Defense Rules

You must rush 3 or more defenders every down. No drop-eight, no max-coverage looks built around dropping the entire front.

You may only move the player you are currently controlling. To adjust other defenders, use group adjustments via Triangle / L1 / R1.

• Switch-Stick: Not allowed.

The defender you choose to control is restricted by position and assignment:

• No user control of a defensive lineman. You must user-control a skill position — a linebacker or defensive back off the line of scrimmage.
• If you control a blitzer, you must blitz. You may not take control of a blitzing player and drop them into coverage.

Applies only to user-controlled linebackers. Designed to prevent snap-timed gap exploits and force read-and-react play.

• User LBs must start at least 4 yards off the line of scrimmage, unless blitzing.
• No creeping forward or timing the snap pre-play.
• No A-gap or B-gap shooting unless it's a called blitz.
• Post-snap movement should reflect read-and-react behavior, not instant downhill attack.

Exceptions:
- Mug defense formations already aligned in gaps pre-snap are legal.
- Short-yardage or goal-line sets may align closer only if blitzing.

No manual adjustments to the DL — including manually adding a spy or manually dropping a DL into coverage. If a behavior is baked into the called play, it is allowed; if it requires a manual adjustment, it is not.

DL stunts and twists may only be run from these defensive fronts:

• Load fronts
• Rush fronts
• Mug fronts

Exception: TOM stunts are allowed from any defensive formation.

Cover 0 is not allowed on 1st & 10. No other restrictions on Cover 0.

Cover 2 Man is restricted to high-leverage situations:

• Allowed on 3rd & 7+.
• Once per drive maximum.
• Exception: Unrestricted in end-of-half / end-of-game prevent situations and inside the 2-minute warning.

You may not run a Free Safety or Strong Safety at the SubLB position on your depth chart, unless that player has:

• The Team Player badge — Gold or Purple, OR
• The Instinct badge — Gold or Purple

Goal-line defensive formations may only be used inside the 10-yard line or in inches-to-go situations.