College Football 26 How to Pump Fake
Written by Michael Owen
To pump fake in College Football 26, double tap the button of the receiver you want to fake toward.
Your quarterback will begin a throw animation without releasing the ball. It’s a good way to fake out defenders and shift coverage before throwing to your real target.
How Pump Fake Works
Fake a Throw to Any Receiver
Each eligible receiver is tied to a specific button. Double tapping that button makes the QB simulate a throw in that direction.
This can pull defensive backs out of position, especially if the defense is user-controlled.
The fake resets your vision and doesn’t lock you into any route, so you stay in full control of the play.
Cancel a Bad Throw
If you hit a receiver button by accident, quickly tapping it again turns it into a pump fake instead of a pass.
It’s a smart way to avoid throwing into coverage if your read breaks down too fast.
Best Times to Use Pump Fake
Against Real Players
Pump fakes work best against human defenders. Users often bite on quick throws, especially slants, corners, and posts.
Faking a short route, then throwing deep, is a great way to force blown coverage.
The CPU rarely reacts to pump fakes, even on lower difficulties, so don’t expect much success there.
On Rollouts or Deep Plays
Pump fakes are strong during rollouts. Faking toward a covered receiver can pull a safety or corner to the edge, freeing up another read.
Deep routes like flys and deep posts benefit the most. Use the fake to buy an extra second or two for your receiver to create space.
Inside the Pocket
If you’re staying in the pocket and reading the field, a quick pump fake can shift zone defenders and open up tight windows.
Try faking toward the flat or a drag route, then hitting a slant or seam behind the linebackers.
Works well on plays with multiple levels of depth.
What to Avoid
Faking Under Pressure
The animation takes time. If you try to pump fake while being blitzed, you’ll likely get sacked.
Only use it when you have room in the pocket or while rolling out with space.
Overusing It
Spamming pump fakes slows down your QB and makes your playcalling easy to read.
Use it with purpose, especially in third-down or red zone situations.
Final Blurb
Pump fakes in College Football 26 are all about timing and reading your opponent. They won’t save you from every blitz, but they can shift a defender just far enough to turn a covered route into an open one. Use it wisely and throw smarter, not harder.
FAQ
Q: How do you pump fake in College Football 26?
Double tap the button of the receiver you want to fake toward.
Q: Does pump fake cancel a throw?
Yes, it lets you cancel a throw if you react fast enough.
Q: Is pump fake useful against CPU?
Not really. It works best against human opponents.
Q: Can you pump fake on the run?
Yes, but only if you’re not about to get hit.
Q: When should you pump fake?
When you want to move user-controlled defenders or reset your throwing window.
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