Thursday, December 17, 2009

Madden 10 game plan (Part 2 - Defense)

I use the New York Jets playbook on defense because of its versatility. The 49ers are best suited for the 3-4 formation but there are times when the 46 formation is desirable. At the beginning of a game, I'll start out "Asking Madden". Actually, I'll use "Ask Madden" on defense throughout the game unless I learn my opponents tendencies.

cb-dogs-blitzPlay Action Passes - If my opponent likes to abuse the play action pass I'll use CB Dogs Blitz out of 3-4 formation (cover 2) or CB Dogs Blitz (cover 3) out of Nickle 3-3-5 formation. I've noticed that these plays seemed to have responded better before patch #2 came out. After Patch #2, I've noticed the corner backs biting on the play action pass.

rush-outside-qb-containWildcat - I use the Rush Outside play out of 46 Normal formation. I'll spread the linemen and then put the safety in QB Spy and user him. This play seems to always be effective against the wildcat for the most part. For pass plays out of the Wildcat QB Contain from 3-4 Normal formation will work.

Nano Blitzes
I'm not certain if I'm setting these up properly but every once in a while I'll try some nano blitzes that I've found on the internet.

sting-pinch-zoneSting Pinch Zone - In the Sting Pinch Zone out of the 3-4 over formation I reblitz the DT and the blitzing linebacker. I also turn 'Show Blitz' on so the linebacker comes closer to the line. I user one of the Defensive ends. The Sting Pinch is supposed to bring more pressure but it's a risky play because there's no deep coverage.

ss-snake-3-staySS Snake 3 Stay - The only adjustment needed in this play is to use "show Blitz" so the SS will come in closer before the snap. I'd probably get more nano pressure from this play if I were to put in a faster strong safety. The 49ers strong safety, Michael Lewis, does not have very good speed. I haven't mastered using subs on defense yet.

trio-sky-zoneTrio Sky Zone - The Trio Sky zone out of 3-4 over doesn't behave like a 'nano blitz' play but I always seem to get good pressure from this play.

Cover 3
- Sometimes, I'll use base cover 3 and blitz the left outside linebacker, Manny Lawson, to utilize his speed to pressure the quarterback. I'll user one of the linemen.

Running Plays

If I feel my opponent will be running I'll use Rush Outside, Strong Blitz, or Weak Blitz from 46 Normal formation. Sometimes, I'll spread the linemen. I'll user the FS but if I have a hunch that it might be a play action pass I'll user one of the linemen.

I just recently added Cover 1 from the Nickel 3-3-5 formation to my defensive audibles. This play seems to be a good run stopper against just about any running play. I only discovered its effectiveness after last night's game so the jury is still out.

cover-3Nickel Defense
Whenever I know my opponent will be passing the ball my first choice is Cover 3 out of Nickel Odd split. This play has great coverage and seems to always bring good pressure. I often get a lot of sacks from Justin Smith (RE) out of this play. Because of this, I'll try to avoid usering him. I try to user the LE in case I need to cover the flats on the other side.

Goal Line defense
If my opponent comes out with 0 wide recievers I'll use one of the goal line blitzes and user the blitzing linebacker.

If my opponent brings out a 1 or 2 recievers I'll use a zone defense. I don't recall the name of the play but it's a cover 2 defense that also uses two hook zones and covers the flats. I'll use "Show Blitz" and will also turn on "Press". These two adjustments seem to do well defending against those short quick passes. I'll also put the LE in either QB Spy or QB contain to help prevent against the QB sneak. Lately, this hasn't been as effective as I would have liked it to be. The reason for this might be lack of awareness from the lineman. I may start usering the LE since most QBs like to run to the right. Before, I would user the RE.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Madden 10 game plan (Part 1 - Offense)

In Madden 10 this year, I've been playing online with the 49ers and have had pretty good success with the West Coast playbook most of the time, at least. To become familiar with this playbook I would go through each formation and pick one play after each down. After I have gone through each formation I would do it again until I found which plays I was comfortable with. Now that I'm more familiar with this playbook I have been able to devise a pattern of plays that I've been using each game. Here is a typical game plan that I may follow:

seattlePlay 1 - At the coin flip, I try to receive the ball first. Surprisingly, I always seem to get the ball first even if I lose the toss. For my first play of the game I always use a play called 'Seattle' which is out of the Singleback Bunch Swap formation. The slot receiver is usually open most of the time. If my opponent is playing zone, then I dump it to the HB which is running the blue route.

Play 2
- On my second play, go with 'Seattle' again. If I'm near or at the left hash marks and my opponent is running a zone defense I'll motion the outside receiver on the right and snap the ball before the receiver stops his motion. If the defense isn't covering the flats, the receiver will usually be open for a 10 yard gain.

quick-pitchPlay 3 - While in Singleback Bunch Swap formation again I'll use the Quick Pitch play. This play sometimes results in a 5-6 yard gain.

