Dcroft's Favorite Adjustments in Madden 26:

• Turn Flats Onto 10 
• Pick Any Cover 3 or Cover 4 
• Shade Underneath to make your Flats into Hard Flats

This video breaks down 2 of Dcroft's FAVORITE Routes in Madden 26!

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Custom Stem Curl Routes

• All you need to do for this one is put a Curl on the Field, then Custom Stem it up 3x on the D-Pad

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Custom Stem In Routes

• Simply put an In Route on the Field, and Custom Stem it up 4x with the D-Pad

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These routes are so good in this year's game, you NEED to have them in your Offense from any Formation!

Today we're talking about the BEST Redzone Defense in Madden 26! You'll want to run this from any kind of Double Mug

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1. Spread LBs 
2. Spread Dline 
3. User Safety 

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This is SUPER GOOD down close to the Goalline in the Redzone, and works from any Playbook!

• Vikings or Patriots Defensive Playbook
• Our Single Mug can be ran out of the Single Mugs in those Defenses
• Formation: Dime 146
• Play: Cross 3 Fire

1. Pinch Dline 
2. Contain 
3. Zone Out User

This "Short Corner" Route is incredibly Overpowered

• This route comes Stock on certain plays, you can not Hot Route it
• You want to Custom Stem this route all the way down
• This route is SUPER hard to Defend & will be featured in a ton of our Schemes

• Playbook: Texans
• Formation: Nickel Single Mug 
• Playcall: Cover 9 (Though any play should work) 
• Select Stunt at Playcall Screen: Texas 4 Man

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1. Spread DLine
2. Set Up Stunt if you didn't at Playcall Screen

Playbook: Jags (or any Playbook w/ this Formation)

Formation: Dime 3-2

Play: Any (Cover 3 Cloud is Preferred)

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1. Blitz Left LB
2. Drag LB over RG
3. Contain

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This Blitz is a work in progress, but is a REALLY good start on Defense

• Playbook: Raiders or Eagles
• Formation: 2-4 DBL Mug
• Playcall: Tampa 2 or Cover 3 Sky

1. Spread DL
2. Select Texas 4 Man Stunt
3. User MLB and Hover as shown
4. Shade Coverage Underneath (Optional)

LOOP BLITZ:

1. Call Play Action and Reblock HB (or put him on a route)

OR

1. Double Team Left of Screen End
2. ID Looper

OR

1. Half Slide Left

Watch the video for a demonstration!

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ENGAGE BLOCKING:

1. Block HB
2. Half slide towards RB
3. ID Blitzer

Watch the video for a demonstration!

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ANY SEND 6/OVERLOAD BLITZ

1. Block TE
2. If required, ID the opposite side of TE DE/LB

Watch the video for a demonstration!

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61 Disengage:

1. Block HB
2. Half slide OPPOSITE of way they slide
3. ID User

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Watch Video for a demonstration!

Here's a breakdown of 3 Skills you NEED to get better at before Madden 26!

1. Quick Adjustments/Switch Stick
2. Pocket Presence
3. Run Defense

1. This is an advanced coverage shell. Make sure you get all adjustments down in practice mode before trying in a game.
2. Base Align ON, Auto flip OFF. (If you run a different defense then shown in video it may be different)
3. Call a Cover 2 Play
4. Shade Coverage Underneath
5. Re Cloud Flat both outside DBS
6. Inside Quarter Both Safetys
7. Watch video for full breakdown!

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This is a full guide on how to beat Man Coverage!

1. Call Play Action A LOT (5 Out)
2. Slide Left to 5 out without Play Action. (Must Step Up in Pocket)
3. Quick Snap
4. Attack Short/Intermediate Middle of the field
5. Watch the video for a demonstration!

