The Basics of Reading a Defense in Madden NFL 12

[TNT713]

Great article for two reasons. First it is focused on making the player aware of his responsibility to read coverages, second it gives them a decent starting point to develop sharper skills.

More than any game on the market, playing Madden requires long term thinking. You can't become adequately prepared to fight the world in a year. It takes several years to better understand the football being played, understand the options, and map them to instinctive muscle memory. Fortunately the CPU will maintain control for practically all of the duties.

Thanks for helping to lay a groundwork for the rookies to build their own system of reads...

Later

[elementz09]

Question: Which safety is on what side? When playing madden or ncaa, looking at the defense is the FS on the left or right?

[deadly738]

Quote: Originally Posted by elementz09

Question: Which safety is on what side? When playing madden or ncaa, looking at the defense is the FS on the left or right?

When facing the Defense from the Offensive Side, the FS is usually to the left.

[Jadakiss88]

It's more basics to reading a defense one easy thing to do after the snap is to watch the safeties and the drop your eyes to the linebackers (it takes time to perfect I know). But it's best to get a playbook learn everything about it and figure out a game plan. The offense can dictate the defense more than some think you just have to be willing to put in the time to understand your playbook, what it allows you to do, your players, what your players strengths are and what your opponent can and can't stop.

[Big FN Deal]

Nice write-up but is reading the defense necessary in Madden?

I usually watch the safeties when determining if I should go deep on a pass but I think I do this because I try to play realistic. However, if I just wanted to come out throwing deep all game without considering what the defense is doing, I think it would still work.

I would love for reading the defense and anticipating the offense to be a requirement for success in Madden instead of a bonus.