Madden NFL 12 Walkthrough Primer

Relearning to Throw the Deep Ball

You drop back to pass and you see the receiver get behind the cornerback by a step. You execute an easy tap of the button to perform a deep lob 40 yards downfield. The receiver catches the ball in stride for a touchdown! That was the Madden of the past-not Madden 12. You can still go deep, but it's much more difficult.

The deep ball mechanics have changed dramatically. This is something that every Madden gamer should take note of and make sure to understand. We're going to explain how the deep ball works and how best to utilize the deep throw. To do this, we're going to break down four different types of deep throws. Then we'll explain why two of the throws work and two don't. It doesn't matter how experienced of a Madden player you are-you need to understand this tip!

Each of the throws in this example will be performed against a Man Cover 2 defense. In our example, we've used the Detroit Lions. We're also going to roll out in each example, simply to buy us enough time to throw deep. In our first example, Kitna sees Calvin Johnson behind the defense and decides to attempt a deep throw. However, Kitna's feet aren't set. He's trying to throw on the run, and that just isn't a good idea this year!

The throw is well under thrown, and although Johnson was behind the defense, the defender recovered to make the interception. Why was this an interception? It's all about the quarterback mechanics. This throw should never have been attempted. You need to make sure your quarterback has time to set his feet and launch the ball deep downfield. But it's not all about setting your feet. You need to understand the nuances of Madden 12. Take a look at the next example.

In our next example, we attempt a more traditional deep Madden lob. In years past, if you see the receiver get behind the defense, simply tap the receiver icon, and the ball lobs deep downfield to the streaking receiver. The ball typically hits the receiver in stride for a touchdown. EA wanted to change the deep ball and have. First, take note of the quarterback's mechanics. When tossing the deep ball, the quarterback puts his entire body into the throw. The motion takes longer to perform and means if you get hit while the throw is being made, the throw is going to be short. Make sure you do in fact have time to throw the ball deep.

In our example, Detroit Lions' wide receiver Calvin Johnson is behind both the defenders. Quarterback Jon Kitna performs the deep lob-tapping the receiver icon button. The longer you press the receiver icon, the more of a bullet pass it becomes. Calvin Johnson has a step on both defenders. If the ball is thrown ahead of Johnson, this is a touchdown, right? While the ball is in the air, the defenders catch up to Johnson. The amazing thing about this is that both defenders are several speed points slower than Johnson. Shouldn't Johnson be the one pulling away? Now the defenders have both run past the receiver by two yards. The defense tracks the deep lob in an amazing way this year!

Not only did the defense get behind the receiver. They had time to strafe up and prepare to catch the pass. Johnson has very little chance against two defenders facing the ball. Why did we get this result? The deep lob has been changed. If you let you receiver get downfield far enough to beat the safety, you simply can't use the deep lob. You can lob the ball if the defense is playing bump and run coverage, with no safety help over the top. But that lob has to come within the first twenty yards or so. After that, the lob doesn't work. So what type of deep ball will work?

This pass isn't a "deep'" pass per se. The key here is you see that the receiver has a step on the defense. But when you let the receiver get more than about 35 yards downfield, the quarterback mechanics change. Instead of the deep lob, let's take another example with a 30-yard bullet pass. Instead of tapping the button, we'll hold down the receiver icon button when making the throw.

When performing this pass, Detroit Lions' quarterback Jon Kitna starts his motion and steps into his throw. Kitna's hips don't drop and it's a very compact movement. It's a qiuck release with great mechanics. Jon Kitna gets this animation because of the user's stick work to face Kitna perfectly to the line of scrimmage and because of the receiver's location on the field. When not going into the full deep ball mechanics, the quarterback simply can't throw any further, so the timing of this throw is critical. Now let's take a look at the deepest bullet pass.

In our example, Jon Kitna is ready to throw the ball deep with no defenders around him. This is important because this pass takes some time to perform. Watch the mechanics closely. Also, remember, this isn't a deep lob-it's a deep bullet. To perform this, hold down on the receiver button.

Try it in practice and watch Kitna's mechanics. The quarterback makes his first move toward the line of scrimmage. He's gearing up to throw the ball deep. Now his feet are back together-he makes a slide step to get his lower body into the throw. Now notice how Kitna drops his back shoulder and bends his back knee. He wants to leverage his entire body to get the ball as deep as possible. The motion that Kitna is making really allows him to heave the ball downfield. Notice he's ready to release the ball, but it much lower than he was for the shorter version of the deep pass. He finally releases the ball. How far did he throw it? A little farther than the previous example!

It's important to understand what throws you can make and which throws you can't make. The throwing mechanics have changed this year enough that some throws that you've made in the past simply aren't going to work this year. With the defense able to react so much faster, one bad pass is likely going to be an interception and not just a deflected pass. Work on your deep passing game in practice mode before risking the deep ball in live game action.

Controlling the Receiver During the Play

Controlling the receiver during the play can be one of the most fun things to do in Madden 12. Most gamers haven't taken full advantage of this technique, but there are strategies that can make this very effective. If you've ever been frustrated at watching your receiver run bad routes or not get off the bump, now you can take control of the receiver and do it yourself!

In order to take control of your receiver before the snap, you will need to cycle to the receiver and click the "LB" button. The ring around the receiver will now turn light blue. For this example, put the receiver in motion and we'll show you how to create a very unique route. Snap the ball just as the receiver nears the tight end on that side of the field.

After the ball has been snapped, immediately run back and to the left with the receiver. Check out the receiver's position now. You will never get bumped if you're not moving toward the line! Even better, the defender is trying to chase the receiver around your Offensive Line's right tackle.

We run across the line of scrimmage and behind the line. Our Offensive Line picks up the defender guarding the receiver and pancakes him! Now our wide receiver is running wide open on the opposite side of the line. In our example, Indianapolis Colts' quarterback Peyton Manning swings the ball to Marvin Harrison. This is done because as we get open, we hit the "A" button to call for the ball. This action triggers the throw by Peyton Manning.

It is highly recommended to only do this technique with a quarterback with very high awareness. The reason for this is if you don't get open quickly enough, the quarterback will throw the ball. You don't want a rookie quarterback out there making decisions to throw into coverage! A quarterback like Peyton Manning or Tom Brady with high awareness will rarely make throws into coverage. Also, make sure the route you want to run is short. Sit in soft spots against zone coverage and run away from man-to-man coverage. This technique takes some practice, but is very fun to execute during the game.