Outside Zone Running Plays

[InsideZone77]

Does anyone have success with these? They’re a bread and butter play for a bunch of teams but I can’t run them in Madden. Usually the strong side DE gets so far upfield off the snap that it ruins the play. If not the SLB and MLB flow to the ball so fast and avoid OLmen that I get nothing from it. So any tips or advice on how to run these plays out of various formations? Thank You

[ForUntoOblivionSoar∞]

Re: Outside Zone Running Plays

Does anyone have success with these? They’re a bread and butter play for a bunch of teams but I can’t run them in Madden. Usually the strong side DE gets so far upfield off the snap that it ruins the play. If not the SLB and MLB flow to the ball so fast and avoid OLmen that I get nothing from it. So any tips or advice on how to run these plays out of various formations? Thank You

I've had some reasonable success with them. I've only played one day though (on All Madden; my slider adjustments are for my defense and their offense, not my offense or their defense).


My tips I guess are to (1) Have a good, fast running back like Mosterd (2) Have a good run blocking line like the 49ers, and (3) Cut up field if contain is held, and if it isn't, run outside.



But the thing is, you have to time the burst. Kind of drift (unless you have to accelerate into an inside hole or around a defender because someone got beat), and then when you see the hole bound into it.


You kind of lead the defender away from where you want to run, and then explode through the lane.

[xCoachDx]

Re: Outside Zone Running Plays

If I were guessing, much of your issue comes from the fact that blocking logic is absolutely horrendous. You likely have defenders just coming in completely unblocked while a lineman chases after someone not involved in the play.

[Smoke6]

Re: Outside Zone Running Plays

If I were guessing, much of your issue comes from the fact that blocking logic is absolutely horrendous. You likely have defenders just coming in completely unblocked while a lineman chases after someone not involved in the play.

Exactly!!!!

I also noticed how that same energy is nowhere to be found when people take off with their QBs!

Is the defense treated all runs with the RB the same for anyone running the ball the game would change

[ForUntoOblivionSoar∞]

Re: Outside Zone Running Plays

Let me just add that many jet sweeps have TERRIBLE blocking logic by the tight end. They block the inside man instead of the outside defender -- or even the one right in front of them.

[RogueHominid]

Re: Outside Zone Running Plays

Does anyone have success with these? They’re a bread and butter play for a bunch of teams but I can’t run them in Madden. Usually the strong side DE gets so far upfield off the snap that it ruins the play. If not the SLB and MLB flow to the ball so fast and avoid OLmen that I get nothing from it. So any tips or advice on how to run these plays out of various formations? Thank You

I have what I'd consider reasonable success with this play, which is anywhere from 1-5 YDS most of the time, with the occasional 10 YD run sprinkled in.

There are a couple considerations for me:

1. Do you have the OL w/ FBS + high speed/agility/acceleration (70s)?
2. What kind of back do you have? A pure speed guy or more of a power guy?

Once you know those 2 things, you can put a game plan together for how you're gonna run your wide zone.

I use Jacobs w/ LV, so he's a more power-type one-cut runner. With him, I run the stretch but look for the first opening to get vertical. This can come at multiple points along the line, so at the first crease, I'm gone.

With a super fast guy. I might be looking to press and pass the edge more regularly, though you can also take the first crease with a fast guy and hit the lane at high speed.

Once you think about the stretch as a series of creases to get vertical through, it'll change how you see the play. It did for me, anyway.

[stinkubus]

Re: Outside Zone Running Plays

Above is good advice. Don't touch the stick until you read your blocks and know for certain if you want to go off tackle, outside, or need to cut back inside. If you push the stick in the wrong direction and try to reverse field once you realize you've made a mistake it's too late. You'll get one of those ridiculous foot planting animations and you're going to get tackled soon.

[ForUntoOblivionSoar∞]

Re: Outside Zone Running Plays

This is right. And I’m having fairly realistic success with Mostert, so it doesn’t necessarily have to be one cut power guys. The way you succeed is reading your blocks. And don’t run towards guys like Aaron Donald.

[ForUntoOblivionSoar∞]

Re: Outside Zone Running Plays

This is right. And I’m having fairly realistic success with Mostert, so it doesn’t necessarily have to be one cut power guys. The way you succeed is reading your blocks. And don’t run towards guys like Aaron Donald.

Update: As I've played I'm getting better at it, to the point that Mostert is becoming one of the very best backs in the league, statistically speaking, and it's not unheard of for two of my backs to get 100 yards in a game. I might have to increase CPU tackling so they fill gaps better (that slider used to do that; not sure if it still does).




But, the way to make the outside zone work is to know when to cut up field. While edge blocking is pretty bad, Madden does a decent job of getting the general concept down, and because of that, you have to take the lane that presents itself.



DON'T just hold sprint as soon as you snap. Wait for the right moment then burst through the hole, and be aware that the hole may not actually be to the outside. I've busted a bunch of outside zone runs in between the guard and tackle for 10-15 yard gains. I've also gotten plenty that successfully got the edge. But mostly I'll gain about 4 to 6 yards, or I'll occasionally lose a couple by making a bad decision to go outside or getting chased down.


I think the mechanics of it work about as realistically as any previous Madden. Probably more so.

[ForUntoOblivionSoar∞]

Re: Outside Zone Running Plays

P.S. I have not lowered any AI defensive slider setting, nor have I raised a user offensive slider.

[ForUntoOblivionSoar∞]

Re: Outside Zone Running Plays

Something else I just considered: what are the finesse blocking ratings of your linemen? That's the stat that matters for zone run plays, per Clint.

[oneamongthefence]

Re: Outside Zone Running Plays

Don't hold sprint until you get past the LOS. Once you sprint, defenders are much more likely to shed blocks.

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