Welcome to Episode 6 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 - Why isn't my defender motioning with the receiver?
Answer:
If your defensive back isn’t following a receiver in motion, there are a few things to check.
First, make sure you’re in man coverage — in zone coverage, defenders stay in their assigned areas rather than track a motioning receiver.
Next, be mindful of any manual adjustments you make pre-snap. If you manually move the DB, even slightly, they won’t automatically follow the receiver across the formation.
Lastly, check your alignment settings. If Base Align is turned on, your defenders will stay in their pre-set positions, regardless of motion. Playing on Default or Man alignment allows your DB to move with the receiver, keeping your coverage intact.
By checking these different things, you can usually diagnose and fix the issue, making sure your defense stays sharp against motion plays.
Question #2 - How do you like to defend empty formations?
Answer:
When defending empty formations, I like to use two base setups out of the 33 Odd formation. First, I turn Auto Flip off and set the alignment to Base. Both setups start the same way: I call Cover 3 Cloud, show blitz, pinch the defensive line, and set them to contain. This creates the potential for quick pressure from the outside linebacker, which can disrupt the play before it develops.
In the first setup, I put the outside corner in an outside quarter, man up the strong-side safety on the middle receiver, and assign the strong-side middle linebacker to the inside receiver. I’ll user the backside middle linebacker to patrol the middle of the field and clean up anything that breaks through.
The second option is more of a Cover 4 shell. I put the strong-side corner in an outside quarter, the strong-side safety in an inside quarter, and the weak-side safety in an inside quarter, giving you solid coverage across the field.
These two setups won’t shut down every empty setup you'll see, but they provide a solid foundation to start from. Once you see what your opponent likes to run, you can make adjustments to change your coverage and keep their offense in check.
Question #3 - How does Edge Threat work on an interior lineman?
Answer:
Typically, Edge Threat is designed for players rushing from the edge of the defense, but certain formations create unique alignment opportunities — one of the best examples being 33 Odd.
In 33 Odd, your three down linemen consist of two defensive ends and one defensive tackle, with an outside linebacker who occasionally rushes off the edge. Even though there’s an outside linebacker outside the defensive end, the game still treats that end as an edge rusher. This lets you take advantage of matchups against interior offensive linemen, like guards, rather than tackles. Using Edge Threat on these players can create serious pressure, especially when paired with Double or Nothing for even faster block sheds.
You can also explore specific formation packages, like Four DEs, to activate Edge Threat from an interior position. This gives you added flexibility to create pressure from unexpected spots on the field.
For the exact setup we recommend, check out the video — it breaks down how to maximize this strategy for relentless pressure!
Question #4 - What does Reinforcement do?
Answer:
Reinforcement is primarily an X-Factor, though it can occasionally appear as a baked-in ability during special events or promos. This ability boosts a defender’s impact in both the run and pass game, making them a versatile threat on the field.
Let’s break it down:
- Against the Run: When activated, Reinforcement provides the same benefits as the Run Stuffer X-Factor. Your defender will shed blocks more effectively, helping to shut down both inside and outside runs.
- Against the Pass: This is where Reinforcement truly shines. It acts like a combination of all KO (knockout) abilities, in both man and zone coverage. If your defender makes contact with a receiver shortly after the catch, they’ll dislodge the ball the vast majority of the time. The only element missing is the faster break-on-ball reaction from KO abilities — your defender won't react quicker, but once they’re in position, they’ll consistently force incompletions.
This dual-threat ability makes Reinforcement a nice choice for defenders if you have the AP/Ability spot available.
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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