Strategies and Plays To Beat A Cover 3 Zone Defense In Madden NFL

Cover 3 defense is the most common zone in Madden NFL gaming history. It was the most used zone defense in Madden 15 and it will be the most common in Madden 16. There is just no getting around it.

Instead of getting frustrated when you see your opponent calling a cover 3 defense, you will be happy to see it after you are done with this post.

We went over a lot of different money plays from the Madden School team this year and so now we are going to compile them into one easy to use resource as you prepare for Madden NFL 16. All of these plays are on the XBOX One and PlayStation 4 for Madden 15 but most concepts will work great in Madden 16 as well.

Note: You can find out the latest Madden 16 news here.

Let’s first start with a way to use compression sets to beat the cover 3 defense. This play is call PA WR Cross out of the Gun Tight Doubles On formation.

Another really popular way of getting open over the middle of the field is something Yoda went over earlier this year.

It isn’t too complicated and is something that even beginners can use as well as experts. This particular play is found in the Singleback Ace formation and is called PA Flood.

Now let’s talk about how to use bunch formations like Singleback Bunch when you encounter someone who sits in a Cover 3 all day.

In the video below, SnA Exclusive goes over 4 of his favorite plays out that form a cohesive scheme out of the Singleback Bunch. The plays are Flood, Spacing, Seattle, and Flanker Drive. When you start mixing up the plays, it will be very hard for any opponent to defend.

Let’s now go over a play that exposes a different part of the field. This one is a bit of a timing route, but if you take it into practice mode, you should get the hang of it very quickly.

The play is called Z Close Corner. Yoda does a really good job of explaining how it all works.

Madden 15 introduced a brand new defense called Cover 3 Press which is just as it sounds. It is a Cover 3 shell but the corners are in press (bump and run) coverage. As the Madden NFL franchise continues to make improvements and add new plays on defense, we will also need to step our game up on offense.

Earlier in the year, SnA Exclusive found a really good way of destroying anyone who tries to use the Cover 3 press on you.

The play is called Salem Go and can be found in the Shotgun Doubles On formation.

These plays come out of a variety of formations and looks. We just went over ways to beat Cover 3 Zone defenses using undercenter, shotgun, spread and compression. You shouldn’t have a problem moving the football against a Cover 3 defense anymore, but if you find yourself struggling still, leave a comment and we’ll try to help.