How Can I Defend Against Stretch Runs

As of late, my defensive lineup has enough speed to cover sideline to sideline. Even when I don't pass commit, my defenders don't make it to the edge in time to prevent gains of about five yards per attempt. Generally, the reasons are twofold: My defensive end or outside linebacker gets sealed off, and all other defenders in pursuit take terribly aggressive angles that get them caught up in the swell of players where the defender at the end of the line is being engaged.

I need one of two things:

1) Guidance to influence less aggressive pursuit angles from the back side defenders
2) Edge defenders on the play side that shed to the outside

Thanks!

phatalerror said:

As of late, my defensive lineup has enough speed to cover sideline to sideline. Even when I don't pass commit, my defenders don't make it to the edge in time to prevent gains of about five yards per attempt. Generally, the reasons are twofold: My defensive end or outside linebacker gets sealed off, and all other defenders in pursuit take terribly aggressive angles that get them caught up in the swell of players where the defender at the end of the line is being engaged.

I need one of two things:

1) Guidance to influence less aggressive pursuit angles from the back side defenders
2) Edge defenders on the play side that shed to the outside

Thanks!

Whst defense are you in? Dollar? 😆.

  Cover 4  quarters or palms puts safeties in run responsibility.  Make sure you're at least balanced to the formation. Slant DL towards stretch side. User weakside LB to rush and help and watch for anything to the weakside. Also, bring your safeties up manually into or close to the box. 

Sometimes this doesn't even work all the time. The game gives you bad pursuit/play recognition and zero sheds when it feels like it. It will eventually balance out through the course of the game.

Also  slanting your DL up can work and get good sheds from your DE'S for outside runs as well. But if they run a dive type play you can get gashed when slanting up.

Surgical0ffense said:

Whst defense are you in? Dollar? 😆.

  Cover 4  quarters or palms puts safeties in run responsibility.  Make sure you're at least balanced to the formation. Slant DL towards stretch side. User weakside LB to rush and help and watch for anything to the weakside. Also, bring your safeties up manually into or close to the box. 

Sometimes this doesn't even work all the time. The game gives you bad pursuit/play recognition and zero sheds when it feels like it. It will eventually balance out through the course of the game.

Also  slanting your DL up can work and get good sheds from your DE'S for outside runs as well. But if they run a dive type play you can get gashed when slanting up.

No Dollar here. Not much quarters, either. Probably why I’m struggling - I’m trying to call defense like I’m playing football, not Madden.

I’m doing almost everything you recommended, which is reassuring and not reassuring at the same time. I wasn’t aware that Quarters and Palms were for defending against the run, so that’s very helpful, thanks!

Is there a way to ensure my safeties are close enough to the line in run situations without selecting them manually and nudging them forward with the left stick? I run out of time against no huddle trying to make the other big-play-defending adjustments.

I like to run some sort of cover 2 and shoot the gap. If your outside corners are in any deep blue they have trouble pursuing to the running back. I believe someone else said running cover 4 palms will make your 2 deep safeties play into run fits, so you could come out in cover 4 and then audible your 2 outside counters to cloud flats. you will be giving up some deep routes for sure but that’s what I do when I know my opponent is running for a fact

phatalerror said:

No Dollar here. Not much quarters, either. Probably why I’m struggling - I’m trying to call defense like I’m playing football, not Madden.

I’m doing almost everything you recommended, which is reassuring and not reassuring at the same time. I wasn’t aware that Quarters and Palms were for defending against the run, so that’s very helpful, thanks!

Is there a way to ensure my safeties are close enough to the line in run situations without selecting them manually and nudging them forward with the left stick? I run out of time against no huddle trying to make the other big-play-defending adjustments.

You can show blitz, it'll bring everyone down a little. I think it's Y then press RB on xbox.