How To Master Madden 2004 - Defense

NFL pro coaches literally script out their strategies. Use these 18 offensive and defensive plays to build your own winning game plan.

DEE-FENSE! DEE-FENSE! DEE-FENSE!

Build a Basic Dee
PLAY #13 4-3 Normal/Double QB Spy: With Madden, offense wins games, but defense wins championships. Learn one defensive formation like the 4-3 Normal well. Remember: Zone-pass coverage helps against the pass and man coverage is strong against the run. There's some controversy among Madden gurus as to the best defender to control. The recommendation here is middle linebacker. The 4-3 Normal/Double QB Spy formation is a good combination of the two.

Blitz the Pass
PLAY #14 4-3 Normal/Double Z or X: Pressuring the passer is the best pass defense, especially if your DBs are as suspect as they are on the Niners. If that's the case, you must blitz occasionally. From the 4-3 Normal for.mation, the Double Z or Double X blitzes an outside linebacker while assisting pass coverage by double-teaming an outside receiver. Choose the variation that doubles the opposition's best receiver.

Blitz the Run
PLAY #15 4-3 Normal/Free Fire: If you smell a running play-say, on a short yardage situation at the goal line-run a blitz to clog up the running lanes. The Free Fire sends one linebacker wide to challenge an outside run while another rushes inside to clog the middle. Sometimes, your lineman breaks through.

Use Playmaker Control
PLAY #16 4-3 Normal/Under Man: This is a good basic pass defense, and Playmaker Control is a great way to adjust after the play starts. If you read a run, just press the right analog stick down. Your players will head immediately to the ballcarrier. However, watch out for play-action passes! If it's a pass (like you guessed), just press up and they stay back in pass coverage and ignore the run.

Use Coverage Audibles
PLAY #17 Dime-Normal/Under Man: Coverage audibles enable you to adjust the defensive backfield at the line of scrimmage when you figure out an opponent's passing formation. Use Coach Cam to assess your defensive matchups. Then, quickly press the audible button and a directional pad button corresponding to the direction you want the backs to cheat toward. For example, the Dime Under Man is a good defense for a passing situation. If the offense lines up with three receivers stacked to the right, press the audible button and hit Right, and the safeties slide over.

Change It Up
PLAY #18 4-3 Over/Zone Blitz: Mix up defensive calls to confuse the A.I. offense. The Zone Blitz makes the defensive ends drop quickly back into pass coverage while an outside linebacker and the middle LB blitz. A.I. linemen must adjust their blocking, making it easier for a rusher to break through. Control the non-blitzing linebacker and watch the middle. This defense can be deadly against teams that attack with short passes.

Super Bowl Bound!
Master the plays above, and you're ready to tackle the A.I. using the All-Madden difficulty level or to take on any and all human competitors. For an additional challenge, try to beat the A.I. by using just one offensive play! Do that, and you truly are a Madden Master.

Comments [0]

post a comment

Post a Comment