1. New Offensive Defensive Advanced Making Defensive Team Playbook Madden Roster Achievements, Trophies,
Features Strategy Strategy Strategies Adjustments Strategy Breakdowns Franchise Mode Attributes Accelerators
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sections for Madden NFL 2011 at Features Strategy Strategy Strategies Adjustments Strategy Breakdowns Franchise Mode Attributes Accelerators
Running Passing Pre-Snap Assignment Coverage Common Passing Play Screen
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Offensive Strategy
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Slide Protection Out • If the defense overloads the middle of the Slide Protection Left
offensive line with multiple defenders, the
Our guide will show you the fundamentals of playing the game all the way through creating advanced schemes to dominate the competition.offensive linemen are inwe they slide organized all of the information in this guide for easy reference:
Here’s how betterhave to block
all the pass rushers because
position
protect
towards the middle.
Advanced Strategies New Features
PRE-SNAP DEFENSIVE COVERAGE READS Playbook Breakdowns Advanced Strategies
Weaknesses:
PASS BALANCED PLAYBOOK BREAKDOWN Playbook Breakdowns
NEW FEATURES Watch the Defensive Backs The Pass Balanced playbook was very popular last year
Gun Split Cowboy—TE Out Gun Split Cowboy—Slot Post Gun Empty Trey—Quick Slants Gun Doubles—Texas Gun Snugs Flip—WR In Strong Close—HB Off Tackle Strong Close—PA Deep Cross
tion in this
It’s well-documented that Colts quarterback Peyton Manning spends a good amount of time watching game film each week to prepare for his upcoming opponents. Part of his film study is to get an idea
of the types of coverages his opponent likes to call. In Madden NFL 11, you can simulate film study by looking at defensive coverage alignments before the snap. Often, these alignments are direct tip-offs
in Madden NFL 10. If you were a fan of the playbook
Most quarterbacks are told to locate the safeties before the snap to get an idea of the coverage shell that is being called. In Madden NFL 11, you last year same thing. Werun the sameone step further by also
do the and would like to will take it offense you can
do so because most of the playbook has not changed
• The quarterback is at greater risk of being
Simpler. Quicker. Deeper. These three words are the focal point of everything that is new and improved in Madden NFL 11. EA SPORTS continues on its quest to make the Madden NFL series the most realistic reading the outside cornerbacks. Here are a few examples of how we like to read the coverage shell.
to the pass coverage your opponent is calling on defense. We are going show some of the tip-offs you can use to gain the upper hand on your opponent. at all. You can have a run-first offense with formations
sacked from the outside pass rush because
Chapter 7: Playbook
football gaming experience ever. Pro-Tak™ returns, but with the addition of new Locomotion changes, it’s even better than ever. Let’s dive right in and take a look at what’s been added to Madden NFL 11. Cover 0 Cover 2 Cover 4
such as I-Form Pro, I-Form Tight Pair, or the very
Use Motion and safeties never play man lock coverage, only cornerbacks. If Cover 0 is called, watch the safeties. If neither is playing If the safeties stay at even depth and the cornerbacks are in Watch popular StrongfiClose (and its go-to play, the HB Offthen it’s Cover
the safeties rst. If they play at even depth,
GameFlow and
the offensive linemen are blocking towards the
Chapter 4: Advanced
One of the best parts of GameFlow and Game Another crucial area that was corrected with The only way this doesn’t hold true is if individual defensive deep or in the middle, chances are it’s Cover 0 coverage. If this press coverage, you can bet it’s Cover 2 coverage. You may need Tackle). Next watch the corners—if one Madden
2 or Cover 4. This set was very popular among top or both move, then
Game Planning Planning is that you can take your Game The most common technique for to curls and the defense is to
Plan Catch Tuning relates pre-reading other routes assignments are used, either on the field or in the Coaching coverage is called, you can bet there is a blitz coming after you. to use motion to tell if it’s Cover 2 man or zone coverage.
NFL players. With how effective the running game is
it’s Cover 4.
