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Madden NFL 21

for Xbox One

Player Guide

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Player Guide

Madden NFL 21 Xbox Player Guide

Madden 21 contains descriptive audio menus that cover most of the game’s front-end. This guide is designed to help you set up that feature and give basic information on gameplay. For any questions please ask on the Technical Issues forum at www.ea.com/able/forums.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  1. Overview
  2. First Log In
  3. Initial Gameplay
  4. Gameplay Reference
  5. Kick Meter Rules
  6. Ball Carrier Rules
  7. Offense Ball Carrier Rules
  8. Defense Ball Carrier Rules
  9. Kick Off
  10. Kick Off Offense
  11. Kick Off Defense
  12. Play Call
  13. Offense
  14. Offense Run Plays
  15. Offense Pass Plays
  16. Offense Punt Plays
  17. Defense
  18. Advanced Play
  19. Offense Advanced Play Picking
  20. Defense Advanced Play Picking
  21. Kick-Off Plays
  22. Quitting on End of Game

OVERVIEW

American football is a sport played on a rectangular field that is 100 yards long and 50 yards wide, with two goal posts on opposite ends of the 100-yard field stretch. The field is measured in yards, with the center of the field marked as the 50-yard line, then it counts down towards the goal posts on either side of the field, labeled in increments of 10. The 0-yard lines are referred to as end zones.

The game is split into quarters which are each 6 minutes long by default. Time spent between plays does not count towards the clock.

The goal of the game is to get points, which are either accomplished by:

  • Earning touchdowns by reaching the end zone for 6 pints
  • After a touchdown—kicking the ball through the goal post for 1 point or opting to try to cross the end zone again from the 2-yard line for 2 points
  • Tacking the other team while they are in their own endzone for 2 points, this is a safety
  • Kicking the ball through the goal post unrelated to a touchdown for 3 points, this is a field goal

All games start with a kickoff, where one team kicks the ball away from their end zone, and the other team catches the ball and runs away from their own goal. The kicking team tries to stop the ball carrier from advancing by tackling—pretty much grabbing them and pulling them to the ground.

When on offense, the team has 4 attempts to advance 10 yards, called downs. If they succeed, the attempts are reset back to 4. If they fail, control passes to the other team. Often the ball is kicked in the 4th down to get it as far away as possible from the kicker’s end zone—this is called a punt and is essentially equivalent of a kickoff. A punt that makes it through the goal post at the end of the field is a field goal (3 points) and relinquishes control of the ball to the opponent at their own 20-yard line. If a ball is loose after the 4th down, it also starts on the 20-yard line. If a touchdown occurs (6 points), the team that earned the touchdown has a choice of advancing the ball into the end zone again for 2 points or kicking the ball through the goal post for 1 point. After this, the ball is kicked off again, and the opposing team gains control of the ball.

FIRST LOG IN

The following provides instructions for those who are logging in to Madden NFL 21 for the first time.

Before launching the game:

  • Register for a new origin account, if you do not already have one, through the following website 

To avoid security reminder pop-ups in game, turn on origin login verification https://myaccount.ea.com/cp-ui/security/index

  • Launch Madden NFL 21 with your console method of choice
  • A splash video plays when the game starts, showing off various areas of the game. Press any button to continue. The next pop-up displays the user agreement. Press A to accept and continue. Madden NFL 21’s user agreement can be found here: http://tos.ea.com/legalapp/WEBTERMS/US/en/PC/
  • If you have not used origin in a game before, you will be prompted to enter your email, press A, then enter text using the standard console text input dialog. Press A to submit email.
  • Next dialog: “Welcome to EA.” Allows you to receive news and promotions, tips and tricks, and other VIP rewards.
  • You have two options. First is to receive emails about EA products, news, events, and promotions. This option defaults to No. To opt in, press the d-pad right or left once.
  • Press the down arrow to get to the second option. The second option is to allow EA to share your info with select EA partners. This option defaults to no. To opt in, press the d-pad right or left once.
  • Press down to get to the Submit option. A to submit.
  • Next, you will be prompted for sharing options. There are 2 checkboxes, the first is share account info with NFL, the second is share social feed. By default, sharing social feed with Madden NFL 21 friends is turned on. Selecting the first checkbox gives you bonus ultimate team cards. Press A to select, push d-pad down twice, press A to continue.
  • Next dialog is a live content update for Madden NFL 21. This should happen automatically.
  • You may be prompted to update roster. Press A to accept update.  You will then be asked if you want to save your current roster first. Press A to move forward without saving your current roster.
  • To turn on Menu Narration, use the directional pad on the controller and click the down arrow three times. Then click the A button.
  • The display should now show the Accessibility Setting Menu. The first option is highlighted. This is the Menu Narration option. Its default setting is OFF. To turn it on, use the dpad on the controller and click the right arrow. The Menu Narration is now turned on. You should hear a voice say, “Menu Narration is now set to ON.”
  • By having this option ON, you will now be able to hear options on most menus throughout the game.
  • It will also be beneficial to change the settings on the controller’s vibration to “assist.” This will ensure that you will feel when to select plays, when the ball has been snaped, player movements, etc. have occurred.
  • To do this, scroll down in the Accessibility Menu you are currently in until you hear “Controller Vibration” then use the dpad right button until you hear “Controller vibration option set to assist.”
  • Menus in the game will now be narrated and you can pick your favorite team, play style, and difficulty.
  • Press continue you when you are ready to move forward.
  • To exit this screen, click the B button on your Xbox controller.
  • You are now set up to play Madden NFL 21, and are on the main menu. 

