Help a Madden (semi-n00b)

[jazz]

mago's already provided help on a similar thread i opened on xbox.com, but i was hoping others who've mastered the game could provide some tips...

i just need to know which defensive formations you use and for what type of situation you use it for. if you'd like to provide other madden-related tips, that's ok too.

thanks.

[dionysusolympus]

As for Eagles, I do play-action screen a lot relatively...

As for defensive formations, it's entirely dependent on what situation it is...and whether I expect a run, pass, screen, etc.

[jazz]

that's exactly what i'm talking about...what's the difference between say a dime and nickel formation?

[dionysusolympus]

that's exactly what i'm talking about...what's the difference between say a dime and nickel formation?

dime is usually for deep coverage threats (like TO for instance)...nickel is usually for medium-range coverage (like Branch usually runs for)...

[Keith Moon]

that's exactly what i'm talking about...what's the difference between say a dime and nickel formation?



- Only use dime formation when your opponent has 5 wide receivers and use a nickel when your opponent has 3 or 4 wide receivers...

[Mufumonk]

mago's already provided help on a similar thread i opened on xbox.com, but i was hoping others who've mastered the game could provide some tips...

i just need to know which defensive formations you use and for what type of situation you use it for. if you'd like to provide other madden-related tips, that's ok too.

thanks.


Depends on the situation. I tend to play a lot of Cover 2 Man out of a Nickel D and roll my coverage to whichever WR my opponent seems to be abusing. You can get away with playing this almost exclusively if you have a big enough safety to move up in the box and support the run. The only problem with this defense is that people might catch on and start to try and abuse you with the Post Corner routes. If this happens, change up to zone defenses where you have someone covering the sidelines in Purple. Those DB's will mirror the sideline/corner routes.

[dionysusolympus]

Depends on the situation. I tend to play a lot of Cover 2 Man out of a Nickel D and roll my coverage to whichever WR my opponent seems to be abusing. You can get away with playing this almost exclusively if you have a big enough safety to move up in the box and support the run. The only problem with this defense is that people might catch on and start to try and abuse you with the Post Corner routes. If this happens, change up to zone defenses where you have someone covering the sidelines in Purple. Those DB's will mirror the sideline/corner routes.

liar!

[Mufumonk]

liar!

Play meh biatch. @#%@#

[dionysusolympus]

Play meh biatch. @#%@#

Yo momma...! :cry:

[Mufumonk]

Yo momma...! :cry:

You will be so :owned: and end up :crying: . I'd be all like "let's :dual: ".

Then you'd be like :rolleyes: .

So I'd be like :plain: and :bazooka: till you looked like :shiner: . Then you'd :bow: before me because I'm a mighty and fierce :ninja: . But then you'd feel inferior because of my skills and you'd :suicide: . So, in short......... :bird:

[dionysusolympus]

You will be so :owned: and end up :crying: . I'd be all like "let's :dual: ".

Then you'd be like :rolleyes: .

So I'd be like :plain: and :bazooka: till you looked like :shiner: . Then you'd :bow: before me because I'm a mighty and fierce :ninja: . But then you'd feel inferior because of my skills and you'd :suicide: . So, in short......... :bird:

i'd be like :agape: and then go all :ninja: on yo :saddam: - shaped ass...then you'd go :mad: and :eek2: . then i'd go :nelson: and :pepper: . then with yo momma and her dog, i'd go :hitit2: ...then you would go :bird: . so there... :frog:

[jazz]

deep. :what:

[jazz]

i've applied a lot of the advice you guys gave (especially what mago said on xbox) and i won a few games this weekend. however, i still do need help with the offensive side of my game...if anyone could give me tips i'd really appreciate it.

[MAGO]

i've applied a lot of the advice you guys gave (especially what mago said on xbox) and i won a few games this weekend. however, i still do need help with the offensive side of my game...if anyone could give me tips i'd really appreciate it.


what qb and rb are you using??

[jazz]

jay fiedler and travis minor.

[MAGO]

jay fiedler and travis minor.

