[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":62},["ShallowReactive",2],{"tip-cfb-26-untarget-defender-run-game":3,"pillar-cfb-26-untarget-defender-run-game":45,"links-cfb-26-untarget-defender-run-game":46,"parent-cfb-26-untarget-defender-run-game":61},{"id":4,"video_id":5,"knowledge_source_ids":6,"topic_title":8,"slug":9,"youtube_timestamp_url":10,"timestamp_seconds":11,"page_content_html":12,"tldr_summary":13,"faq_json":14,"meta_title":30,"meta_description":31,"status":32,"published_at":33,"game_tag":34,"category_tags":35,"search_keywords":38,"created_at":43,"updated_at":44},"189c7984-a990-4255-ae13-21597d4004d5","4f171e58-d288-44a5-93e1-e8ef986450eb",[7],"d44ed879-bd39-4e68-8195-ccb499d8064b","Untarget Defender Run Game","cfb-26-untarget-defender-run-game","https:\u002F\u002Fyoutu.be\u002FIqZx3VLZCJ8?t=8",8,"\u003Ch2>What is Untargeting Defenders in the Run Game\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\u003Cp>Brand new feature EA added to College Football 26. You can tell your blockers to IGNORE specific defenders — letting them come free while redirecting blocks to more dangerous players.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Quick Setup:\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>Hold LT\u002FL2 + right stick left = see blocking assignments\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>Flick right stick up = flame icon appears\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>Move flame to any defender + press X\u002FA = that guy gets zero blocks\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\n\u003Cp>Why this matters — most run plays fail because ONE unblocked defender makes the tackle. This feature lets you pick WHO stays unblocked. Instead of some random safety running free, you can let a slow linebacker come while your line double-teams the middle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>Game-changer for inside zone, trap plays, RPOs. Any run concept where you want to manipulate WHO gets blocked and WHO doesn't.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch2>How to Execute Untargeting Pre-Snap\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Step 1: See Your Blocking Scheme\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>Hold LT\u002FL2\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>Hold right stick to the left\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>Shows exactly where every blocker is going\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>Spot the bad matchups or wasted blocks\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Step 2: Bring Up the Flame Icon\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>Flick right stick UP (quick motion)\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>Flame icon appears on screen\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>This is your \"untarget selector\"\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Step 3: Pick Your Victim\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>Move flame icon to the defender you want unblocked\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>Press X (Xbox) or A (PlayStation)\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>That defender now gets ZERO attention from your blockers\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\n\u003Cp>Do this BEFORE the snap. Once the ball is hiked, it's too late. Get good at reading blocking schemes fast — you've got maybe 10-15 seconds at the line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch2>When to Use Untargeting Strategy\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Against Slot Corners on Inside Zone\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cbr>\nYour slot receiver is blocking a corner 8 yards off the ball. That corner isn't making ANY tackles. Untarget him. Now your receiver blocks the safety instead — the guy who WOULD have made the tackle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>On Trap Plays Going Downhill\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cbr>\nTrap play to the left? Your right tackle might be assigned to the backside DE. That DE isn't making the play anyway. Untarget him, let your line get extra double teams in the middle where the run is actually going.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Against Blitzing LBs on RPOs\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cbr>\nRPO with a linebacker showing blitz? Why block him when he's running past the play anyway? Untarget the blitzer, get an extra double team somewhere useful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>When DEs Are Getting Kicked Out\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cbr>\nIf your tackle is kicking a DE outside and that DE can't make the tackle, untarget him. Free up that tackle to help with a double team. More push up front.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch2>What Makes This Feature Deadly\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\u003Cp>It's all about math. Defenses work because they have enough guys to fill every gap. But some defenders are MORE DANGEROUS than others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>A safety at the second level can tackle your RB after a 3-yard gain AND prevent it from breaking for 20+. A slot corner 8 yards off can't do either. So why waste a block on the corner?