For this Madden Tips breakdown, we are going to take a look at a defense that we like to run out of the Nickel Double A Gap to get pressure from the left outside linebacker in the name of the defense is called Buck Zone Blitz.
The Nickel Double A Gap – Buck Zone Blitz features six Defenders playing zone coverage you have three Defenders that play 3 deep coverage. Three defenders play zone coverage. Five defenders pass rush the quarterback.
In the image above you can see the left outside linebacker that’s bringing the pressure on the quarterback. With this particular defense, it’s Khalil Mack of the Bears. He’s going to bring the pressure, but he still probably will end up getting blocked by the right tackle. However, he has an X-Factor attribute, he should shed block and get to the quarterback pretty quickly. if you want to make sure that he gets the pressure without being blocked, there’s an adjustment. Let’s show you how to do it here with this setup.
Notice that this linebacker here which is going to be the inside linebacker is dropping back in a hook zone. What we need to do is take control of him and go ahead and blitz him.
He now brings pressure up the middle. However, we’re not going to blitz them.
We also want to move him back about 3-4 yards off the line of scrimmage.
By doing this, it’s changed the way the offensive line blocks. Notice that the right guard looks to block the inside linebacker.
The right tackle looks to block the left end.
This allows the left outside linebacker a clean shot at getting pressure on the quarterback from the outside without being blocked
As you can see on your screen the left outside linebacker now can get pressure on the quarterback without being blocked.
Notice that we dropped the inside linebacker back so he can go ahead and look to go ahead and defend any receiver that might be coming across the middle of the field
In this case, it’s a slot receiver is looking to run a drag route across the middle of the field but we’re in a position with the linebacker to go ahead and take that away.
Madden Guides Tip: If halfback was to stay in to block, Mack would still be able to get the quarterback because of his X-Factor attribute.
the left outside linebacker can sack the quarterback, thus not allowing him time to find an open.
Video Breakdown
Final Thoughts
This blitz setup for the Nickel Double A Gap – Buck Zone Blitz is very simple that doesn’t require many pre-snap adjustments, making it online franchise league friendly.