INITIAL GAME PLAY

Once you have completed the First Log In, you will be immediately sent into a PROBOWL game with   two teams. You will hear various stadium noises and an announcer will announce that you have entered the PROBOWL game. This game is between AFC and NFC. You will be playing for both teams interchangeably. On top the screen from left to right is the logo for AFC, AFC score, NFC score, logo for NFC, the quarter number, timer, and yards down and distance.       

On the left side of the screen is a rectangular box that reads “Special Teams.” It gives you three Kickoff Options. Kickoff Left (A button), Kickoff Middle (X button), and Kickoff Right (Y button).

At this point if you wish to exit this game and start another game option press the game menu button on the controller. This will take you to the pause menu where menu narration will resume, and you can quit or restart the game. This menu will also give you access to coaching settings and options and game settings as well. Press the LB or RB button to access these menus.

If you wish to continue the game. Choose one of the three Kickoff Options: Kickoff Left (A button), Kickoff Middle (X button), or Kickoff Right (Y button).

Once you choose a Kickoff Option, a player on your team will be positioned to kick the ball. Use the directional keypad on the computer keyboard to aim the kick. Then choose the type of kick you would like to use. You can select either: Sky Kick (Y button), Normal Kick (RB button), or Squib Kick (LB button). Note, these options are available each time you kickoff. Once you have selected an option, press the A button to activate the kick meter in the middle of the screen. You will want to press the A button after two seconds and again after another two seconds. This is the approximate range for a good kick. Once the ball is in the air it will be caught in the End Zone by a player of the opposite team.

Your goal will be to tackle that player and other players on the opposing team using plays. These plays will be displayed in the center of your screen. You can choose plays by pressing the down arrow on the keyboard directional keypad. The following options are available: Suggestions, Formation, Concept, Play Type, Personnel, Recent Plays, Adjustments, and Super Slim. When you have chosen an option, you will be given three plays to use. If you do not like those options, you can use the down arrow on the direction keypad for more options. These options will vary but you can choose an option by pressing the Y button, X button, or A button.

During this time, player stats will appear on the right side of the screen as the game waits for you to select. Once the selection is made the game will continue. The game will end after the 4th quarter.

BASIC GAMEPLAY REFERENCE

Kick Meter Rules

The kick meter has three rumble events. First, A double-rumble to indicate the meter is moving, then after an approximate 1-second pause, there is a second rumble to select max power. After another one approximate 1-second pause there is a third rumble to aid selecting max accuracy.

When hitting A on the kick play, you will feel a double-rumble to indicate the meter is moving.

If you press A before the second rumble event, you will have lower power. If you miss hitting the button to select power, it will result in lower power. Press A as soon as you feel the rumble for greatest power. Power indicates how far the ball will be kicked.

The third rumble event is accuracy, pressing the button immediately after feeling the rumble is recommended. Not pressing the button at all will result in a wildly inaccurate kick, likely off the field.

The speed of these events is controlled by difficulty level. There is less time to react on higher difficulties.

BALL CARRIER RULES

Offense Ball Carrier Rules

If you do not use the directional keypad on the controller, the player will automatically try to avoid players and run towards the end zone. If you wish to steer, use the left stick, and keep heading “up” to move towards the goal. If you feel rumbles, that means an opponent is trying to tackle you-- Use the B button to try to spin away from opponents or use the X button to try to dive with the ball for more yards. See ball carrier section of user manual if you wish to try more advanced moves.

