The Madden franchise has always featured a dynamic gameplay system with fairly standard controls that have evolved over the three and a half decades since the franchise began releasing titles.
This guide breaks down the controls for Madden 24.
Recent Madden titles have built upon the intuitive design of the previous games, adding numerous subtle gameplay elements and controls through the introduction of the FieldSENSE system in Madden 23.
This guide breaks down both the simple base controls that Madden is famous for, as well as the relatively new advanced controls that can give you the edge against your friends.
Offense
Pre-Play Offense
On offense before the snap the most important control is clicking in on the right stick to bring up the pre-play menu.
The pre-play menu shows you a list of pre-play options and the corresponding buttons assigned to them.
Here are all of the controls and options available to you before the snap on offense. Some of these are listed in the pre-play menu, some are not.
| Action | Controller Input | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Pre play menu | R3 | opens a menu of pre-play options |
| X factor vision | right trigger (R2/RT) | view Superstar and X-factor skills for players on the field |
| Show play art | left trigger (L2/LT) | shows play design on the field (receiving routes, pass protections, and other play details) |
| Call an audible | square/X | change the play call in the pre-play menu |
| Hot route | triangle/Y | change specific receiver’s routes into one of your choosing in the pre-play menu |
| Pass protection | left bumper (L1/LB) | check and change blocking protections in the pre-play menu |
| Switch highlighted player | circle/B | highlight to the nearest player |
| Select specific player | hold circle/B + move left stick | highlight a specific player |
| Lock on a specific player | click in on the left stick twice | lock on to a specific non-QB player for the duration of the play |
| Motion a player | press and hold left stick in desired direction | when highlighted on a player, you can motion them to other side of the offensive line |
| Flip a run play | flick right stick in desired direction of run | change a run direction/protections to other side of the offensive line |
| Control camera zoom | up or down on D-pad | change the zoom of the camera to a number of default settings |
| Fake snap | right bumper | attempt to draw the defense offsides with a fake snap |
| Call a timeout | touchpad/windows button | call a timeout |
| Snap ball | X/A | start the play |
Passing
Madden’s passing system has been a staple of the game and a key to its success for generations. Based on an intuitive button design that is incredibly simple.
The key to successfully executing passes is by utilizing the advanced throw location controls.
Just pressing the button of the most open receiver isn’t enough to avoid incompletions, batted balls, and interceptions. You need to utilize different button pressures to impact the type of pass you make. You should also use the left trigger and bumper to impact the height of the pass. It’s also important to lead your passes as well with the left stick.
| Action | Controller Input | Description |
|---|---|---|
| QB movement | left stick | move the QB in or around the pocket |
| QB scramble | left stick + right trigger | tuck the ball down and sprint as the QB |
| Receiver buttons | X, square, circle, triangle, R1(PlayStation)/ A, X, Y, B, RB (Xbox) | each eligible receiver will have a designated button |
| Lob pass | tap receiver button | put some air under your throw to get the pass over defenders |
| Bullet pass | hold receiver button | throw the ball hard into small windows |
| Touch pass | press and release receiver button | in-between a lob and a bullet pass |
| Pump fake | double tap receiver button | fake a throw to a receiver in order to trick defenders |
| High pass | left bumper (L1/LB) while throwing | throw the ball high above defenders’ heads for receivers to go up a grab tall passes |
| Low pass | left trigger (L2/LT) | throw ball close to the ground so the receiver can dive forward and grab it low to the turf |
| Lead pass | move left stick in desired direction after throw | lead the pass in a certain direction |
| Throw ball away | click in on the right stick (R3) | when in danger of getting sacked simply throw the ball away (be sure to be outside of the pocket to avoid intentional grounding penalties) |
Receiving While the Ball is in the Air
Once thrown, you have the option to quickly switch over to your intended receiver (using the B or circle button), and then you have a new set of controls in order to make a perfect catch.
There are only three different types of catches.
| Action | Controller Input | Description |
|---|---|---|
| RAC catch | square/X | catch the ball while running and keeping the receivers momentum moving forward (best chance at being able to gain yards after the catch) |
| Possession catch | X/A | make a standard attempt to catch the ball (best chance of simply catching the ball) |
| Aggressive catch | triangle/Y | make an attempt to catch a contested pass (best chance of making a catch with a defender in close coverage) |
Running
Perhaps the most important controls to learn if you want to have success in Madden.
Regardless of if you are controlling an RB, QB, WR, TE, or even a defensive player; if the player has the ball, you can utilize a number of different combinations of jukes and movements to break tackles and gain yards.
