Hurry-up offenses catch us off guard and capitalize on our indecision.  Games are no fun without a no-huddle defensive strategy.  TNT713 sets you up to handle no-huddle with a simple game plan changes. 

Fortunately, feeling an advantage and actually having one are not the same.  Most of the advantage to no-huddle offenses is psychological. No-huddle plays might create panic. Being fearful of a no-huddle offenses effectiveness is a self-fulfilling prophecy. 

Fear stems from being unprepared.  The trick is to have a plan.  Anyone can overcome no-huddle offenses with a few minor adjustments.  Preparation is the best defense.  Don't be baffled by bypassed play selection screens. Develop a simple plan to keep opponent's hurry up-offense off balance, instead of the other way around.

How can we defend hurry-up offenses?

Set your audibles with a strategy.  Madden players on offense can run the last play selected in the play call screen, one of four formation audibles, or one of four plays in formations featuring the same personnel set on the field. It seems like a lot to think about.  Don't overlook the defense's ability to counter punch. Defensive audibles have the same flexibility and are the key ingredient to defending hurry-up effectively.

Know your audibles. Get intimate with them. Select audibles with broad appeal to cover basic situations. When the offense hurries to the line; audible to frustrate the pre-snap read. Get into and out of plays quickly to confuse opponents; but don't confuse yourself.  Slow decisions may create a blown coverage if the snap catches the defense in flux.

Some players use basic personnel packages from formations that cause match-up problems. Most attempt to get a wide receiver covered by a linebacker.  Defensive Madden players can avoid mismatches during bursts of no-huddle by matching the offense's initial personnel group, then adjust to the offensive formation as they line up. Be proactive early to prevent opponents from getting what they want.

Understand the nature of a no-huddle offense and it becomes easier to stop. Each opponent offers their own subtle flavor to the no-huddle attack, but the best ones thrive on a a mix of a few complementary plays. Mixing personnel, shifts, and attacking several areas of the field enhances a potent no-huddle attack to the point it may seem invulnerable. Luckily, audibles are not the only defensive tool.

Which audibles best disrupt hurry-up?

Style matters. Players that blitz heavily might use several blitz audibles; while conservative players might vary their coverage. We recommend a robust audible set as a backbone to prevent no-huddle offenses from wrecking your Madden fun:

 Why this defensive audible combination?

Simply put, these are flexible and handle the most situations at the line of scrimmage. Minor adjustments to each audible give the defense more options. When offenses attack with the same 3-5 offensive plays, you can hit them back with customized defensive plays catered to specifically stop what the opponent's offense wants to do.  When the offense hurries to take advantage of something, throw something different at them.  Utilize the group defensive assignments to hot route groups of players, instead of just one at a time. Alternate from a blitz to a deep pass defense to confuse the offense and slow the tempo.

What if these audibles don't work?

When it feels like you're a step behind the offense, get back to basics.  Adjustments to no-huddle offenses rely on three simple factors: Timing, Position, Personnel.

Timing

Blitzes attack offensive timing. Pass plays are susceptible to blitzes that force the quarterback to throw earlier than he wants.  The result is frequently incomplete passes, or turnovers. O­n the flip side, blitzing a team that is prepared for the blitz can result in 6 points for the offense.

Another way to disrupt an offensive play's timing is to force hesitation. Offenses that beat blitzes may struggle with heavy coverage plays that slow execution that can generate sacks. Passing with the same rhythm into tight coverage might create a quick turnover. 

Position

Placing players in specific areas of the field effectively defends offenses with a specific route tendency. Zone the area where the offense likes to throw the ball.  Many Madden players will force a pass into coverage instead of moving to the next read. If scanning the field takes too long, even slight pressure may generate a sack. Beware opponents that flip their plays when zones cover the field evenly.

Personnel

Defenses can utilize man coverage if defenders match up well to offensive threats. Man defenses ensure every receiver is covered, but are susceptible to mismatches. Take notes about receiver routes; pass patterns designed to beat man coverage are popular themes in no-huddle offenses. Try to use defenders that can live up to coverage expectations. Use fast players to run with fast players, strong players to battle against strong players.

Sounds good, but how do you defend the no huddle offense?

BE PATIENT!!!

Try to get as many looks at the offense as you can, then let the offense run its course.  Concentrate on the common threads. Most offensive players run their best play(s) when they need yards. Pay close attention. If you can pinpoint an opponent's tendencies shutting them down is simpler.

Don't allow big plays.  Let the offense exhaust its playbook by keeping everything in front of you and making conservative tackles. Play detective and figure out the opponent's primary read. Take it away from him and wait for him to get comfortable going to his 2nd option. Take them both away. Take away one read at a time until the offense has nowhere to go with the football. Your opponent's offense will sputter when he runs out of options.

First play

Stay on guard.  On the first play, the defense doesn't know if the offense will hurry. Balanced defenses counter most offensive plays. Stay conservative.  Your first play call is the primary defensive call for the entire drive. Make it a good call. Take note of the offensive formation. If the offense uses several formations in their audibles, formation keys the upcoming play.

Watch the offensive personnel closely

Get in the habit of waiting to call defensive plays until after the offense has made a selection.  Choose defense based on the offensive personnel. Usually, the offense's first play is meant to get base defensive personnel on the field. Some teams run five plays from five different formations and audible to create a mismatch. Use the Man Align and Base Align functions to disguise coverage intentions.

Short Yardage

On short yardage plays, most players use one short yardage audible and the play selected from the play call screen. The plays are usually run in opposite directions. Use a short yardage audible without exotic defensive line stunts or defensive linemen dropping into zones. Keep an eye on the middle, but don't over commit.  Blitzes work well here, as long as you control a blitzing defender and read the play so you don't leave your secondary exposed.

3rd and long

Watch for flag, post, and corner routes to the wide side of the field. Blitzing mixed with Cloud Flat zones work well to discourage corner routes by attacking the timing and positioning of the pass. Since most deep passes use 7-step drops, getting outside pressure is usually enough to disrupt timing while zone defenders drop to where the offense is looking to throw.

4th Down

When players disregard the percentages on 4th down, be confident.  Offenses typically call the best play in their playbook. More often than not, it's a repeat of 3rd down. Don't change defenses without reason.  Changing one defender's assignment is customarily the only adjustment required.  If you are unsuccessful, remember that 4th down play.  You're likely to see it again. 

Timeout

If nothing is working, stop the clock.  A timeout gives the defense a rest. Do some coaching. Don't let pride cost a score. Burn the timeout and regroup. Think about how to better attack an opponent's tendencies. Adjust personnel to counter the offense's personnel and audible to match the formation.

Find the offense's strongest tendency

Often there is one common thread that is constant throughout every pass play during a no-huddle drive. Maybe one guy goes deep. It's likely the opponent's security blanket. Identify it and adjust to take it away.

Control the clock on offense

Conversely, an offense can't hurt you from the sideline. Many players overlook controlling the clock as a way to counter no-huddle offenses.  Develop a consistent and productive running game to slow down an opponent's push. Work the clock methodically and rob the offense of opportunity and drive down the field. Eat the clock.  When opponents get the ball back, they are forced to hurry-up.

There are many approaches to control hurry-up offenses. These are just a few ideas. Ultimately, it's up to you to identify and adjust to specific no-huddle threads your opponent is employs. Occasionally though, we meet players prepared for the chess match with no-huddle adjustments of their own. In those cases, play better to win.