How to Stop the Madden 26 Empty Base Flex Formation

The Empty Base Flex formation in Madden 26 is often considered a “last resort” for many players when they are out of ideas. While this formation can be a nuisance, especially with the combination of the verticals play and the crossing route seam, it’s not unbeatable. In this article, we will break down two specific coverages-Cover Six and Cover Nine-that will help you shut down the most commonly used Empty Base Flex plays, particularly the dreaded verticals play with its pesky drag and crossing routes. If you’ve been getting hit with these types of offenses, keep reading. These two coverages, when used properly, can turn your defense into a brick wall, even against the most aggressive Empty formation users. And if you’re looking to beef up your team for the season, you might want to buy Madden 26 coins to make sure you have the best players available to match your defense strategy.

What Makes Empty Base Flex So Tough to Stop?

Before diving into the specifics of the coverages, let’s quickly discuss why the Empty Base Flex is so hard to stop. When your opponent runs Empty, especially with the verticals play, it often feels like one route is always open. The combination of the crossing route seam and drag keeps you on your toes, as it can be tough to cover both effectively.

In this article, we’ll focus on how to defend against these routes and make sure you’re not left chasing your tail.

The Defense: Cover Six and Cover Nine

To properly combat the Empty Base Flex, I recommend two coverages: Cover Six and Cover Nine. Both are what we call “split field match” coverages, and each has unique strengths in defending this formation.

Cover Six: The Basics

Cover Six is a combination of Cover Four Match to one side and Cover Two Match to the other. Here’s how this works in practice:

· Cover Four Match: The cornerback on the trips side (three-receiver side) will play Palms coverage, which means they will be in man-to-man on the outside receiver. If that receiver runs a route, like a drag, they will follow it no matter what.

· Cover Two Match: On the opposite side, the coverage operates more like a typical Cover Two, with the cornerback responsible for the flat, while the safety plays deep to protect against vertical routes.

Adjusting for Success with Cover Six

The key to making Cover Six effective against Empty formations is to manipulate the positioning of your players. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Out-Adjust Your Linebackers: If you're facing a pass-heavy Empty formation, it’s likely your linebackers will be out over the slot receivers, which thins out your run-stopping ability. You can adjust by hitting the right D-pad and right bumper to bring your linebackers into the box for extra run defense, making it 4-2 against the 5 offensive blockers.

2. Cover Four vs. Trips: The cornerback on the trips side plays Palms, which means man-to-man coverage. In Cover Four, your outside corner will not allow the drag or any underneath routes to break free. They’re locked in on their assignment.

3. User Responsibilities: The user responsibility with Cover Six lies in the three-receiver hook. Start off by covering any drag routes coming from the right side of the field. The key here is to prevent quick throws by walling off the inside release of the crossing route. You’ll also need to keep an eye on the verticals from the slot receiver, who could be a problem.

4. Making Adjustments: If you see that the drag route is becoming a consistent issue, you can adjust the coverage by manually usering the safety (or another player) to lock down the drag. You can also cheat the safety inside to better help with the crosser, then switch back to cover the drag when necessary.

Cover Nine: The Alternative Defense

Cover Nine is essentially the opposite of Cover Six. It uses Cover Two Match on the nickel side and Cover Four Match on the other side. This coverage is particularly useful if Cover Six isn’t giving you the results you want.

Here’s how it works:

· Cover Two Match: The nickel cornerback plays a soft zone to protect against quick outs and shallow routes. The linebacker on the other side (the "middle" zone) is responsible for the verticals and underneath routes.

· Cover Four Match: On the opposite side, this is a traditional Palms defense, where the cornerbacks play man-to-man on any vertical routes, while the safety covers deep routes and crossers.

How to Use Cover Nine Effectively

When running Cover Nine, here’s what you need to keep in mind:

1. Matchups: Like Cover Six, Cover Nine requires your players to be good in man-to-man coverage. Be sure to have cornerbacks with good man coverage ratings, especially for the players who will match up on the outside.

2. Man Coverage for the Drag Route: The key adjustment in Cover Nine is to manually cover the drag route with a player like a safety or linebacker. The nickel corner will focus on the verticals and the outside routes, but your user can focus on locking down the drag and crossing routes.

3. Defending the Vertical Routes: If your opponent tries to hit the deep routes, this is where Cover Nine shines. The safety on the Cover Four side should help cap any lob passes to the middle of the field, while your coverage on the Cover Two side will force the offense to throw a shorter pass to the outside.

4. Key Adjustments: If the drag routes are still open, you can try switching up the user’s positioning. Switch to the safety or linebacker responsible for covering the crossing route, then look for the opportunity to help against any lob or vertical throws down the field.

Advanced Tips for Both Coverages

· Manual Adjustments: As you move your user across the field, you can make manual adjustments to the zones and match coverage rules. For example, using the switch stick technique can help you stay on top of a route, especially if the drag route is trying to break free.

· Disguising Coverage: One important trick is disguising your coverage until the last second. Whether you’re running Cover Six or Cover Nine, the last thing you want is for your opponent to know exactly what you’re doing. Make sure to switch between coverages quickly, or adjust your shell pre-snap to confuse your opponent.

· Pressure and Stunts: While this article focuses on coverage, don’t forget that pressure is key. You can use stunts (e.g., Tom or Pirate) and bring pressure from the outside to disrupt the quarterback’s timing. Combine these stunts with the right coverage to keep your opponent off-balance.

Conclusion

Defending against the Empty Base Flex in Madden 26 doesn’t have to be as frustrating as it seems. By using Cover Six and Cover Nine, you can effectively stop the verticals play and the dangerous drag and crossing routes. With proper positioning, user skills, and the right adjustments, you’ll make life tough for any player trying to spam Empty formations. And if you want to enhance your defense even further, consider grabbing some cheap mut 26 coins to upgrade your squad and get the best players to execute these strategies effectively.

Be sure to keep experimenting with both coverages until you find the right balance for your defense. Remember, it’s not just about coverage, but also mixing in pressure, stunts, and disguising your looks to keep your opponent guessing.
Happy defending!