Pass Defense..

[kcdeE]

my pass defense is horrible on this game, i'll stop them on 1st and 2nd down to force a 3rd and 7+ and they always seem to find a wide open guy, or will throw a bullet pass to somebody and will fight his away across the first down marker..

i'll try 3-3-5 across formation, dime, quarter, everything, and nothing seems to work on the big plays.. anyone give me any tips?

[OSU_fan7]

my pass defense is horrible on this game, i'll stop them on 1st and 2nd down to force a 3rd and 7+ and they always seem to find a wide open guy, or will throw a bullet pass to somebody and will fight his away across the first down marker..

i'll try 3-3-5 across formation, dime, quarter, everything, and nothing seems to work on the big plays.. anyone give me any tips?

What passes are you getting killed on? be more specific like post routes, curls, out routes, corners, etc.

As for me im getting killed on the outs and corners. It seems in 2 man under the safety never reacts quick enough to the corners and maybe my linebackers are just to slow to cover the out routes.

[kcdeE]

i'm gettin killed on the corner routes as well..


but when i try and and cover the buzz route, the middle seems to always be open, and if i try and cover everything, the QB scrambles for a while then my coverage starts to break down and he always finds an open receiver, QB spys always seem to be blocked once he starts scrambling, tough times on this game for me..

[GAV]

Play with a "smash-a-the-face" attitude. You'll be very suprised how far it can take you.

[kcdeE]

so your saying i should give up some coverage and blitz more?

[GAV]

so your saying i should give up some coverage and blitz more?
I do that, but not necessarily. Defenses are to get defensive players in position to best
defend the offensive players. If thats with fast pressure, then fine. If its with patience
and making plays on the ball, then fine. What I'm saying is play pro-actively. Make it
happen. Have a scheme in mind, find a way to implement it, make plays, and gradually
adjust - or keep one step ahead, but you gotta make it happen. Plan, execute, adjust
- its that simple. Play with a chip on your shoulder.

[jville]

I do that, but not necessarily. Defenses are to get defensive players in position to best
defend the offensive players. If thats with fast pressure, then fine. If its with patience
and making plays on the ball, then fine. What I'm saying is play pro-actively. Make it
happen. Have a scheme in mind, find a way to implement it, make plays, and gradually
adjust - or keep one step ahead, but you gotta make it happen. Plan, execute, adjust
- its that simple. Play with a chip on your shoulder.

I think he makes a good point. I play CG. I have been d'n up if I do say so my self. I like the bend but don't break philosiphy. At the bigging of the game I play conservative. Losts of zone and vinalla stuff. I do this to get a gauge on what the play likes to do. After the first drive or 2 I usally got a good Idea of what he likes to do and what are his/her tendencies. Tendencies is the key word tho. In CG I think its kinda easy in way. Most player do the same thing. Most get a fast qb sprint back and to the side to shorten the field, get to the edge of defense,run option, and the throw post plays.

So #1 I go into the game knowing this. #2 another reason I like the bend but don't break is that if you start on the 20 -35yrd and have to take 3 plays to get a first down over and over it becomes harder to score. The amount of play you have to execute to sustain drives like that can get tuff. It also again helps your tendencies.

Ex. Your on the your own 40 yrd line 3 down and 5, their secound offensive possestion and they had to convert on third down 3 times to get here. You because have and Idea who his go to player is, where on the field he likes to pass in crucial times, and if he scrambels.

Now you call a play accordinly. If he scrambles deep and to the left to throw to the post, then call dime crner blitz and put some dline in smart zones over the middle.

He starts the play drops back turns left to get to the edge, finds a corner coming st8 at him, so he hurries to his primary route and throws a pick to the 280 pound DT.

Tendencies.

[OSU_fan7]

I think he makes a good point. I play CG. I have been d'n up if I do say so my self. I like the bend but don't break philosiphy. At the bigging of the game I play conservative. Losts of zone and vinalla stuff. I do this to get a gauge on what the play likes to do. After the first drive or 2 I usally got a good Idea of what he likes to do and what are his/her tendencies. Tendencies is the key word tho. In CG I think its kinda easy in way. Most player do the same thing. Most get a fast qb sprint back and to the side to shorten the field, get to the edge of defense,run option, and the throw post plays.

So #1 I go into the game knowing this. #2 another reason I like the bend but don't break is that if you start on the 20 -35yrd and have to take 3 plays to get a first down over and over it becomes harder to score. The amount of play you have to execute to sustain drives like that can get tuff. It also again helps your tendencies.

Ex. Your on the your own 40 yrd line 3 down and 5, their secound offensive possestion and they had to convert on third down 3 times to get here. You because have and Idea who his go to player is, where on the field he likes to pass in crucial times, and if he scrambels.

Now you call a play accordinly. If he scrambles deep and to the left to throw to the post, then call dime crner blitz and put some dline in smart zones over the middle.