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>This feature lets you:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>Double-team the most dangerous pass rushers\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>Leave slow\u002Fout-of-position defenders unblocked\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>Create favorable angles for your running back\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>Attack where defenses are actually vulnerable\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\n\u003Cp>Best part — defenses can't adjust to this mid-play. Once they show their alignment and you untarget someone, they're stuck with whatever happens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch2>How Defenses Counter Untargeting\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Better Pre-Snap Movement\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cbr>\nSmart defensive players will shift and move right up until the snap. Makes it harder for you to identify who to untarget. They might show one look, you untarget someone, then they rotate at the last second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Multiple Run-Stopping Threats\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cbr>\nIf the defense has 2-3 guys who can all make the tackle, untargeting just one doesn't help much. You can only ignore ONE defender per play.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Delayed Reactions\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cbr>\nSome defenders will play disciplined — even if they're unblocked, they won't overcommit. They'll sit back and let the play develop, then make the tackle anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Your Counter to Their Counter:\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>Use motion to force defensive movement AFTER you've untargeted\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>Pick formation-based concepts where you know who the threats are\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>Have multiple run plays from the same look — if one gets stopped, audible to another\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\n\u003Ch2>Common Mistakes with Untargeting\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Untargeting the Wrong Guy\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cbr>\nDon't just pick someone random. That slow linebacker might actually be in the perfect spot to make the tackle. Study the blocking scheme FIRST, then decide who's least dangerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Taking Too Long\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cbr>\nYou've got limited time at the line. Don't spend 20 seconds analyzing every defender. Pick one obvious candidate and go with it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Overusing the Feature\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cbr>\nNot every run play needs untargeting. Sometimes the default blocking is already perfect. Don't fix what isn't broken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Ignoring the Run Direction\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cbr>\nUntargeting a guy on the opposite side of where you're running usually doesn't help. Focus on defenders who are actually in your running lane.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>Bottom line — this gives you WAY more control over run blocking. But it's a tool, not a magic button. Use it smart and it opens up massive holes. Use it wrong and you're letting dangerous defenders run free for no reason.\u003C\u002Fp>","EA's new untargeting feature lets you tell blockers to ignore specific defenders by holding LT\u002FL2 + right stick left to see assignments, flicking right stick up for the flame icon, then pressing X\u002FA on your chosen defender. Game-changer for inside zone and RPOs—instead of blocking a useless slot corner, let him run free while double-teaming the middle linebacker who'll actually make tackles.",[15,18,21,24,27],{"answer":16,"question":17},"Hold LT\u002FL2 + right stick left to see blocking assignments, flick right stick up to bring up the flame icon, then move the flame to any defender and press X\u002FA to make that defender get zero blocks.","How do you untarget defenders in College Football 26?",{"answer":19,"question":20},"It's a brand new feature that lets you tell your blockers to IGNORE specific defenders, letting them come free while redirecting blocks to more dangerous players. You can pick WHO stays unblocked instead of letting random defenders run free.","What is the untarget defender feature in College Football 26?",{"answer":22,"question":23},"Use it against slot corners on inside zone plays to redirect blocks to safeties, on trap plays to get extra double teams where the run is going, against blitzing LBs on RPOs, or when DEs are getting kicked out and can't make the tackle.","When should you use untargeting in the run game?",{"answer":25,"question":26},"It's all about math - defenses work because they have enough guys to fill every gap, but some defenders are more dangerous than others. Most run plays fail because ONE unblocked defender makes the tackle, so this lets you choose who that defender is.","Why is untargeting defenders so effective in college football 26?",{"answer":28,"question":29},"No, you must do this BEFORE the snap. Once the ball is hiked, it's too late. You only have about 10-15 seconds at the line to read blocking schemes and make your adjustments.","Can you untarget defenders after the snap in College Football 26?","Untarget Defender Run Game Guide CFB 26 | Civil.GG","Master the untarget defender technique in College Football 26's run game. Use LT + right stick to preview blocking and improve rushing assignments effectively.","published","2026-03-26T08:41:59.84596+00:00","college_football_26",[36,37],"offense","run_game",[39,40,41,42],"college football games 12\u002F26","dec 26 college football games","december 26 college football games","target defender college football 26","2026-03-26T08:40:11.227882+00:00","2026-03-26T08:41:59.899302+00:00",null,[47,51,55,58],{"anchor_text":48,"slug":49,"link_type":50},"5 Ways EA Just CHANGED College Football 26!","cfb-26-patch-changes-guide","cluster_to_pillar",{"anchor_text":52,"slug":53,"link_type":54},"Pre-Snap Blocking Adjustments","pre-snap-blocking-adjustments-guide","cluster_to_cluster",{"anchor_text":56,"slug":57,"link_type":54},"Arkansas State Offensive Playbook Analysis","arkansas-state-offensive-playbook-cfb-26",{"anchor_text":59,"slug":60,"link_type":54},"Maryland Playbook Breakdown","maryland-playbook-breakdown-cfb-26",{"title":48,"slug":49},1776523285105]