Welcome back to Ask Huddle! Each week, we take your Madden questions and break them down so you can understand the game on a deeper level. Got something you want answered in a future episode? Drop it in the comments. Our goal is simple: help you win more games.
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#1 - How do you bomb Cover 4 defense?
Answer:
There are three main versions of Cover 4 you’ll see in Madden: Cover 4 Palms, Cover 4 Quarters, and Cover 4 Drop. Each plays differently, but in this video, we’re focusing on how to attack Cover 4 Drop.
The good news is that Cover 4 Drop usually rushes only three defenders, which means you’ll have plenty of time in the pocket to let your routes develop.
The play we’re using is PA Crossers out of Trips TE Flex, with the trips side set to the wide side of the field. From there, make the following adjustments:
- Put your tight end on a corner route and stem it down.
- Put your inside trips receiver on a streak.
- Put your outside trips receiver on an in route.
The route we’re really looking to attack with is the middle trips receiver. He gets over the short-side cornerback and underneath the short-side safety, creating a window for a huge play downfield.
Be sure to watch the video for the exact throw we want to make to consistently bomb Cover 4 Drop.
#2 - Which run should I use to attack Cover 2 Man?
Answer:
Cover 2 Man is designed as a strong pass coverage defense, but it’s not nearly as effective at stopping the run. That makes it a great defense to run the ball against.
The run we’re focusing on today is the HB Mid Draw. This play is especially effective against Cover 2 Man for two key reasons:
- At the snap, it appears to be a pass play, which initially causes the defense to step back. That extra hesitation creates space for your running back once you hand it off.
- Unlike most run plays, Draw uses pass block angles. That means you can actually slide protect with your offensive line, something you can’t do on other runs.
The setup is simple: half-slide your line toward your running back. Stay patient, and you'll be able to gash your opponent's defense for easy yards.
#3 - How do you like to defend Bunch X Nasty with match coverage?
Answer:
I want to start by saying you can’t completely shut down an entire formation with one defense; it always depends on the specific route combos your opponent is running. That said, here’s a strong defensive setup that works really well against some of the most popular concepts you’ll see from Bunch X Nasty users.
We’re going to use Cover 9, and the first step is to make sure Auto Flip is turned on in your coaching adjustments. This ensures the Cover 2 side of Cover 9 always aligns to the bunch side of the formation.
From there, here’s the setup:
- Individually Back off the slot cornerback.
- Man up the 3 Rec Hook defender to the tight end.
- User the backside safety.
This adjustment not only takes away custom stem corner routes but also gives you a solid base defense to lean on against Bunch X Nasty.
Be sure to watch the video for a breakdown of how to use your user on this play to maximize the coverage.
#4 - What are the best abilities in the game right now?
Answer:
Each year, we team up with MUT.GG to build an Ability Tier List that ranks the most effective and least effective abilities in Madden.
This year, EA made some major changes to the ability system. In the past, certain abilities worked nearly 100% of the time. Now, many of those are closer to a 50/50 chance of activating. This has impacted abilities like Zone KOs, Edge Threat, and Secure Protector.
With that in mind, here are three abilities I highly recommend targeting right now:
- Pocket Deadeye (QB): Helps guarantee accurate throws from the pocket..
- Spin Cycle (WR/TE, 6’4”+): Taller receivers get a much more effective spin animation, making it easier to make defenders miss in the open field.
- Double or Nothing (Pass Rushers): A consistent way to generate organic pressure on the quarterback without blitzing.
Be sure to check out the full Ability Tier List to see where every ability stacks up, and let us know if you’d make any changes!
Thanks for tuning in again this week! 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.
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