Madden-School.com has released its first defensive strategy guide for Madden 11. This is an eBook you will not want to pass up. We have something for everyone. Run stoppers, max coverage plays, man/zone blitz combos, and, of course, nanos. Below are actual video clips from our Madden 11 New England Patriots Defensive eBook:

Formations covered in this eBook:

1. 3-4 Normal
2. 3-4 Under
3. 3-4 Over
4. 3-4 Solid (You will love this formation, once you learn to use it correctly)
5. Nickel Normal
6. Nickel 1-5-5 Prowl
7. Nickel 3-3-5 (Another great formation)
8. Quarter Combo

You can get your copy and start dominating your opponents from day 1 of Madden season. We have been working hard trying to find the best formations, and defenses for you. Whether you like the 3-4 or not, the concepts learned in this ebook can be carried with you to any defense, however you are unlikely to use any other playbook after you see the tricks we have in the New England defensive playbook. Don’t wait! eBooks get sent directly to your email after checkout. You can start dominating your opponents in as little as a few minutes!

Get your copy now! Only $24.99!!!

The Denver Broncos Offensive eBook is undoubtedly our best ever. You can use this offensive eBook with any of the 32 teams in Madden 11. We tested it online, offline, and against all-madden defense. Oh and did we mention it is the size of 2 ebooks? Imagine trying to defend against an opponent who has over 40 plays in his arsenal that all work consistantly. It would be impossible. You will be giving your opponent nightmares.

The Madden 11 Denver Broncos Offensive eBook Includes:

1. 41 Money Plays
2. 41 High Definition Videos
3. Full Written Breakdowns including pre-snap adjustments, reads, and play overview
4. 12 Unique Chapters
5. No need to be good with the strategy pad, we have plenty of plays that work with minimal adjustments
6. Our professional suggestions for your 5 audibles

Buy Now for only $24.99

Whether you like to run, pass or do a little bit of both this eBook will have you lighting the scoreboard up. Get a jump on the competition. This is the first real strategy based ebook out for Madden 11! This ebook will have you winning money games, sim leagues, freestyle tournaments, and everything in between. This isn’t your every day offense, these are plays that consistantly work time after time against any coverage.

Our staff has been hard at work (literally going without sleep) for the last week finding the best plays in this year’s game. We set out to make a regular sized ebook (15-20 plays) but the great plays just kept coming and coming, so we ended up with a double ebook.

Featured Formations:

1. Singleback Jumbo Z
2. Singleback Flip Trips (An Amazing Formation)
3. Shotgun Gator Heavy (Hidden Money Play Inside)
4. Shotgun Split Bronco
5. Shotgun Doubles Flex
6. Shotgun Normal Y-Flex
7. Shotgun Trips (Very hard to stop)
8. Shotgun Bunch Wk (Even harder to stop)
9. Shotgun Snugs Flip (Impossible to stop)
10. Shotgun Empty Spread

Oh and here is the good news…we are selling this double eBook for the price of only 1 eBook!!!

I don’t know if you have checked the date but we are releasing it before Madden 11 is even available to the public. Get a head start on the competition! Win your local tournament for a free copy of Madden 11. Don’t waste time after you get the game in practice mode. (We spent over 100 hours this last week doing that for you)

You can get your copy delivered instantly to your email for only $24.99!!!

Get it before Madden 11 is released so you have time to study all 40+ plays!!!

(I label these from the offenses persepective, for example the left A-Gap is to the left of the center)

Nickel Sets

Formation: Nickel 1-5-5
Plays: Inside Zone Blitz, Cover 2 Sink, Cover 3
Setup: Move the RILB over the LG, Move the RILB over the RG and Reblitz Him, Move the MLB between the NT and the RILB

Formation:Nickel Normal (LB Pass Rush)
Plays: All Plays
Setup: Shift the DL to the Left, Blitz the LOLB over the RG, Move the ROLB into the left A-Gap and Blitz Him, DEs in coverage

Formation: Nickel Odd Split
Plays: All Plays
Setup: Blitz the LILB over the C, Move the RILB into the left A-gap and Blitz Him, DEs in Coverage

