Madden 21 Defense Controls: How to Shift Linebackers Pre-Snap on PS4, Xbox One
When you’re on defense in Madden 21, you want to make adjustments in order to prevent an opponent from completely destroying you. To do that, you will rely on the pre-snap playcalling, as well as the Madden 21 defense controls menu. In this guide, we’ll show how to shift linebackers pre-snap for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
How to shift linebackers on the Madden 21 defense controls
Being able to position your defensive players on Madden pre-snap is essential to preventing any breakaway plays. It could even allow a defensive lineman or linebacker to find an opening and get to the QB.
The linebackers are typically the players in the second line of your defensive stance. Examples include middle linebackers like Lawrence Taylor and current Bears star Khalil Mack. These guys can be instrumental in getting to a runner, or even the quarterback on the field.
After you’ve selected your defensive play and your players line up on the field, you’re going to wait to call up your Madden 21 defense controls to shift linebackers. See the screenshot below for what that will look like.
Here’s how to do that and shift your linebackers pre-snap in Madden 21.
- Press the Right Stick in on the PS4 or Xbox One controller. This will bring up your defense controls menu in the lower (left or right) corner of screen.
- Press to Right on the directional pad on PS4/Xbox One controller to choose linebackers. This calls up a “Shift LB” or “LB Assignments” menu.
- Use the Left Stick to shift your linebackers. You have four options based on which direction you push the stick.
Left – Shifts linebackers to left side.
Right – Shifts linebackers to right side.
Up – Spread linebackers apart more.
Down – Pinch linebackers together to close up gaps.
Shifting options and more defensive help
In the clip below, check out how each of the shifts will look on the field as you use them. In the video, we cycle through each adjustment. First, they’ll shift Right, then to the Left, followed by the Spread, and Pinch adjustments.
We always recommend to use the Exhibition>Practice mode to learn to make adjustments quicker. It’s better than practicing during games against legit opponents and getting caught off guard as you scramble to get set up.
You’ll also want to be able to recognize when to move players or adjust defense based on how other players are performing. See how to shift defensive line in Madden 21, which is similar in terms of controls but shifts different defensive players on the field. We also provide some tips there to help with the shifting of defensive players.
Also, see our guide for how to double team in Madden 21 in case you want to put tighter coverage on a halfback or receiver.
See more Madden news here including the latest updates about the game and how-to guides.