Plays 4-7 - For the next 4-5 plays, I'll choose an outside run from each of the singleback formations as long as I'm still effective on the ground. It also depends on what type of defense I'm facing. If I'm facing a 4-3 defense I should be able to continue rushing outside. Against a 3-4 defense this will be less effective so I'll revert to 'Ask Madden' to see what works well.

After running the ball for about 4-5 times in a row, I'll throw in a play action pass from one of the singleback formations.

hb-insidePlay 8 - After the play action pass I'll choose another running play called HB Inside out of the Near Pro formation. Sometimes, I'm able to break through for a long gain with this play.

Quarter 2 Plays
The first quarter is usually about to end by the time I have finished my first drive. In the 2nd quarter, I'll usually refer to 'Ask Madden' to decide what to use.

slot-outsAt least once, if I'm anywhere in between the two red zones I'll run a play called Slot Outs from the Gun Spread Flex formation. Depending on how the defense is set up I might hot route one of the slot receivers to run a short route so I can throw a quick pass.

Most of the time, however, I usually get a good gain by throwing to the half back. I've been able to break the play wide open when I pass to the HB before he makes his cut. After he catches the ball the two receivers on the right are able to make blocks so the HB can break through.

Quarter 3 Plays
When I get the ball in the 2nd half I might go back and run the Seattle and Quick Pitch plays back to back to get my drive going. Then, I'll use 'Ask Madden' to help me decide on what to run.

Far Tight Twins
Near the end of the 3rd quarter I'll start running plays exclusively from the Far Tight Twins formation. This formation is good in that it's easy to tell if your opponent is in man or zone defense. I can usually drive all the way down the field with this formation. I'll wait till the latter half of the game to use this formation so my opponent has less time to catch on what plays I like to run. I will from time to time use Far tight Twins in the first half on 3rd down conversions or if I'm in the red zone.

quick-tossQuick Toss - This play should be used sparingly because it's quite effective until the opponent catches on. I'll use the Quick Toss if my opponent is playing zone although it also can be effective in man defense as well.

flats-meshAgainst Man Defense
The Flats and Mesh plays work very well against man defense. If the defense puts a lot of pressure on the quarterback I will be able to run the Mesh play and dump the ball off to the tight end running the drag route. In the Flats play, the slot receiver is usually open for a good gain.

slant-hookRunning the slant Hook play against man can turn into a deadly play. To set this play up, I'll hot route the HB to run a drag route to the right side. He's usually open for a big gain.

I have the Quick Toss, flats, Mesh, and X Spot plays in my offensive audibles.

4th Quarter Plays
I'll continue to use plays from the Far Tight Twins formation but will also mix my plays in other formations depending on the situation.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Field Goal block glitch

Madden 10's 2nd title update was released a few weeks ago. Flat zone coverage seems to be fixed and pursuit angles for defensive players has improved. Overall this patch did a good job fixing some of the major issues but there will always be other lingering issues. Players always seem to find other ways to exploit the video game.

Last night, I faced a guy who had a method for blocking field goals. I scored on the beginning drive and he almost blocked my extra point attempt. Later in the 2nd quarter I attempted a field goal which was blocked. I reviewed the replay and he placed the guy that is usually in "safety" coverage and moved him in front of the standing linebacker. when the ball was snapped he switched control to that linebacker and jumped up and blocked the kick. I can't remember who he was using as the blocker but I thought it might have been Ted Ginn, Dolphins Wide Receiver, who has an 88 jump rating.

I think it's a bit cheesy to try to figure out a way to block field goals like this. The only way to counter is to not attempt any field goals and go for two point conversions. Case in point: In my game I was leading 7-3 late in the 4th quarter and it was 4th down with 4 yards to go on his 16 yard line. I could have attempted a field goal but didn't want to risk it being blocked so I went for it but failed the conversion. I eventually won the game. With about two minutes to go in the game, he was at mid field when I picked off his pass. He quit the game after that.


1 2 3 4 OT F
49ers 7 0 0 14 0 21
Dolphins 0 0 0 3 0 3

Statistics 49ers Dolphins
Rushing attempts for 19 17
Rushing yards for 183 87
Passing attempts for 14 26
Passing yards for 69 135
Punts 0 0
Field goals for 0 1
Long field goals (40+) for 0 0
Rushing touchdowns for 1 0
Passing touchdowns for 2 0
Returns touchdowns for 0 0
Defensive touchdowns for 0 0
Turnovers for 3 1
Interceptions for 1 2
Sacks for 1 0
Number of third downs 5 8
Third down conversions 2 3
No-huddle plays 0 1
Audibles called 7 5
Hot routes used 2 4
Shotgun plays 3 18
Blitzes 15 15
Time of possession 11:17 16:43