Madden Tips: Strong Close Run Combo

Sportsgamerz is the leading provider of Madden Tips and Madden Cheats. Today, Sportsgamerz is in the house to break down an extremely effective two play run combo from the Strong Close formation. Now, the Strong Close formation has been one of the most popular running formations for the past few years, but this year it is as deadly as ever! Let’s hit the practice field!

Plays: Strong Close- HB Dive and Quick Toss
Playbooks: ANY w/ Strong Close (In this video, we are using the Dallas Cowboys playbook)

Setup:

Motion the strong side WR (on the side of the TE and FB) to the inside (left by default, right if you flip the play)
Snap the ball once the motioned WR passes the TE

Now, the great thing about these two plays is that they both look exactly the same to the defense pre-snap. You are probably wondering how you decide when to run each play. Well, it is actually quite simple.

The “Quick Toss” is most effective against MAN based defenses. This is because when you motion in the strong side WR (we are running to this side) it clears out the defensive back which gives you a very easy lane to the outside. With a fast RB, this can equal HUGE yardage!

The “HB Dive” is best used against ZONE based defenses. This is because when we use the same motion, the defensive back WILL NOT follow your receiver. This means that while we will not clear out the outside running lane, we will get an extra blocker in the middle to gash the defense!

Either way, we have an advantage in blockers versus defenders which is what we want to accomplish when running the ball! Watch the video to best explain these Madden Tips

Photo: Kristen Lanae

Madden Tips: Strong Close Run Combo Gridiron Experts Gridiron Experts - Where Fantasy Football Champions Are Born

6 Madden Defensive Red Zone Tips

Sportsgamerz.com is the leading provider Madden Tips and Madden Cheats. Today, Sportsgamerz is back to back down some tips to improve your red zone defense. The red zone is one of the most critical areas of the field in Madden as the difference between a field goal and a touchdown can often times decide the outcome of a game!

1.   Less Blitzing- Blitzing in the red zone is generally counterproductive.  Since the field shrinks in the red zone, you can use maximum coverage defenses to truly blanket the field. By blitzing defenders, you are only bailing out the offense by giving them more holes to work passes into. Now there is one exception to this rule. I like to blitz the offense the first play they enter the red zone, as long as they still are between the 15-20 yard line. This is for two reasons. First, even if you get beat on a ten yard slant for example, the offense is still only just inside the ten yard line. This is actually the hardest spot in the red zone to score. This gives you a chance to crank out your maximum coverage defenses. Secondly, I know most smart players are going to be looking for a big play to score on in these situations. This gives us more time for the blitz to reach the QB. If we can get a sack, we can effectively push the offense out of the red zone!

2.   Player Packages- Pay attention to offensive player packages. A lot of players use offensive player packages to get their players in better position to make plays. However, if we pay attention to this on defense, we can key in on what the offense wants to do.  For example, if I see the offense package their RB at outside WR out of the blue, it is a pretty good bet that the offense is looking to hit either a WR screen or some sort of quick pass to the RB to get him into space and hopefully break a few tackles.

3.   Multiple Coverage Schemes- I highly recommend giving the offense many different coverage looks when in the red zone. For example, I really like to use man and zone combo coverages. One of the most effective tricks I use is to play an all-out zone, but then man up the offense’s best WR. This will trick the offense into believing we are playing man coverage if they try to use motion to read our defense. It also makes play calling a lot more difficult for the offense when they never know which players may be manned up and which players are in zone.

4.   Defensive Lineman- I love using my defensive lineman in man coverage. For example, I could call a cover 2 sink, and man up both of my defensive ends on the offense’s two best receivers. Then, I may spy one of DT’s to make sure the QB cannot take off. This still leaves one player rushing so that the offense does not have unlimited time to throw the ball.

5.   Run Defense- Run defense is arguably the most important part of playing solid red zone defense. If you can force the offense to give up on the run in the red zone and rely on the pass, it will be much harder for the offense to score touchdowns. Therefore, you need to make sure your run defense is up to par. Another thing to note here is to be aware of running plays from the Gun. A lot of times players will try to sneak these in if they feel you are dropping your defensive lineman into coverage. A good way to negate this is to pinch your defensive line and still put them into coverage. Also bring your safeties up to the line of scrimmage. This will make the offense think twice about running from the Gun.

6.       Offensive Player Icons- Pay attention to the button icons under the offensive players. Often times, the icons will change for different plays in a single formation. For example, your outside left WR might be the “X” button on all the plays from the Gun Doubles formation except for one. When you see his button change, you will know what play is coming.

6 Madden Defensive Red Zone Tips Gridiron Experts Gridiron Experts - Where Fantasy Football Champions Are Born

Sportsgamerz.com is the lead provider of Madden Tips and Madden Cheats. Today, Sportsgamerz is back to bring down a great maximum coverage defensive setup. This year we have broken down numerous ways to get pressure on the QB, so we want to shift gears a bit and show how to blanket the field with all out coverage! The play we break down today is from the Nickel 335 defensive, which is found in all of the defensive playbooks in the game, and is called “Cover 1.”

