Stopping the run with the 3-4

[ZestyChicken]

I am having all kinds of trouble stopping the run with the 3-4 (actually the Pats playbook). Especially the inside running game against power backs (Raiders, Cincy). I pinch the line in, crash them, pinch the linebackers. Still the guy trucks twice and gets 6-8 yards consistently. I run blitz where he's running, play with 8 in the box, control the safety - truck, truck, truck.

Very frustrating. I know the problem is because there is only man-to-man blocking in Madden, where the NFL 3-4 is predicated on the NT forcing a double-team. Further the lack of gang tackling allows 3-4 yard gain if the guy manages to truck you, because the other players just watch.

Still, I'm sure other guys are better at it than me. By the way, I would prefer to do it without jumping the snap, so don't suggest that. Thanks.

[ugotpimped415]

did u buy the 3 4 playbook from vg sports? that helped me alot.
Another thing is probably because your stick skills are bad, when i first started i used to have alot of trouble against the run too. Now, i can call a 3 4 man under and still stop the run (2 to 3 yard gains). I use my Lb and run to where the run is going, stuff it up and switch to another person and make the tackle. sometimes i use the safety and look for a gap in the blocking and take the RB down. Stick skills make a huge difference in the running game.
Remember that blitzing the side that the RB is running to doesnt always work, since the Linemen gets better angles on them. Sometimes you might wanna use a corner blitz to get him from the outside or an inside blitz and chase him from the inside out. The 3 4 playbook by LBzrule should help u alot.

[ZestyChicken]

Thanks for your reply. I guess I was hoping for some more general advice regarding slanting, pinching, etc...

did u buy the 3 4 playbook from vg sports? that helped me alot.

No, but I bought the virtual Madden playbook and the filmroom. I'm a little hesitant to buy anything more because maybe 50% of my game is based on my own experience, 25% from talking to other users on forums like this one, and 25% from the filmroom. Many of the things discussed in the strats are either too basic for me, I don't have those plays in my playbook, only work in specific situations, or require too much setup to do online where people are snapping the ball within 3 seconds of getting to the line.

I'm not saying it's bad, it's just in general the things I have trouble stopping are the things everyone has trouble stopping (crossing patterns, GL running). Also, the limitations of the team I use (the Cowboys) gets me exposed as well.

Another thing is probably because your stick skills are bad, when i first started i used to have alot of trouble against the run too. Now, i can call a 3 4 man under and still stop the run (2 to 3 yard gains). I use my Lb and run to where the run is going, stuff it up and switch to another person and make the tackle. sometimes i use the safety and look for a gap in the blocking and take the RB down. Stick skills make a huge difference in the running game.

Well, my stick skills are by no means great, but I can play coverage pretty well. I always control the safeties to protect the deep pass (which is a constant menace in '07). If you play a team with >94 speed WR, you have to give safety help on every play it seems. Perhaps if I had a team with better corners, I could get away with not doing this...

I can usually tackle the ball carrier unless he trucks me. If you have some ideas on how to not get trucked (though I think there are none), by all means.

Remember that blitzing the side that the RB is running to doesnt always work, since the Linemen gets better angles on them. Sometimes you might wanna use a corner blitz to get him from the outside or an inside blitz and chase him from the inside out. The 3 4 playbook by LBzrule should help u alot.

Well, CB blitzing (which I don't like to do because it exposes my slow safeties) works if you know it's an outside run, but it doesn't work at all for inside runs - which is my main problem. Also, CBs are very easy to truck anyway.

[R0yWill_layUout]

well if u are the cowboys and u wanna stop the run u are gonna have to do it yourfelf cuz if not they will run all over that D i stop the run with bradie james i just look at the tight end if he goes out for a pass i go out if he stays in to block i blitz i can almost run the same D all game and not get burned but eventually it always happens sometimes

[uscweezee]

I'm not sure what team you use when you run the 3-4, but from experience, reading the center is the key. That will tell you alot about the play. I usually pinch my d-line and crash in to slow down the inside pound, but I also crash left or right depending on the formation or my opponent tendencies. It seems to me the counter play and the slam are called most of the time, so I'm always prepared for those plays. Also, pay attention to the offensive formation. The double TE set is hard to contain using the 3-4, so keep a good audible in handy to counter it. I'm hardly the best when it comes to stick skills, but I control the best LB on the team I'm using, protect him by keeping him behind a DT, read the center, and do my best to slow down the run.

[TheJ]

Bro it's a little thing called engage eight....if used right, you stuff everything, call run or pass, and you will make more stuffs.

[GAV]

Shifting and crashing is key with the 3-4 Normal.