Help needed in playing defense

[anishc123]

Hi everyone I have been having a hell of a lot of problems playing defense on an all madden, and I cant seem to do anything, stop the run plays or swat passes. The other teams score about 21 points before the first half is over. I have a few questions about things ive been noticing:
1. Should I play as a saftey or d back and when the pass is thrown should i get in front of the reciever and try to swat it or interecept, or should i make my self hte corner and then swat it/intercept? How should i stop passing in such a way?
2. What are the key things for running, they always seem to find the perfect hole?

[ZestyChicken]

Hi everyone I have been having a hell of a lot of problems playing defense on an all madden, and I cant seem to do anything, stop the run plays or swat passes. The other teams score about 21 points before the first half is over. I have a few questions about things ive been noticing:
1. Should I play as a saftey or d back and when the pass is thrown should i get in front of the reciever and try to swat it or interecept, or should i make my self hte corner and then swat it/intercept? How should i stop passing in such a way?
2. What are the key things for running, they always seem to find the perfect hole?

Playing defense is much harder than playing offense, in my opinion. It takes alot of practice and labbing only goes so far because human players do things that the computer doesn't - like scramble to change angles on throws and truck like crazy. I'm not the best defender at all, but I have improved alot through practice and play selection. That being said, here are some tips:

1) Pick a good defensive team. Slow cornerbacks will get you roasted quick and it is very hard to compensate for that. Same thing with a weak front 7 and the running game.

2) Watch the personnel your opponent comes out in and try to match it. If you wait to choose your defense until after they have chosen their offense, you can see the package they select. If they are 3WR - go nickel. If they are 2 WR - go base (3-4 or 4-3). If they are 1 WR - think 4-6 or run blitz base. If they are GL - well there are whole threads on that.

3) In obvious passing downs, I like to play Cover 2 or Cover 3. This really helps limit the play action bombs. You should take some risks and blitz now and again, but you can't give up long TD passes with consistency. It will get you beat.

4) Learn to use press coverage. It's not always appropriate (such as in zone), but if you mix things up, you can keep your opponent guessing. 2 man under with press is a decent defense on 3rd and long. Watch the RBs and slot receivers. That's where he'll want to go.

5) Crash your line when you think they are running. A + down crashes center. A+left and A+right crash right and left. I don't like to A+up (crash outwards) except on passing downs because it opens up the middle.

6) Control your safety. That's the best thing to do. Of course, you need to learn to do this. You do need to follow the assignment for the safety in the play when they pass. If you don't, you will open up a huge hole. Practice when to tip the ball and intercept. There is an art to it, though the game is horribly unresponsive (ESPECIALLY online). Guys will run the same plays 4-5 times per game so you can usually know where they are going with the ball based on the set and initial movement of the players.

That's the best initial stuff I got for you. Good luck!

[CONCEDE]

Alright guys. I'm a pretty decent player. Good record, I beat some solid players. I consider myself to have a great gameplan , understand football, and call a good game. I have pretty good stick on the offensive side of the ball. I call a good defense. BUT... I dont have great stick on D. I've played guys and even if I outsmart them and beat them, they have great stick on D and it creates a problem for me. They can click on the DB anytime the ball goes in the air and swat or pick it.

Similar to the original post on this topic, you guys have any good tips on how to get good at this? Any tips or pointers? Or do you basically just have to practice until you're good?

[#1greenteamfan]

Alright guys. I'm a pretty decent player. Good record, I beat some solid players. I consider myself to have a great gameplan , understand football, and call a good game. I have pretty good stick on the offensive side of the ball. I call a good defense. BUT... I dont have great stick on D. I've played guys and even if I outsmart them and beat them, they have great stick on D and it creates a problem for me. They can click on the DB anytime the ball goes in the air and swat or pick it.

Similar to the original post on this topic, you guys have any good tips on how to get good at this? Any tips or pointers? Or do you basically just have to practice until you're good?

Do that little mini camp drill in offline mode. You just basically practice till you're good. Learn when to click on, and when not to click on. Think swat 1st and pick 2nd when you know you're guy isn't in good position to INT.

[ZestyChicken]

Do that little mini camp drill in offline mode. You just basically practice till you're good. Learn when to click on, and when not to click on. Think swat 1st and pick 2nd when you know you're guy isn't in good position to INT.

Hmm...I don't think that drill is worth squat because you're controlling the player the whole time and it's 1 on 1. Maybe I'm missing something.

I think the best thing is to go practice against different plays where the ball is going deep. Pick a play for the offense with several deep patterns and just practive clicking on and swatting. Then switch up and play against different patterns. There are only so many patterns in the game and most of the more complex movement come from the outside receivers and you can destroy those by pressing. Your opponent will have no idea where his receivers will be going. So really, I worry the most about post and slant patterns from the slot receivers and fly patterns from the outside. Everything else is going to need to be handled by your linebackers (the middle).

[CONCEDE]

Thanks guys. I practiced a little last night and one of the things I learned is you dont have to really time up your swat like I thought you would. If you just hold the A button down he'll swat when the ball gets there... makes it a lot easier than I thought!