The ability to maneuver to the proper location and catch with precise timing is a rare talent in the NFL.  Players that can catch are valuable all over the field.  That's why user catching passes is one of the most relevant skills Madden players can develop.  It comes in handy in all phases:  Offense, Defense, and Special Teams.  Whether making a user pick in traffic, adjusting receivers to poorly thrown balls, or catching a punt with a running start - User Catch skills are well worth the practice time because they come in handy constantly. 

This tip, submitted by legacy member "shftmotion," illustrates a technique to user catch passes at their highest point to prevent defenders from making a play on the ball.  If you have personnel with size (HT), good hands (CTH, SPC), and jumping ability (JMP) user catching high passes leads to more victories. 

Nobody wants to turn the ball over. Giving up the ball is the quickest way to lose a football game. Madden isn't any different. To win, players must prioritize protecting the ball whenever it's in their possession.  Making a crucial mistake that gives up the football isn't the end of the world; sometimes it's not even the end of the play. Remember, after a turnover, the play isn't over until the whistle blows. Legacy member FaceInDaDirt, sent in this tip to illustrate how forcing a turnover isn't just for defenses anymore.

Ever pick off a pass, o­nly to fumble the ball back to the offense o­n the return? Nerve racking.  Don't lose you head when you lose the ball. Instead, use your defensive skills to wrest the ball away from defenders before your opponent's skilled ball handlers get a chance to come on the field. Take the ball back when you turn it over and drive your opponent crazy.

As Madden players develop their offensive skills, many find the need to better attack with deep routes in the passing.  There are many methods to maximize the effectiveness of the deep ball including running on early downs to bring the safeties closer to the line of scrimmage, but eventually every player need to find ways to execute the deep ball on whatever occasions them to throw it.  This tip, originally submitted by MaddenBowl62, illustrates a key principle of getting the most out long passes whether the bomb is your primary threat or whether it's setup by the run. 

Whether working on the stick skills to become shiftier, schemes that are tough to contain, or making the most of the basic elements of football - Madden players are constantly seeking ways to turn a short gain into a big play.  As Madden players look for ways to make big plays, many overlook the sidelines. This tip, submitted by WFColonel56, illustrates the importance of the sidelines for springing ball carriers and receivers for huge gains. The effect of building an explosive offense that uses the sidelines stretches the defense horizontally. But don't take it from me - read about how WFColonel uses the sidelines to create impact plays for his offense.

 

 

Playing Madden online against human competition means potentially facing maniacally blitz happy defenses. It's simple. If there's one thing Madden players struggle with, it's beating blitzes. Aggressive Madden coaches rely on heat to pile pressure on opponents. An intense rush forces offenses into the tough task of making quick decisions without turning the ball over. Protecting from pressure schemes isn't just necessary for success, it is essential to enjoying Madden.

Many defenses use pressure to create big plays. Madden players try to generate heat to force offensive players into mistakes. Quick pressure makes moving the ball tough. Defenses use a wide array of techniques to get defenders into the backfield. To establish an offensive presence, players will need to anticipate and counteract blitz pressure. Without solid anti-blitz plays, competing will be difficult and winning will be all but impossible.

Fortunately, Madden provides ample adjustment possibilities to deal with heavy pressure schemes. Pre-game scouting makes in-game adjustments easier and more straight-forward. The 'Compare Stats' screen offers valuable individualized scouting information and is available before selecting lobby opponents. Percentages listed hint at tendencies spanning a Madden player's entire career. One tendency in particular, BLITZ, shows how disciplined players might be when bringing heat. Knowing a player's blitz frequency makes planning offensive execution against pressure more effective. Pay attention to keep the quarterback on his feet. Use these 16 concepts to identify defensive tendencies that will help beat all kinds of blitz heat:

 

 

Playing offense on Madden can easily become a passing score fest, but running the ball steadily requires an uncommon discipline. The Full House formation, one that hearkens back decades before video games, can still be an effective power punch for players looking to keep scores low. If your defense is capable of pulling it's weight, the Full House formation may be the tool you need to win games without scoring tons of points.

Players looking to pile on the points may want to skip this, but players that enjoy punching their opponents in the mouth will get a kick out of this one. When longtime friend and nemesis BlondeTom2000 and I played our first Madden game years ago, I wasn't sure what to expect. While I knew his offense was unpopular, I had no idea why... Did I find out. His FULL HOUSE attack was too slow, methodical, and patient for most Madden players. But make no mistake, it was effective.

Characterized by a heavy dose of hard hitting run plays and passes that stretch defenses, BlondeTom's Full House uses a unique blend of power and deception to ea victories. After soundly beating me in a few games, BlondeTom agreed to explain the strategy behind his system of play calling - while staying true to the Full House concept.