How do YOU play Defense?

[HokieB]

I was just curious to see the different approaches everyone takes while playing Defense.

Who do control before the snap? Do you control them throughout the play, or do you let the CPU help you out? Do you switch defenders or stick with one guy?

The main reason I'm asking is because I'm hoping to find a new approach for myself. Honestly, I feel that if I take too much control over a player, I'm just messing things up for my Defense.

Ideally, I'd like to find an approach that makes Defense as much fun to play as Offense.

[canes21]

Re: How do YOU play Defense?

I like to blitz the majority of the time while pressing the WRs. If my corners can press well enough, the pressure can get to the QB before he has a receiver he can hit. I don't blitz or press every play, but I do them more times than not.

I usually control a safety, a player blitzing, or a D Lineman.

[Xaos]

Re: How do YOU play Defense?

Very well, how bout you?

I control the RE or any blitzing guys, usually press my corners. I blitz atleast 3 times a drive.

[countryboy]

Re: How do YOU play Defense?

I mix up who I control given the situation. Sometimes I'll play as a safety, other times a LB, and still others a DL.

[UTAllTheWay]

Re: How do YOU play Defense?

To me, it depends on who I'm playing.

If I'm playing CPU, I use a base defense (Cover 3, Cover 2, Man-to-man) and just try to match up my # of CBs with their # of WRs. Every once in a while I try to bring pressure, but it doesn't work as much as I would like, so I usually stay away from it. Before the snap, I control the MLB and just read and react.

If I'm playing an actual person (aka online, or against a friend), I throw in a lot of crazy blitzes. I'm kind of like Alabama in that sense. I bring the Safeties, CBs, LBs, and sometimes I even drop DL back in coverage. My whole point in doing this is to try to fluster them as much as possible. Before the snap, I normally control the MLB, but every once in a while I'll get the SS... just to change things up.

[Dr Death]

Re: How do YOU play Defense?

Do you switch defenders or stick with one guy?

I believe in the Buddy Ryan school of thought when it comes to defense... in other words; pressure the hell out of the QB. That said, I am finding once again that switching to a guy who is just about to level the QB will get you killed.

I play as the DT, but say a blitzing LB is inches from a sack, I switch to him and then... all of a sudden... I am the CB in coverage 40 yards downfield and my CB is diving into nothing and the WR is walking in for an easy TD.

So much for the "switch to the guy nearest the ball" thing...

[HokieB]

Re: How do YOU play Defense?

This may be old news to some, but I actually read one of the demo tips, and you can hold down the "switch player" button (o on PS3) and point to the guy you want to switch to. Saves time compared to hitting it over and over again to get to the guy you want. This is for pre-snap; don't know if it works during a play.

Could have been in last year's game - didn't own it.

[countryboy]

Re: How do YOU play Defense?

thanks for that tip HokieB!!!

I never knew that and I disable once the first one pops up and I have yet to run across that tip.

[sydrogerdavid]

Re: How do YOU play Defense?

This may be old news to some, but I actually read one of the demo tips, and you can hold down the "switch player" button (o on PS3) and point to the guy you want to switch to. Saves time compared to hitting it over and over again to get to the guy you want. This is for pre-snap; don't know if it works during a play.

Could have been in last year's game - didn't own it.

I have been using this method of switching players since Madden 2005 or 06. I can't believe some people still don't know this.

[dan_457]

Re: How do YOU play Defense?

In previous years I'd always play as the Strong Safety, I was basically the heart of the defense and would rack up tons INT's and tackles. This year might be a different story, so far I've been nothing but a liability lol. Maybe I just need to adjust to the locomotion some more.

As for play calling I usually just use a cover 2, in what ever formation's the most appropriate at the time.

[mudtiger]

Re: How do YOU play Defense?

I usually play a 3-3-5 and control the free safety and never switch during the play. Blitz, cover, come up in run support, whatever. I like the variety instead of doing the same thing every play as a linemen.

[Sublime12089]

Re: How do YOU play Defense?

I usually blitz, play a short zone, or play the deep zone in order of availability.

Once or twice a game I will play the line though just for a change.

[BravesBoy]

Re: How do YOU play Defense?

Use to just man up a lot but recently ive moved to more of zone. Love blitzing out of zone, especially a cover 3. Usually stick to a man up in short yardage or 3rd/4th and long spots with safeties in deep zone...

[1GATORFAN4EVA]

Re: How do YOU play Defense?

I mix it up quite a bit with the blitz, zone , an man.

An far as who I control it depends on if I'm playing a human or CPU
. If it's human then safety or Mlb, if it's CPU I just change it up all the time. But if your playing on heisman against the CPU you just need to call all coverage because the D-line never breaks free.

[KSUowls]

Re: How do YOU play Defense?

Very well, how bout you?

I control the RE or any blitzing guys, usually press my corners. I blitz atleast 3 times a drive.

Overcompensating for the last 5 years? lol

I'm pretty much the same way actually. I play very aggressive with a lot of straight blitzes and zone blitzes. It usually works good for 2-3 quarters against the cpu then they go robo qb and starting lighting up the scoreboard.

Pre-snap I play 1 of 3 positions.
RE - (most often) I just try and rush the QB
ILB - When I'm getting killed over the middle I'll play a zone with the ilb and just cover the middle
SS - either on a safety blitz or as a deep safety in coverage.

Post snap I have a bad habit of always cycling players to stay in the play. I'm going to try and break that habit though and let the cpu do some things for itself to create a more sim like experience.