Welcome back to Ask Huddle, where we answer your Madden questions and break down the why behind the game. Each week, we take topics straight from the community and turn them into clear explanations to help you improve and win more games.
If you have a question you want covered in a future episode, drop it in the comments. You can watch the full video on YouTube from Huddle by hitting play above or clicking here.
#1 - How do you like to beat Cover 4 drop?
Answer:
Cover 4 Drop is a spot-drop zone, which means defenders are responsible for areas of the field, not specific receivers. Because of that, the key to beating it is attacking the natural open areas in the coverage.
One of the easiest ways to do this is with a simple two-man route concept that creates a clear opening to the outside of the defense.
We’re going to run this from Tight Open and target the short side of the field.
Set your inside receiver on a streak and your outside receiver on a speed out. After that, custom stem the speed out up three times using the D-pad.
Here’s why it works:
- The streak forces both deep quarter defenders to stay high.
- The speed out gets over the top of the flat for an easy sideline completion.
This is a low-risk, high-percentage throw and a great way to consistently move the chains against Cover 4 Drop.
#2 - How do you know if it's man or zone before the snap?
Answer:
Knowing whether the defense is in man or zone is critical for getting the right play and route concept on the field.
One of the easiest ways to identify this is by using pre-snap motion.
Start by motioning a receiver who is being covered by a cornerback, not a safety. This distinction is important because corners will usually reveal the coverage more clearly.
If you motion the receiver and the cornerback follows him across the formation, that is a strong indication the defense is in man coverage.
If you motion the receiver and the cornerback stays on his original side of the field, that is a strong indication the defense is in zone coverage.
Once you’ve identified the coverage, you can adjust your routes accordingly and put your offense in the best position to attack the defense.
#3 - How do you like to defend underneath routes?
Answer:
A recent EA update gave us much more control over how our underneath defenders play by using the shade coverage mechanic.
When you shade your coverage underneath, your flats, hook zones, and other underneath defenders will play at a five-yard depth. This makes a big difference against shallow crossers, drags, and quick routes to the outside.
The key is pairing this adjustment with the right coverage shell, since each shell gives you a different number of defenders underneath.
Cover 2 typically gives you five underneath defenders, which makes it the best option for taking away quick and short routes.
Cover 3 gives you four underneath defenders and provides a good balance between short coverage and deep protection.
Cover 4 gives you three underneath defenders, which means it is better suited for defending vertical routes than heavy underneath concepts.
Understanding how many defenders you have underneath helps you choose the right coverage and consistently limit short passing concepts.
#4 - How do you like to stop heavy runners?
Answer:
Heavy run-heavy offenses can be frustrating if you do not have a clear plan. While there are gap shoots and blitz-heavy looks that can shut down specific run plays, the foundation of good run defense is discipline and a strong understanding of run fits.
Run fits are the specific gaps each defender is responsible for based on the direction of the run and the coverage shell you are in. When every defender plays their assigned gap correctly, the run game becomes much easier to contain.
Certain coverage shells naturally help against the run in different ways.
Cover 4 is strong against runs up the middle because the safeties are involved in the run fits and trigger downhill more aggressively.
Cover 3 provides a balanced run defense. You get an extra defender in the box and the structure of the defense is symmetrical to both sides of the field.
Cover 2 is effective against outside runs because the outside corners become run fit defenders and can help set the edge.
In the video, we also show how to adjust your force defender to make sure he maintains outside leverage and prevents the offense from getting to the edge.
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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