Madden NFL 15 beginner’s guide – your first game

Picking up Madden for the first time can be a little overwhelming. With so much information being thrown at you at every turn, it can feel more akin to the first day at school.

But Madden NFL 15 is a great starting point for those new to the series, with a great tutorial that explains the key concepts that even experienced players can learn from. If you’re still a little nervous heading into your first game, VideoGamer has a few quick tips to help you grab your first win.

What are the formations?

On both offence and defence, teams line up in different formations depending on what type of play they run. For defenders, there are three different types: Zone, where men will occupy particular areas of the field should men or the ball come into it. Second is Man, where defenders will man-mark receivers. And Blitz, where a large number of the defenders will run at the quarterback in order to ‘sack’ him. On offence, at its most simple, you can choose whether to run the ball or make a short or long pass.

In this year’s game, the three suggested plays are chosen based on community popularity, opponent tendencies and a particular formation. Stick with these three suggestions at first, and read the accompanying information before making a choice. The game will display how successful the community play has been when deployed, and why the top option should work if executed properly based on your opponent’s set-up.

It’s important to understand why you’re choosing plays rather than just selecting randomly, as this will help you learn the flow of the sport of football.

Who should I pass to?

The play art will highlight one player’s run in red: this is the intended receiver. Don’t feel forced to give the ball to them, though, but they are more likely to be open than other receivers.

Before the snap you can press RT/R2 to check the play art so you are fully aware of all the player runs so you know all the options available.

Make sure that the person you’re passing to is open, or at least running into space. If there is a man within two or three yards of them, there is a good chance the pass will be intercepted. You can use the left stick to guide the pass further away from nearby defenders and avoid losing possession.

If there is nobody to pass to, you can always click the right stick to throw the ball out of bounds. You’ll lose no yards on the play, and simply cost the team a down, which is more beneficial than being sacked.

Also, you have the option to throw a lob or bullet pass. Lob passes throw the ball over the receivers head, for him to catch over the shoulder. Bullet passes are thrown with much more speed, making it harder for defenders to nip in front and intercept.

Therefore, if a defender is standing in front of the receiver, a lob pass can be more effective as it takes the defender out of the equation. Bullet passes work in crowded spaces, giving defenders less time to affect the trajectory of the ball.

How to move the ball up the field

You have four ‘downs’ to move the ball 10 yards upfield, after which you’ll receive a new set of downs. In the early stages of a game, if a team fails to make 10 yards in three downs, they’ll kick the ball away or attempt a field goal rather than go for it on fourth down, as failing will give the ball to the opposition at the spot of the fourth down.

From first down, teams typically try a running play in order to gain a few yards before attempting a pass on second or third. Learning to read the situation, and knowing the best play will develop the more you play the game. But as a general rule: first down is a run play or long pass disguised as a run (known as play action), while second down can be run if it’s short yardage.

Don’t try and throw the ball into the end zone from the first down. Instead, incrementally move up the field with a series of short plays that keep clocking up first downs. Every so often you can try for the big play, but depending on the team you’re playing as, you need to use your best players as much as possible.

Don’t be afraid to run the ball straight through the middle, either.It may seem like there are too many men in a small space to make any gains, but remember you only need ten yards, and to gain three yards on a single down is good. Running a half back straight ahead can work if he is strong and your blockers push the line back, leaving holes to run through.

How do I play defence?

On defence, you initially want to control somebody on the defensive line. The DL is the group of guys at the very front, right on the line of scrimmage. This year, a bunch of buttons appear above their heads during the snap and when they battle with offensive tackles (OT’s) to try and push past and get to the quarterback. The defensive line is the best place to play for newcomers, as you have the potential to have the biggest impact by sacking the quarterback, but also minor mistakes won’t be too costly like controlling a defender in the backfield.