Play: Nickel 335- Cover 1

Madden Playbooks: ALL

Setup:

1. Call bump and run
2. Man align (coverage audible plus right on the directional pad)
3. Spread out the linebackers
4. Pinch down the defensive line
5. Spy one of the defensive ends
6. Place the outside linebackers into whatever coverage assignment you wish

When running this setup, I prefer to manually control the FS in the deep blue zone. My first job is to make sure that I do not get beat over the top, but if there are no deep threats, I can drop down and user defend anything I want.

The outside linebackers on this play are your “wild cards.” I call them “wild cards” because you can put them on any assignment you wish. This allows you to easily adjust to whatever type of plays and routes the offense is throwing at you.

Please understand that this is a passing defense and not a run defense. With that said, this defense will defend the occasional HB Dive or HB Draw from one back sets fine, but if the offense is using a lot of power running plays, you will want to use a stronger run defense.

Madden Tips: Nickel 335- Cover 1 Gridiron Experts Gridiron Experts - Where Fantasy Football Champions Are Born

Madden 11 News & Features

Another year, another $60 we’ve all got to budget in to getting the newest edition of Madden.

Another year of listening to repetitive announcing teams and loops.

And another year of complete and total online domination for some, humiliation for others.

But, what makes this year special? Well, that’s what I’m here for.

The EA team is taking a page out of the FIFA book, using their locomotion design for the running system, which means in laymen’s terms that there will be no more choppy running animations and more importantly – jukes and cuts will flow together nicely.

Along with that, the entire receiving animation has been given an overhaul, no more jumping three yards out-of-bounds for a ball that could have easily been caught in bounds by a competent third grade girl.

Not to mention acceleration and speed are actually going to be important this year – meaning that players with the higher acceleration are going to of coarse be faster off of the line, but will eventually get caught by and passed by players with the higher speed rating.

As always, the graphics will get an overhaul and look completely different and more realistic, but we’ve come to expect that with every release of every game, well…ever.

On a somewhat related tangent, have you ever played the most recent version and then decided to go back and play an older one? Is it not crazy how much different the graphics are? It’s almost like going from MLB 2K10 to Triple Play on the NES. It’s just a complete reality check of how innovative and trendsetting video game design is becoming.

They’ve also integrated a Dual Stick control, which will make players focus on their ‘Stick Skills’ to be effective in the game, now it’s going to take both hands working in unison to string together cuts, jukes and spins.

So, what’s the catch? All this new, innovative, cool stuff is in the game, so there’s got to be a catch, right?

Well, we’re dealing with EA Sports here folks and let me be the first to tell you there’s always a catch. This year it’s going to affect those that buy the game used after a couple of months, because they’re going to have to purchase the right to play online for $10 extra. Now, I never was very good at math, but let’s try to work this out together.

The game, new, will set you back $60 or so, used at GameStop it will cost approximately $54.99. Add the $10 to that, and you’re going to be paying MORE for a USED copy than for a new one.

Which means that the people who came up with that little idea are A. Extremely smart salespeople and B. Complete and total jerks?

All in all though, this year’s Madden’s bang should be worth the buck, if even for the Dual Stick control and locomotion.

6HHD4T73VXW2

Madden 11 News & Features Gridiron Experts Gridiron Experts - Where Fantasy Football Champions Are Born

Madden 11 Geared For The Hardcore Gamer

Ea Sports Madden 11 is coming out August 10. For those dieing to know a little more about this epic yearly release,  I have stumbled upon this interesting video with Madden Creative Director Ian Cummings showing off some new Game plan feature at the EA SPORTS Season Kickoff in NYC.

I’m pumped for all of the new features, but I’m really liking the idea of pre-scripting plays. Personally I have a dozen or so plays in my head for key times of the game, and think having them all laid out for the exact amount of yardage makes decisions so much easier.

Check out the video

Gridiron Experts has a couple gaming sponsor affiliates, and we are trying to get some promo links soon, if anyone wants to pre-order  Madden11.

Madden 11 Geared For The Hardcore Gamer Gridiron Experts Gridiron Experts - Where Fantasy Football Champions Are Born

Madden Fans Would Love NCAA 11

Those who know of  EA Sports NCAA college video game, know that the “option” for an offensive gear-head is limitless. While there has been a slower process at perfecting such a wide-open game, with so many variations of offensive formats, EA Sports has been rumored to have locked up the final pet peeves that most gamers had with previous versions. NCAA 11 looks like a serious sleeper to tide over gamers until Madden 11 hits the shelves in August.

Madden Fans Would Love NCAA 11 Gridiron Experts Gridiron Experts - Where Fantasy Football Champions Are Born

Madden 10 Tips and Tricks

The new Madden boasts plenty of shiny new features, a new style of player ratings, and of course the newest latest graphics in its field.  The Folks at EA sports worked quite hard this year in specific with regards to the rating system. Their aim was to make the game more difficult and realistic. I send out my full love to these guys as they really have outdone themselves in making a quality football simulation this year. Although, now that their job is done, it’s time to do mine by debunking their work and shedding some light to make this game easier for others.

