The Passing Game

There are a number of variables that affect a successful passing play. It’s not as simple as mashing the pass button and hoping the intended target catches the ball for positive yardage. It might work here and there but there’s more that goes into a consistently effective passing game in Madden 2005. This section offers tips on reading pass defenses, using playmaker control, and moving the ball on offense on your quarterback’s arm.

Reading the Pass Defense

You’ve called a pass play and are approaching the line of scrimmage. Immediately you can tell what formation the defense has selected. If there are seven players in the box--either three defensive linemen and four linebackers or four defensive linemen and three linebackers--then the defense is in the 3-4 or 4-3 respectively. If there’s one extra defensive back, the defense is in the nickel; two extra defensive backs is the dime; and three is the quarter.

Scan the defense as your offense approaches the line of scrimmage and see how the defense matches up against your called pass play.

The greater the number of defensive backs, the more difficult your pass play becomes. It’s certainly possible to connect on a pass play against a dime or quarter defense but the defense is geared to stop the pass and will likely win that battle more times than not. Pass plays, especially those with multiple receivers and backs out of the backfield, against 3-4, 4-3, 46 or goal line will be more effective because of match up problems.

Match ups are important in the passing game. Defensive cornerbacks are best at covering wide receivers. Safeties and linebackers are not as skilled in coverage. If you can match one of your better receivers against a safety or linebacker then you have the advantage. Shift your top receivers around the line of scrimmage using different packages and flipped plays.

You can determine if the defense is in man coverage or zone coverage through a number of methods. Put a man in motion and see if he’s followed; if so, he’s in man coverage. Though keep in mind that the defense can use "man lock" to keep defensive players in place even though they’re in man coverage; the coverage simply shifts to another defender.

There are holes in the cover 2 defense, especially flag patterns toward the side line between the cornerback and safety.

In zone defenses, defenders cover a specific area of the field. They’ll cover any offensive player that enters the zone but will hand off coverage to another defender once the offensive player leaves the zone. Against a zone, look for holes in the zone. For instance, against the cover 2, look for the deep angled out pattern, called the flag. There’s a hole between the coverage of the cornerback and the safety.

In man defenses, defenders cover a specific player. Effective routes would include crossing routes, especially if you have a fast receiver matched up against a slower cornerback.

As you approach the line of scrimmage, see how the defense is lined up against your formation. In a 3-WR set, do you have a receiver that isn’t directly covered by a cornerback? Watch the linebacker on that side; if he blitzes then hit that receiver quickly. If the defense is in a pass-oriented defense, consider calling an audible to a run play. And don’t neglect your hot routes. Alter pass patterns based on the defensive lineup. If you believe you’ll have single coverage on a receiver, send him deep. Deep pass plays are rarely successful against two or more defenders; but in single-coverage, the receiver frequently has the advantage.

Watch how the defenders react as you approach the line. Which defenders have approached the line of scrimmage in a "blitz" stance? Use hot routes to open up a quick pattern so you can get rid of the ball quickly. Also, against linebacker blitzes hitting backs out of the backfield is often open, particularly against man coverage. Send the back in the direction of the blitzer and hit him once he clears the line of scrimmage.

Playmaker Control

You have a couple playmaker options in the passing game. Before the snap, use the right analog stick to alter the primary receiver’s pass route. Press the right analog stick up to send the primary receiver on a go route; move the stick left for a crossing route/out pattern left; move the stick right for a crossing route/out pattern right; and move it down for a screen. If you want to alter other receivers’ routes, use the hot route button. Send a receiver deep if he’s in single coverage or adjust his route to a crossing pattern against double coverage, which could free up other receiver patterns on the same side.

Use playmaker control to alter a receiver’s route before or during the play--specifically when you need to get rid of the ball quickly.

Utilize playmaker control during the pass play to adjust a receiver’s current pattern. For instance, if you’re scrambling and in trouble, push the right analog stick down to call a receiver back toward the line of scrimmage. Since the defender is likely behind the receiver, the pass should connect as long as there are no other defenders in the ball’s path.

Use the right trigger and directional pad to shift your formation along the line of scrimmage. The pass patterns remain the same but your player’s positions shift. Call a formation shift to spread out of the offense against tight defensive coverage.