Madden NFL 25 – How to Play Special Teams

Most beginner players love to play on the offensive side of the ball, and while that is packed with excitement, there does come a time for the third phase of the game. Special teams are a crucial aspect of football but are often overlooked in video games. Gamers who take a few minutes to learn the basics, however, can often turn the tide of a game with a huge play. Think about your favorite team and how much a missed field goal or a returned kick changed the course of their season. Special teams are an area where a little bit of practice goes a long way. Here are some questions to think about and tips for improving. (When you’re ready, get more Madden NFL 25 strategies!)

5 KICKOFF COVERAGE

IF YOU CAN’T RISK GIVING UP A TD (FOR EXAMPLE, AT THE END OF THE HALF), USE A SQUIB KICK FROM THE PLAY CALL MENU.

Kicking off the ball is simple: pull the right stick back and then push forward when the meter fills up. What happens afterward is more challenging; once the kick returner receives the kick, he will attempt to score. Here are some questions to consider:

What is the game situation, including game time and score?

Would a return for a TD really hurt my chance to win the game?

Do I need to try to force a turnover with a big hit or strip?

Does my opponent have a player with a high rating back there?

Has my opponent had success with earlier kick returns?

All of these questions should help determine whether you take a tackler and run straight down the field or try to play back a little more. If you play back, you may give up more yards but prevent the big return for a TD. If you see an star player you don’t want to kick towards, use the left stick to move the kicking arrow and aim for another player. With just a few minutes practicing power and direction, you can quickly learn all the places you can kick the ball. If you are losing late in a game, don’t forget to try the onside kick to try to get the ball back.

4 PUNTING THE BALL

CHECK OUT THE “GAME PLAN TIPS” LATER IN THIS SECTION TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WHEN TO PUNT VS. WHEN TO GO FOR IT ON FOURTH DOWN.

The controls for punting the ball are the same as for kicking off and just as easy, but making the choice to punt can be challenging. Most gamers think they can get the first down even when punting is the safe choice. Resist the urge to make a risky choice and ask yourself these questions on the punt:

Should I try to kick the ball out of bounds?

Can I try to pin the ball inside the 10-yard line?

Should I try for max distance on this punt?

Does my opponent have a dangerous returner back there?

Does my opponent appear to be sending pressure to try to block my punt?

Once you factor in all these questions, you can set the angle and direction of the kicking arrow with the left stick. The right stick back and forward controls the power. If you are near midfield, look to kick the ball out of bounds. If you are buried deep near your own end zone, kick it as far as possible. If you angle the kick low and away from the returner, you may pick up some yards on the roll. Punting may not be glamorous, but a great kick can leave your opponents starting their next drive at their own 1-yard line!

3 FIELD GOALS

ALWAYS HAVE A FAVORITE SHORT YARDAGE PLAY CALL READY FOR A 2-POINT CONVERSION TRY!

Taking the points with a field goal (FG) is a great way to salvage a drive that stops short of a TD! By

selecting the Field Goal play from the special teams formation, you are likely going to earn 3 points.

Here are questions to think about when kicking a field goal:

How far can my kicker make an attempt from?

How much time is left in the game—can I run one more play to get closer?

What hash mark is the ball spotted on, and will that make the kick too difficult?

Should I consider going for the TD instead?

To kick a FG with max distance, lower the kicking arrow all the way down. Aim it left and right with the left stick depending on the spot between the hash marks. Start the meter by pulling back on the right stick, and push it forward as the bar fills at the top. How far you can kick depends on your kicker’s Kick Power rating (KPW), the angle of the arrow, the wind, and how much you fill up the meter. Test this in practice mode so you know exactly what yard line you need to be at to convert a successful chance. The player who is better prepared will increase the chance of success in a close game, and FGs can be the difference between a win and a loss! Remember to add 17 yards to your current yard line to account for the holder and end zone distance!

2 PUNT RETURNS

SINCE BLOCKED PUNTS ARE RARE, LOOK TO SET UP YOUR RETURN GAME INSTEAD!

A great punt return can swing the tide of a football game, but so can a dropped or fumbled punt. When your opponent is getting ready to punt you the ball, start by grabbing your defender (backup LB) over the center and running him backwards. This will give you one more blocker in the return game. If you start to feel uncomfortable at any point when the ball is in the air, you can always press the Fair Catch button (4 on Xbox, i on PS3) while controlling the returner. This lets your returner catch the ball without being hit by a defender but will prevent further return. The main goal of a punt return is to catch the ball and pick up as many yards as possible without risking a turnover. Every now and then you may spring a big return, but never force it. Last, remember a key returner rule, which is to never field a punt inside your own 10-yard line.

1 KICK RETURNS

ALWAYS BE READY TO AUDIBLE TO AN ONSIDE KICK RETURN IF YOUR OPPONENT TRIES TO CATCH YOU OFF GUARD.

Starting off the game with a kick return for a TD can really put the momentum in your favor. With just a little bit of practice and a skilled player, you can become a great returner! Returning up the middle is the option that will give you the most consistent blocking. When you catch the ball automatically, start straight ahead, and at the last second before the defense breaks down, try to break the return outside. There is too much traffic in the middle of the field to weave through, so you want to get to the edge. The longer you can stay in the middle before busting outside containment, the greater the chance you have to make a big play for your team. There is no worse feeling for your opponent than to score a TD and then immediately give up a return TD, so work on your kick return game in practice mode!

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Also check out Madden NFL 25 – Top 5 Offensive Tips.