I'll preface this with, I NEVER uses shotgun and I'm doing what I want against the Pinch Buck 0 out of the 3-4 Odd... I call it the "Everybody Defense" and there are a ton of ways to beat it... Here's a few.
- 2TE Formations: Schematically, a 2TE set with a TE on each end of the line will negate pressure from most 3-4 formations. The location of the TEs puts them in the perfect spot to block edge rushing LBs on stretch and zone runs, and they give you quick hot routes against a blitz.
- Swing Passes: When the pressure comes from the middle, a quick pass to the edge will get the ball to your playmakers in space. Motion a back to the slot to stress the coverage spacing and you can pop a big one every few plays.
- Boost Protection: The Pinch Buck 0 is typically a 6 man rush, with 5 man defenders. Block one eligible receiver and you beat the rush. If your quarterback can move, that one block may be all you need to get a lane up the middle to pick up some yards. If you have an X-Factor receiver, it will buy you time to get deep.
- Tax the Manual Defender: Most Madden players run the high pressure scheme to force a quick throw. In the Pinch Buck 0, the corners play the outside receivers, the safeties play the next inside receivers. Most people manually control the linebacker to rove the middle. ATTACK THE LINEBACKER. Using a variety of routes, you can keep hitting your back with angle, flat, streaks, and curls to run them around in circles.
- Run The Ball: Quick hitting plays will catch defenders running right at the guys trying to block them. Stay off the Sprint (R2/Right Trigger) until you break through the line and you should be able to pick up 3-5 yards a pop.
Whatever you do, avoid screens. While they seem to be the best counter, most players adjust the outside rushers to contain and that will blow up your screen.
Remember, this defense is just a test to see if you are a decent Madden player. If you beat it a few times, your opponent will run it less often. Beat it for a few big plays and they will stop altogether. But it's a test of YOUR ABILITY, not his. Just know that they will run it in the beginning of a game to see if it will be viable against YOU. If it's not, they will move onto something else (usually a Zone coverage).
Hope this helps,
Later
