Madden NFL 12 Walkthrough Primer

Understanding Defensive Coverages

Knowing the different defensive coverages in Madden is the first step towards becoming a better player. In this article, we check out all of the different defensive coverages available in Madden 12 to help you know what you should be looking for on the field. Take a look below as we walk you through each one step by step.

Take a look at the basic man cover 2 defense. They call this defense a cover 2 because we are provided with two deep zones downfield. Cover 2 defenses are the most commonly used by Madden gamers because they provide users with a safety net on both sides of the field if one of their Cornerbacks happens to get beat deep.

Check out the cover 1 defense. A cover 1 defense has just one defender playing in a deep zone downfield. The reason cover 1 defenses are used is not only because it still provides one safety net over the top, but now we're also able to use an extra defender to rush or help cover if needed.

The reason behind using a cover 0 defense is typically to get to the quarterback as quickly as possible. Obviously, there's no help deep in case one of your Cornerbacks get beat, so getting immediate pressure on the opponent is key. Cover 0 defenses aren't used very often because the risk is simply too high for the reward.

Cover 3 defenses are certainly popular, but more so when playing a zone. Many Madden gamers like to turn to the Quarters 3 Deep: 3 Deep Man when they've forced their opponent into a third and long situation. The reason this defense is a good choice in that particular situation is because everyone on offense is manned up and we've got plenty of help over the top. A cover 3 is usually good enough to stop a deep pass anywhere on the field.

Cover 2 zones are riskier than cover 2 man defenses because once the receivers have gotten behind the cornerback's flat zones they will have a one-on-one matchup with the Safeties, which more often than not favors the receiver. However, if the defense was a man defense, the Cornerbacks would have also been in the picture downfield. Most people like to use cover 2 zone defenses when their opponent gets inside the 10 to 15 yard line. A much shorter field to work with makes this defense very difficult to beat for opponents.

Cover 4 defenses are about as good as you can get as far as covering deep across the entire the field. The only bad thing about using most cover 4 defenses is that the flats are usually left open. Just remember to stick to using this type of coverage when your opponent is in long yardage situations.

If a cover 4 defense is almost a good as you can get covering deep, then the prevent defense is as good as you can get. A prevent defense calls for nine defense to perform deep zones on the play. Obviously this is a defense that should only be used at the end of halves and games because there's no coverage anywhere underneath.

Another type of defense coverage that can be used is a man and zone combination. Combination defenses are great because on some formations it can appear to the opponent that you are in man coverage on everyone. Unique coverages such as this often confuse opponents into making poor decisions because they aren't using to seeing them as much on the field.

Another type of defensive coverage is a zone blitz. On this particular play we have our left cornerback (on the right side of the field) in the flats, a cover 3 over the top, and we are rushing five at the quarterback. Zone blitzes are a great way to force your opponent to have to make strong throws in the pocket. Otherwise, if a throw is rushed and the quarterback isn't able to get everything behind it because of the pressure it could result in a turnover.

The last type of coverage we'll be discussing is certainly different, but there are actually some stock plays in the game already that place your defensive end in man-to-man coverage. In addition to the man coverage, we also have a cover 3 over the top, as well as overload pressure coming from the backside of the line. This defense is certainly a combination of everything.

Playing good defense in Madden and in the NFL is about disguising your pressure and mixing your coverages. However, the first thing you need to understand is what the different coverages do. Also, be sure to use defensive hot routes on certain plays to try to create even more unique defensive looks for your squad. Getting stops this season won't be easy, but clearly you'll have the tools to make it happen!