Madden Defense 101

AskMadden and Andre have grown yet again by adding a new writer, ROCKnROLLA. He’s here this week to help the rookies along, while giving the veterans reminders that we all could use to refresh our memories.

Hey guys, I’m ROCKnROLLA. Some of you may know me for my posts and thoughts in the Operation Sports’ forum and I’ve joined this fine team at AskMadden to spread the love of Football and Madden. There is no better way for me to start, so I’ll just get into my favorite part of football .. playing defense.

I love playing defense just as much as I love running the ball. I used to play strong safety and always got a big rush giving out a hit on the poor guy who just caught the ball or a runner who’s just beaten my Linebackers and Cornerback! My passion for “D” goes into my Madden “D” so I may have a few tips for you guys that are just starting out on Madden.

1. Practice And Learn Your Playbook

If you are serious about playing madden then this is the most important tip I can give you. I will spend hours practicing a new playbook just as much as playing franchise or any other game mode. If you want to stay ahead of your friends or rivals then practice, practice, practice!

2. Identify Soft/Strong Spots In Your Roster

For example, some of your corner backs may be good man to man or coverage. Some can press and some cannot. This will help you gameplan so you can use your strengths to counteract your team’s weaknesses.

3. Plan Your Attack

Very simple. You can’t just jump in the ring with no gameplan!

4. Adjust To The Offensive Line

By shifting your defense or using audibles, after a few weeks of playing you will start to recognize certain plays and will be able to read what the offense is doing. Learn how to adjust your players, changing them to zone cover, man cover or blitz.

5. Stick With One Or Two Players

Don’t go button mashing trying to choose a player in desperation. The CPU has a habit of changing you to a player you don’t want to be at times and this will lead to you blowing the play. I will normally play middle linebacker or strong safety and stick with them to the end of the play.

6. Do Not Use Turbo Unless You Are In Pursuit Or Cutting Off The Run

If you are the last man you will get side stepped and you will over run the play. Nobody wants to be on the bad side of a highlight reel.

7. Use LT To Strafe

This will line your player up for the tackle, you can sprint and strafe at the same time, but I would not recommend sprinting [tip 6] and just cut off the angle of the runner, and then BANG hitstick!

8. Don’t Just Rely On The Hit Stick

You can use X/SQUARE to tackle. When you’re going for a sack use X as this always seems to be more reliable than the hit stick and will result in a sack. If you’re close to the quarter back then use the hit stick.

9. Learn How To Create Pressure

If you like to blitz then keep blitzing until the offense starts to pick up the blitz, then start creating pressure in other areas. There are many different ways to create pressure so don’t always rely on the same players. Use your linebackers, corner backs and safetys.

10. Use The Replay Tool

Look and study where you are struggling and where you are getting beat. Also look at ratios of passing and rushing, and who their go to guy is.

That’s it guys! Hope you guys new to playing online and the guys who make a living playing this game take something away from it. Everyone needs a refresher course or a fresh idea.

- ROCKnROLLA