He starts the play drops back turns left to get to the edge, finds a corner coming st8 at him, so he hurries to his primary route and throws a pick to the 280 pound DT.

Tendencies.

Good post jville i agree. Knowing the tendencies of your opponent are very importent. I run a lot of 2 man under and maybe just a few blitz packages in the first couple series of the game. But after i know what he is tendencies are i will have a better understanding when to blitz and who he would like to pass to, etc.

[kcdeE]

All of these are good posts..

keep this going, i love any defensive tips i can get..

[jville]

Alot of players like the use fast qb's as I said b4 like to rollout. This is smart stratgey for 2 reason. In real football sometimes coaches have their qb roll out to the side because it stretches the defense, it allows the qb to see play side reads easier, and it makes the throw shorter.

And in NCAA Football(videogame) it allows you not to get his by blitzers while still being in a great position to throw

When I run up to a player that does this, I like to always have outside pressure especially in passing downs. Now I know you might say "it doesn't help because the qb is to fast." This is often times true. But since I can't program the game I try to take something they like to do away. What the blitz does is take away their ability to get to the perimerter. At least I can keep the qb the in the middle of the field where they can't break down my defense, and it makes the outside throws longer.

Like my example in ealier post I like to blitz CB's, Nickle, and Dimebackes. this keeps them in the middle so they just can't rely on getting to the edge and making you decide to run after the qb or guard the man coming behind your head(which is a good offensive strategy).

Its about tendencies and once you have those tendencies try to limit their options.

If your getting crushed all over the place(happens to us all) Don't get crazy, and give up something easy but say to yourself" what is one tendency he is killing me with?"(preferably the main one) After you answer that say" I'm not going to let THAT thing happen anymore." If he hits another option thats ok because your getting killed anyways(lol). But at least he has one less option to hit you with. This allows to narrow down your play calls and get more insink with his tendencies.

Let me know how it goes in your next couple games. I hope this helps. Im not a defensive guru:) or nething but this just some things that have been working for me decently.

[reignmaka]

A lot of you have made some great post so I wont try and repeat whats already been said. But I cannot stress enough how critical it is to KNOW YOUR PERSONNEL Do you have Solid LBs and a Weak DLine? Do you have Amazing Corners but slower LBs? These are all things you must pay attention to when playing defense. If you are playing WVU and you have CAL, you can pretty much throw away defending the pass in M2M defense. So you have to use Zones, Zone Blitze Man Zones or anything at your disposal that utilizes your Defenses strengths.

People on here are always asking for a formation, or a play that they think will shut something down. It takes more than that, and even if I use the 4-3 under as my Base you might have better safeties than you do LBs so maybe a 4-2-5 suits you better. You win games with PLAYERS first. I see a lot of people using a 3-4s and 1-5-5s on this message board, and the first thing I think is "whats wrong with a 4-3". Dont use it because somebody else does, I always take a great deal of time studying my roster. It helps that I only play with the Hokies, but when it comes do defense, I know who can afford to be on the field if offense comes out in 4 wide, and I'm in a 4-3. I have the speed to keep up with a lot of teams, because my personnel. Always study your players.

Again, I might be saying something you already know, but I had to stress the importance. Know if you can run cover 2, or Man free, or even zero coverage. Because if you can get away with these things you can dig further into you defensive play book, and use the exotic coverages that you might have been scare to b4 because you understand the play, and how your players fit into the system.

[deuceizloose]

A lot of you have made some great post so I wont try and repeat whats already been said. But I cannot stress enough how critical it is to KNOW YOUR PERSONNEL Do you have Solid LBs and a Weak DLine? Do you have Amazing Corners but slower LBs? These are all things you must pay attention to when playing defense. If you are playing WVU and you have CAL, you can pretty much throw away defending the pass in M2M defense. So you have to use Zones, Zone Blitze Man Zones or anything at your disposal that utilizes your Defenses strengths.

People on here are always asking for a formation, or a play that they think will shut something down. It takes more than that, and even if I use the 4-3 under as my Base you might have better safeties than you do LBs so maybe a 4-2-5 suits you better. You win games with PLAYERS first. I see a lot of people using a 3-4s and 1-5-5s on this message board, and the first thing I think is "whats wrong with a 4-3". Dont use it because somebody else does, I always take a great deal of time studying my roster. It helps that I only play with the Hokies, but when it comes do defense, I know who can afford to be on the field if offense comes out in 4 wide, and I'm in a 4-3. I have the speed to keep up with a lot of teams, because my personnel. Always study your players.

Again, I might be saying something you already know, but I had to stress the importance. Know if you can run cover 2, or Man free, or even zero coverage. Because if you can get away with these things you can dig further into you defensive play book, and use the exotic coverages that you might have been scare to b4 because you understand the play, and how your players fit into the system.



