Pass protection is one of the most confusing parts of offense in Madden, especially if you don’t fully understand what the game is showing you before the snap.
In this Ask Huddle article, we’re breaking down Pass Protection 101. We’ll cover the visuals you see on the screen and what they mean, the different pass blocking options available to you, how to properly ID the Mike and untarget defenders, and how default pass protection rules are built into specific plays.
The goal is to help you understand your protection options and make better decisions at the line of scrimmage. As always, if you have a question you’d like answered in a future Ask Huddle article or video, leave it in the comments below.
#1 - What each visual means on the screen
Answer:
The first thing we want to cover is the visuals on the screen related to pass protection. Before the snap, you’ll see different colored lines coming from your offensive linemen, along with an M icon and a fire icon.
Let’s start with the lines coming from the offensive line.
- Red lines indicate those linemen are in a man-blocking assignment.
2. Green lines show that those linemen are in a slide or zone-blocking scheme.
3. Blue lines mean those linemen will initially double-team before climbing to the second-level defender shown on the screen.
Next are the icons. The M icon represents the Mike linebacker. You can change who is identified as the Mike, and later in the article we’ll go over how to use that mechanic effectively. The fire icon highlights defenders who are currently unblocked by your protection scheme. As the quarterback, you need to be aware of these players because if they blitz, the ball needs to come out quickly.
#2 - What Blocking Options are Available
Answer:
Next, we’ll go over the pass blocking schemes and options available in the pass protection menu. For this section, we’re focusing on the eight adjustments you can access using the left and right sticks.
Left Stick Options
The left stick gives you four choices: Base, Empty, Full Slide Left, and Full Slide Right.
Base is the default protection you’ve seen in Madden for years. The offensive line will account for the four down linemen first, then work to the next most immediate threat to the quarterback.
Empty uses “most dangerous man” rules. Each side of the offensive line will identify and block the most immediate threat to the quarterback on their side.
Full Slide Left and Full Slide Right will slide, or zone block, the entire offensive line in the direction you select.
Right Stick Options
The right stick provides Half Slide Left, Half Slide Right, Max Protect, and Double Team.
Half Slide Left and Half Slide Right will slide one side of the offensive line in a zone-blocking scheme while leaving the backside in man protection.
Max Protect keeps all running backs and tight ends attached to the line in to block, then applies a base protection scheme with the added blockers.
Double Team allows you to assign two linemen to one defender. Move the targeting icon over the defender you want to double-team, then press A to confirm.
#3 - How to ID the Mike and Untarget Defenders
Answer:
Next, we’ll go over how to properly ID the Mike and use the Untarget Defender mechanic.
ID the Mike is used to tell your running back who to block when he is involved in the pass protection. This adjustment is most useful when you’re in Base, Half Slide, or Full Slide protections, but it should not be used when you’re in Empty, since the running back is released into a route. Once you ID the Mike, the running back becomes responsible for that defender, and the rest of the offensive line will adjust their assignments accordingly.
Untarget Defender is a newer tool that allows you to tell your offensive line which defender not to block. This is especially helpful when an opponent is mugging gaps with their user defender to confuse your protection. To use it, move the flame icon over the defender you want to untarget and press A to confirm. Your offensive line will then ignore that player and work to pick up the remaining potential rushers.
You can untarget multiple defenders on the same play if needed. This is also the only pass protection adjustment that carries over and works in the running game as well.
#4 - What are the Default Pass Protection Schemes on a Play
Answer:
Lastly, we’ll look at the default pass protection schemes built into each play and how you can change them.
Every passing play has a stock pass protection assigned to it based on how the play is designed. The easiest way to identify a play’s default protection is by looking at the running back’s initial assignment.
If the running back is releasing on a route, or you are sending five receivers out, the default pass protection will be Empty.
If the running back is on a traditional blocking assignment, the default protection will be Base.
If the running back is on a check-and-release, the stock protection will be a Half Slide away from the running back.
You can change these defaults by going into your Coaching Adjustments on the play-call screen and setting your preferred pass protection. You can choose between Base, Empty, Half Slide Left, Half Slide Right, Full Slide Left, or Full Slide Right. Once set, every passing play will come out with that protection by default.
You are not locked into this choice, as you can still make adjustments at the line of scrimmage on any play. My personal recommendation is to set your default to Base, since it is the most consistent option and gives you the flexibility to adjust from there as needed.
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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