The most important running controls are going to be sprint (right trigger), spin move (B or circle button), and juke (flick left or right on the right stick)
| Action | Controller Input | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Player movement | left stick | move the ball carrier |
| Sprint | hold right trigger (L2/LT) | run at max speed |
| Juke | flick right stick in desired direction | make a fake move in a direction to force missed tackles by defenders |
| Spin | circle/B or rotate right stick | spin out of would-be tackle attempts or around defenders |
| Truck | up on the right stick | power through defenders |
| Stiff arm | X/A | push away defenders attempting to make tackles from the side |
| Hurdle | triangle/Y | jump over a defender |
| Jurdle | triangle/Y + flick left stick left or right | a mix between a juke and a hurdle |
| Dead leg | flick down on the right stick | make a subtle leg juke to fake out defenders |
| Slide | tap square/X | slide to the ground to give yourself up |
| Dive | hold square/X | dive forward |
| Protect ball | right bumper (R1/RB) | hold the right bumper while running to prioritize preventing fumbles. This will lower the ball carrier’s speed and elusiveness but nearly eliminate the potential for fumbles. |
| Pitch ball | left bumper (L1/LB) | pitch the ball behind you, it will automatically attempt to pitch the ball in the direction of the nearest teammate |
| Celebration run | left trigger (L2/LT) | taunt your opponents with a celebratory running animation. (Make sure you don’t get tackled while using this celebration, as the chance for a fumble is very high!) |
Defense
Pre-Play Defense
The Pre-Play defense has similar controls to pre-play offense, with only a few noticeable differences.
The key to know on defense is that you can shift coverages and defensive assignments by either changing the entire play, or by using position specific commands within the pre-play menu
Here are the main pre play controls on defense.
| Action | Controller Input | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Pre play menu | in on the right stick (R3) | opens a menu of pre-play options |
| X factor vision | right trigger (R2/RT) | view Superstar and X-factor skills for players on the field |
| Show play art | left trigger (L2/LT) | shows play design on the field (coverage and blitzing assignments) |
| Call an audible | square/X | change play call in the pre-play menu |
| Switch highlighted player | circle/B | change the player you are controlling (automatically goes to the next guy over) |
| Select specific player | hold circle/B + move left stick | change the player you are controlling (specifically pick a player with the left stick) |
| Coverage audibles | triangle/Y | change the coverage assignments of certain players in the pre-play menu |
| Linebacker audibles | right on D-pad | change the assignments for linebackers in the pre-play menu |
| Defensive line shift | left on D-pad | shift the defensive line |
| Control camera zoom | up or down on D-pad | change the zoom of the camera to a number of default settings |
| Call a timeout | touchpad/windows button | call a timeout |
Pass Rushing
A main element of defensive play, especially for beginners, Madden 24 offers a mix of pass-rushing moves and animations to help players effectively beat offensive linemen and rush opposing quarterbacks.
The main controls for rushing the passer are based on using the right stick.
Using all the directions on the right stick in a combination that takes into account the attributes of your defender will make you an effective pass rusher in Madden 24
| Action | Controller Input | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Player movement | left stick | move defender around |
| Switch player | circle/B | take control of nearest defender |
| Speed rush | right trigger (R2/RT) | rush the QB with speed (attempt to run quickly around blockers) |
| Contain | left trigger (L2/LT) | instead of directly blitzing the QB, your defender will wait on the outside and contain outside runs and scrambles |
| Rip move | flick up on the right stick | a rush move that rips past blockers and resets your pass-rushing engagement |
| Bull rush | flick down on the right stick | rush the QB with power (attempt to overpower blockers) |
| Club/swim move | flick left or right on the right stick | swim and club pass rush moves are both lateral moving animations that use the same input. The difference between the two is subtle and situational. |
| Swat pass | triangle | attempt to time a swat at the line of scrimmage to knock the ball down |
Pursuit and Tackling
Whether you want to play on the Defensive-line and rush the passer, as a versatile linebacker, or as a coverage defensive back, you will undoubtedly be focused on pursuing ball carriers and tackling them to the ground.
There are many different tackling types, each with different pros and cons. From the aggressive hit-stick tackle to the aptly named conservative tackle, now known as a ‘breakdown’ tackle, there are a lot of different ways to bring your opponents to the turf.