I read your post and it makes a whole lot of sense, and because of V-Tech's defensive strength that is who I use also. But that being said...I still have problems with pass defense. I beat up on my buddies using the 4-4 FS Blitz I learned in the NCAA Filmroom, but online it's not very effective. I've run the 4-2-5 and put Adibi and Vince Hall as my LBs who are All-Americans and impact players on the game, but if a team comes out in a Shotgun with 3 to 5 Wide Receiver sets, I get killed with posts, drags, and out routes. I've run everything from Dime Cover 3 with and without blitzes to the 4-2-5 in man, cover1, and cover 3....and I get nickled and dimed to death....then I get so concerned with the pass that the QB scrambles for 10 yards.....or I'm spread so thin that they just start running the ball for big chunks, I return to my base defense...and the cycle starts over again with the passing game.

Please help....give me any insight or pointers you care to share to help get me understanding running defenses on this game. Many times I try to generate pressure, hoping the QB hurries the throw and my secondary or LBs can make a play, but too often the pressure doesn't make it there and they continue running the same plays with the same results.

[reignmaka]

Ive yet to buy this years NCAA Guide (im getting the Madden one instead) but I bought it last year, and it helped my game tremedously. But I can tell you a few things based on what you said you had trouble stopping.

1. The passing game, with VT tech you dont even have HAVE to blitz. You can get pressure with your front 4. But the thing is, every play they rush hard, they get that much more tired. Against spread sets I always use Nickle Normal, 3-3-5, and Strong. Use corner blitzes


2. Your coverages, I can pretty much guarantee you use cover 3 and Man free waaaaay too much, ask yourself, if im in man, and he beats me Its because I only have one safety for help. Why not 2? And if when I go in zone.....I get dinked and dunked on.....what about COVER 2! The guild suggest you have a BASE coverage but dont neglect other coverages as you need them. Part of Defense is making adjustments. Also make the Nickel Quarter Half play an audible and enhance it. Its essentially a Cover 3 man play.

3. Pass commit, up on the right stick, if you arent using it you better be. Hit up a few times IMMEDIATELY after the snap to make sure it works, and watch those D Lineman FLY to the ball.

4. Commit to the containment of Mobile QBs. Its that simple, most mobile QBs cant throw very far, you want them to beat you with their arms not their legs. Use Contain routes and spys with those fast DEnds.

5. Subs, In real Life Bud Foster, VT D Coordinator, rotates 7-8 players on the D line alone. you have great depth at the postion, and Yes you can sub the LBs for a few plays too. Play around with the defensive sub settings that gives you a rotation of the DEs every 4-5 plays, DTs every 2-3 plays and LBs every 7-8 plays depending on field position and score.

6. Wanna really know how to maximize VTech, go on youtube an watch videos of them playing look at the fronts and coverages they run, read articles and just talk defense with others. If your a die hard football fan, you enjoy this part anyway. Oh, and last thing, use CB# 18 as your Boundary Corner, use the CB Swap to keep him on the short side of the field when possible.

Anything else? Just PM me.

[MStateStud]

If your running the 3-3-5 and you have a lot of players covering the same zone I like to take some of them and Defensive hot route them to run containment blitzes. This helps me against mobile qbs, especially the faster ones because usually they are LBs and not DEs. This also helps generate pressure outside the pocket that way they can't just roll out and sit there waiting on something to open up down field.

Also, on the corner blitzes I like to D hot route players that have hook zones to buzz zones. This is assuming once again that I have multiple players covering the middle. This usually can create turn overs when the player sprints out, recognizes the blitz, and trys to hit the corner route before it fully developes.

I should prolly point out that I play on the 360 and run the 3-3-5 defense.

[GAV]

If your running the 3-3-5 and you have a lot of players covering the same zone I like to take some of them and Defensive hot route them to run containment blitzes. This helps me against mobile qbs, especially the faster ones because usually they are LBs and not DEs. This also helps generate pressure outside the pocket that way they can't just roll out and sit there waiting on something to open up down field.

Also, on the corner blitzes I like to D hot route players that have hook zones to buzz zones. This is assuming once again that I have multiple players covering the middle. This usually can create turn overs when the player sprints out, recognizes the blitz, and trys to hit the corner route before it fully developes.

I should prolly point out that I play on the 360 and run the 3-3-5 defense.
335 had a Cover 4 Zone in the Stack with a spy that seemed to get cpu interceptions
like 326's Cover 4 zone would last year. I also like the Cover 2 zone blitz w/ the spy
from the Stack. Just pinch the LBs and spread the DL.

[getting awn]

When I think of defenses. I always look for quickness. That is why I am able to run the 3-4 on next generation. You have to have speed to get pressure from the linebacking corp and the front for. Where they are in a passing situation, I then try to go db to wr ration (2, 4-3, 3 nickle.... etc.) But if I am looking to get pressure. I will normally go to 3-4 weak blitz, pinch the line, than fan the out. Then just spread the linebackers. This is a great defense to get pressure with. Now depending how he uses his TE/RB, I may manually cover them with the linebacker that is playing zone. Like a lot of people say, it is really knowing your personnel and putting them in the best position to be successful.