How to Stop the Run in Madden 26: Mastering Gap Shooting from Shotgun Sets

Stopping the run has always been one of the trickiest parts of Madden, and in Madden 26, it’s more important than ever. Inside zones, traps, and power runs out of shotgun can shred defenses if you don’t have a plan. Fortunately, there’s a technique that gives you the upper hand: locking in your user and shooting the gap. And while you’re mastering these defensive skills, it can also help to have the resources to upgrade your team-so consider options to buy Madden 26 coins to strengthen your roster and maximize your defensive impact. This guide will walk you through how to master this concept, when to use it, and how to adjust for different types of runs so you can consistently get tackles for loss (TFLs) and force your opponent to abandon the ground game.

Why Gap Shooting Matters in Madden 26

While defensive abilities like Inside Stuff, Run Stopper, or No Outsiders sound good on paper, they don’t consistently make an impact this year. The key to shutting down the run is taking control yourself. By learning how to gap shoot, you can:

· Blow up inside zone runs before they develop.

· Create negative plays that put your opponent behind the chains.

· Force them into predictable passing downs.

· Win those crucial 4th-and-short situations.

Step 1: Choosing the Right Formation

The most popular defense right now is Nickel Wide, but it can feel a little thin against runs up the middle. A better option is Nickel Over, which provides stronger balance against both the pass and run.

That said, the gap-shooting technique works in almost any defensive front-you just need to understand the run fits and where to position your user.

· Cover 4 Quarters / Palms → Safeties are more involved in the run.

· Tampa 2 → Corners have outside run responsibility instead.

Rerember: You’re not relying on coverage run fits here. Your user is the playmaker.

Step 2: How to Lock in Your User

The trick to timing the snap is locking in place before the ball is snapped.

1. Press Left on the D-pad, then R1/RB to bring up the stunt menu.

2. Once that menu is active, your user locks into position.

3. Hold the left stick toward your gap so you can explode through as soon as the ball is snapped.

This prevents false steps and gives you perfect timing.

Step 3: Shooting Inside Zone Runs

Inside zone is the bread-and-butter shotgun run in Madden 26. Here’s how to consistently stop it:

1. Pre-snap adjustments:

 o Pinch your defensive line.

 o Crash them outward.

This forces the offensive line into awkward blocking assignments, opening space inside.

2. User alignment:

 o Stand 3–4 yards off the ball, over the running back side B gap (outside shoulder of the guard).

 o Don’t stand too close, or the center will recognize you as a threat and block you.

3. The angle:

 o At the snap, aim for the backside A gap.

 o This creates a clean lane to blow up the ball carrier.

Executed correctly, you’ll fly into the backfield and deliver a hit stick for a loss.

Step 4: Adjusting for Pulling Guard Runs (Trap, Power, Counter)

Zone runs are predictable-you always shoot the RB-side A gap. But pulling guard runs like the 0-1 Trap or Power O are different.

· Identify which guard is pulling.

· That guard leaves a lane open where he vacates-this is your “trench.”

· Line up slightly behind your defensive tackle and time your shoot through that lane.

This puts you directly in the path of the ball carrier before the puller can reach you.

Pro Tip: Stand a little deeper (4–5 yards off the line) so the offensive line doesn’t target you early.

Step 5: Applying the Concept to Other Formations

This technique isn’t limited to Nickel Over. You can apply it to:

· Gun Ace Slot (7-man fronts with TEs): Still stand over the RB-side B gap and shoot into the A gap.

· Three-man lines (Dime, Dollar): Use extra depth to keep blockers from targeting you.

· Goal line situations: Fake a soft box, then shoot the lane for a massive 4th-down stop.

Final Thoughts

Gap shooting in Madden 26 is a game-changer. By locking in your user and understanding the difference between zone-blocking runs and pulling-guard runs, you can turn your defense into a nightmare for opponents who rely on inside zone or trap plays. Master this technique, and you’ll start stacking up TFLs, forcing punts, and sealing games with clutch run stops. And if you want to enhance your defensive options or upgrade key players, securing cheap mut 26 coins can give you the roster flexibility to fully exploit these strategies. Now get in the lab, practice your angles, and start shutting down the ground game in Madden 26.