Perhaps the most important element of any successful defense is alignment. After that comes execution. If we can think in these terms we can master run defense. There are several types of defensive players. Some of us like to control a safety player. Others of us like to control a defensive lineman and yet others may just like to control a linebacker. If you like controlling the middle linebacker and want to increase your tackle numbers, this email tip is just for you.

As is mentioned in our Virtual Playbook for Madden NFL 10, any time at least one tight end is in the game and on the line of scrimmage, the defense is responsible for eight gaps. One great thing about Madden NFL 10 that was noticeable during playtime as we were constructing the guide is that there is a degree of combo blocking. A combo block is one in which two offensive lineman start out with a double team on a defensive lineman. As the play unfolds, one of the linemen will peel off the double team block on the defensive lineman and get to the second level to take on a linebacker or whoever the next nearest defender might be. Because of this, it is possible to defend the run with seven men.

Before going further, it is important to mention that a great deal of speed and agility is needed at the middle linebacker position to shoot gaps and defend the run. We also need to highlight that your middle linebacker needs to be a great tackler. At times as you control him, you will be the only front-seven defender to come into contact with the running back. Missing the tackle will put your safeties in a bad position. Finally, making plays like this can lead to some degree of excitement, but be sure not to overrun the play. As we go through this section, things should become clearer.

Gap Rules

There are two primary gaps to be concerned with. On the alignment side of the center (side the middle linebacker is aligned), let the A gap (gap between Center and Guard) be your target. Hit the A gap to defend the run from the inside out. Even if the play is run to your side, you can still hit the gap and defend the run.

On the opposite side of the center, the C gap (between the offensive tackle and tight end) is your target. Let us explain something here. With the middle linebacker, what we are advocating is to simply concern yourself with two gaps: A and C. You can hit the A gap when plays are run to your side or away from your side.

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Additional Shopmaster Tip: The one additional tip I will give is that you don’t always have to move the guys right up to the line and sometimes you don’t have to do it manually but with linebacker and offensive line shifts.  I find that if I don’t move a player manually my opponent is less suspecting of a blitz than if I manually move him to a spot.   If you do move someone manually practice manually moving someone not blitzing but falling back into a zone closer to give the appearance of a blitz, this way they will never know when you are blitzing or playing zone.  Always try to keep your opponent guess, that is a big key to playing defense for myself.

Want to bring more heat on the QB and dominate the rest of 09?  Well Sgibs7 of Madden Bible puts out Part 2 of his ‘Dominant Dime Defense’.

In this entry he shows you another way to bring the heat from the Dime DB Blitz.

This play will 100% Bring it! The pressure will be coming from all sides. The reason we like to manually blitz both the DT and the DE’s is that this will occupy specific offensive linemen for us. The key is for both tackles to be occupied by our defenders. When we accomplish this we can come off the edge screaming!. This will either force our opponent to step up into the pocket, where more pressure is coming, or to roll to the opposite side,where more pressure is coming as well. Don’t get to comfortable calling this play all game. I will tell you this it can be beat. Typically the way I like to play defense is I will keep calling a play until my opponent PROVES to me thathe can consistently handle the pressure, once he does that I will start mixing it up more and try to confuse him to get my sacks. What you need to look for when calling this defense:

• Snap and lob type passes
• If they can manage to avoid the instant pressure, one on one coverage can be RC on all day.
• Drags
• Slants
• HB/FB routes
• This defensive can be weak against the run. If we see our opponent audibleing to beat us with the run, we want to audible to 1-5-5and use our run defense from this set.

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