:eek2: ...my friend you are in trouble...lol...my game plan would be WR slants, some out patterns to my TE and have the backfield come out to the sides and throw to them...if i remember you told me that your O-Line isn't really that good..so you might want to try the I formation and select the HB Slam play and run up and hopefully those runs will get you 4 yards making your passing game easier to pick up the first down..

[jazz]

the plays i normally use are short slants, out patterns to my TE's (like you mentioned), cut-backs, and standard running plays (through the middle, sides, sweeps). i get downfield sometimes on a good roll, but most of the time i get stopped before getting to my opponent's 30 or 40 yard line. it's frustrating.

[dionysusolympus]

the plays i normally use are short slants, out patterns to my TE's (like you mentioned), cut-backs, and standard running plays (through the middle, sides, sweeps). i get downfield sometimes on a good roll, but most of the time i get stopped before getting to my opponent's 30 or 40 yard line. it's frustrating.

do you ever use play action or play-action screen? :ontome:

[jazz]

what do you mean by play action? sorry, i don't know all the terms yet.

[MAGO]

do you ever use play action or play-action screen? :ontome:


i wouldn't suggest using you PA plays since your O-Line isn't that good...i would continue to throw to my backfield or my TE, even the HB Slam play i told you about....another play that is very successful is the FB draw...

[dionysusolympus]

what do you mean by play action? sorry, i don't know all the terms yet.

Play-Action is what the Bucs started with their West-Coast Offense and what the Eagles use quite frequently. You have to get a run or pass started (typically first to second downs -- at least get a successful pattern of either run or pass started). The Eagles then fake a run and screen to the TE or RB in mid-field (one of their team plays in Madden). With Westbrook, the Eagles also play-action draw/delay slam with Westbrook on occasion.

[jazz]

dude, we're talking about the dolphins here, c'mon. lol.

[dionysusolympus]

dude, we're talking about the dolphins here, c'mon. lol.

then I suggest you get some new management... :nelson: :eek2:

[MAGO]

why don't you try trading Ricky williams for that RB they got from the Rams(the one that got injured right away)....

[jazz]

i don't do trades, i like playing with the real-life rosters.

[MAGO]

i don't do trades, i like playing with the real-life rosters.

that's deep....what level are you playing on??...did you go straight to all-madden or did you start of with rookie??

[jazz]

i heard that all-madden was for those that were REALLY good, so i chose all-pro. the other two difficulties are too easy for me.

[MAGO]

i heard that all-madden was for those that were REALLY good, so i chose all-pro. the other two difficulties are too easy for me.

ok good....cause if you don't have a handle for the game than you'll really get frustrated with all-madde...oh yeah, i forgot to tell you....i was not able to find a switch to turn that rattling shiznit off in NCAA Football...if someones knows a way i'd like to know cause it's frustrating!

[dionysusolympus]

ok good....cause if you don't have a handle for the game than you'll really get frustrated with all-madde...oh yeah, i forgot to tell you....i was not able to find a switch to turn that rattling shiznit off in NCAA Football...if someones knows a way i'd like to know cause it's frustrating!

em, turn the vibrator off? :jerk: :haha:

[MAGO]

em, turn the vibrator off? :jerk: :haha:

:bash:

[jazz]

:lmao:

just to give you a run-down on the games i played over the weekend.

i spent time playing in practice mode, then i took on the jets. the score was like 16-15 and i stopped them far enough that they missed their field goal. that was the best.

i then went on to play the bills. the first game i was winning, but on one of my last possessions, my idiotic running back got popped and he fumbled. they picked it up and ran it back, giving them the win. i played a second game and beat them 25-10. very nice game.

the next day, i started a season with the dolphins and faced tennessee first. i played awesome defense and beat them 10-6. then i faced the bengals and lost to them 26-13 or something to that effect.

then sunday i played pittsburgh, and the score was like 17-15. i was on fourth down when i decided to kick a field goal (i had no other choice). i even got the 'Great Kick' and everything, but mare was short by 3-5 yards. man, that sucked.

i play the jets next. :insecure:

[jazz]

mago, i forgot to ask...how do you down the ball to let the clock run out?

