Where to Start?

ThirdMan

I'm playing Madden 25 and I have no idea what I'm doing. How in god's name do people get a handle on it? Where do I start?

adrian522

Xbox or PS3?

I recommend you organise a friendly game with one of the regulars on here and they can offer you advise as you play (you'll need a headset).

do you watch/have an understanding of American Football? Not 100% required but it certainly helps.

ThirdMan

adrian522 wrote: »

Xbox or PS3?

I recommend you organise a friendly game with one of the regulars on here and they can offer you advise as you play (you'll need a headset).

do you watch/have an understanding of American Football? Not 100% required but it certainly helps.

I'm only playing the demo. The disc drive is broke in my PS3. I also have an Xbox, but my modem was moved away from the unit, and I don't have a wireless adaptor. Basically I'm screwed. Twice.

Anyway, I'm just trying to pick up some of the basic gameplay via the demo. Hopefully I'll have the drive/adaptor problem sorted out soon. Then I can pick up a full copy and get stuck in properly.

I do understand the basic rules and flow of AF. What I'm struggling with in the demo is the different playbooks. I just don't know what's going on. I'm picking stuff at random and not really getting anywhere. Perhaps I'm not being attentive enough. It's just so alien for someone that's used to FIFA.

Obviously there's only so much I can pick up with the demo, but is there any online guides/manuals that might help me break down the various plays? I've looked for stuff myself but none of it gets into the nitty gritty.

Paully D

ThirdMan wrote: »

I'm only playing the demo. The disc drive is broke in my PS3. I also have an Xbox, but my modem was moved away from the unit, and I don't have a wireless adaptor. Basically I'm screwed. Twice.

Anyway, I'm just trying to pick up some of the basic gameplay via the demo. Hopefully I'll have the drive/adaptor problem sorted out soon. Then I can pick up a full copy and get stuck in properly.

I do understand the basic rules and flow of AF. What I'm struggling with in the demo is the different playbooks. I just don't know what's going on. I'm picking stuff at random and not really getting anywhere. Perhaps I'm not being attentive enough. It's just so alien for someone that's used to FIFA.

Obviously there's only so much I can pick up with the demo, but is there any online guides/manuals that might help me break down the various plays? I've looked for stuff myself but none of it gets into the nitty gritty.

A breakdown of all defensive formations posted by Berty on this forum is available below, it should help you at massively:

First line under each formation is Description, 2nd line are the advantages, 3rd line the disadvantages

Goal Line
Run prevent in short yardage situations, specifically third or fourth and short or on the goal line
Packed defense to prevent the short run. There are a lot of tacklers near the line of scrimmage.
Audible to another defense if the offense changes formation.So many defenders near the line can be disastrous if a running back breaks through.

4-3 Normal
Four Defensive Linemen, three Linebackers, four defensive backs.
A balanced run and pass defense. Good against inside runs and short to medium passing.
Avoid using against four or more receiver sets (even three is risky). Blitzing Linebackers can leave slants and outside runs open.

4-3 Over, Under
Moves an outer linebacker to the line for five Defensive Linemen, two Linebackers, and four defensive backs (Over and Under refers to different sides of the line).
Increased pass rush possibilities. Protect against inside and outside runs.
Vulnerable to the passing game and fewer Linebackers in the middle could mean fewer tacklers if the back breaks the line.

3-4 Normal
Three Defensive Linemen, four Linebackers, and four defensive backs.
A balanced run and pass defense. Defends outside runs and flat passes.
Softer pass rush, though more blitz variation with extra Linebackers. Vulnerable to multiple receiver sets.

3-4 Over, UnderThree Defensive Linemen, four Linebackers, and four defensive backs. An outside linebacker tightens up the edge of the line (Over and Under refers to different sides of the line).
Increased pass rush with linebacker at the line.
Fewer Linebackers defending the short passes. Vulnerable to multiple receiver sets.

3-4 Solid
Three Defensive Linemen, four Linebackers, and four defensive backs. Both outside Linebackers crowd the line.
Increased pass rush opportunities and disguised blitzing. Stuff the run with increased penetration.
Vulnerable to quick passes if outside Linebackers blitz. Avoid against multiple receiver sets.

3-4 Even
Three Defensive Linemen, four Linebackers, and four defensive backs. Outside Linebackers crowd the line and middle Linebackers tighten up.
Balanced run stoppage for inside and outside runs.
Tighter formation could be vulnerable to the pass.

3-4 Stack
Three Defensive Linemen, four Linebackers, and four defensive backs. Resembles a 4-3 in alignment.
A 4-3 look for your excellent Linebackers. Variation in pass rushing for fast outside Linebackers.
Avoid using against heavy passing situations.