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1. Watch video for top “priority” abilities
2. Golden Tickets have the most "X-Factor broken abilities”
3. Pause video to copy exact ability stacks
4. Spin cycle ONLY on 6'4 and Taller players

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1. Safety Third/Cloud combo (Great against speed out/streaks from outside wrs)
2. Shaded Down Hooks. (Great for underneath routes over middle of field)
3. Seam Flats (Great against return/reverse zig routes)

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• Base Align On
• Auto Flip Off
• Equip Safety Swap Package

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Loop Blitz (LB Cross 3): 

1. Show Blitz
2. Move Back Left LB a few steps (Shown in video)
3. Shade Underneath (Optional)
4. Move outside LB toward sideline to disguise blitz (Optional)

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Edge Pressure:

1. Show Blitz
2. Move out outside LB toward sideline (Show in video)
3. Shade Underneath (Optional)
4. Move left linebacker back to disguise blitz (Optional)

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Shells 1 & 2 from Cover 4 Quarters Loop Blitz

SHELL 3 IS DB FIRE

MUST WATCH VIDEO

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Coverage Shell 1:

1. Inside Third TE Side Safety
2. Shade Down Coverage
3. Mid read/hook user
4. Watch video for optional adjustments

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Coverage Shell 2

1. KEEP MATCH ON
2. Man up Opposite side of TE safety onto TE
3. Mid read/hook user
4. Watch video for optional adjustments

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DB Fire

Coverage Shell 3:

1. Outside Third 2 WR side safety
2. Middle third Te Side Safety
3. Outside 3rd TE Side Cornerm
4. Watch video for optional adjustments

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Touch Pass Defense

1. Call DB fire
2. Press
3. User weak side LB
4. WATCH VIDEO TO SEE “LOOP”

For all Blitzes, come out in DBL Safety Go, with Base Align On and Auto Flip Off

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Loop Blitz

1. Audible to Cover 4 Quarters/ SS Zone Blitz
2. Drag over right LB behind Left LB (Watch video for demonstration)
3. Contain
4. Shade Down (Optional)
5. Hover over guard (Optional to disguise blitz)

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B Gap Blitz

1. Audible to Cover 4 Drop
2. Drag over right LB behind Left LB (Watch video for demonstration)
3. Contain
4. Shade Down (Optional)
5. Hover over guard and engage on snap (watch video for demonstration)

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DB Fire Blitz

1. Audible to DB Fire
2. Drag over right LB behind Left LB (Watch video for demonstration)
3. Crash DL Outside
4. Hover over guard (Optional to disguise blitz)

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1. First, see if you can block it with our Blocking Schemes (type "Blocking" into Search)
2. Easy and QUICK route combos. (We want to get the ball out as fast as possible.)
3. 5 Outing and Motioning out HB to create 5 wide is a great way to attack 6-7 man rushes
4. Throw the ball away if nothing is open, we don't want to take big sacks vs this style of defense.

• This is a full video for how we're building our team! This covers EVERYTHING you need to know!

How To Block EVERY META Blitz

• Engage Blitz:

1. Block HB
2. Half slide towards RB
3. ID Blitzer

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• LOOP BLITZ:

1. Call PA and 5 Out (Send out all 5 Routes)

                       OR

1. Block HB and ID right Slot CB

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• 61:

1. Block HB
2. Half slide OPPOSITE of way they shift DL
3. ID User

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• 34 Odd:

1.Block TE

2. ID Opposite side LB/end

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• We MUST Shade our Man Coverage (See Video)
• We want Auto Flip ON, and our Alignment is Default (Do Not Run Base Align Here)
• Typically, you want to "User" the Man who's on the HB
• Shade Overtop for Cover 0
• Individual Shading is HUGE
• See video for Full Breakdown

Full breakdown on the best Run Defense & Run Stopping Abilities

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Abilities:

• Secure Tackler (Great for bringing down Runners on the First Tackle)
• Enforcer Supreme + Extra Pop (Good for countering Tank!)

