The following table reveals defensive adjustments that can be made before the ball is snapped.
| POSITION | SHIFTS | COMMENTARY |
| Defensive Line | Shift outside tackles, shift tight between tackles, shift line left, shift line right | Against an expected inside run, shift line tighter; against an expected outside run, spread line out. Shift line toward a left or right run or toward a tight end to bump him at the line. |
| Linebackers | Spread linebackers out, shift linebackers in tight, shift linebackers left, shift linebackers right | Against an expected inside run, shift linebackers tighter; against an expected outside run, spread linebackers out. Shift linebackers left or right against corresponding run or to help free up blitzing linebackers. |
| Coverage | Put defensive backs into bump and run (tighter coverage at line), put defensive backs in loose coverage, shift safeties and linebackers into better position to cover assignment | Play tight coverage when your defensive backs have an advantage over opponent's receivers; play looser against expected deep passes. Shift coverage into better position for tighter coverage against expected shorter routes. |
Madden 2005 features new defensive pre-snap adjustments that can be made to any defensive unit. The following table covers each adjustment with analysis.
| POSITION | ADJUSTMENT | COMMENTARY |
| Defensive Line | Make line crash in, make line rush outside, make line crash left, make line crash right | These adjustments cause the defensive line to rush at angles. Crashing in angles toward the center (use against inside runs), crushing out angles toward line's edge (use against outside runs), and crashing left or right angles toward that direction. |
| Linebackers | Blitz all linebackers, call off all linebacker blitzes, blitz outside left linebacker, blitz outside right linebacker | Audible to a full linebacker blitz if you don't think your opponent has appropriate procection, call off a blitz if you need linebackers in coverage (any linebacker that was blitzing goes to QB spy so you may want to further adjust his coverage with playmaker), or order a blitz for the left or right linebacker (effective if you expect the play to move in that direction). |
| Secondary | Shift safeties zone coverage to the left, shift safeties zone coverage to the right | Use these adjustments to aid a stronger side of the field. For instance, if the offense has multiple receivers on one side and just one on the other. Best used when the corner you're leaving alone is skilled enough to play man-on-man. |
| Individual Match-Ups | Bump receiver, play off receiver, double team receiver | Instead of forcing all corners into bump and run, you can use these adjustments to cause a specific defender to bump his receiver or play off his receiver. Use double teams against your opponent's strongest receiver (there must be a safety in zone coverage already to use double team). Be careful though, shifting a safety over to one receiver could leave the middle open for another one. |
Madden 2005's increased defensive control adds playmaker abilities to the defense. Like the shifts and adjustments, the playmaker controls are used before the ball has been snapped. This section offers commentary on the new playmaker controls and also covers the exciting new hit stick, a new control on defense to apply a big, hopefully fumble-causing, crack on an offensive or special team player.
| PLAYMAKER ABILITY | CONTROL | COMMENTARY |
| Linebacker Hook Zone or Defensive Back Deep Zone | Highlight player then move right analog stick up. | Send a specific defensive back into deep zone coverage to protect against a deep ball. Highlight a linebacker to put him in zone coverage in a specific area of the field |
| Blitz | Highlight player then move right analog stick down. | Adjust a defensive player to blitz. Realize this may leave an offensive player open either initially or late in the play. Use with caution. |
| Quarterback Contain | Highlight player then move right analog stick down twice. | For example instruct outside linebackers to contain the quarterback. Most important against fast quarterbacks such as Vick, Culpepper, McNabb, and McNair. |
| Quarterback Spy Coverage | Highlight player then move right analog stick left. | A player in QB Spy coverage follows the quarterback's movements along the line of scrimmage. It's another means of defending against the quarterback scramble. |
| Flat Zone | Highlight player then move right analog stick right. | Order a defender into a wider, but flatter zone in a specific area. Useful against an offense abusing crossing or out routes. |
The hit stick is a great new feature that puts a bone-crushing, fumble-inducing hit in your control. Use the right analog stick in the direction of the offensive player to engage the hit stick. The advantages are certainly a stronger tackle that might cause a fumble but the downside is if you miss the angle, the missed tackle could result in significant positive yardage for the offensive player.
One of the best times to use the hit stick is on punt returns. For example, if the punt returner fails to signal for a fair catch and you have a defender closing in, don't just tackle himuse the hit stick! This nearly always results in a fumble if your angle is true. On regular offensive plays, it's wise to use the hit stick when you have additional defenders in the area to protect you. If you miss the big hit, the other defenders will still be in position to make the play.
