Madden NFL 12 Walkthrough Primer

Formation Audibles

For those new to the game, formation audibles were on the XBox and PS2 version of Madden a few years ago, but never were added to the next-generation consoles until last year's edition. Formation audibles are a technique that allows for each playbook to have specific audibles for each formation, which can be called at the line of scrimmage. These audibles have some level of consistency, and are very useful when putting together an offensive scheme. Let's take a look at how this works.

In our example, we see that Tampa Bay has come out of the huddle in the Singleback Snugs formation. We use the Xbox 360 controls in our example. Load this up in practice mode and check out the play art that corresponds to each formation audible to see how it switches up your called play.

• Press X + right on the right analog stick: For most formations, the right formation audible switches the play to a standard pass play.
• Press X + down on the right analog stick: For most formations, the down formation audible switches the play to a running play.
• Press X + left on the right analog stick: For most formations, the left formation audible switches the play to a play action play.
• Press X + up on the right analog stick: For most formations, the up formation audible switches the play to a deep pass play.

While every formation is slightly different, you can be fairly confident that when you use your formation audibles, you're going to have a play action pass, a run, and two passes. By taking advantage of these formation audibles, you can really open up your playbook. And don't worry if you haven't memorized the formation audibles. With the addition of bluff play art, you can check your real play art on the field, and still disguise it from the defense.

Utilizing Player Packages to Create Mismatches

Over the years, EA Sports has consistently tried to make Madden as much of a simulation as possible. However, that can be difficult when users continue to manipulate the game and play it in ways that weren't intended! One main obstacle EA has dealt with has been gamers placing players at odd positions. For instance, in Madden 03, users used to put Wide Receivers in at quarterback all game long, simply because the Wide Receivers were fast. EA countered by limiting the spots on the field that players can play. In an effort to give users more options, EA added player packages, which put players in different positions on the field. With these packages, there is quite a bit of flexibility. Here's how it works.

Have you ever wanted to add your Linebackers to your goal line package? The New England Patriots are famous for doing this, and EA has added a "Patriot" package to the Goal Line formation this year. To switch packages, simply scroll through them with the LB / RB buttons. The "Patriot" package places a linebacker in at fullback and at tight end.

Patriots' linebacker Mike Vrabel is positioned at tight end. In our example, he runs a corner route-and as you've seen on Sundays, can be amazing at using his big body to get open in the endzone. Vrabel slips toward the sideline and with a nice touch pass from Brady, Vrabel scores a touchdown. However, this isn't the only package that can be used in Madden. Take a look at another example of how to utilize packages.

In this example, the Patriots are calling the Shotgun Split Slot formation, with the "WR FB" package. This puts your top wide receiver in at the fullback spot. In our example, this puts speedy Randy Moss lined up as the fullback. This can create a match-up problem as likely a linebacker will be matched up on Moss-a huge speed mismatch. Call a play that sends Moss into the flat. In this example, the play starts and Moss breaks toward the sideline. Brady completes an easy reception to Moss, which goes for a nice gain.

As you can see, packages can be utilized in many different ways in Madden. Examples of other packages are added extra Offensive Linemen, for running situations, or a backup quarterback put in, for situations where you might want to run a QB Draw (for instance, on Seattle where the backup is a Speed QB). There are literally hundreds of packages in Madden 12. Make sure to browse the packages in your playbook to see if you can expand your offense.

Pick up the Blitz:Offensive Line Slide Protection

If you've every played Madden in the past, you know the defense can bring serious pressure-Madden 12 is no different. Slide Protection is a technique that tells the Offensive Line where to go after the snap of the ball. Think Peyton Manning, pre-snap, telling the Offensive Linemen who to block. The best part is that slide protection actually works. Let's take a look at a few examples of how you can incorporate Slide Protection into your offensive scheme.

In our example, we're controlling the Cleveland Browns against the Baltimore Ravens. Now, the Baltimore Ravens are known for their unique blitz packages. In our example, the Ravens' have overloaded the right side of the line of scrimmage.

As the ball is snapped, the defense overloads the right side of the line. While the Offensive Line tries to react, they simply can't get over in time. Browns' quarterback Derek Anderson nearly gets his head ripped off (and wishes Brady Quinn was in on this snap).

To counter the defensive overload, we're going to use the Slide Protection. To do this, press the left rigger then move right on the left analog stick. You can see the Offensive Line blocking angles are now pointing to the right. In addition, you can see the WR, Cleveland's Joshua Cribbs, has a blocking angle to the right. When you call for slide protection, it makes all blockers slide. The WR will now work with the Offensive Line to create a pocket.

In our example, the Ravens' defense lines up again in an overloaded set. We anticipated the pressure coming from the right side, so we've called for slide protection to the right. Once the ball is snapped, the Offensive Line moves to the right to pick up defenders. The line does a great job of picking up the pressure, giving Derek Anderson the time needed to look down field and pick up a big gain.

Now let's take a look at another example of how to effectively use a blocking scheme to direct blockers. In this example we have both Wide Receivers running slant routes. Currently, the running back is going to the flats and the fullback has a standard blocking angle.

However, by keeping our backs in to block, they take a different blocking angle than usual: the running back blocks to the left and the fullback blocks to the right. Here's how it works: if the receiver (in this case the running back and fullback) is directly behind the center, and you call for a block (Y + Left Trigger / Right Trigger) and the receiver will block to the left / right. This can be very useful when trying to pick up pressure if you know where it's coming from.

In our example, let's take a look at what happens after the snap. Just as the ball is snapped, both backs move to the outside. This, coupled with slide protection down (makes the Offensive Line pinch), creates a very tight pocket, giving the quarterback plenty of time to make a throw. Again, the quarterback has all day to throw the ball. Both slant routes are open, and the quarterback gets to choose which side he wants to throw. Making sure you have time to throw the ball is essential to a pass play's success. Using slide protection, we created the time needed to move the chains.

In this example, we're going to show you how the slide protection can be effective in combination with play action passes. Play action plays can be very effective, but if the defense sniffs out the play action, this can often lead to a sack.

Let's take a look at how this play action play develops without the benefit of slide protection. The defense doesn't bite on the play action, and they come around the outside to put pressure on the QB. Derek Anderson again gets sacked. Now, let's examine how this play develops with slide protection.

By hitting left trigger then right on the left analog stick, we now have our blockers sliding to the right. Immediately after the snap, all the Offensive Line shift to the right. With the entire Offensive Line sliding together, it helps close gaps in the line, and creates great blocking. When Browns' quarterback Anderson does complete the play action fake, the entire defensive pass rush has been neutralized. In addition, the running back that performed the play action fake is now going out on a pass pattern while the defender responsible for guarding him is stuck in the middle of the Offensive Line because of our slide protection.

Here are the Offensive Line Slide Protection shifts.

• Slide Protect Left: Shift blockers to the left.
• Slide Protect Right: Shift blockers to the right.
• Slide Protect Up: Make line more aggressive.
• Slide Protect Down: Pinch Offensive Line to pick up middle pressure.

Make sure to take advantage of the Slide Protection feature. Slide protection can help pick up the blitz, create passing angles, and shore up play action blocking. But beware: if you slide protect in the wrong direction, you might see more pressure than you expected!