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PRIMA Offi cial Game Guide
MULTIPLE D
This defense is a composite of the
3-4 and 4-3 defenses. The Multiple D
is a great opportunity to throw differ-
ent defensive looks at an opponent.
Also, note that the 5-2 defense (fi ve
linemen and two linebackers) is avail-
able through this and all other play-
books except for the 3-3-5. The 5-2 is
designed to put stress on the offen-
sive line and get greater penetration
into the backfi eld against the run.
In pass blitz situations, the 5-2 puts
extreme pressure on the secondary
to provide solid coverage—but with
so much blitzing power aimed at the
quarterback, he may not have time
to read the coverage correctly.
UNIVERSAL SETS
All the defensive playbooks share
these additional universal sets:
Nickel Normal: Five defensive
backs provide extra pass protection;
the nickel is often called in second
or third and long pass situations. The
other six defenders (two linebackers
and four linemen) can blitz or support
the secondary depending on how ag-
gressive the defense is. The nickel is
not very good against the run.
Dime (3-2-6 and Normal): Six
defensive backs provide even more
support against the pass—especially
on long-yardage situations. The Dime
is also weak against the run; you es-
sentially sacrifi ce a few run yards to
stop the big pass. The Normal variant
has four linemen and one linebacker;
the 3-2-6 has three linemen and two
linebackers. The latter adds strength
at linebacker against run plays.
Goal Line Normal: This playbook
features an aggressive set of play
calls (mostly featuring six-man fronts)
designed to neutralize the offense
within fi ve yards of the end zone. You
may want to try a goal line defense
in other short-yardage situations, but
beware—an opponent who recog-
nizes it can audible to a pass and go
over the top because there is abso-
lutely no deep zone support.
Quarter 3 Deep: This formation
features three linemen, a linebacker
and seven defensive backs—three
play deep. This set includes some
very conservative pass defenses in
which you essentially give up short
yardage to prevent a long pass.
Special Teams: Use this playbook
to return a punt or block a fi eld goal.
Note the variety of options avail-
able—for instance, on punt return
you can call a reverse (or fake one)
as well as dictate how many players
you want to try and block a kick. With
multiple fake punt/fi eld goal options
for the offense, call conservatively
from this playbook on fourth down
(especially against human oppo-
nents) to avoid any trick plays.
3OLID
5NDER
/VER
3TACK
"EAR
.ORMAL
MULTIPLE D FORMATION SETS
$IME
$IME
.ORMAL
'OAL,INE
.ORMAL
.ICKEL
.ORMAL
1UARTER
$EEP
3PECIAL
4EAMS
UNIVERSAL FORMATION SETS
Virginia Tech led the nation in overall defense in 2006, allowing less
than 220 yards per game and just 14 touchdowns for the entire season.
Reading Defensive Play Diagrams
Button: Press to select this play
Defensive Play Name
Bubble (various colors):
General zone coverage area
Orange Line: Marks 10 yards past
the line of scrimmage
Blue Bubble (Xbox and PlayStation
2 versions): Spy assignment
Alternate Play Call: Combo button
press helps disguise your play call
Line to bubble (various colors):
Movement to zone coverage area
White Line/Arrow/Bubble (Xbox
and PlayStation 2): Impact player
Gray or Orange Line/Arrow: Rush
or pass blitz
(NOT SHOWN) Red/Orange Dot or
White X: Man-to-man pass coverage
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