Forward Progress (Video) Blog - Trail Technique Defense in Madden 12

[ZAN]

Hello Madden fans,

I just finished my 9th Forward Progress blog. This week, we take a look at the "Trail Technique" a mixed bump and run coverage used to rush throws without additional rushers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8zunQH0iCw
*if someone knows how to embed the actual video in the post feel free to edit.

All constructive criticism is welcomed and encouraged.
If you like what you saw, feel free to check out my previous written blogs over at http://www.compete4ever.com/author/zan

[GAV]

Good stuff Z.

Constructive criticism - never apologize. You're offering a free service. Be concise and to the point consistently and you can take it as far as you wanna go with it.

[ZAN]

GAV, my old friend!

Thanks for the advice. Maybe I should rehearse more, lol. Flew by the seat of my pants there, a little. Quality wasn't what I wanted, but it should suffice this one time until my Hauppauge gets in tomorrow. The frog in the throat is something that I'll just ignore from now on.

[o Cpt ViDeO o]

Good info, I like the idea of running the Tampa 2 type trail technique (dropping the MLB into coverage). I'm going to lab it up when I get home.

[ZAN]

Hey CPT,

Thanks for the feedback.

If you were wanting to run a true tampa 2, you would have to be in zone. I did a blog writeup on the "Hybrid Tampa 2" on that blog...if you haven't checked it out, here's the link:

http://compete4ever.com/2011/10/22/f...zone-concepts/

[ZAN]

Here's an excerpt from the entire article.

The Hybrid Tampa 2
-Choose ANY Cover 2 based defense.
-Go into individual assignments, and choose to bump the OUTSIDE WRs; this will place the outside corners (responsible for flat coverage) in man bump and run coverage.
-Go into individual coverage assignments and shade OUTSIDE WRs to the OUTSIDE; this will cause the bump to release the WR to the inside on both WRs.
-Spread your safety shell to the sidelines; to do this, press Y + Up on R-stick (Triangle + Up on R-stick for PS3 users).
- Place MLB, or player responsible for the middle yellow zone in your Cover 2 in a deep zone.

What does this do? Well, it keeps the outside WRs from getting into the cover 2 window. It does give up flat coverage, but no one defense stops everything. Also, you have the 2 deep safety look, and they will patrol the deep sidelines more than the deep seams, taking away corner patterns that the buzz zones are incapable of covering. And you’ll also have a MLB patrolling the seams to take away slot WR or TE vertical threats that are usually seen against generic cover 2 defenses. I also like this because the underneath coverage is a little tighter, in my opinion; you really force the offense to take the short outside patterns. Curls are taken away due to the man coverage on the outside with a hook zone just inside of it (another popular route utilized by advanced players). The opposition is really forced to take the short outside stuff (via flat patterns by slot WRs or swing patterns to a HB or FB). The only real threat you need to be aware of is someone who likes to run both slot WRs up the seams, as your MLB is going to be the main person responsible for the seams. It’s a flexible defense at the very least, and takes away both common bailouts that competitive players use: the outside WR ”Face Throw” streak, and the outside WR curl.