The Cover 3 Defence OLB Blitz: Everyone enjoys a sack so I’m going to show you an easy way to pick one up. Running the cover 3 defensive scheme shift your defensive line to the left (your right), take your OLB who is covering right zone and audible him to a blitz. Place that blitzing OLB right in-front of the furthest o-line man (between your LE and DT) and using the LE burst through what usually is an unblocked front and bring the QB down to the ground for a satisfying sack.  If you don’t end up with the sack odds are you will force a hurried throw for an incompletion or a pick. (This can be done reverse; RE & ROLB)

Know your Slot Wide Receiver: This is a simple rule but perhaps one of the most important on offense. When in need of a big play one may be tempted throw to big name number one and two WR’s but really the easiest way to produce on offense is through the use of your slot receiver. The lack of coverage emphasis that the computer places on this player is specifically why. If you can’t fight the temptation to throw to someone like Randy Moss on the outside, move him to number 3 on the depth chart and watch his production skyrocket.

Blocking is Key: The newest instalment of the Madden franchise makes it much more difficult to run the ball, therefore following your blocks properly is the key to leading a successful rush attack. What this means as a RB, is that you cannot hit turbo and accelerate instantly. Make sure you understand the blocking lanes of your full back (or tackles in a single back formation) because running through these lanes with turbo held down usually leads to a quick stop as the blocking takes a second or two to develop. Run towards the lanes, once you see the hole make your cut and then hit the jets.

Know your Matchups: EA made a significant effort this year to skew the rating systems in order to make the game more difficult. In previous versions of the game speed was a large determinant in a player’s ability within the game. Take for example Jaguars WR Mike Hass in Madden 2005, he had an overall rating of 68, but a speed rating of 99 this combined with his size made him virtually unstoppable. Madden wanted to put an end to this. They didn’t, and sure enough your speedy players will always be your advantages. When a fast wide receiver is in single coverage with no over the top safety help – almost as in real life – you will be guaranteed a completion.

The Unstoppable Play “Single Back Eagle Slot Philly Cross”: If you have followed any of my writing you will know I follow the Eagles closely, so naturally one of my guilty pleasures is using them most often in madden. Variations of this play under numerous names and formations however can be found throughout different playbooks. Your number one receiver switches spots with your slot receiver and runs a slant/hitch route, this is who you want o target. His talent, the route, and the “Know your Slot” rule all come into effect to make this a virtually unstoppable play.

Madden Monday Tips and Tricks Gridiron Experts Gridiron Experts - Where Fantasy Football Champions Are Born

Madden 10 Tips
It’s been over a month now, what’s your record in Madden 10? The hardcore world of Madden Fans have cracked the newest tricks and gadget plays in this years edition of the game, and we found a few videos that might help you out with your playcalling. At first you may be lost while watching the games, but they go over it as best they can. Click on the “read more” of this article to see all the videos, including the last one which will change your strategy forever!

…I have a robot voice

This one will get you to the Madden championship!

Madden Tips Gridiron Experts Gridiron Experts - Where Fantasy Football Champions Are Born

Madden 10 Tips & Strategies
I’m not about to tell you that I’m the best Madden 10 player out there, but I’m solid. I played close to 300+ games online for Madden 09 and had a winning record, so if you want a few basic tips here you go:

Last year my bread and butter was a 4-3 defensive play was called “weak slant 3″ it had sort of a cover 3 blitz that I loved. I would shift the line and lure my opponent to run right into my linebackers. Or if he was passing to the left he’d get picked off or had to take a second to read the zone only to eat dirt from the streaking linebackers. But this years version of the play is terrible, from what I have found the best way to blitz is with your corners as the front four isn’t enough to really to force the QB to move around. There are some cool defensive plays in the 4-6 and of course New England’s playbook.

The hardest defense to read on the fly has to be a cover 2. If you can spot it at the line it’s great, just send a guy on a go route and put a little arc on the pass to plop it in between the zones. If you can’t spot it at the line and are going into the pass blind you have good chance in getting picked off. The Cover 2 is a great defensive tactic but you have to know your opponent. If he loves to throw it deep to his WR’s then it’s not for you. It’s  better for the underneath stuff to the slot WR / TE and RB’s.

My signature offense play is the deep post. It’s not in every playbook but basically you sub in your fastest guy and throw the ball deep straight down the center of the field. You have to then control your WR to go get the pass and intercept it as the WR makes his cut to the inside of the field. You’re putting the ball in between the safeties and if you can time it right it’s a 40+yard pass play, maybe even a touchdown.

Here are some links that I found for other cool Madden 10 tips:

The Madden Gods

All 32 playbooks

Madden 10 Tips & Strategies Gridiron Experts Gridiron Experts - Where Fantasy Football Champions Are Born