TL;DR: You're giving up easy completions because you're not using these defensive adjustments. The biggest one? Shade your coverage underneath (Y/Triangle + Down on right stick) — it makes your hook curl defenders play 4-5 yards off the line instead of 10+. They'll jump those crossing routes that have been killing you all game.
Plus, you're probably messing up your coaching adjustments. Set your Option Read Key to Conservative and Safety Depth to Close. Stop running shaded down man without safety help — that's a one-play touchdown waiting to happen.
Here's everything the best players do on defense that you're not doing yet.
How Do I Stop Crossing Routes That Keep Getting Open Underneath?
This is THE adjustment that separates good players from everyone else. And you're probably not doing it.
The Problem: Your opponent keeps hitting these routes:
- In routes
- Drags
- Slants
- Crossing patterns
They get open in the middle. They get open on the sideline. Over and over.
The Fix: Shade Coverage Underneath
Press Y + Triangle + Down on Right Stick
This does TWO things:
Change #1: Your Flats Become Hard Flats
You probably know this one. Hard flats play about 0-4 yards off the line of scrimmage. If they try to throw that drag late, the hard flat will play it.
Change #2: The Hidden Secret
Here's what most people DON'T know.
Your hook curl defender (the yellow zone) shows NO visual difference when you shade underneath. He looks exactly the same. But he plays DRASTICALLY different.
Without shading: He sits at 10+ yards. Ball gets thrown right in front of him. He makes the tackle AFTER the catch.
With shading underneath: He drops to 4-5 yards off the line. Now he's right there to snag the ball or make the tackle at the catch point.
This DOMINATES in:
- Fourth and short
- Third and short
- Any situation where they need underneath yardage
I shade coverage underneath as a BASE consistently. My favorites: Cover Three or Cover Four with underneath shading.
What Coaching Adjustments Should I Use Every Game?
Just copy these settings. Click the right stick in on defense to access them. Do this at the start of EVERY game.
Auto Defensive Play Call: ON
Unless you REALLY know what you're doing, keep this ON. It aligns your defense strength with the offensive strength automatically.
Quarterback Matchups: BALANCED
This has been bugged for YEARS. Leave it at balanced or your defense gets all fouled up. If your zones or players are misaligning — this is probably why.
Option Read Key: CONSERVATIVE
The biggest plays in the option game happen when the QB keeps it. Conservative means the read key ALWAYS plays the quarterback. They have to hand it off into the teeth of your defense where your user is.
Option Defense Pitch Key: AGGRESSIVE
I want them holding the ball at QB so we can hit them. The biggest speed option plays are when they pitch outside to the halfback. Make them keep it.
RPO Read Key: CONSERVATIVE
RPO Pass Key: CONSERVATIVE
We want the pass key playing coverage. Playing the bubble screen.
Safety Depth: CLOSE
Safety Width: PINCH
If you're running Cover Three or Cover Four — or really anything that ISN'T Cover Two — go Close and Pinch. Helps a TON with the seams.
This is one free tip on defense. Members get the full defensive scheme with 20+ more adjustments and setups, updated weekly. → civil.gg/become-a-member
How Do I Stop Quick Seam Routes to the Running Back?
You know this play. They come out in trips or five wide. Snap and throw IMMEDIATELY to the RB on a quick seam. Always open.
The Solution:
- Click right stick in for coaching adjustments
- Find Safety Depth
- Go one tick LEFT to Close
- Optional: Set Safety Width to Pinch
- Call Cover Four (Cover Three works too)
- Shade coverage underneath (Y/Triangle + Down)
Now your safety starts so LOW that snap-throwing that RB route is a TOUGH throw. If they're fitting that ball in consistently — let them. They can't do it every time without throwing a pick.
If they're throwing it THAT fast, they're begging to get picked off by your user.
Why Am I Giving Up One-Play Touchdowns in Man Coverage?
This is something you need to STOP doing because it's killing you.
The Problem: Off Man + Shade Underneath
When you run off man coverage (DBs backed off the receivers) and you shade coverage underneath — your DBs fire down at the snap.
This leaves EVERYTHING open above them. One-play touchdown.
Cover Two Man Has The Same Issue
Cover Two Man comes naturally shaded underneath. Even though you're pressed up, a fade route can get open over top if:
- You user the high safety
- The safety is in a bad position
One-play touchdown.
The Solution
Whenever you're shaded underneath, you NEED safety help over top. Know the risks:
- You can get ran by for easy touchdowns
- You need appropriate help over top
- You need good usering
Shaded down man is one of the most dangerous coverages to run. But when ran correctly with the right help — it's effective.
How Do I Counter Texas Stunts When They Roll Out?
You know the Texas four-man stunt. Spread the D-line, great pressure. Problem is — people see it and immediately roll out. Really hard to contain.
Option 1: Texas Two-Man Stunt
Call this when someone's rolling out opposite their strong hand. Right-handed QB rolling left? Use Left Tex Two-Man.
- Call Left Tex Two-Man
- Press RB/R1 + LB/L1 for contain
Now you get a stunt AND contain. They try to roll out — they can't.
Option 2: Tom Two-Man Stunt
The Tom stunts are defensive tackle stunts. Your D-tackles stunt around each other, but your ends both contain.
Reality check: These aren't as good as the Texas four-man. But they're better than standard pass rush when you have fast guys stunting.
Key points:
- Always want fast, slim body types at stunting positions
- Combine different stunts throughout the game
- Keeps the QB guessing
What Are The Best Ways to Stop RPOs?
These work from ANY defense, ANY playbook. We're talking about RPOs like the RPO Alert Bubble from Gun Trips Tight End.
Tactic #1: Move A Hard Flat Over The Bubble
- Call Cover Three or Cover Four
- Press Y/Triangle and shade underneath (down on right stick)
- Hop on the hard flat defender
- Move him over the bubble receiver
- Snap the ball
Now it's a pick. Maybe a pick six.
Tactic #2: Use Someone Already Inside
Same idea, but easier. Choose somebody already inside and put them in a hard flat:
- Select the inside defender
- Choose hard flat adjustment OR man him up on that player
- No moving required
Tactic #3: Call Man Coverage
Simple. Any kind of man coverage lines someone right over the bubble. Man coverage plays RPOs well.
BONUS Tactic #4: Get Your User Involved
My favorite because it's all skill:
- See the RPO
- User your defender out there
- Make the play yourself
Your user is the BEST player on defense. That means YOU'RE the best player on defense.
What Is Switch Sticking and How Do I Use It?
This is advanced. But if you get this down — you're getting more stops. Period.
What Switch Sticking Does
Switch stick lets you user one player at the snap, then switch to another coverage defender mid-play:
- Snap the ball on your MLB
- See a route to the right? Flick right stick right
- Now you're on that defender
- Original player goes back to his zone
Switch Stick Rules
- You need to be on a coverage defender — can't be blitzing
- Offense must be passing (RPOs work too)
- Only works when QB has the ball
- Can only switch to other coverage defenders
Why Flat Defenders Are Perfect
Flat defenders are usually stagnant in their hard flat. But when you SWITCH STICK onto them (not start on them), you get versatile:
- Crosser coming? Switch stick to flat and break inside
- Drag route? Switch stick and get down to jump it
- Angle route? Position where they don't expect
Settings
Switch Stick Delay: Set to SLIGHT or NONE
- DO NOT put it at moderate
- DO NOT put it at disabled
Pro Tips
- Getting hit stick animation? You're flicking too aggressively
- Deep defenders = more risk of giving up touchdowns
- Start with flat defenders — least risky, big play potential
Switch sticking is a HUGE deal. Master it on flats first.