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Madden 10: How to Cover Screen Passes

Every team's playbook contains at least a few screen passes that can shred your defense for an easy six points if they aren't properly accounted for. The halfback screen aims to trick you into sending the blitz or dropping back into coverage, letting the back rumble down the field untouched. If you can predict the play, however, the screen often results in a big loss -- and a big play for your defense. Learning to read and cover screen passes can stifle opponents' game plans and put the ball back in your offense's hands.

Things You'll Need

Madden NFL 10
Compatible game console

Instructions

- 1
  Recognize when the offense might call a screen pass. Screens are often used in 3rd-and-long situations, where the defense would typically expect a deep pass, or on running downs against a heavy blitz. Consider the possibility of a screen in these scenarios.
- 2
  Call a screen-stopping defensive play. Any man-coverage scheme with a defender assigned to the running back will prevent the back from isolating himself and catching the ball in the open field. With his primary receiver locked down, the quarterback will often either take a sack or throw a bad pass into coverage.
- 3
  Monitor the offensive line and the running back carefully. During screens, the offensive line will pull toward one side of the field, and your defensive line will get quick pressure while the running back releases into the flat. Should you notice the running back breaking away toward the sideline, pull one of your blitzing linemen into the flat.
- 4
  Make a big play. If you assigned a defender to the screen's receiver, the quarterback will need to look for his secondary options -- leaving you plenty of time to apply pressure and force a sack. The QB might try to beat the man coverage and throw to the halfback anyway; if the runner catches the pass, lay down a big hit and stuff him for a loss.

Xbox 360