Madden 24: How to read defense
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In Madden 24, opponents will throw all sorts of coverages at you. There is man coverage and zone coverage, and a lot of looks, formations, and plays within those coverage sets. Defenders will line up in a lot of different ways, and it’s up to you as the QB to be able to lead your offense against them. That is a lot easier said than done. Here’s what you can do to get better at this aspect of the game.
If you’re interested in learning about Madden 24, check out this guide to franchise mode, find out about Madden Ultimate Team (MUT), and read our official review of the game.
How do I read the defense in Madden 24?
Reading the defense is very challenging in Madden 24. It requires you to watch your receivers and their defenders while also being aware of the edge rushers and where your player, presumably the quarterback, is on the field. Your eyes have to move constantly to avoid a sack and catch the plays developing.
There are some things you can do pre-snap. It’s impossible to tell what plays a defense might run with 100% certainty in Madden NFL 24, but you can make educated guesses. If they appear to have extra defenders poised to blitz, they are probably going to blitz. You can also often tell if it’s a run defense or a pass defense formation.
In that case, you may want to audible to a slant or some other quick pass. You may also want to leave a tight end at the line of scrimmage or a running back in the backfield to help the offensive line with extra blockers. These can be done as pre-snap adjustments.
If they are blitzing, especially with linebackers, the middle of the field might be open. Hot route one of your receivers there and you can get an easy completion as long as you have time. Cover 2 zone is a popular zone defense, and certain routes are best against it. Curl routes can be useful to plant the receiver in between the zone for a cornerback and the safety, for example.
If you see a defensive lineman drop into coverage, you know that you’ll likely have more time to throw. If they rush fewer, you can take your time waiting for someone to come open, even though there are more coverage players now.
When you’re in the play, it’s vital to watch the secondary defenders. Should they stay on the outside of a receiver, chances are the in-breaking route is going to come open. If they are in press coverage with good cornerbacks, a lob down the field might not work out. If they’re off, the streak might not come open at all.
Pay close attention to the buttons on the screen. Each receiver has a button. If they’re open, it will be filled with color. It will fade if they’re not. Furthermore, some teams have a momentum boost that allows you to know when a defender is in a position to make a play. If you see a defensive back with an exclamation point, it’s best not to throw it in his direction.
Avoid double teams as well. If two defenders shade a receiver, just move on to the others because he’s probably not getting open. The AI can do this, and it will often leave at least one player open. EA Sports’ Madden 24 is available now.