Defense Ball Carrier Rules

Your job is to block offense players and tackle the ball carrier. The players will all move automatically if you avoid hitting a stick. Press the A button if you feel a rumble to engage an offense player or tackle the ball carrier.

KICKOFF

When the game starts, one of two things will happen.

Kickoff Offense

If you are on offense, when the commentators go silent, you can kick the ball. Pressing the A button will select the default suggested kick play.

See kick meter rules for details on the kick meter.

Once the ball is kicked, your role will switch to stopping the ball carrier from advancing. Press the A button to tackle the player. All characters will automatically move towards the ball carrier. You are now on defense.

Kickoff Defense

If you are on defense—the controller will vibrate, indicating you need to select a play. Pressing the A button will select the default suggested play. Your character will move automatically to catch the ball. Do not touch the directional keypad until the ball is caught.  You are now on offense and follow ball carrier rules.

After kick-off, you will start picking plays.

PLAYCALL

The following contains information on how to use recommended plays via controller.

Offense

Press the A button to pick suggested play. Press the A button again to snap the ball (passes it to the quarterback so he can make a play).

Offense Run Plays

The QB will hand the ball off immediately, and ball carrier rules apply.

Offense Pass Plays

You will feel a rumble if it is a pass play. Tap all the following repeatedly until you feel a rumble: A, B, X, Y. In the game, these letters will appear as icons appear over each player’s head the first time, they are open for a pass. By tapping the buttons, you are ensuring that the player is open as early as possible. There is no guarantee that a player will remain open. Once you feel the rumble, the ball is in the air you can stop tapping the button. Press X to attempt to grab catch the ball and run toward the goal and press Y if you want to attempt to aggressively catch the ball. An aggressive catch will give you greater odds of obtaining the ball. It does not matter how long you press the button for catching the ball, or exactly when you press it—the ball simply must be in the air. Once the passed ball is caught, ball carrier rules apply.                  

Offense Punt Plays

Select a Punt Play. Follow the kick meter rules.

ADVANCED PLAY

Offense Advanced Play Picking

When you are playing offensively the Advance Play menu will appear on the right side of your screen.

To access the Play Type menu, press the down on the left three times then press the A button to enter the submenus.

When you press the left or right you will be able to cycle through Pass, Run and Special Team Menu. Pass is default.

Pass Menu Options: Quick Pass, Standard Pass, Shotgun Pass, Play Action Pass, Screen Pass, and Hail Mary

Run Menu Options: Inside Handoff, Outside Handoff, Pitch, Counter, Draw, FB Run, QB Run

RPO Menu Options:  RPO Read, RPO Peak, and RPO Alert

Option Menu Options: Options

Special Menu Options: Special Teams and Clock Management

Pressing the A button on any of these options opens a submenu of plays. The plays vary based on the playbook you are using. You are guaranteed at least one option of each. All plays in a category function similarly.

Select a play using up/down on the stick to move between sets of 3, and press X, Y or A to select a play. Not all menus will be full, so if a button does not select a play, try a different button.

Defense Advanced Play Picking

When you are playing defensively the Advance Play menu will appear on the right side of your screen.

To access the Play Type menu, press down on the left stick three times then press the A to enter the submenus.

Here you will be able to scroll through Man Coverage, Zone Coverage, Blitz, and Special.

Man Coverage Options: Man Coverage and Man Zone

Zone Coverage Options: 2-Zone, Cover 3 Zone, and Deep Zone

Blitz Options: Man Blitz, Zone Blitz, and Combo Blitz

Goaline: Goal Line

Special Options: Special Teams

Like Offense, pressing the A button on any of these options opens a submenu of plays. The plays vary based on the playbook you are using. You are guaranteed at least one option of each. All plays in a category function similarly.

Select a play using up/down on the computer’s directional keypad to move between sets of 3, and press X, Y, or A to select a play. Not all menus will be full, so if a button does not select a play, try a different button.

Kick-Off Plays

There are no advanced kick-off menus, it is just a list. Select Kickoff Left (A button), Kickoff Middle (Y button), and Kickoff Right (X).

Quitting on End of Game

After the game is completed, return to the current mode’s menu by doing the following:

On the left stick, press down and press A button. This will bring you to the Play Now Live screen where you can choose to join another game, or you can select the B button to be taken back to the main screen where you can choose other modes.