[MAGO]

mago, i forgot to ask...how do you down the ball to let the clock run out?

good games....but i hope you lose against the Jets :haha: .....to down the ball i go to the special teams selections and pick the "down the ball" play...i think it's one screen after the FG screen..

[jazz]

good games....but i hope you lose against the Jets :haha: .....to down the ball i go to the special teams selections and pick the "down the ball" play...i think it's one screen after the FG screen..

bastardo. :smile:

i thought it was a button you had to press. thanks.

[dionysusolympus]

good games....but i hope you lose against the Jets :haha: .....to down the ball i go to the special teams selections and pick the "down the ball" play...i think it's one screen after the FG screen..

that's what the Eagles should've done in the SB...McNabb... :sad: :mad:
aarrgghhh!

[MAGO]

bastardo. :smile:

i thought it was a button you had to press. thanks.

well after you pick it once you can pick it again by holding the Y button down...

[jazz]

true. holding 'Y' is for hurry-up, correct?

[MAGO]

yeah...if you hook up your audibles you can make one of them the "milking the clock" play and you won't have to go to the menu

[jazz]

that's what she said. :what:

[jazz]

here's the advice i've gotten from a few people at the madden forum. i'm surprised i even got responses:

Try These: Throw short hooks(when you are going to throw the ball, if possible). If you need to throw deeper...remember you've got Fiedler in there, throw to Boston if you can. Throw slants...wait for your receiver to make his cut then throw. Have you worked at all in the "Mini-Camps"? This is the best place to practice. It sharpens your awareness of the game. This is where you learn just when to throw the ball (EXCEPTION: depends on coverage, naturally). Another key when passing is to setup your game to have QB move back to pass "Aided" so that it gives you a chance to look over the field, which has to be done quickly, for an open receiver to throw to.
Running Game: Keep your finger off of the turbo button until you have cleared the line of scrimmage. Use your WR as blockers (set them in motion, as they approach the hole your RB is going to try to go through, snap the ball and they will aid in blocking). This is very good because most of the time, on running plays especially, they will block the blitzing LB and he is usually the one that gets your RB.
Most Important, swap your plays around. For instance on 1st down throw a few times run afew times. Not in any order. On third and long, RUN, you have a much better chance of getting it on the ground then you do in the air (Fiedler). On 2nd and short throw, almost always....except if you want to trick them up.
I hope that this helps you. You can contact me for more help, if what info I gave you worked.

The DJMan


Run the plays through the same formation 95% of the time. They wont be able to know what your going to do if you keep them guessing by running the same formation.

On the third and long thing mix it up. Have your audibles set just how you like them. So if you come out on third and long in I Form but your passing and the guy has the field covered and only 3 guys at the line. Then audible into a I Form run and gain your yardage.

As for Fiedler go with the quick slant and hooks. Run through the line then once you clear it use your speed just like that guy said.

Run to set up the pass OR pass to set up the run. You run on the first two downs and you have a 3rd and 1 then run a play action, keep him/her guessing. I think madden is a game of making the right decisions and picking the right plays at the right time.

[dionysusolympus]

The latter plan sounds pretty good actually. I do the same. I use audibles quite frequently, if I'm playing a blitz-driven team...

[jazz]

The latter plan sounds pretty good actually. I do the same. I use audibles quite frequently, if I'm playing a blitz-driven team...

what do you usually call on those audibles?

[dionysusolympus]

what do you usually call on those audibles?

It depends...but what I usually is have a screen, deep outs (either in the flats or sides), and a mid-range throw/run (depending on the team).

If you see the other team shift, you just change along with them prior to giving it to the QB...or flood one side (which also works well if you have a good passing team).

[jazz]

good games....but i hope you lose against the Jets :haha: .....to down the ball i go to the special teams selections and pick the "down the ball" play...i think it's one screen after the FG screen..

hehe, i just played the jets and beat them 10-7. then on my next game, i lost 9-3 to the pats. i couldn't score for shit, but at least i didn't allow them to score any td's. i'm learning.

