How to use this ebook
Nickel Over is an INSANELY powerful defense against both the pass and the run, and it can be found in the following 16 playbooks:
49ers, Bears, Bengals, Browns, Chiefs, Colts, Commanders, Eagles, Jets, Saints, Seahawks, Texans, 4-3, 46, Cover 2, Multiple D.
BELOW: Select Beginner, Intermediate, or Advanced for a breakdown of how to use this Ebook based on your skill level.
Beginner
Step 1 - Learn the 6-Man Zone blitz setup and 6-Man Man Blitz setup: CLICK HERE
NOTE: If you’re not comfortable with the normal 6-Man Zone blitz, try the Basic version
Step 2 - When you’re on defense in a game, start by blitzing every play with Cover 4 Quarters (6-Man Zone Blitz) or Over Storm Brave (6-Man Man Blitz), depending on which one you feel more comfortable with
Step 3 - If your opponent starts beating the blitz, then alternate between blitzing and playing zone coverage (so don’t do the “Blitz all LBs” step of the 6-Man Zone blitz setup)
Step 4 - Once you get comfortable with this, feel free to call other plays in Nickel Over and do a similar strategy with alternating between blitzing and playing coverage
Intermediate
Step 1 - Configure your team with the proper abilities: CLICK HERE
Step 2 - Learn the 6-Man Zone blitz setup, the 6-Man Man Blitz setup, and the 5-Man Zone blitz setup: CLICK HERE
Step 3 - Learn the Cover 4 Quarters and Cover 3 Sky base coverage setups: CLICK HERE
Step 4 - Learn run defense: CLICK HERE
Step 5 - Learn the Redzone defense setups: CLICK HERE
Step 6 - When you’re on defense in a game, start with the Cover 4 Quarters blitz setup to see how your opponent handles the blitz. If your opponent can’t beat it, then keep calling it
Step 7 - If your opponent starts beating the blitz, rotate through the blitz setups and coverage setups of both Cover 4 Quarters and Cover 3 Sky to keep your opponent guessing
NOTE: Remember for your coverage setups that in Cover 4 Quarters and Cover 3 Sky, you can shade down for hard flats or shade down + up for cloud flats; use your best judgement about what to use depending on the situation and your opponent’s tendencies
Step 8 - If your opponent runs the ball, be prepared to run parallel to the line of scrimmage in the direction of your opponent’s run play
Step 9 - Once you get comfortable with these setups, start mixing in other coverage plays like Cover 2 Man and the 5-Man Zone blitz out of Nickel 2 Trap
advanced
Step 1 - Configure your team with the proper abilities: CLICK HERE
Step 2 - Learn all of the blitz setups: CLICK HERE
Step 3 - Learn all of the base coverage setups: CLICK HERE
Step 4 - Learn run defense: CLICK HERE
Step 5 - Learn the Gun Tight setups: CLICK HERE
Step 6 - Learn the Gun Bunch setups: CLICK HERE
Step 7 - Learn the Gun Trips TE setups: CLICK HERE
Step 8 - Learn the Redzone defense setups: CLICK HERE
Step 9 - When you’re on defense in a game, start with the Cover 4 Quarters base coverage setup while you get a feel for your opponent’s playstyle. Be mindful of whether they are sending out five receiving threats or usually keeping someone in to block
Step 10 - If you see them consistently sending out five receiving threats, try to surprise them with the Six Man Zone Blitz
NOTE: It’s important to check if your opponent has the Threat Detector ability if you’re going to blitz on 3rd or 4th down, since they will be able to see your blitzing defenders and block them accordingly. Even if they have You can still blitz in this case to force them to keep someone in to block, but know it probably won’t get instant pressure
Step 11 - On every coverage play, be prepared to gap shoot any inside runs. If your gap shoots are getting picked up, be prepared to run parallel to the line of scrimmage in the direction of your opponent’s run play
NOTE: Improve your gap shoots by “locking” your player pre-snap, which is the trick where you pull up your individual man coverage adjustments (A or X + up on the right stick), which allows you to hold down the sprint button and point your left stick towards the gap
Step 12 - Over the course of the game, use the Cover 4 Quarters and Cover 3 Sky base coverage setups as your primary plays, but mix in blitzes based on the situation and how well your opponent is handling the blitz. Remember to shade down for hard flats or shade down + up for cloud flats; use your best judgement about what to use depending on the situation and your opponent’s tendencies
Step 13 - Occasionally mix in other plays like Cover 2 Man, Nickel 2 Trap, and Cover 6 to keep your opponent from getting too comfortable
Step 14 - Adapt to your opponents tendencies by putting players in coverage on different assignments using Quick Adjustments and by modifying your zone drops to take away their preferred routes