Breakdown takes a
motion a receiver from one side come backIffor the ball. lined this year, we predict that most players will use the same
that have a receiver to another. the defender
inside.
into Franchise, Superstar, Online, Madden Options menu. For instance, say your opponent puts the free
Chapter 1: New Features
In sitting down with various NFL approach. This playbook also has four Singleback sets,
Ultimate Team, and Play Now modes. This across fromexample, when you him, then you know it’s man
up For the receiver follows need 3 yards for a safety in man coverage on the split end while on the field. If the including the in-demand Singleback Tight Flex. With
Strategies•is the defense overloads the outside on both
advisors, including John Madden
If about
coverage. This is known aswould think that throwing a
allows you to speed up the game in every way first down, you man lock coverage. plenty of Gun formations (six in total: Doubles, Empty
split end is motioned to the other side, the free safety will follow
himself, the EA SPORTS team you play. We will cover more details about 5-yard curl would do the trick. But last year Trey, Snugs Flip, Split Cowboy, Spread Y-Slot, Y-Trips Gun Split Cowboy—TE Out Gun Split Cowboy—Slot Post Gun Empty Trey—Quick Slants Gun Doubles—Texas Gun Snugs Flip—WR In Strong Close—HB Off Tackle Strong Close—PA Deep Cross
Motion a receiver to see if man or zone coverage is called
him all the way across the field in man coverage.
hard look at six offensive
was challenged to take a closer GameFlow and Game Planning later in the the receivers would aggressively come back HB Wk) you have plenty to choose from. We like the The Split Cowboy formation is very similar to Gun Split Slot Post is another play we like from the Gun Split The Gun Empty formation is all about spreading the The Texas play has the running back on an angle route out Gun Snugs Flip is a very popular formation. WR In has the HB Off Tackle is still a very effective run from the Strong PA Deep Cross is a very effective play action play that we like
explains all of the exciting
versatility that this playbook gives you, whether you like Offset; the only difference is that there is a tight end in the Cowboy formation. The primary target on this play is the defense out with five receivers on the line of scrimmage. of the backfield; he is the primary target. You also have the split end as the primary target, with two flat routes, a delay Close formation and is one of the sets we like to get our to use from the Strong Close. It has the tight end blocking
look at the way they present play guide. to the ball, which unfortunately would cut the Making Pre-Snap Reads with Formations
sides to blitz, the offensive linemen won’t be
to ground and pound or spread the defense out in four- backfield instead of a fullback. You still have the option of slot receiver, but you also have the running back coming Quick Slants is a play that we like to use from this tight end on an out route. These two routes are the main route out of the backfield, and a corner route that the split ground game going with. This play can be deadly with a with both the fullback and the halfback going out on pass
taking your game to all the pass rushers.
able to block the
calling to the user. The result was
Catch Tuning route too short. In Madden NFL 11, players
This aggressively blocks the defensive linemen Use slide protection to pick up different blitz schemes
or five-wide-receiver sets. It can all be done in the Pass using the dual halfback or fullback package. In this play, with an angle route out of the backfield. The fullback is on formation because it gives us a slant and flat combo. This reads for this play because they flood one area of the field. end runs. We hot route both outside receivers on slant power runner such as Brandon Jacobs, because you can routes. The split end is the primary target on this play, with a
There are many offensive formations in the game in which you
one of the biggest changes in the still work to get to the ball, but now they are
can tell if man or zone coverage is called by just looking at how To execute: Select the receiver you want to put Balanced playbook. the tight end is running an out route and the halfback is a delay route. The way we set up this play is to smart route route combination is very hard for a defense to cover. routes over the middle. just take it up inside and pick up tough yards. crossing route. The flanker runs a deep post route that pulls
playbooks with seven
many years of the Madden NFL on a fade out of the backfield. The tight end is the primary the slot receiver’s route. the coverage back to open up the shorter routes.
In Madden NFL 11 there has been much focus mindful of first down yardage and won’t come
new features that have
football franchise, with the intro- defenders line up. target; however, both routes can be used as primary reads.
OFFENSIVE FORMATIONS
in motion, then press left or right on the left Strengths: Strengths:
put into making the game look and feel as real as back too far. Your receiver will now sprint
next level. Learn how Protection Right
Slide to
duction of GameFlow and Game Not all the defenders are lined up directly across from the receivers FORMATION # OF PLAYS
Rate that play high possible. This year the franchise has made huge down the field, pin his defender on his back,
Planning. The days of scrolling improvements in the passing game with Catch and hold him off until the ball gets there, to This time the Dime Normal—Cover 3 coverage is called. Notice Gun Doubles 24
thumbstick to send the receiver in motion.
plays each. Balanced,
through over 300 plays to find that one play you been cut almost in half, giving gamers the ability that the right cornerback lines up across from the split end and Gun Empty Trey 12
Tuning. In implementing Catch Tuning the Madden ensure that you get the yardage you need.