[MAGO]

hehe, i just played the jets and beat them 10-7. then on my next game, i lost 9-3 to the pats. i couldn't score for shit, but at least i didn't allow them to score any td's. i'm learning.

well besides the Jets victory....congratulations...lol...that's cool..you'll see that it will start to come natural....remeber..wax on wax off..

[jazz]

thanks. :up: i'm just naturally better on defense than offense for whatever reason. as far as offense, i'm starting to let the receivers catch the ball on their own rather than me taking control and trying to do it myself.

...and my running game is getting better. even without ricky.

[MAGO]

thanks. :up: i'm just naturally better on defense than offense for whatever reason. as far as offense, i'm starting to let the receivers catch the ball on their own rather than me taking control and trying to do it myself.

...and my running game is getting better. even without ricky.

well in the more tougher levels of the game they won't always catch the ball by themselves so i would suggest that you still practice....

[jazz]

well in the more tougher levels of the game they won't always catch the ball by themselves so i would suggest that you still practice....

what do you mean by 'tougher levels'? you mean on all-madden? i still take control of the receiver when i need him to get to the ball faster. i'm just learning to let go a little and let the a.i. work.

anyways, mago, when you're on the goalline, what plays do you usually go with? do you tend to run more, pass more, a little of both?

also, what position do you tend to choose on defense by default? i used to pick the middle linebacker, but now i'm playing as one of the linemen (jason taylor).

[MAGO]

what do you mean by 'tougher levels'? you mean on all-madden? i still take control of the receiver when i need him to get to the ball faster. i'm just learning to let go a little and let the a.i. work.

anyways, mago, when you're on the goalline, what plays do you usually go with? do you tend to run more, pass more, a little of both?

also, what position do you tend to choose on defense by default? i used to pick the middle linebacker, but now i'm playing as one of the linemen (jason taylor).

yeah i meant different difficulty levels...when i'm on the goal line i use my FB draw or i'll throw a short pass to my TE....and on defense i always play as a defensive linemen...

[jazz]

the thing i have to get used to is not pressing any extra buttons when the opposing qb makes his pass. i've given up stupid touchdowns because i selected the corner by accident and the WR got a few steps ahead. god, i hate when that fucking happens. :sarcasm:

[dionysusolympus]

the thing i have to get used to is not pressing any extra buttons when the opposing qb makes his pass. i've given up stupid touchdowns because i selected the corner by accident and the WR got a few steps ahead. god, i hate when that fucking happens. :sarcasm:

One word: :owned:

[jazz]

:ar15: :owned:

[MAGO]

the thing i have to get used to is not pressing any extra buttons when the opposing qb makes his pass. i've given up stupid touchdowns because i selected the corner by accident and the WR got a few steps ahead. god, i hate when that fucking happens. :sarcasm:

lol..yeah that shit happens to me sometimes when i'm going to dive at the qb and the qb throws the ball, it will automatically switch to the defensive player closest to the ball and he'll end up diving...

[jazz]

lol..yeah that shit happens to me sometimes when i'm going to dive at the qb and the qb throws the ball, it will automatically switch to the defensive player closest to the ball and he'll end up diving...

somehow it's funny when i picture you doing that.

[jazz]

c'mon mago, you gotta give a madden tip everyday until the day you die.

[MAGO]

c'mon mago, you gotta give a madden tip everyday until the day you die.


:stan: ...i'd like to take the physical challenge....

[jazz]

i love this thread, so :bump:

[dionysusolympus]

Yeah, who has this game (e.g., 2006)? I know :MAGO: has it...who else?

[jazz]

i'm not planning on getting it, unless someone wants to give it to me. :bleu:

[MAGO]

you still playing 05??...did you take the Dolphins to the promise land??

[jazz]

i got to the playoffs...early exit. that's when i got ncaa. which i looooooooove.

[MAGO]

:up: ....up until i played the 2006 version of NCAA, i thought 2004 was the best...

[jazz]

boy did you get :owned:

[MAGO]

it's ok...we learn from our mistakes :eek2:

[MAGO]

you know what game i haven't played in a while, WE8...i'll have to get into again..i was doing good for a minute, then just stopped...

