Welcome back to our first episode of Ask Huddle for Madden 26! Each week, we break down your Madden questions to help you understand the game on a deeper level. If you have questions you'd like us to answer in a future episode, drop them in the comments below. Our goal is always to help you win more games. This first week, we are answering five general questions we get to start the year each season, which will help you be a better player overall.
To watch the full video on YouTube from Huddle, click play above or here.
#1 - How do you block Mid Blitz?
Answer:
Cover 0 is one of the most common defenses you’ll face early in the season. Since many players don’t yet have a fully developed defense, Mid Blitz out of the double mug formations often becomes their go-to answer. That’s why it’s critical to know exactly how to block it so you can confidently throw the ball.
There are two main ways to pick up this pressure, depending on whether the user is mugging the gap or not. In both cases, I recommend full sliding away from your running back. This forces your back to block an edge rusher instead of an A-gap defender, which is generally easier to handle.
If the user is mugging with the safety, make sure to use the new untarget tool to untarget the user, this is an important step to help pick this blitz up cleanly.
Watch the video for a full breakdown and to see exactly how this looks in-game.
#2 - How do you get better pocket presence?
Answer:
Being comfortable in the pocket is one of the most important skills for becoming a better passer, and ultimately, a better Madden player. Even if you love running the ball (like I do), there will be games against good opponents where you have to pass to win.
To improve your pocket presence, I use a few key drills:
- In practice mode, pick a random passing play and set the defense to random. Your only goal is to stay upright in the pocket for as long as possible before taking the sack; don’t throw the ball yet. Try to get sacked as close to the line of scrimmage as possible.
- Once you’re comfortable navigating the pocket, start implementing your progressions. Work up in the pocket, then focus on throwing the ball on time.
- Finally, set up the meta defenses you know you’ll face the most. The more you practice against them, the more confident you’ll be in live games.
Make sure to watch the video for a full breakdown and to see exactly how these drills look in action.
#3 - What's the best playbook in Madden 26?
Answer:
This is a question we get every single year, and the truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The “best” playbook really depends on your playstyle. That said, there are a few playbooks we recommend for specific schemes that are strong right now. For a full breakdown, make sure to check out Antcap’s detailed video on playbooks.
- For Bunch players – The Falcons playbook is loaded with multiple Bunch formations, giving you plenty of ways to mix things up and keep defenses guessing.
- For Trips players – The Browns playbook is a great choice. It features three formations with 3 WR to the left and a TE to the right, making it seamless to audible between them.
- For Run-Heavy players – The Ravens playbook is a standout. You can audible between Heavy Raven, Pistol Ace Double Wing, and Singleback Ace Double Wing, three unique and powerful run formations, plus you still get a variety of other strong options.
Knowing your style and picking the playbook that best fits it will give you the biggest advantage.
#4 - How do you stop the run?
Answer:
“How do you stop the run?” is one of the most common questions we get, and while the best answer depends on the specific run your opponent is using, there are a few general rules that will help you stay solid against the ground game.
First, I like to start with Cover 4. This coverage brings both safeties into the run fits, giving you nine defenders playing the run first. That numbers advantage can make a big difference. You do want to be careful if you're using a Cover 4 Drop defense out of a base formation (43/34), as it appears the safeties are not playing the run in these specific versions of Cover 4.
Cover 2 can also be a great change-up, especially if your opponent is bouncing runs to the outside. This coverage puts your outside corners in the run fits instead of the safeties, which can help set the edge. Just be aware, it can make you more vulnerable to runs up the middle.
Finally, understanding your own run fit as a user is critical. Play disciplined, fill your gap, and don’t over-pursue, or you’ll give up easy yards.
In the video, we walk through how to check your run fits and what that looks like in-game so you can put this into practice.
#5 - How do you beat match coverage?
Answer:
Match coverage isn’t a single defense; it’s a family of coverages, and each one plays differently. Quarters, Palms, Cover 6, Cover 9, Cover 3 Match; each has its own set of rules and adjustments. In this breakdown, we’re focusing on how to attack Cover 4 Quarters specifically, using a 2x2 spread formation.
Quick Concept (Easy 7+ yards)
We’re going to target the backside quarter flat. Put your slot receiver on a drag and your outside receiver on a smoke screen. Be patient, let the safety and corner drop back, then hit the smoke screen for an easy gain.
Explosive Play (RB Over the Top)
On the strong side, put your slot receiver on a short cross, your outside receiver on a slant, and your running back on a wheel route. The slant will occupy the outside corner just long enough for your running back to slip behind the defense for a big gain.
Both concepts are simple, quick to set up, and effective against Cover 4 Quarters when executed properly.
Thanks for tuning in for our first episode of Madden 26! If you have a question you'd like us to answer in a future episode, make sure to drop it in the comments section below.
Comments