardage, hoping to catch a mistake.

just curious how long did this take and really helpful information btw

peatrick said:

There is no "best" defense, only specific counters to what opponents try to run.  For example, if you're facing a ton of the usual RPO style cheese-fest we're experiencing of late, that might require something different than, say trying to defend deep (or double) sideline or corner breaking routes, which might benefit from what is called Double Mable style coverage.  To set this up, you can really start from any base formation, then adjust to either single or double mable your coverage.

Dollar is extremely popular and always plays quite well, allowing us to get tons of speed on the field, although linebackers finally play well and are usable again, assuming you run a series of 0AP LurkArtist on most linebackers, which will allow them to animate and actually play pass defense.  Without Lurker/LurkArtist, your linebackers simply will NOT attempt to make a play on the ball, they literally cannot pick the ball off.  It it wasn't already obvious, the abilities you run on defense are THE single most important determining factor if you'll succeed.  Without tons of Zone KOs, you will probably struggle against pass defense.

Let's use this extremely popular DB Fire 2 coverage play and turn it into Mable, or even Double.  Place the Slot receiver on the strong side of the field into a Curl Flat (purple zone) and manually set your Flats to 25-30 yards, 5 yard Curl Flats and 15 yard Hook Zones.  The goal is that you want your outside corners to back up and prevent the opponent from getting above their zone coverage, while having the Curl Flats to defend crossers, drags, etc.  You will control the weak-side MLB/SUBLB and your job is to take away the first read and try to defend the middle of the field, which will be the soft spots in your zone coverage.  There's better/different options if your opponent prefers to attack the middle, but it's often the corner posts and sideline stuff that gives me the most trouble.  Just one example.

Another variation you could use, which is also extremely popular, is this Cover 2 Press, also from Dollar, which will give you fantastic and near instant A-gap pressure from the blitzing SUBLB.  The same principles can be applied (convert the yellow Vert Hooks into Curl Flats).  Although this play isn't in most playbooks, you'd need to run either 46 or Multiple D to use this second option.

I think we're finally at the point where offense might be more difficult than defense with all the Zone KOs floating around.  Outside corners NEED to have at least Deep Out Zone KO, hopefully Mid Zone KO, as well.  Slot corners can benefit from either Flat or Mid Zone KO.  Deep Safeties should be getting Deep Zone KO (both Deep In & Deep Out) stacked with Mid Zone KO.  I would encourage most folks to invest nearly all of their 11 AP into various DB abilities, although having Unstoppable Force and/or Colossus on your D-line will certainly be a huge help.  Doesn't make sense to run many/most D-line abilities, as they are all basically directly countered by Secure Protector.  YMMV, hope there's some helpful ideas in here for you to apply and use.  It is by no means the best, let alone perfect defense.  4-3 Even 6-1 is also extremely popular and fairly quick to set up, can be used to blitz 6 or drop 7 into coverage, or even drop back 8 if you personally USER control a DE, making it quite versatile.  Be sure to have LurkArtist on ALL linebackers and/or perhaps even a DE if you hope to control him.  Otherwise, it's best to use MLB/SUBLB and know your job.  Often taking away your opponent's primary read will be enough to get you stops.  Force them to actually work for yardage, hoping to catch a mistake.

because it seems like you know ur defense can you help with mine 

ive been considering moving from 6-1 to dollar because I always get cooked with corner routes and Rpo’s

if the outside corners are in a curl flat or whatever flat I its called, why do they need DOZKO? 
 

and because there is only 3 d linemen in dollar what would the best adjustments to stop the run? 
 

thanks