Dime Normal

Formation: Dime Normal (LB Pass Rush)
Plays: Any Play With Normal DL Stunts
Setup: Shift the DL to the right or left, Blitz the inside DB on the side you shifted the line towards (either the Nickel Back or Quarter Back) on the outside hip of the DE, opposite DE in contain

Dollar

Formation: Dollar Normal
Plays: 2 Man Under, 2 Man Press, Cover 1 Press, Cover 1 FS Robber, Wk Eagle Slant 3, Str Eagle Slant 3
Setup: Pinch the DL, Reblitz the DL, Move the LOLB into the right A-Gap, Manually rush the LDE

Dealing With Slide Protection:
Blitz a defensive back on the outside hip of an OT (try Wk Eagle Slant 3 or Str Eagle Slant 3)

Quarter Normal

Formation: Quarter Normal
Plays: 2 Man Under Spy, Cover 3, Cover 2, For All other plays reblitz the NT
Setup: Pinch the DL, Reblitz the DEs, Blitz the MLB in the left A-Gap

Dealing With Slide Protection:
-Blitz a defensive back on the outside hip of an OT

46 Normal

Formation: 46 Normal
Plays: 2 Man Under, Cover 3 Press, Cover 3, Cover 4
Setup: Blitz the SS right over the RT

Dealing With Slide Protection:
-Blitz a LB over the WDT

34

Formation: 34 Normal
Plays: 2 Man Under, Cover 1, Double TE, 2 Deep MLB Spy, Drop Zone
Setup: Pinch the DL, Reblitz the DEs, Blitz the RILB in the left A-Gap

Formation: 34 Predator
Plays: 2 Man Under, Cover 3, 2 Man Press, Drop Zone, Cover 2 Sink
Setup: Pinch the DL, Reblitz the LDE, Blitz the RILB in the left A-Gap

Fomation: 34 Solid
Plays: 2 Man Under/Cover 3/Drop Zone/Double TE/Double Man/Cover 2/Sting Pinch
Setup: Pinch the DL, Reblitz the DEs, Bltiz RILB in the left A-Gap

Formation: 34 Over
Plays: 2 Man Under/Cover 2/Cover 3/Drop Zone/Weak Blitz/All the Dbl Man Plays (Dbl TE, Dbl Z, etc.)
Setup: Blitz the LOLB, Reblitz the NT, LILB blitz in the left A-Gap

Dealing With Slide Protection:
-Preferably choose a play where the OLB is taking a slanted blitz angle, such as 3-4 Solid Dbl TE
-If this is not possible Blitz an OLB opposite the A-Gap being blitzed and pinch the LBs

 2.) Blitz Setups

Nickel Sets

Formation: Nickel 1-5-5
Plays: Inside Zone Blitz, Cover 2 Sink, Cover 3
Setup: Move the RILB over the LG, Move the RILB over the RG and Reblitz Him, Move the MLB between the NT and the RILB

Formation:Nickel Normal (LB Pass Rush)
Plays: All Plays
Setup: Shift the DL to the Left, Blitz the LOLB over the RG, Move the ROLB into the left A-Gap and Blitz Him, DEs in coverage

Formation: Nickel Odd Split
Plays: All Plays
Setup: Blitz the LILB over the C, Move the RILB into the left A-gap and Blitz Him, DEs in Coverage

Dime Normal

Formation: Dime Normal (LB Pass Rush)
Plays: Any Play With Normal DL Stunts
Setup: Shift the DL to the right or left, Blitz the inside DB on the side you shifted the line towards (either the Nickel Back or Quarter Back) on the outside hip of the DE, opposite DE in contain

Dollar

Formation: Dollar Normal
Plays: 2 Man Under, 2 Man Press, Cover 1 Press, Cover 1 FS Robber, Wk Eagle Slant 3, Str Eagle Slant 3
Setup: Pinch the DL, Reblitz the DL, Move the LOLB into the right A-Gap, Manually rush the LDE

