Chapter 5 - Defensive Gameplan
A popular football mantra is "Defense wins championships." And the saying holds true in NCAA Football 2004. A steady, unpredictable defensive coach that makes sound play calls can keep the opposing team out of scoring range and always give the offense the ability to stay in the game.
In NCAA Football 2004, all teams have the same defensive formations and plays. Of course, each team has different personnel. The defensive squad on Oklahoma is far superior to the defensive players on Wisconsin, for instance. The key is to play to your defense’s strengths.
When you decide on a team, check their defensive starters and survey their statistics. If you have a highly rated group of linebackers but poorly rated safeties then you will be stronger against the run than the pass. But if your cornerbacks and safeties are superior to your linebackers then your pass defense should be better than your run defense. You will need to adjust your play calls and your audibles to compensate for your lack of talent.
This section will go over the defensive formations and provide suggestions on when to utilize each one. It will also cover how to adjust your position players before the ball is snapped as a way of anticipating what your opponent has planned. Specific defensive calls are also touched upon as well as how to best control your player in run stopping or pass defense scenarios.
Position Movements
NCAA Football 2004 allows you to move your three primary defensive positions before the ball is snapped. The three are your linemen, your linebackers, and your coverage (cornerbacks and safeties). By repositioning these players, you can better structure your defense to stop the run, protect against the deep ball, jam a tight-end off the line of scrimmage, or a variety of all of these. Here are the specific button combinations to move your line, linebackers, and coverage and the reason to do each.
| PRESS | THEN PRESS | MOVES | COMMENTS |
| L1 on PS2, L on X-Box and Gamecube | Left | Linemen shift to the left | If you’re anticipating a run to the left, moving a lineman in front of a tight-end to jam, or opening a space for a blitzing linebacker. |
| L1 on PS2, L on X-Box and Gamecube | Right | Linemen shift to the right | If you’re anticipating a run to the right, moving a lineman in front of a tight-end to jam, or opening a space for a blitzing linebacker. |
| L1 on PS2, L on X-Box and Gamecube | Down | Linemen close together | If you’re anticipating a run up the middle or freeing up the end for an outside blitzer. |
| L1 on PS2, L on X-Box and Gamecube | Up | Linemen spread apart | If you’re anticipating an outside run or opening the middle for a blitzing linebacker. |
| R1 on PS2, R on X-Box and Gamecube | Left | Linebackers shift to the left | If you’re anticipating an outside run to the left or want to open a lane for a blitzing linebacker. |
| R1 on PS2, R on X-Box and Gamecube | Right | Linebackers shift to the right | If you’re anticipating an outside run to the left or want to open a lane for a blitzing linebacker. |
| R1 on PS2, R on X-Box and Gamecube | Down | Linebackers approach the line of scrimmage | If you’re anticipating a run and want to fill gaps or want faster blitz pressure on the quarterback. |
| R1 on PS2, R on X-Box and Gamecube | Up | Linebackers spread apart | If you’re protecting against the outside run or opening a lane for an outside blitz. |
| Triangle on PS2, Y on the X-Box and Gamecube | Down | Cornerbacks and safeties move closer to the line of scrimmage | Cornerbacks will be close to their coverage assignments in man-on-man and safeties move to the line to provide run support. Good against runs or short passes but very vulnerable to a deep ball. |
| Triangle on PS2, Y on the X-Box and Gamecube | Up | Cornerbacks and safeties move back off the line of scrimmage even further | Cornerbacks will move back off their receivers and safeties move back further. Good if you’re anticipating a deep ball but more vulnerable to the run and very vulnerable to certain short passes and crossing routes. |
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