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Run Defense Set Up (2:19 Timestamp):

• 43 6-1 Formation (Chiefs or Vikings PB)
• Auto Flip: Off | Base Align: On
• Any Play

1. Pinch Defensive Line
2. Contain
3. Show Blitz (Optional)

1. Utilize Seam Streaks and Quick Snapping
2. 5 Out Blitz protection: Double Team LEFT OF SCREEN DE
3. When blocking your HB, ID The Mike on the Defensive Tackle. Click here for a full Blitz Protection Guide
4. Mix up sending 5 out/blocking HB to keep the opponent guessing. 
5. Watch Video For Breakdown!

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1. Come out in any 3 WR Set (Ex. Bunch, Trips TE)
2. Motion Over WR/HB/TE to create 4 WR strong set
3. Watch Video For Demonstration and How To Bomb Match!

We're breaking down the 3 Routes that you need in EVERY Offense, and why.

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Watch the video for a full breakdown!

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Speed Outs: These bad boys are great at avoiding Switch Sticks, and Attacking the Deep Sideline. 

Can only be covered by Cloud Flats (and great vs Backed Up Man Coverage).

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Seam Streaks: One of the best "Hot" reads in the game. Look for this Quick in the Middle of the field if their user isn't in the area. 

This forces them to play Underneath and aggressive with their safeties.

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Return Routes: One of the best Man and Zone beaters in the game (and also great against all Blitzes)!

Can look for it quick, or let it cross the middle!

• Chiefs PB
• Nickel 3-3-5 Stack
• Call Cover 4 or Cover 2

1. Pinch LBs
2. Blitz 1 LB
3. Hover in the Gap with your User on the side of that Blitzing LB

• Please watch the video for a full breakdown! This has become one of my favorite Blitzes!
• Advanced Loop Blitz shown at 2:17

Full breakdown of the best Abilities right now in Madden 25

Offense:

• Gunslinger: Faster Release, get ball out faster. Must have  
• Conductor: Faster Hot routes, easier to Quick Snap 
• Gift wrapped: Catch contested/diving balls 
• Hot Route Master: access to more route combos/plays 
• Playmaker: Good bailout for broken plays and stresses User/Switch Stick 

Defense:

• Mid Zone KO: Better reaction and knockouts to almost all routes, makes throwing seam streaks a lot harder 
• Pick artist: Catch more contested picks 
• Deep In Zone KO: Good on FS/SS for deeper routes that Mid Zone won’t cover 
• Deep Out Zone KO: Good on Outside CBs for Deep Routes that Mid Zone won’t cover 
• Flat Zone KO: Good on Slot DBs for playing Hard Flats and routes out of the backfield

Method 1:

1. After QB puts foot down, instantly stem down any route once
2. Watch video for breakdown

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Method 2:

1. Pick Play in formation next to formation you want to run
2. After QB puts foot down, Hot route B/O on a streak
3. Instantly audible over to formation you want to run
4. Watch video for breakdown

For Loop:

1. Option 1: Call any Playaction play and reblock HB.
2. Option 2: Block HB and ID right slot cb

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For B Gap (Engage Blitz):

IF ENGAGING ON RB SIDE: 

1. Block HB 
2. ID Blitzer

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IF ENGAGING OPP OF RB: 

1. Block HB
2. Half Slide Towards RB

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• This is all being done from the Patriots Playbook, but concepts can apply across a ton of PBs!

Screenshot Moments:

• Trips Route Combo: 1:04 (Can be done from any Trips set)
• Y Trips Route Combo: 5:35 (Specific to this play)
• Tight Route Combo: 7:33 (Can be done from any Tight Formation)

Coaching Adjustments:

• Base Align: On
• Auto Flip: Off
• Hook Curls: 5 Yards

Set Up:

1. Choose any play (Ideally from 61 Formation)
2. Cloud Flat Outside Corners
3. Inside Quarter Both Safties
4. Vert Hook both OLB
5. Mid Read/Man Up User
6. Look to switch stick onto hooks post snap

Note: You can save on some adjustments simply by coming out in Cover 4, or Tampa 2!