Dealing With Slide Protection:
Blitz a defensive back on the outside hip of an OT (try Wk Eagle Slant 3 or Str Eagle Slant 3)

Quarter Normal

Formation: Quarter Normal
Plays: 2 Man Under Spy, Cover 3, Cover 2, For All other plays reblitz the NT
Setup: Pinch the DL, Reblitz the DEs, Blitz the MLB in the left A-Gap

Dealing With Slide Protection:
-Blitz a defensive back on the outside hip of an OT

46 Normal

Formation: 46 Normal
Plays: 2 Man Under, Cover 3 Press, Cover 3, Cover 4
Setup: Blitz the SS right over the RT

Dealing With Slide Protection:
-Blitz a LB over the WDT

34

Formation: 34 Normal
Plays: 2 Man Under, Cover 1, Double TE, 2 Deep MLB Spy, Drop Zone
Setup: Pinch the DL, Reblitz the DEs, Blitz the RILB in the left A-Gap

Formation: 34 Predator
Plays: 2 Man Under, Cover 3, 2 Man Press, Drop Zone, Cover 2 Sink
Setup: Pinch the DL, Reblitz the LDE, Blitz the RILB in the left A-Gap

Fomation: 34 Solid
Plays: 2 Man Under/Cover 3/Drop Zone/Double TE/Double Man/Cover 2/Sting Pinch
Setup: Pinch the DL, Reblitz the DEs, Bltiz RILB in the left A-Gap

Formation: 34 Over
Plays: 2 Man Under/Cover 2/Cover 3/Drop Zone/Weak Blitz/All the Dbl Man Plays (Dbl TE, Dbl Z, etc.)
Setup: Blitz the LOLB, Reblitz the NT, LILB blitz in the left A-Gap

Dealing With Slide Protection:
-Preferably choose a play where the OLB is taking a slanted blitz angle, such as 3-4 Solid Dbl TE
-If this is not possible Blitz an OLB opposite the A-Gap being blitzed and pinch the LBs

Recommended base defense

Cover 1

You have someone manned up on all eligible recievers. 4 DL rushing, MLB blitzing, and the FS deep.

Setup against the Run

Inside Runs

Setup #1

- Reblitz MLB, place him a foot or two behind the RDT, lining him up perfectly even with your opponents C

Setup #2

- Shift DL left
- Reblitz MLB, keep him at LB depth, but have him lined between the DT
- Reblitz LDT

These setups can at times blow up runs so quickly that they hit the QB before he hands it off. Setup #2 also works solidly against the pass. Don’t overuse these though, as its a risky setup. While you can blow it up for a massive negative gain, a missed tackle can result in a large gain for your opponent.

Outside Runs

It’s important to be able to stop the run manually as well, especially if its to the outside. This is why I recommend getting a FS that is not only fast, but strong, and has good tackle rating. For instance, I use the Raiders, and put Mike Mitchell at FS, as I manually use him on pretty much every single play.

As for a setup, if I know an outside run is coming, I often like putting the MLB in a QB spy. Against some running sets, the setups mentioned for the inside run can blow outside runs up in the backfield as well (not against full house though), so you can still give those a shot. Really, I cannot stress the importance of being able to stop outside runs manually though. If you are going against a team like the Titans who have a great OL, and the fastest RB in the game, more often than not, you are going to have to stop outside runs by yourself.

Setup against the Pass

If you suspect a pass, I recommend that you use the speed package.

Setup #1

- Bump and Run coverage
- Re-blitz MLB, line the him up on the LOS over the top of your opponents RT
- Optional Adjustment: Playmaker RE to whatever you feel is needed

LE should get in untouched. In addition to this, you can playmaker the RE into whatever you feel neccesary (QB spy for very short routes/running QBs, QB contain for rollouts, and my personal favorite is curl-to-flat as people tend to throw to the side they don’t feel pressure from). This gets an amazing 4 man rush.

Be careful about that optional adjustment, because if they slide protect to that side, the pressure will be non-existent. But if you let the RE just rush normally, even if they slide protect, the RE usually gets in untouched.

Also try the second setup listed under the Inside Runs section.

