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.
You can watch the full video on YouTube from Huddle by hitting play above or clicking here.
#1 - How do you stop the double pass?
Answer:
There are a few different versions of the double pass in the game, but they can all be defended using the same principles. Today, we’re specifically focusing on the Bunch Strong Nasty double pass, since it’s one of the most common and most explosive.
My approach to defending this is a little unorthodox, but it gives you the flexibility to run a variety of coverages behind it. The key is recognizing the unique motion this play has. As soon as you see that motion begin, click onto your flat defender and be prepared to shoot towards the receiver at the snap.
Doing this gives you a great chance to create a turnover, and the worst-case scenario is usually a 5–10 yard loss. The beauty of this play design is that your opponent can’t cancel the throw , and the ball has to go to the first player in the double pass. That gives us everything we need to shut it down every single time.
Be sure to check out the video to see exactly how this looks in-game.
#2 - What's the best way to defend Hail Mary?
Answer:
Defending Hail Marys seems simple, but there are a few key steps you need to take to avoid giving up those back-breaking touchdowns at the end of halves or games.
Start by calling Man 3 Deep from the Prevent 3 Deep formation. From there, take both outside safeties and put them in Deep Halves rather than leaving them in their stock outside thirds. This gives you a better chance to eliminate the "Cover 3 Bombs" people will try.
The most important rule: do not user or click on to the defender involved in the catch. If you’re controlling a player near the receiver, your chances of getting flagged for defensive pass interference skyrocket. Letting the CPU handle the actual play on the ball is so important.
Instead, I prefer to user a defensive lineman and rush off the edge to put the quarterback on a timer and force an earlier throw.
#3 - How do you defend mesh concepts?
Answer:
Mesh concepts are built around two shallow crossers over the middle, and they’re extremely effective against man coverage. Because of that, the first rule is simple: don’t play man, use zone.
The good news is you don’t need a special or exotic defense to stop Mesh. Tampa 2, Cover 3 Buzz, or standard Cover 3 all do a great job, and the adjustment you need is incredibly simple: Shade your coverage underneath.
Shading underneath brings your hook and flat defenders down to that 5 yard depth, which completely shuts down the natural throwing windows Mesh is trying to create.
Each coverage has its own trade-offs:
- Cover 2 is slightly more vulnerable to the intermediate routes behind the Mesh crossers, but you can user those easily.
- Cover 3 is a bit more open underneath, but still does a great job squeezing the drags and taking away the concept.
Use these simple rules, and Mesh stops being a problem on your field.
#4 - What's the best way to defend big plays when running mid blitz?
Answer:
The first thing to understand is that you’re naturally going to give up more big plays in Mid Blitz than you will in most other defenses. Mid Blitz is a Cover 0 blitz, meaning you have no deep help at all. If a corner gets beat off the line or misses a tackle, you’re exposed to huge gains. Because of that, the key to surviving in Mid Blitz is creating quick pressure and limiting how long the receiver's routes have to develop.
There are a few important adjustments you can make to reduce the risk of getting beaten over the top:
- Don’t press and don’t show blitz.
Pressing puts your DBs in a terrible position in Cover 0 and increases the chances of giving up an instant deep ball.
- Use route commit when you have a good read on what your opponent is calling.
If you recognize the concepts they’re leaning on, a well-timed route commit can help your defenders shut down the popular routes your opponent likes to throw to.
- Avoid dropping too many defenders into zones.
The whole advantage of Cover 0 is creating fast pressure. If you start zoning off multiple players, you remove what makes the defense effective in the first place.
As long as you stay disciplined with your adjustments and keep the quarterback under duress, you’ll drastically cut down the number of big plays you give up from Mid Blitz.
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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