Tips To Help Madden Rookies Take Down The Madden Pros: Pt1

The hardest thing for new players to do is to beat the "pros". Of course that sounds pretty obvious to some but the reason they lose a good amount of the time isnt because the "pro" is that much better than the madden rookie. The madden rookie plays differently vs this madden pro and it is mostly in that players head. So these are just some tips to help the "rookies" take down the "pros".


Play The Game Not The Name
This little phrase has been around as long as I can remember but it couldnt be any more true. I remember getting so nervous at the loading screen waiting for the game to begin. My palms sweating, knowing that if I make one mistake the game is over!!!!

As Mike Ditka would say "Stop It"

Just because you are playing _______ doesnt mean he is any better at the game than you are. It just means he is more known for playing a video game.

Just play your game, and let the chips fall where they may. Just try to stay as calm as possible. Try to enter in every game as if you are playing the compunter "Play the game and not the name"


Go In With A Game Plan
Enter the game with a set out plan for what you want to do. Players call it "having a scheme"
A scheme will keep you mentally focused with what you are seeing from them and what you need to do yourself.

What you dont want to do is enter into a game with no idea of what you want to do. That my friend is a quick way to ensure that the game will get out of hand quickly



Manage The Clock
Managing the clock is very important, there is nothing that you can overlook. Depending on the quarter time there are two or three possessions a quarter usually with the occasional four split between both players. Using that number you have to play the clock. Know when you need to speed up your offenses tempo or slow it down.

Managing the clock it hard to describe, the knowledge is gained through playing games. But I will do the best I can to let you know some key things.

-The offenses tempo could determine if you get another possession or not just remember that.

-Use your timeouts wisely

-Use the two minute warning to your advantage on offense

-Defensively judge the time on the clock and decide if its smarter to just go to the two minute warning or to call a time out before the two minute warning to save time.

-Sometimes its better to throw the ball away rather than completing a short pass and staying in bounds wasting precious clock.

All of these things go into managing the clock

Limit The Big Play
Most "pro players" have some plays that can get them down the field quickly. You have to understand the downfalls of your defense in defending the deep ball, if you do you can hide them.

Also you must tackle well and play solid user defense. Do not take your player out of the play because of bad user skills. A lot of big plays happen because of bad user defense.

The goal is to prevent scores, but if that doesnt happen you want them to earn the score by stringing together multiple good plays in a row. Dont make it easy on them. A reason why limiting the big play is important is because the more plays they have to run the better chance that they will make a mistake and throw an interception or you can catch a break and get a fumble. Also the more plays they run the more of their offense you get to see. My goal is to make them run at least 8 plays before they score. Eight plays may sound like an arbitrary number to some but eight plays is more than some drives take for "Pro madden players". And anything less than eight plays and you havent seen enough of their offense. So aim for eight


DO NOT TURN THE BALL OVER
More games are lost than won and the turnover ratio is the biggest reason. Depending on how long the game is (could be 6 mins or 4 min quarters) that turnover could be magnified ten fold.

Now we all know that fumbles are kind of random in the EA Sports games but when you suspect that you could fumble you need to cover the ball up.

Interceptions are your worst enemy. Say it with me "Interceptions are no no's". Okay, now we are on the same page. Interceptions not only give them the ball, but it gives them a chance to gain yardage!
To avoid throwing interceptions you have to have a scheme and have good pass progressions.


Get Off The Field On 3rd Down
The same as in real life football you need to get your defense off of the field on 3rd down. I dont know how much more clearer I can make that so im going to leave it at that.

But also you have to understand that if the 4th down yardage is manageable for them THEY WILL GO FOR IT, so be prepared for it. And hey, if u stop them you get the ball in favorable field position!


Take The Points In The First 3 Quarters
Once you get in scoring position YOU MUST SCORE, it doesnt matter if its a field goal or a touchdown. Your score must increase. Remember you are playing against top competition so those points will matter late in the game. DO NOT TURN THE BALL OVER (see above)

Now I also say "In the first 3 quarters". The reason I say that is because late in the game anything could happen. You dont know what the game may call for you to do but as long as you use your head you will be okay. Just think logically.

There you go guys, this is the stuff that can help you against a "madden pro". It is important to remember these things because lacking in one of them could be the thing that makes you lose the game. Stay Tuned for part two!!!