If you’re still leaving your coaching adjustments on default, you’re missing out on a ton of advantages that could be costing you games. In this guide, we’ll break down every single coaching adjustment you need to change on offense, defense, and substitutions-so you can stay ahead of the meta in Madden 26. And if you’re looking to build your Ultimate Team faster, you can always buy Madden 26 coins to get the players you need while mastering these strategies.Let’s dive in.

How to Access Coaching Adjustments

If you don’t know how to get there, simply click the right stick (R3) during gameplay. That’ll open up the coaching adjustment menu where you can start customizing.

Offensive Adjustments

Truth be told, offense doesn’t need much tweaking. Most adjustments only affect AI behavior for receivers or ball carriers-and you shouldn’t be relying on the CPU to handle those things if you’re trying to play at a high level.

· Tempo Adjustment - The only real setting worth changing.

 o Use Chew Clock when protecting a lead.

 o Use No Huddle when you’re trailing or want to keep pressure on the defense.

Offensive Substitutions

Substitutions are where you’ll see a big difference.

· Quarterback - Always keep your starter in. Backup QBs don’t have the same impact.

· Running Backs & Wide Receivers - Use Keep Fresh. Rotating backups helps maintain stamina and prevents your starters from slowing down late in drives.

 o Just like in real football, keeping fresh legs in the game matters. Even a 95-speed RB will play slower if he’s fatigued.

· Tight Ends - Same principle. Your backup TE is usually close enough in speed/size to hold things down while the starter rests.

· Offensive Line - Keep your starters on the field. The drop-off from starters to backups is too steep here.

Defensive Substitutions

Defense is where smart substitutions pay off the most.

· Linebackers - Use Keep Fresh. Most teams have at least four playable linebackers, even if you only use two in nickel sets.

· Defensive Tackles - Use Grind It Out. Keep your best guys in the middle at all times-this is where depth usually falls off.

· Edge Rushers - Use Keep Fresh. Rotating helps keep speed rushers active against mobile QBs.

· Cornerbacks - Use Grind It Out. Your top corners are usually far better than depth guys.

· Safeties - Use Keep Fresh. Many teams have similar-level players here, so rotating them keeps energy high.

Defensive Coaching Adjustments

Here’s where things get fun.

· Auto-Flip Play Call - OFF. This prevents the CPU from ruining blitz setups.

· Cornerback Matchups - Balanced. Other settings (by speed, by height, etc.) can mess with alignments, though they can work situationally in man coverage.

· Defensive Motion Response - Disable. Don’t let the offense dictate your alignment.

Option & RPO Defense

Always set these to funnel the play inside:

· Option Rekey - Conservative

· Option Pitch Key - Aggressive

· RPO Rekey - Conservative

· RPO Pass Key - Conservative

This ensures the defense forces runs back inside where you’ve got more help.

Tackling & Strip Ball

·Tackling - Balanced or Conservative

· Strip Ball - Aggressive if you’re hunting turnovers, Balanced otherwise

Zone Drops

· Flats - 5 yards is the sweet spot

· Curl Flats - Start at 15, adjust up or down depending on opponent routes

· Hooks - Leave alone unless defending inside the red zone

Safety Depth & Width

These are situational but powerful.

· Safety Depth - Tighten inside the red zone (goal line, Cover 2/Cover 4 looks). Keep default in Cover 3 to avoid streak vulnerabilities.

· Safety Width -

 o Spread safeties wider to help vs stretch/outside runs.

 o Pinch safeties closer if your opponent keeps pounding the inside run.

Safety Midpoint

· Default - Best for balanced coverages.

· Strong Side - Use this in Cover 1 or Cover 3 when facing trips/trio sets. Helps align coverage toward the overloaded side.

Final Thoughts

Mastering coaching adjustments and substitutions isn’t flashy-but it’s the difference between winning and losing close games. Think situationally, adjust based on your opponent’s tendencies, and you’ll start dictating the pace instead of reacting. And if you want to strengthen your roster without overspending, picking up cheap mut 26 coins can give you the flexibility to compete at a higher level while applying these strategies.