Defensive Prehike Options
In our “Offensive Prehike Options” article, we discussed the importance of the offensive cadence and the various options available before the hike. Now, it’s time to flip to the other side of the coin and deal with the last-minute changes and customizations available on defense.
Position matters as much as timing!
Adjust Your Coverage
If you press the White button anytime before the play begins (after selecting your play), a thin menu of coverage options will appear at the top of the screen. You can select the following coverage options after bringing up this menu.
Bump
Feel like giving the opposing receiver a shiver up his spine? Try the bump coverage, and your defensive backs will throw a little contact around during the first few yards of a receiver’s route. This tactic is especially effective at disrupting the timing of short passing routes. You can select this option by pressing the X button after bringing up the aforementioned menu.
Loose
If you tell your coverage personnel to play loose, you’re telling them to play cautious, protecting against the deep pass. The farther “back” from the receiver they are, the harder it is for the receiver to cut past them on a deep route. This tactic is very effective when your opponent has very little time left and needs to get downfield in a hurry. Press the Y button after bringing up the coverage options to activate this coverage style.
Tight
Tight coverage, as you may have guessed, is the opposite of loose coverage. You’ll want to give this coverage a shot if you think your opposition will be using quick routes. For example, this coverage works well when the receiver sprints forward and turns around for a “comeback” toward the quarterback. Press the A button to activate this coverage.
Original
This simply reverts to the original default coverage. Use this (via the B button) if you select another option and want to change back.
Disguise
Don’t want the offense to guess at your coverage package? Use this option as your defense walks up the line of scrimmage, and your safeties and d-backs will “disguise” their assignments by rearranging themselves on the field. Note: Make sure you do you this before your defense settles itself at the line of scrimmage. Otherwise, the offense will have already had a glimpse of your defensive setup. Use the Black button to activate the Disguise option.
Pursuit means setting up the angles.
The Shift and Shuffle
Think you’ve got your opponent’s play pinned down? Are you pretty sure they’re going try a halfback sweep to the right? Well, then, try shuffling your linemen, linebackers—or both—to your left, so you can load up on the offense’s right side and stop the run dead. How do you do that, you ask? Just press the B button at the line of scrimmage, and then press the A button to adjust your line or the B button to select your linebackers. Next, indicate the direction you want them to shift with either the Left Analog stick or the Directional Pad. Bam! You’re done.
@&*%! I Changed My Mind
Audibles! Yes, they exist on the defensive side of the ball, too, and they work just the same as their offensive counterparts. If you press the Black button, the Audible menu will appear at the top of the screen. From there, just press the button that corresponds to the audible you want to call. The key here is to have a firm grasp of all the audibles available in your User Profile. If you don’t, you run the risk of the offense starting the play before you’ve called your audible.
The best-laid plans ...
Scheming is a Beautiful Thing
Not sure what audible to call, but you’ve got a good idea what the offense is going to run? Don’t fret. NFL Fever 2004 has you covered. You can choose from six different quick Defensive Schemes tailored to repel six different kinds of threats:
- Stop Run Left: A button
- Stop Run Inside: B button
- Stop Run Right: X button
- Defend Inside Pass: Y button
- Defend Deep Pass: Black button
- Defend Outside Pass: White button
To access the above defensive adjustments, press the White button as you approach (or while you’re at) the line of scrimmage. Then, select the button corresponding to the adjustment you want, and you’re ready for action.
By Alex McLain
