How To Identify Coverages Pre-Snap in Madden 26

With Madden 26’s release, you can find tons of information on the best offensive tactics. From the best playbooks to top-tier players, everything about the offense has been dissected. However, the game isn’t won purely on better play, but on how well you read the defense. 

Go for an RPO play when the defense is playing blitz, and your QB will get sacked before you even blink. This is why this article focuses on reading the defense and identifying coverages pre-snap, an essential skill every player must have.

What To Look For Pre-Snap?

You must be thinking: How do you identify coverage before the break? You can’t read your opponent’s mind. Luckily, some key factors can give away what cover they’re using, allowing you to adapt accordingly.

If you’re able to pick up on these tells consistently, you’ll always remain one step ahead. That is, until your opponent baits you with a coverage disguise, but that’s a topic for another time. The main things you need to look for are the Cornerbacks, the Safeties, and the positioning of the Linebackers. Let’s get into what each position reveals.

Cover 2 Man

• Safeties: 2 safeties split evenly across the field, both about 12–15 yards back.
• Cornerbacks: Corners will play tight press directly on WRs.
• Linebackers: Sitting in middle zones, spaced across the field.

In Cover 2 Zone, the CBs will line up around 5 yards off the LOS, and will face inwards.

Cover 3

• Safeties: Only one deep safety directly in the middle. The other safety is closer to the LOS.
• Cornerbacks: Off coverage about 7-8 yards, lined up wider to protect outside thirds.
• Linebackers: They will take the curl/flat zones — often shaded inside and not lined directly across from WRs.

Cover 4 (Quarters)

• Safeties: 2 safeties deep, but they’re wider than in Cover 2 (each guarding a quarter).
• Cornerbacks: Playing off by about 7-10 yards, guarding the deep zones.

Both safeties will be deep while the CBs will play off coverage. Sometimes, it can be mistaken for Cover 2.

Cover 6 (Quarter-Quarter-Half)

• Safeties: One safety deep and wide (quarter zone), the other safety deep in the middle (half zone). They will be slightly offset, with one being closer to the LOS by a few yards.
• Cornerbacks: One CB is off and bailing (quarter side), the other is closer to LOS and shading inside (flat zone side).

Uneven safeties are the biggest tell for Cover 6. If you ever see one safety being deeper/wider than the other, you’re up against a Cover 6.

Cover 9 (Cloud/Invert)

• Safeties: Uneven safeties, but quarter zone safety is more in the middle, while the opposite safety plays deep half.
• Cornerbacks: On one side, CB plays off and deep (quarter); on the other, CB presses up and drops (cloud flat).

A pressed CB with a safety shaded behind him is the “cloud” side. This is the easiest way to spot a Cover 9 defense.

Tips To Spot Man vs Zone Coverage

• Motion a WR across the field pre-snap. If only a DB follows, it’s man coverage. If the defense switches zones, it’s zone coverage.
• If LBs and slot corners are lined up directly in front of your WRs/RBs/TEs, it’s man coverage. If they’re offset and staggered in space, it’s zone coverage.
• If multiple defenders creep towards the LOS, you’re going up against a blitz defense.

By analyzing the coverage pre-snap, you can tweak your offense. Remember, football is more about the strategy than the actual plays. If you can get into the mind of your opponent, you’re already halfway towards victory.