Zone Setups

It’s good to stay balanced and mix zone defenses in to keep them guessing. Some opponents simply have a harder time with zone. Here are a couple set-ups that get very good pressure mixed with good coverage.

Cover 3 Press

- Bump and Run Coverage
- Blitz MLB and move him on the LOS over the opponents RT
- Playmaker ROLB into hook zone
- Optional adjustment: Playmaker RE to flat zone
- More optional adjustments: Playmaker zones to the middle (coverage audible button, right stick down), and playmaker the FS to whatever you feel neccesary (QB spy for short quick routes, QB contain for rollouts, etc…) and bring him up to LB depth. If I put him in QB spy, sometimes I actually like to leave him at FS depth, as it is a good way to bait them into the quick pass over the middle, when suddenly the FS runs up, cuts the pass off and intercepts it.

This is basically cover 3 but with instant heat. The optional adjustments allow you to have more versatility, and adjust to what they are doing. The deep middle may be more open, but the hook zones cover deep enough, and usually the pressure will get to the QB before he can find someone open, unless he is doing some sort of max protect. This play is great to use against empty backfield sets.

Cover 2

- Bump and Run Coverage
- Pinch LBs
- Blitz MLB and place on LOS over the opponents RT
- Optional adjustments: Playmaker RE to QB Spy or contain. Playmaker CBs into curl-to-flat zones.

This gives you the same blitz as the Cover 3 setup, but with cover 2 dynamics. Better to use as a change-up against opponents who are giving you fits with shorter routes, while the Cover 3 setup is better for mid-range to long routes. If your opponent is using compressed sets to hit quick slants over the middle, then putting the RE in QB spy will really kill this. Also, you can even put the RE in a curl-to-flat zone, as when the opponent sees the pressure coming from his right, he will likely roll out to the left and have to force a quick pass. I’ve gotten several picks doing this.

For both of these, if they are doing slide protection, then set it up as usual, but re-blitz the RE instead. He should get in pretty easily.

Opponents who Max Protect

Something to consider… it has seemed to become more important to leave backs and TEs in to block when pressure is reaching you quickly. This is why its good to have a max coverage defense such as Dollar Cover 4 as an audible, because if you notice them dropping guys back to pick up the blitz, even going into max protection modes where only 2 or 3 men are going out as receivers, then audibling to Dollar Cover 4 can really throw them off, and perhaps result in an easy pick or a coverage sack.

I hope this thread helps anyone interested in running a 46 defense, or people wanting to learn defense in general. If you ever have any questions or situations you need help with, don’t hesitate to ask. You can PM me if you like, but I prefer if you just ask in this thread, as it allows other people who may end up dealing with the same problem, to be able to see it as well. Be sure to check back often, as I do updates to this post quite frequently.

Singleback – Ace Pair twins – PA CTR Waggle (Man Coverage)
Hot route left on the d-pad the (Y,Triangle) receiver. Hike the ball,
scramble left (if HB makes the block) and give the Y receiver a lead pass

Singleback – Ace Pair Twins – Steelers Screen
This is a great HB screen play, which I have found very effective. Simply
make the pass if the HB is open and take off towards any open space

Singleback – Bunch – Stick
I prefer to use this play for an easy 4-5 yard pick up. Simply hit your (A,X)
receiver after he completes his curl.
You’re other option is to give a precision up pass to the (B,Circle)
receiver if you feel he has the upper hand on his man. If there is a safety
nearby, don’t even try as this usually leads to an ineterception.

Singleback – Bunch – Corner Strike (Man pressed coverage)
The (A,X) receiver and the (Y,Triangle) receiver’s crossing patterns
should create a disruption with the defense. I prefer to scramble to the
right and hit the Y receiver with a lead pass, but make sure to consider
the (B,Circle) receiver if his man is behind him.

Singleback- Bunch – Counter Weak
This is a great run play if you notice the defense is overloading on the
trips side. If you us this play in along with the previous passing ones, you
can surprise the defense with a nice 8-10 yard run.