• When the defensive line is spread out, slide • If the defense overloads the left side of the
been added to Madden
to enjoy more games in the same period of time. there are four defenders lined up over the three bunch receivers. Gun Snugs Flip 9
need for any given situation are over. NFL developers were able to change every aspect You will also notice this come into play on No safety aligns deep Two safeties align deep Two safeties align deep
Gun Split Cowboy 18
protection out puts the offensive attackadifferent types of
With GameFlow, plays are sent to you over The key behind GameFlow is Game Planning. of how a receiver interacts with his surroundings— screen passes. Also, not all the defenders are lined up across from the receivers.
Cover 3
linemen in offensive line, slide protection left puts the
Cover 1 Gun Spread Y-Slot 18
Play Art
your headset from your coordinator, just like Game Planning allows you to script your best everything from the way the receiver is bumped at This tells us zone coverage is called. Keep an eye on the left
It’s pretty easy to tell if Cover 3 coverage is called. Watch the Gun Y-Trips HB Wk 18
Pass Balanced, Run
These The left cornerback areas where Catch
are only a few follows the flanker cornerback—he may line up farther outside of the flanker. If one safety rotates to the middle of the field while the other
on Sundays. Now you don’t have to spend as plays for any given situation in the game. Each the line by a defender to how he dives to catch a I-Form Pro 21
NFL 11 this season
Tuning has made a huge impact in creating safety comes up, then it’s either Cover 1 or Cover 3. To tell if safeties first. If one rotates to the deep middle while the other one The quarterback has two targets in front of him
much time looking through your playbook, and team in Madden NFL 11 has a team-specific If the defender lined up across from the receiver doesn’t follow
touchdown pass. Let’s jump into Catch Tuning and We suggest going into practice mode or finding a buddy online to
better position to counter them.
I-Form Tight Pair 12 The quarterback has his eye on his target
offensive line in a better position to counter the
Eli Manning throws the ball to Steve Smith The quarterback hands the ball off
coverages as well as put
one of the best football games of all time. man coverage is called, watch the outside corners. If they don’t comes up, then it’s Cover 1 or Cover 3. Next, watch the corners. Once the ball is snapped, focus on this area of the field.
you can spend more time playing the game. You Game Plan that best utilizes that team’s best break it down so you can see how it affects the then it’s zone coverage. field and utilize your aerial
him,
Now get out on the
practice making pre-snap reads of the defense with your favorite
If one or both of them move, then it’s Cover 3.
Singleback Ace 21
Eli Manning notices that the defense is playing man Both are crossing the same region of the field. Quarterback With the defender a step behind the slot receiver, The fullback is leading the way. Follow him and read off The quarterback fakes the handoff
move, then it’s Cover 1 man coverage. Of course you can always Singleback Ace Twins 15 The quarterback has three options in front of him After the handoff, look for the short routes first out of the
Use the play art to view the passing routes. This
can always come up to the line and pull a Peyton players and strengths. Before any game, you playbook, and using multiple formations to get an idea if man or The quarterback sees his running back open and throws the ball Eli Manning throws a bullet pass to Brandon Jacobs. quarterback Eli Manning throws the ball. We also have of his blocking to see if you can cut it up inside or take
overloaded left side.
way you play Madden NFL 11. There are exceptions to this dence, knowing that your right
attack with confi rule. For instance, say the
coverage, and he sees that the split end has separation
• It’s good to use when the defense is showing
Balanced, Run Heavy,
use motion to tell. Keep in mind that the safety playing the deep Singleback Spread Flex 15 We really like this play because it’s easy to read the three After the snap, notice how quickly the running back comes on the defender. With the defender a step behind him, he Against most coverages this route combination works. the running back sneaking out of the backfield while the it outside. This run play is so versatile that either option backfield, then the deeper routes after that. For maximum
Manning by making line adjustments and audibles can change your team’s Game Plan to better fit zone coverage is being called. Look at how the defenders are
like GameFlow, Catch
Receiver animations have been changed outside linebacker is are goingato hold up to in man coverage.
in receivers covering slot receiver whatever middle may not roll that much towards the deep middle. Singleback Tight Flex 9 receivers that are in one area, as you can see in the out of the backfield. He is the primary target on this play. throws a bullet pass.