Unlocking Cover 3 Defenses: 3 Easy Concepts for Offensive Dominance

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Concept 1: Curl Flat
   • Attacking cover 3 Sky defenses with a curl flat concept
   • Running the curl flat to the short side of the field
   • Reading the curl flat defender to determine the throw
   • Throwing the flat or the curl based on the defender's positioning
   • Consistency and effectiveness of the curl flat concept
3. Concept 2: Sail/Flood
   • Attacking cover 3 Sky defenses with a sail/flood concept
   • Setting up the concept with hot route master
   • Flooding the right side of the field with deep, intermediate, and shallow routes
   • Reading the flat defender to determine the throw
   • Throwing the flat or the corner based on the defender's positioning
   • Taking advantage of the defense's focus on the flat route
   • Consistency and effectiveness of the sail/flood concept
4. Concept 3: Four Verticals
   • Attacking cover 3 defenses with four verticals
   • Running four verticals from the center of the field
   • Reading the middle of the field safety to determine the throw
   • Progression from seam to seam and check down
   • Exploiting open areas in the defense for big gains
   • Using the check down option against man coverage adjustments
   • Consistency and effectiveness of the four verticals concept
5. Conclusion

Attacking Cover 3 Sky Defenses: Three Easy Concepts

In this article, we'll discuss three easy concepts that can be used to attack cover 3 sky style defenses. These concepts are derived from real-life strategies employed by teams and translate effectively into Madden gameplay. If you're looking to improve your offensive game against cover 3 defenses or have any specific questions regarding coverage or formations, continue reading to discover effective strategies and techniques.

Concept 1: Curl Flat

When facing cover 3 sky defenses, the curl flat concept can be a great option for attacking the defense. To execute this concept, focus on the short side of the field and look for the outside receiver running a curl route and the inside receiver running a flat route. If you have a running back with hot route master or running back apprentice, sending them to the flat will provide a quicker and more effective option. However, if you don't have these abilities, blocking the running back and sending a receiver or tight end to the flat can still yield positive results.

When running the curl flat concept, your primary read will be the curl flat defender on the side you're throwing to. If the defender backs up, it indicates an open opportunity to throw the flat route. On the other hand, if the defender comes down, it signifies a chance to throw the curl route. By reading the defender's positioning, you can consistently gain four to five yards on these plays. Additionally, by manipulating the defense with route combinations and properly timing the throws, you may even gain more significant yardage.

Pros:

• Provides a reliable option against cover 3 sky defenses
• Allows quick and easy yardage gains
• Can be tailored to the short side of the field for shorter throws

Cons:

• May not result in explosive plays
• Requires effective timing and manipulation of the defense

Concept 2: Sail/Flood

Another effective concept to attack cover 3 sky defenses is the sail or flood concept. This concept can be run from various formations and presents a balanced attack to flood the right side of the field. To set up the sail/flood concept, make use of hot route master to assign a fade or streak route to the outside receiver, a flat route to one of the inside receivers, and a corner route to the other inside receiver.

Similar to the curl flat concept, the sail/flood concept also involves reading the flat defender on the side you're throwing to. If the defender jams the receiver running the corner route, it opens up the flat route for easy yards. However, if the defender drops back to cover the flat route, it creates an opportunity to throw the corner route. Both routes can be effective and consistent against the cover 3 sky defense.

Pros:

• Offers a balanced attack against cover 3 sky defenses
• Provides options for both deep and short passes
• Can exploit defensive adjustments to the flat route

Cons:

• Requires effective manipulation of the defender to create openings
• May depend on receiver abilities and offensive formation

Concept 3: Four Verticals

The four verticals concept is particularly effective against cover 3 defenses. When running four verticals, positioning yourself near the center of the field provides the best opportunity to attack the defense. The primary read in this concept is the middle of the field safety. If the defense shows a one-high safety look, you need to read the safety's movement to decide which seam route to throw.

Progressing from seam to seam, you can either look away from the user's position or towards it. The goal is to throw the seam route away from the safety's movement and exploit the open area in the defense. Additionally, if the defense adjusts by manning up the seam routes or focusing on the deep receivers, a check down option to the running back becomes available.

Pros:

• Exploits cover 3 defenses down the field
• Provides opportunities for big gains
• Check down option against defensive adjustments

Cons:

• Requires precise reads and timing
• Relies on receiver abilities and offensive positioning

Conclusion

Mastering the art of attacking cover 3 sky defenses is crucial to succeeding in Madden. The concepts discussed in this article, including the curl flat, sail/flood, and four verticals, offer effective strategies to beat these defenses. Implementing these concepts in your offensive game plan will provide versatility and consistency in your passing attack. By understanding the reads and timing involved in each concept, you can confidently dismantle cover 3 sky defenses and secure victories on the virtual gridiron.

Highlights

• Three easy concepts to attack cover 3 sky defenses
• Curl flat concept for quick and easy gains
• Sail/flood concept offers a balanced attack
• Four verticals concept exposes cover 3 defenses down the field
• Importance of reading defenders and adjusting routes

FAQ

Q: Are these concepts effective against other defensive coverages? A: While these concepts are specifically designed to exploit cover 3 sky defenses, they can still be effective against other coverages as well. However, adjustments may be necessary based on the defensive scheme.

Q: Can these concepts be executed in both run-heavy and pass-heavy offenses? A: Absolutely! These concepts can be incorporated into various offensive schemes and can provide reliable options regardless of whether the offense leans towards the run or pass.

Q: Are there any specific formations that work best with these concepts? A: These concepts can be implemented from a variety of offensive formations. It ultimately depends on your team's personnel and play style. Experiment with different formations to find the best fit for your offense.