Welcome back to another episode of Ask Huddle. Today we’re breaking down one of the most common questions we get: How do you beat Cover 2 Man?
We’re going to walk through four core concepts that you can run out of virtually any playbook in the game, giving you reliable answers no matter which playbook you run.
As always, if you have a question you want featured in a future episode, drop it in the comments below.
#1 - Verticals Concepts from Trips Sets
Answer:
The first concept we’re breaking down is the Verticals concept out of Trips formations. The key route in this setup is the middle receiver running the seam that bends toward the middle of the field; that’s what creates the explosive play potential against Cover 2 Man.
My favorite place to find this is in Trips HB Weak formations, where the running back starts on the same side as the trips. In these sets, the stock out route to the running back is always our first read. If it’s open, take the easy yards.
From there, your eyes immediately go to that middle receiver on the seam. If he wins off the line, you’re throwing it straight down the middle for a one-play touchdown.
If your Trips formation doesn’t have the stock out route we show in the video, no problem, just hot route your running back to a Texas route and you’ll get the same effect.
#2 - RUN THE FOOTBALL
Answer:
The next concept isn’t flashy, but it might be the most reliable way to punish Cover 2 Man:
Run the football.
Cover 2 Man has two deep safeties who are not part of the run fit, and every other defender is locked into man assignments. That means they’re prioritizing their matchup first, not the run, giving you a natural numbers advantage in the box.
Most Cover 2 Man looks also come from three-down-lineman fronts, especially Dollar and Dime, where the linemen are spread wide. That leaves the interior even softer.
Just call your favorite inside run, and you’ll either force your opponent out of Cover 2 Man or you’ll keep gashing them for easy yards. Personally, I love read options and inside zones for consistently taking advantage of this defense.
#3 - Mesh Concepts
The next concept we’re covering is one of the best passing concepts in the entire game: Mesh.
Mesh is built around two drags or short crossers working over the middle of the field, creating a natural pick that’s been a real-life man-coverage beater for decades. In Madden, though, we’re looking for a very specific version of Mesh: the plays that use option-route drags, not standard hot-routed drags.
Those option drags are extremely difficult to press cleanly, and they consistently torch man coverage.
In the video, I highlight one of my favorite formations to run this from, mainly because of how great the pre-snap alignment is for creating separation right away.
#4 - HB Slip Screens
Answer:
The final concept we’re covering isn’t one you see people call often, but it’s extremely effective against Cover 2 Man: HB slip screens.
Slip screens out of almost any formation work great here because in Cover 2 Man there’s only one defender responsible for the running back. As long as your offensive line blocks that defender, you’ll have a ton of open field once the ball is out.
The key is patience. Let the pass rush get close, then quickly dump the ball to your running back. From there, follow your blockers and you’re off to the races.
Thanks again for tuning in this week, and as always, if you have a question you'd like answered, make sure to leave it in the comments below!
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