Ultimatum-A Game Plan - Defense strategy

[Ultimatum-A]

Hey guys, I know everyone is interested in different game plan perspectives, so today I am going to give you a little insight into my defensive gameplan.

I run 3-4 as my base defense. I try to stay in the 3-4 as much as possible. whenever that is not possible I switch to nickel 2-4-5, out of which I run a number of plays that allow me to bring heavy pressure from all over the field, while still covering the pass successfully 95% of the time.

I like to make my opponent feel comfortable and settle into his gameplan on my first defensive drive. To do this I run a dime defense. Of course I don't want the offense to break open a big play. That's what I love about the dime, it allows me to cover the run and the pass, decode the offensive playcalling, and dictate what plays the offense calls, while at the same time letting the offense move the ball slowly. After the first quarter I rarely run dime defense.

Once I figure out what plays the offense likes to run, I start mixing in the 3-4 and 2-4-5 blitz packages to make them throw a pick. And I love to throw in a quarter man-blitz package on 3rd or 4th down occasionally, just to keep them guessing. Sometimes I let my opponent beat me on a few plays on purpose, just to come back a few plays later and pick the ball out of the air with my safety.

The key to my defensive gameplan is patience, pressure, the element of surprise, pressure, patience, pressure and surprise, surprise, surprise!

Now I'm no expert, and I'm not certainly not the best player on the game, but I do my fair share of winning, and I know how to beat just about any offensive play without audibling more than one player. So take it for what it's worth to you, and hopefully you will be hearing more from me very soon!

[jrob436]

Can u recommend a few from the 3-4 and 2-4-5?

[Scorpion1025]

I use the NYJ Def Book.

I now try to stay in the 3-4 as much as possible as well even against 4 WR. More specifically using mostly 3-4 Solid & 3-4 Predator with some Normal and Stack sprinkled in.

I'd say that I'm in the 3-4 around 75% - 80% of the time. I'll use the 46 or the 1-1-5 every now and then but I like using multiple plays out of the same look.

[Ultimatum-A]

do you just want some good blitzes or plays in general?

[SLIMM1976]

I just started using the NYJ def PB, and was wondering, how often do you use the Nickel Odd Split?

[Rasdrizzy420]

I just started using the NYJ def PB, and was wondering, how often do you use the Nickel Odd Split?

Its built to help better stop the run but i use it as my primary nickel d in some games.Theres some nice blitzes out of it.I used to run with the 335 more but now its either odd split or the 115.

[jrob436]

do you just want some good blitzes or plays in general?

Some good plays in general. After I understand and run them,I'll try to create pressure by blitzing in accordance to what I see the offense doing.

[jrob436]

do you just want some good blitzes or plays in general?

I'll take whatever you want to share playa!!!!! LMAO

[Ultimatum-A]

well I'll share with you three of my favorite plays. 2 from the 3-4, and 1 from the 2-4-5.

from the 3-4 I really only run 2 plays to stop the run. One of them is the strong blitz from the 3-4 even package.
The other is cross fire 3, which can be run from multiple 3-4 sets. There is also a man to man variation of the cross fire that I like to run.

I have actually started to move away from using the 2-4-5 and am now using the 3-3-5 more predominantly, but there is one play in the 2-4-5 package that I use very effectively against the pass. That is 9 velcro. I like to user blitz the nickel safety from this set if there's no running back or if I know the running back is going to to the other side. It's also been very effective to user the middle linebacker. I've gotten numerous interceptions with this play.

Also, I mentioned that I started using the 3-3-5, so I thought its only fair that I share a play from that set that I like to run. Probably my favorite play from this set is the cover 3. You'll notice in the pittsburgh playbook there is a cover 3 that puts the SS in a purple zone shaped like an L. This is the play I use. I wouldn't recommend this play though unless you know for sure that it is a pass. You can get burnt badly if they run.

Good luck. I'll try to post more later from the 2-4-5.

[jrob436]

Thanks a lot playa. I'm working with the multi-D playbook, and since they don't have the 3-4 even, should it matter if the strong blitz comes from a different set? Also, I don't remember seeing a crossfire 3, but I think they have a "regular" crossfire. Once again thanks for the help!!!!!

[Ultimatum-A]

Thanks a lot playa. I'm working with the multi-D playbook, and since they don't have the 3-4 even, should it matter if the strong blitz comes from a different set? Also, I don't remember seeing a crossfire 3, but I think they have a "regular" crossfire. Once again thanks for the help!!!!!

You can try that strong blitz, I'm not sure which one it is, so I can't tell you whether or not it will be effective. The strong blitz from the 3-4 even is effective because of the way the linebackers attack the line. It makes it nearly impossible for the runningback to run up the middle or to the right(or left if flipped) on a stretch play. It forces the offense to run toss plays, screens, or throw the ball, and since toss plays and screens can be stopped easily by playing 2 man press from the quarter or 3-4 stack defense, there's really only one thing to be concerned about, the pass.

I actually don't use the "regular" crossfire that much. It is a man to man defense and since most of the time people run crossing routes, that defense will get picked apart all day. I typically use that crossfire defense to confuse the offense and/or give the offense the feeling that they can throw across the middle against the blitz. Then once they get comfortable with that pass, I throw in the crossfire 3, which is a zone blitz, and pick off the pass across the middle. I usually do this on their first drive if they get the ball first, or late in the 2nd quarter, or in the 4th quarter when I'm trailing.

This is the reason I don't use the multiple D playbook. There just aren't the plays there, to be able to lure the offense into making mistakes. In other words, there aren't enough complimentary defensive plays. There are alot of good plays in that playbook, but I've always kind of pegged that playbook as a beginners guide to defense(no offense). The reason I say this, is because the multiple D playbook will lead you toward your true defensive style, which in turn will eventually lead you to choose a specific team's playbook. I'm just curious, which offensive playbook do you use?

[jrob436]

Right now I'm using the Run n Gun. I'm trying to find a playbook that suits the Cowboys strength, such as having 3 great H/B's and a great TE. That doesn't mean I'm not open to suggestions. (I just want to make my game tight on both sides of the ball, ya feel me?) Which Def. P/B are you using?

[DragonSoul]

I just started using the NYJ def PB, and was wondering, how often do you use the Nickel Odd Split?

i use it at times in every game, has a nice look of pressure then you can back up off it & get a nice zone coverage with a possible pick, or again just use the exotic blitzes as well.

[Ultimatum-A]

Right now I'm using the Run n Gun. I'm trying to find a playbook that suits the Cowboys strength, such as having 3 great H/B's and a great TE. That doesn't mean I'm not open to suggestions. (I just want to make my game tight on both sides of the ball, ya feel me?) Which Def. P/B are you using?

I use the Steelers' defensive playbook. It's what I've been using ever since I started playing Madden and its what I'm most comfortable with. Plus I love all of the different blitzes. Though it seems as though it was slimmed down a bit this year. Still I wouldn't recommend using the Steelers' D playbook unless you are very comfortable with blitzing alot and know how to manually cover the vacated area.