Welcome to Episode 5 of Ask Huddle! Each week, we break down your Madden questions to help you understand the game on a deeper level. If you have a question you'd like us to answer in a future episode, drop it in the comments below, our goal is always to help you win more games!
To watch the full video on YouTube from Huddle, click play above or here
Question #1: What's the best way to defend Flood concepts?
Answer:
Let’s break down three effective ways to defend flood concepts — with two strategies depending on whether the play is run to the wide or short side of the field.
Wide Side Defense — Cover 4 Drop:
- Use a Cover 4 Drop with base alignment.
- Press and shade down to play more aggressively against the flat.
- The outside cornerback’s leverage naturally positions him to cover the corner route, taking away the offense’s primary read.
Short Side Defense — Backed Up Cloud Flat:
- A Cloud Flat zone, especially when backed up, is effective at cutting off corner routes along the sideline.
- If the route is still sneaking over the top, adjust your zone drop depth in Coaching Adjustments to push the defender back and fully close the window.
Match Coverage (for Compressed Sets):
- Against tighter formations like Bunch, match coverage is a great coverage.
- Use default alignment and auto-flip on, then call Cover 4 Quarters, Cover 4 Palms, or Cover 6.
- These match coverages trigger a “box check” to the bunch side, perfectly defending flood concepts
- For spread formations, match coverage will adapt and play differently, so keep that in mind based on your opponent’s formation.
By mastering these adjustments, you'll be well-equipped to lock down flood concepts and force your opponent into tougher, less comfortable reads!
Question #2: What's the best way to attack 3 Man Deep?
Answer:
Let’s break down the best way to attack 3 Man Deep coverage. While there isn’t a guaranteed one-play touchdown, there’s a strategy that gives you a great chance at a huge gain — or even a score.
Use a 2x2 Spread Formation:
- Put both outside receivers on comeback routes.
- Set your slot receivers on post routes.
Custom Stem the Post Routes:
- Vary the depths of the post routes to create staggered vertical threats (check the video for exact adjustments).
How This Works:
- The comeback routes pull down the deep outside zones, leaving just the man coverage defenders underneath.
- If your receiver wins the one-on-one matchup, or if defenders bump into each other downfield, you’ll have an opportunity for a huge play.
This setup can get you into field goal range or even create an opportunity for a one-play touchdown.
Question #3: How do you generate pressure with your front four?
Answer:
Generating pressure with just your front four is a game-changer — it lets you drop 7 defenders into coverage while still forcing the QB to make quick decisions under duress. Let’s break down how to consistently create pressure without blitzing.
Equip the Right Abilities:
- Colossus is the most powerful X-Factor for generating pressure, with Unstoppable Force as a strong second option.
- If you can’t get an X-Factor, stack Double or Nothing with Edge Threat on your defensive linemen — this combo is incredibly effective at shedding blocks and getting after the quarterback.
Alignment & Rush Angles:
- How your defensive line aligns and attacks the offensive line makes a huge difference.
- In the video, we showcase a 33 Odd setup that consistently isolates your opponent’s guards and tackles, creating favorable one-on-one matchups for your pass rushers.
By combining the right abilities with smart alignments, you’ll be able to generate consistent pressure while keeping your coverage versatile and unpredictable. Want to see the exact setup? Watch the video for the full breakdown!
Question #4: Who wins? Enforcer or Tank?
Answer:
If a defender with Enforcer meets an offensive player with Tank, who comes out on top in a hit stick encounter?
After extensive testing, we found that Enforcer wins the vast majority of the time. In fact, Tank broke the hit stick less than 10% of the time when facing a well-timed hit stick from a defender with Enforcer equipped.
Adding Enforcer Supreme makes the matchup even more lopsided. Not only will the defender consistently land the hit stick, but it also drains the ball carrier’s fatigue, sometimes for the rest of the game.
We also tested Avalanche vs Tank, and in those matchups, Tank won every time. Interestingly, Enforcer was able to force fumbles, while Avalanche never caused a fumble on its own during our tests.
Bottom line: if you want to shut down ball carriers with Tank, Enforcer (especially Enforcer Supreme) is your best bet for winning hit stick encounters and potentially causing game-changing turnovers.
Make sure to watch the video for clips showing these abilities in action.
Thanks for tuning in again this week! If you have a question you'd like answered in a future episode, make sure to drop it in the comments below!
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