Having a strong defense can be a game-changer in Madden 21, for a number of reasons. Not only will a tough defense stop the opponent's attack, but it can also force turnovers and give you a great position on the pitch. However, playing good defense in Madden requires more than talented players and a good playbook. There are a number of controls and features that you need to know and master to dominate the competition.
With that said, let yourself be guided through what you need to know to play defense the right way in Madden 21.
Know the commands
Before we go over our tips for playing defense in Madden 21, let's talk about controls. Studying the controls is a must, otherwise you will be stuck in a game. Let's go over some of the basic Madden 21 controls:
Pre-play
- Display Play Art - LT / L2
- Player Lock - Left Stick (x2)
- Audible Coverage - Y / Triangle
- Hot Defense Road - A / X
During the play
- Penalty - LT / L2
- Defensive assist - LB / L1
- Sprint / RT / R2
- Striptease Balle - RB / R1
- Diving equipment - X / Square
- Broken tackle - A / X
- Move player - Left stick
- Press - A / X + left stick
- Hit Stick - Right Stick (up)
Ball in the air
- Ball Hawk (Interception) - Y / Triangle
- Swat - X / Carré
- Reading receiver - A / X
Be comfortable with your user
When playing defense in Madden 21, it is important to know how to use your user, who is simply the defensive player you will be controlling during the game. Most Madden players tend to control either a linebacker or a security in order to to break and collect passes, but you are free to use whatever game you feel comfortable with. To select a user in Madden 21, press B (for Xbox) or Circle (for PlayStation) to switch users.
If you plan to control a linebacker or safety, keep a close eye on the opponent's wide receivers. If you do, you will be able to see which receptors are open. Your job is to make sure you cover these receivers so that the opposing attack doesn't make big gains on your defense.
A new skill stick can change the games
This year, the developers at Madden introduced a new defense-based skill stick. This new stick is for passers, as it has now become a little easier to break through against the opposing offensive line. Players can rip (right stick up), bull run (right stick down), club or swim (right left or right stick). Pass throwers can also perform a rotational motion by turning the right joystick clockwise or counterclockwise.
So how do you use this new skill stick? A good defensive plan is to switch users from time to time. As we mentioned earlier, most Madden players continued to use either linebacker or defensive cover safety for a while. However, since the new stick has made it a bit easier for opposing linemen to break through, it might not be a bad idea to try and push the opponent off by controlling a cover linebacker a game, and a defensive lineman on the next play. Not only will this make you more unpredictable, it can also help you take advantage of weaker offensive linemen.
Audible if necessary
A beep can be a great way to get yourself out of a sticky situation, and here's why. Suppose the attack takes place in a shotgun formation with three wide receivers and a tight end. Unless it's a draw, there's a good chance the offense is playing a passing game. But what do you execute a blitz and originally planned for a play? It might be a good idea to make a sound outside of the room being played and switch to a Cover 2 Man or Cover 3 to avoid a completed pass.
To cast an audible, press X / Square, and you will be able to call up a different game depending on which formation you are currently in. To change the formation and audible to a different playing, press left or right on the pad. You probably won't need to call a beep for every defensive play, but it's still important to know that. The last thing you want is to get stuck on a bad call and give the opposition a lot of yards.
Watch the trends
Just like with offensive games, you want to keep a close eye on what your opponent is playing. If the opposition calls different plays on different downs, it will be more difficult, but not impossible for you to stop. However, if you see that the opponent likes to run football on the first down, and an assist on the second, it will be easier to plan the game for future readers. Why? Well if you see that the opposition likes to run to a certain down then you can, in response, call a running game like a blitz to stop the dead ball carrier in its tracks.
Keeping an eye out for these trends can give you a competitive edge against more sloppy players, so be aware of them when playing in online business.
Other tips
- Man vs. Zone blanket - Know the difference between man and zone cover games. For those who might be new to football, men's coverage is simply when a defensive player (i.e. cornerback, safety, etc.) is assigned a specific receiver to cover during play. In zone coverage, a defensive player is assigned a zone. This player's job is to cover that specific area of the pitch. You should know this because some players will be looking to exploit certain parts of the cover. For example, some players will opt for short passes to beat Cover 3 or Cover 4 Zone games.
- Look for speed - If you plan to use a linebacker or safety, you may want to look for a fast player to control, especially since players move a bit slower in Madden 21 compared to Madden 20. If you're playing in MUT mode or Franchise, try to target players with high speed and acceleration attributes. If you're playing online one-on-one, look at the rosters and find teams that have nimble linebackers and safeties.