[dionysusolympus]

you know what game i haven't played in a while, WE8...i'll have to get into again..i was doing good for a minute, then just stopped...

Quitter!

(sponsered by :MAGO:)

[MAGO]

:brows:

[jazz]

:lmao:

i love the :magodio4: duo.

[MAGO]

it all originated from :magodio:

[dionysusolympus]

...and this:

http://www.svenheidel.de/mi-inside/bilder/mi4/kampf.jpg

[jazz]

is MAGO really that small?

[MAGO]

:thehand:

[jazz]

hey MAGO, what defensive plays do you usually rely on? how many in total?

[MAGO]

a lot....but, i use the 3-4 the most...it depends on the game situation though...if it's 3 and more than 8, in my mind it's an automatic passing play, so i'll pick dime defense and blitz....less than 8 yards, i'll check to see how many WR's are on the field and pick the best defense for the situation..

[jazz]

thanks for reminding me...what's the best balanced formation/play for stopping a possible passing play and a potential run?

[MAGO]

passing, the cover 2 or cover 3.....running, any blitz play....the main thing you need to look at is the amount of WR's will be on the field...they you'll know what defensive set-up to pick..

[jazz]

ok, i know this is ncaa-related, but since we're talking formations...anyways, i've noticed that FSU likes to put 3 or 4 receivers on the field to confuse the shit out of me. what would you pick knowing that they could run at any time?

[MAGO]

if they pick 3 WR's go with the Nickel, 4 WR's go with the dime and pick a play where the LB blitz's, b4 the snap of the ball, highlight the LB that will be blitzing and use him to keep an eye on the rb...

[jazz]

interesting...although i remember greg #2 saying that nickel should be used for 3-4 receivers and dime should be used for 5.

[MAGO]

i don't know....i could see how it would work, but it's not something i would do...i played the funniest game the other day(in Madden 06)...i was playing the Saints vs. Jaguars, i used the hit-stick on Fred Taylor which caused a fumble, he was on his 34 yard line when the fumble occurred at which point all my db's and lb's started going after the ball, along with the Jag players and we kept on kicking the ball down the field, finally a Jag player recovered, he fumbled, i recovered, i fumbled, i then recovered the ball again and held on to it....at the end of all that i had the ball on my 45 yard line.....it looked like something straight out of the NFL Follies videos...lol..

[jazz]

:stooges:

i'd like to hear greg's take on this...why he uses dime for 5 and you use dime for 4 receivers.

[MAGO]

:agree: ...i'm curious to his style of play now also..

[Keith Moon]

interesting...although i remember greg #2 saying that nickel should be used for 3-4 receivers and dime should be used for 5.


- That was more out of preference (especially in the NFL), but if you have good/quick LB's then you could probably get away with it.

- Does college football do a lot of 5 wide outs often?

[Keith Moon]

:stooges:

i'd like to hear greg's take on this...why he uses dime for 5 and you use dime for 4 receivers.


- I had to use dime defense for 5 WR's when I was the Rams because my linebackers were not that good/quick enough.

[MAGO]

not too often...but it is seen....a lot of times what they'll do is have a 4 wide spread and move the rb to the inside making him look like a 5th WR.....try to catch the defense off guard...

[jazz]

- That was more out of preference (especially in the NFL), but if you have good/quick LB's then you could probably get away with it.

- Does college football do a lot of 5 wide outs often?
nope, i have yet to face a team that has used 5 wide outs yet. in madden, i just used quarter for 5.

[Keith Moon]

nope, i have yet to face a team that has used 5 wide outs yet. in madden, i just used quarter for 5.


- Basically, I've always felt safer using a dime defense if my opponent has 5 WR's. But again, you have to consider the situation (i.e. the down, yards to first down, etc.).

- If it was 3rd down and my opponent was sending 4-5 WR's out and needed 3-5 yds for the first, then I would probably do a nickel with one of my linebackers blitzing...