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• Route Combo 1: Double Clearouts, Post/Drag (0:00)
• This combo forces them to NOT Switch Stick onto their Deep Zones, or 1 Play Touchdown

1. Two streaks on the field (Ideally attacking different areas underneath where our Post will run)
2. Drag Route 
3. Post Route

• Flat / Zig (6:04)
• This Route Combo stretches the field horizontally underneath. Forces them to commit defenders to middle and underneath.

1. Flat Route
2. Zig Route (need good spacing between the 2)

• Clearout + Deep Out (10:24)
• This is the best way to attack the deep sidelines without much fear of being Switch Sticked

1. Slot Streak Route
2. Custom Stemmed Up Speed Out (10-15 Yards Deep)

• In this one, we're breaking down 2 GREAT blitzes that work together from the Dime 3-2 Formation (Chiefs PB)
• Blitz #2 starts at 2:10

1. Turn OFF Auto Flip 
2. Turn Base Align ON
3. Come out in play Double Safety Go
4. Pick Either Cover 4 Drop, Cover 4 Quarters
5. Watch Video For setups/disguising blitz

• Double Passes are very, very annoying right now in Madden 25, here's how to stop em:
• Auto Flip On, Default Alignment
• Call Cover 1
• Presnap, you want to Pass Commit
• Shade Coverage Overtop (Optional)

• This formation is often called "Dollar" and can be found in the 49ers Defensive Playbook
• Practice mode is weird for all Blitzes in Madden & CFB. See 1:40 and 2:15 for clean examples

1. Turn Off Auto Flip
2. Turn Alignment To Base
3. Come out in Cover 4 Quarters Flipped
4. Crash Defensive Line Outside
5. Hover over the LG with your User and Engage
6. Watch video for demonstration

• It's important to remember, every route has a CHANCE at beating Man Coverage, just some routes are better than others
• Return Routes, Zigs, Speed Outs, Slants, Drags, & HB Wheels are all great routes to beat Man Coverage
• It is important you watch the video for a full breakdown

• Watch the video for Live Examples of how to block every META Blitz
• To block Loop Blitzes use Play Action then Block or Hot Route the HB
• Against a DT Loop (like from 61), Double Team the DT who is Looping
• Against an Overload Blitz (like from 34 Odd), block the TE then ID the Outside Corner opposite of the TE
• Against DBL Mug, block the TE

1. Turn OFF Auto Flip
2. Pick “Pinch Buck 0”
3. Hover over RG with Right LB
4. Watch the video for a send 3 option!

• This is one of the most popular RPOs in Madden 25, here's how to stop it!

1. Auto Flip: Off
2. Alignment: Base
3. Choose a Nickel/Dime Formation
4. Move Trips Side Safety Outside of Slot CB
5. Hard Flat Slot Corner

• Please watch the video for a full breakdown

1. Call a "Cover 6" play
2. User the TE

• Make sure we don't Shade our Coverage, and our Zone Drops are on Default
• Watch the video for a full breakdown

• Auto Flip: Off
• Playcall: Mike Blitz 0 (Slot Corner is on the Right)

1. Zone Out OLBs
2. Drag MLB as shown in Video
3. See video for full breakdown

• Vikings Defensive Playbook, Dime 1-4
• Playcall: Cross 3 Fire

1. Pinch Defensive Line
2. See video coverages adjustments

• Hold Left Bumper to activate a "High Ball
• This is best used when there's a Defender underneath your WR, and you are Bullet Passing
• See the video for a full breakdown

1.  Base Align On, Auto Flip On
2.  Move 1 or Both OLBs out
3.  Contain
4. Can run Cover 3 Hard Flats, Cover 6 Show 2, or Cover 9 Show 2

• Call 5-2, Fire Zone 2, with Base Align On

1. Spread Defensive Line
2. Blitz All LBs
3. User Safety & Hook Curl other Safety

• See video for Full Guide on Bombing any Zone Coverage
• Be sure to TEST all Bombs in Practice Mode before games