Madden 24 in particular, is focused on tackling, with over 1,700 tackle animations and a whole new tackle formula.
| Action | Controller Input | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Player movement | left stick | move defender towards the ball carrier |
| Sprint | right trigger (R2/RT) | run at max speed |
| Switch player | circle/B | take control of nearest defender |
| Defensive assist | left bumper (L1/LB) | signal nearby defenders to help make a tackle |
| Strafe | left trigger (L2/LT) | square your defender’s hips towards the line of scrimmage, keeping them facing forward ready to make a play |
| Conservative tackle / Breakdown tackle | X/A | attempt a safe tackle (high chance of succeeding, low chance of creating a turnover) |
| Dive tackle | square/X | dive to make a shoestring tackle on defender just out of normal tackle range |
| Hit stick tackle | flick up on the right stick | attempt to make an aggressive tackle (lower chance of succeeding, higher chance of creating a turnover) |
| Cut stick tackle | flick down on the right stick | attempt a tackle at the legs of a ball carrier |
| Strip ball | right bumper (R1/RB) | aggressively attempt to force a fumble, can lead to turnovers but also missed tackles and penalties |
Pass Coverage
Similar to receiving the ball in the air, defending while the ball is in the air is also overly simple.
With only a few options for how to defend against passes, the pass coverage system doesn’t have much nuance or detail. Basically, you have the choice to either try and pick the ball off or break up the pass by hitting the receiver.
| Action | Controller Input | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Player movement | left stick | move defender around |
| Switch player | circle/B | take control of the nearest defender |
| Swat ball | square/X | attempt to swat the ball away |
| Play the receiver | X/A | defend against the receiver trying to catch the ball (force an incompletion or make an immediate tackle once caught) |
| Play the ball (ball hawk) | triangle/Y | attempt to make an interception |
| Press a receiver | X/A + in on the left stick | manually play physical press coverage on a receiver |
How to Dive
By pressing and holding the square/X (PlayStation/Xbox) button you can leap forward and dive with your ball carrier.
This can help you get those extra few yards right before you get tackled or as you get tackled.
The best times to use the dive button is when you close to a first down marker or the goal post, but you are about to get tackled and you need a last ditch effort to get over the finish line.
The danger to diving in Madden 24 is that first and foremost, you end your run, because you are diving onto the ground, ending your forward momentum. The biggest danger however, is that when you dive you increase the chance of fumbling the football.
How to Scramble
With the NFL becoming more and more focused on mobile QBs and spread offenses, QB scrambling has become a primary offensive gameplan.
Scrambling in Madden is extremely simple and straightforward.
You can move around with your QB in the pocket with the left stick, but if you want to fully scramble you need to hold down the right trigger.
You can even scramble in the pocket, and escape forward, to the left, to the right, and even backwards in order to give you more time to throw.
How to QB Slide
The QB slide is a critical aspect to the quarterback run game.
By tapping the square/X button while running with the ball you will effectively give yourself up by sliding to the ground, avoiding a potentially devastating tackle.
You can do this with any position, but it is most effective for QBs in order to avoid unnecessary tackles that could put them at risk of injury. QBs typically have lower injury ratings than the rest of the skill position players on your team, so it is important to protect your QB.
The main times you will want to tap the square/X buttons outside of running with your QB is going to be when time is running out in the game or in a half and you need to end a play quickly in order to call a timeout. You can tap the square/X button to fall down and end a play quickly at any point when you ar controlling a ball carrier.
How to Lateral
The lateral in Madden 24, can be a very fun, but a very dangerous option. It is a process of pitching the ball back to the nearest offensive player behind the ball carrier.
By pressing the left bumper while controlling the ball carrier you can pitch the ball backwards. The Madden AI will attempt to get the ball to the nearest offensive player, but it’s not perfect.
You also can’t guarantee that the pitch will be perfectly accurate, that there won’t be a defender ready to intercept or knock down the pitch, or that your offensive player will be actually able to catch the pitch.
The lateral may be more for when you are goofing around with your friends rather than when you are actually trying to win Competitive games.
How to Hit Stick
The hit stick allows you to lay out an opposing ball carrier with a huge hit. It is one of the most satisfying moves in Madden 24 when executed successfully and can lead to important tackles and forced fumbles.
The hit stick is a very simple thing to in Madden 24, but can be an impactful weapon for you on defense.
The hit stick tackle process is completely based on the right stick.
When you are are approaching a ball carrier with your defender, simply flick the right stick up to flatten that ball carrier with a huge hit high on the runner.
You can also flick the right stick down to perform what is known a “cut stick”.
This is a hit stick low on the runners lower half that takes their legs out from under them and is extremely effective, especially against power runners like Derrick Henry.