Singleback – Bunch – PA Boot Over
Hot route right on the d-pad the (Y,Triangle) receiver. If the defense is in
man, he should be wide open towards the sideline.
If not, the (A,X) receiver should be open up the middle for a precision up
pass.

Singleback – Bunch – Deep post
If you’ve noticed, I have almost all the above plays targeting the
receivers on the right. You can set this play up by running the above
plays first and then surprising the defense with this one. This can be an
easy 20-25 yard pick up by making the completion to the (X,Square)
receiver up the middle (Precision up and lead)

Gun – Empty Steeler – WR Comebacks (Zone coverage)
This might be my most used play in Pitt’s playbook. Normally, the (LB,L1)
receiver is open on his curl for a nice 8-9 yard pick up. If he is covered,
here is when this play becomes unstoppable. The (A,X) receiver runs the
best route in the game if you can get the timing down.
The key is to give him a bullet pass with precision towards the sideline as
soon as he makes his cut towards the sideline.
If you timed it right, he will continue running and make the catch with
open field in front of him 9/10 times.

COME OUT IN SHOTGUN TIGHT FLEX – QB CHOICE

Shotgun Tight Flex – PA QB Choice
Hot Route Far Left WR to a Streak (X)
Hot Route the HB to a Drag (B)
Smart Route the Inside WR on the Left (LB)
Motion the Left Slot WR (LB) to the Right and snap b4 he sets

1) The Motioned Reciever (A) – If its any 43 or 34 play on Defense they won’t be covering him
2) HB (B) – In the flats to the left
3) Far Right WR (Y) – Delayed Route, killer route
4) Inside WR on the Right (LB) – On the nasty flat route
5) Far Left WR (X) – Jetpack
6) The Motioned Reciever (A) – If you look back you should be able to tell if he has a step on the CB if so fire a bullet (sometimes he runs out of bounds tho)

Shotgun Tight Flex – Mesh (v1 Man Beater)
Smart Route the Inside WR on the Right (A)
Hot Route the Both WR’s on the Left to a Slant Left (LB + X)
Motion the Left Slot WR to the Right and snap b4 he sets

1) HB (Y) – In the Flats wide the **** open
2) Far Left WR (X) – On the Slant in this formation he always gets inside position bc the way the CB is lined up, go for the user
3) The Motioned Reciever and the Inside WR on the Right (LB + A) – Crossing Slants, one is going to be open
4) Slot WR on the Right (B) – On the Drag Route

Shotgun Tight Flex – Mesh (v2 Zone Beater)
Smart Route the Inside WR on the Right (A)
Streak the Far Left WR (X)
Motion the Left Slot Reciever (LB) right nd snap b4 he sets

1) The HB (Y) – If they dont have a flat route abuse it
2) The right Slot WR (B) – On the Drag
3) The inside WR on the Left (A) – If no purple zone nail this route
4) The Motioned WR (LB) – Should get behind the zone for an easy user
5) The Lone WR (X) – Jetpack

Shotgun Tight Flex – Slot Wheel
Hot Route the Far Left WR to a Drag (X)
Hot Route the HB to a Drag (Y)
Opptional: Smart Route the Inside WR on the Right (A)
No Motion

1) The Slot WR on the Left (LB) – If Man, LB will be wide open nd throw with a 3 O’clock bullet. If Zone, no flat route same thing
2) The HB (Y) – In the flats, if zone cant gaurd both LB nd Y with 1 flat zone
3) The Far Right WR (B) – Wait for the 2nd cut nd fire a bullet
4) The Inside WR on the RIght (A) – Wait for the 2nd cut nd fire a high bullet
5) **** Drags lol

Shotgun Tight Flex – Falcon Cross
Formation Auto Up
Hot Right the Slot WR on the Left to a Slant Right (Y)
Motion Left Slot WR right nd snap b4 he sets (Y)

1) Motioned WR (Y) – Slant to the Outside
2) HB (LB) – In the flats all nasty wit it
3) Inside Right WR (A)
4) Right Slot WR (B)
5) Far Left WR (X)

Shotgun Tight Flex – HB Option

Shotgun Tight Flex – PA Slot Options