[jazz]

- Basically, I've always felt safer using a dime defense if my opponent has 5 WR's. But again, you have to consider the situation (i.e. the down, yards to first down, etc.).

- If it was 3rd down and my opponent was sending 4-5 WR's out and needed 3-5 yds for the first, then I would probably do a nickel with one of my linebackers blitzing...
so you would use quarter for let's say a last minute hail mary or a prevent?

[MAGO]

so you would use quarter for let's say a last minute hail mary or a prevent?


si señor!....pick the quarter, select the prevent and push everyone back...

[jazz]

si señor!....pick the quarter, select the prevent and push everyone back...
you forgot to mention to :pray: as well.

[Keith Moon]

so you would use quarter for let's say a last minute hail mary or a prevent?



- If they are between my 45 and 30 yd line I'll do a dime and push my guys back, but if they are on their 20, 30, or 40 yd line then I'll go prevent for sure.

[jazz]

thanks, greg #2.

MAGO, how similar are the controls in ncaa to the controls in madden '06?

[MAGO]

NCAA's juke is the right analog stick, Maddens are the R and L triggers...

NCAA's Line audible is the L trigger, their LB audible is the R trigger, Maddens is the white button for the line and the black button for the lb's...

i think the all the other buttons are the same....

[jazz]

dumb. i don't know why ea just doesn't agree on a universal controller configuration and stick with that.

[dionysusolympus]

dumb. i don't know why ea just doesn't agree on a universal controller configuration and stick with that.

i hope they add a juke move in NASCAR and the future project, NASCAR Street... :nod:

[MAGO]

:werd: ...sometimes i get confooooooosed when switching back and forth between games...

[dionysusolympus]

Anyhow, :offtopic: , I like using plays out of the Eagles playbook literally...like bringing in the slot for blitzing...and that sorta shit...

[MAGO]

i lost my first game to my bro over the weekend....it was a sad, sad day..... :suicide: ...i'm now 28-1 against him....

[dionysusolympus]

i lost my first game to my bro over the weekend....it was a sad, sad day..... :suicide: ...i'm now 28-1 against him....

:MAGO2:

[jazz]

from the game footage and reviews i've read, it seems to me that ncaa is the football game to get this season.

[dionysusolympus]

:shizzle:

anyhow, for :MAGO:'s sake, according to one editor for the Sporting News, the Jets will make it to the SB and be crushed thereafter...the majority has the Eagles and the Colts in the SB, according the Sporting News...

[jazz]

i wouldn't mind seeing the jets getting crushed anywhere. :hungry:

[MAGO]

Jets Vs. Falcons.....if everyone stays healthy of course.... :thehand: ...

[dionysusolympus]

Jets Vs. Falcons.....if everyone stays healthy of course.... :thehand: ...

that's what the Sporting News editors were debating in the current issue whether Jets, Pats, Colts, Falcons or the Eagles were going to make it to the SB...that's going to be cool though...

[MAGO]

anyone but the Pats!.. :pray:

[Keith Moon]

anyone but the Pats!.. :pray:



- :agree:...I know if I was a Patriots or Yankees fan I'd like to see someone else win a championship for a change.

[MAGO]

fo shizzle!...it'll be nice having a new SB champ this year... :up: ..J! E! T! S!!!!

[dionysusolympus]

fo shizzle!...it'll be nice having a new SB champ this year... :up: ..J! E! T! S!!!!

S - U - C - K!

:nanner25:

[MAGO]

:magodio2:

[dionysusolympus]

:magodio5:

[MAGO]

:magodio4:

[dionysusolympus]

:magodio3:

[MAGO]

:magodio:

[dionysusolympus]

:empire:

[MAGO]

:stooges:

[jazz]

fo shizzle!...it'll be nice having a new SB champ this year... :up: ..J! E! T! S!!!!
you guys seriously need to change your little chant there. it sounds like a high school cheerleading squad.

j! e! t! s! gooooooooooooooo jets!

:pink:

[MAGO]

you guys seriously need to change your little chant there. it sounds like a high school cheerleading squad.

j! e! t! s! gooooooooooooooo jets!

:pink:


:ass: