The 43 Under Cover 2 is a great play to use to not only apply A-gap pressure on your opponent, but it also provides you with some nice zone coverages across the field. We'd recommend using this play when your opponent gets inside the 30 yardline because the odds of him being able to make a downfield manual catch will be much worse against a shortened field. The reason it's tougher to complete passes against a shortened field is because your zones don't have a chance to get spread out quite as much when the offense has less area to work with. Read below to check out this SportsGamer exclusive tip to start making your defense one to be feared in Madden 09.
Quick Setup
Step 2 - Hot route the strong defensive tackle to blitz (360 - Move icon over player, then press A + flick down on right analog stick / PS3 - Move icon over player, then press X + flick down on right analog stick).
Step 3 - Hot route the right outside linebacker to blitz (360 - Move icon over player, then press A + flick down on right analog stick / PS3 - Move icon over player, then press X + flick down on right analog stick) and manually move him behind the weak defensive tackle about 4 yards off the line of scrimmage.
Step 4 - (optional) Hot route the left defensive end to perform a QB contain (360 - Move icon over player, then press A + flick down on left analog stick / PS3 - Move icon over player, then press X + flick down on left analog stick).
Play Breakdown
Take a look at the defensive assignments for the 43 Under 2 in the image above. The setup that we're about to show you for this play will also work with the 43 Over formation when flipped at the play call screen. What we like about using this play to bring pressure is the fact that we're provided with two cornerbacks in the flats on both sides of the field. The reason we like having two defenders in the flats is because most people will immediately look to try to dump the ball off in that area of the field as soon as they see the pressure coming.
The first thing we do to setup the pressure is pinch our defensive line down. To pinch the defensive line down simply press (360 - LB + down on d-pad / PS3 - L1 + down on d-pad).
Next, we move the player icon over to the strong defensive tackle and hot route him to blitz straight down to occupy the center after the snap. To make this change on the field simply (360 - Move icon over player, then press A + flick down on right analog stick / PS3 - Move icon over player, then press X + flick down on right analog stick).
The last two steps we make is hot routing the right outside linebacker to blitz (360 - Move icon over player, then press A + flick down on right analog stick / PS3 - Move icon over player, then press X + flick down on right analog stick) and then manually move him behind the weak defensive tackle about 4 yards off the line of scrimmage.
This overhead view of the setup allows you to see exactly where the right outside linebacker should be placed behind the weak defensive tackle to get the best results after the snap. Now we are ready to begin the play.