46 Normal
Four Defensive Linemen, three Linebackers, four defensive backs but shifts one safety up to the linebacker position leaving one safety deep.
Similar to 4-3 but safety provides extra run stopping support. Pressuring defense.
Vulnerable to deep passes with just one safety back. Avoid using against heavy passing situations and multiple receiver sets.

46 Bear
Six Defensive Linemen (some are Linebackers on the line), one linebacker, three defensive backs with one safety playing in a linebacker spot leaving one deep safety.
Combines the 46 Normal and 4-3 Over defenses. Increased pressure along the line for stronger run defense and pressure. Weak pass defense.
Avoid using against multiple receiver sets.

Nickel Normal
Four Defensive Linemen, two Linebackers, five defensive backs.
An additional defensive back helps protect against the pass. Be sure the "nickel back" is lined up against the slot receiver.
Optimum against 3 WR sets. Losing a linebacker means losing a good tackler. Use packages to ensure best corners are against best receivers. Your nickel back isn’t as skilled as your starters, usually.

Nickel Strong
Same as nickel but shifts the safety toward the strong side.
Increased safety help on the strong side. Helps provide additional coverage on a stacked formation (where more receivers and/or tight ends are on one side).
Similar to the standard nickel. Also the safety shifted over could leave the other side open, especially if there are backs on pass patterns.

Nickel 1-5-5, 1-5-5 Prowl
One Defensive Lineman, five Linebackers, five defensive backs.
Crowded line of scrimmage with basically one MLB (prowl with two). Five Linebackers help defend against a run and five defensive backs help defend the pass. Allows for some blitzing variation.
Can be a weak run defense if your Linebackers focus on coverage.

Nickel 2-4-5
Two Defensive Linemen, four Linebackers, five defensive backs.
Added Linebackers help defend against an unexpected run. In the 3-4 playbook because of the team’s typical linebacker skill.
Need to increase pass rush with linebacker pressure.

Nickel 3-3-5
Three Defensive Linemen, three Linebackers and five defensive backs.
An added linebacker to defend the run or short passing.
Need to increase pass rush with linebacker pressure.

Dime Normal
Four Defensive Linemen, one linebacker, six defensive backs.
Six defensive backs to counter the passing game. Use against four or more wide receiver sets.
Weak against an unexpected run.

Dime Flat
Same as dime but closes Safeties in and backs off corners.
Defenders are tighter and closer to the line to protect against run or short passing. Good for end zone defense.
Weaker against deep passing.

Quarters Normal
Three Defensive Linemen, one linebacker, seven defensive backs.
Seven defensive backs as a pass prevent defense.
Easy to run against.

Quarters 3 Deep
Same as quarters but shifts a defensive back into a deep safety position for three deep Safeties.
Three deep Safeties to protect against the deep ball. Use in long yardage situations.
Easy to run against.

Quarters Combo
Combination of Quarters normal and 3 deep.
Protects against the deep ball with three deep Safeties.
Easy to run against.

Dollar Normal
Eight defensive backs.
Eight players focused on stopping the pass. Use in certain passing situations (long yardage) or even in the red zone to crowd the end zone.
You have a lot of bad tacklers on the field if your opponent runs the ball!

Summary
0 , 1 or 2 WRs - 3-4 or 4-3 formation
3 WRs - Nickel formation
4 WRs - Dime formation
5 WRs - Dollar formation

The_Gatsby

Given that you've only just started I presume you don't know much. As far as offensive plays go you have 3 main types. These are run plays, play action plays and pass plays.

Obviously you know what a run play is but there are a few different ones. Run plays can be useful for keeping the clock moving and catching the opposing defene off guard when they expect a pass.

Play action plays are where you pretend like you're going to run but the QB keeps the ball and then looks to pass. These work well if you have been able to successfully run the ball for most of the game or if you think the defence might be expecting a run. A PA play will make the opposing team hesitate slightly because they will be thinking it's a run play. This can create separation between your receivers and the defenders who are covering them.

Pass plays are obviously the ones where you throw the ball. The passing game is where reading the defence will be especially important. You will need to be able to quickly read what the defence is doing post snap and then based on what you see, know which route is going to be open. All of this happens in the space of maybe 3 or 4 seconds but if you play a good bit then this will come fairly naturally to you. It's all about practice!

Reading the post above mine will help you to learn about the defensive formations. You can use this knowledge to pick different offensive plays. For example, if you come up to the line of scrimmage and see that the defence is in a dime formation, you might want to run the ball. If you see they are in man coverage with no deep safeties then you might try a passing play deep.

The thing that helped me most was my interest in the actual NFL. The commentators and analysts explain an awful lot as regards tactics and different plays. If you have no interest in the NFL then practicing madden and playing against people on here will certainly help. It's a steep learning curve but I think once you learn the basics it can be a very fun game to play.