25 Reasons To Play Madden NFL 25

Hey Madden Fans!

Madden SZN is nearly here and we hope you are ready to hop on the sticks for Early Access to start on August 13th!

Today, we have a special edition of Gridiron Notes to share with you. Each day this Gridiron Notes will be sharing a ton of our new and favorite features in Madden NFL 25. Some things you may already be familiar with but we might have a couple surprises so keep coming back each day to see what’s new in Madden NFL 25!

Note: All features listed are only available on Xbox Series X|S, Playstation 5, and PC

#25 - BOOM Tech

An injection of real-world physics into that animation-branching technology; and aptly named after Coach Madden’s most famous catchphrase - BOOM!

Players will feel the new tackling system during any one-on-one tackle, where physics will determine a wide variety of dynamic outcomes based on the weight, speed, momentum, squareness of the hit, and player ratings, while keeping players in full control.

BOOM Tech is composed of three features: Physics Based Tackling, Reloaded Hit Stick, and the all-new Physics-Driven Ball Carrier Balance and Recovery System.

#24 - Physics Based Tackling

Physics Based Tackling is a dynamic animation selection informed by real-world physics where you’ll see Hit Sticks, Cut Sticks, Trucks, Stiff-Arms and Dive Tackles be more authentic and unpredictable.

Three key components of a physics based tackle:

• Pre-Impact Moment: You’ll see ball carriers anticipate and brace for impact while having full control to change direction, perform a skill move, or stay in your current locomotion until contact - all without feeling suction or pre-animation alignment. The system constantly re-evaluates potential tackles based on player poses, movement direction, and speed leading to more variety in tackle initiation.
• Moment of Impact: Utilizes a physics-based muscle-strength toolset allowing big ball carriers like Derrick Henry to be tuned stronger than a lighter ball carrier such as Jahmyr Gibbs. The muscle-strength tuning is then combined with the force, velocity, momentum, player ratings and leverage of both players to determine the strength of the tackle impact, and the direction of the force on the tackle interaction.
• Tackle Resolution: No predetermined conclusions here! BOOM Tech allows the system to dynamically select from a variety of tackle animations and branch to as many as necessary to fulfill all the requests coming from physics. All of this leads to emergent hit types, variety of stumbles, and unpredictable outcomes providing more visceral impact and control.

#23 - Reloaded Hit Stick

Did you know it's the 20th anniversary of Madden NFL’s most iconic mechanic of all-time, the Hit Stick?

Madden NFL 25 features an all-new timing based Hit Stick that introduces more skill and control than ever before. Accompanied by its own on-field feedback system so you can land the satisfaction of a perfect Hit Stick and hear the crowd roar.

How it works: Hit Sticks factor in the timing of the hit and angle of approach by the defender, in addition to player ratings and muscle-strength tuning. The hit power at the point of impact will be reduced if your timing is too early, too late, or if a bad angle is taken. Tackle and Hit Power ratings will influence the timing windows, so that the chances of having a successful Hit Stick will increase when attempting with high-Hit Power players. 

#22 - Physics-Driven Ball Carrier Balance & Recovery System

The third and final piece of the BOOM Tech feature set: Physics-Driven Ball Carrier Balance & Recovery System.

A ball carrier's ability to stay on their feet is a highly sought after skill in the league. In Madden NFL 25, you’ll see ball carriers stumble and recover their balance taking a hit and the outcomes are based upon several factors:

• Quality of the Tackle: You gotta square ‘em up! Lower quality tackles, glancing hits, being too early or late, may not bring the ball carrier down, but can influence the angle and distance the ball carrier will move while in a stumble recovery.
• Torque: Depending on the rotation of the ball carrier during a hit, you may see them spin or turn while recovering. 
• Foot Position: If the ball carrier’s foot position is not in a state where they could realistically recover, even if the hit is not good quality, they won’t be able to recover effectively. 
• Recovery: The chance for the ball carrier to recover is determined by the position of his center mass relative to his feet and torso, along with player ratings and abilities determining if and how quickly a player can recover, or combined with muscle-strength tuning - remember, bigger and heavier players are going to recover out of broken tackles much differently than smaller and lighter players.

BONUS Reason to Play: Superstar Abilities

Let’s talk about Superstar Abilities that work with BOOM Tech: All ball carrier and tackling abilities have been modified to work together with BOOM Tech! Including some abilities modifying the force at impact, others will have an effect on the timing or squareness of a hit, and others will be a part of the formula in determining the outcome.

Here’s some examples of new abilities built to support physics-based tackling:

• Tireless Runner - Stamina reduction has no impact on ball carrier’s ability to rebalance on broken tackles
• Extra Pop - Increased chance to create a fumble with a perfect Hit Stick
• Steamroller - As a ball carrier, significantly harder to be bumped off current path when running at full speed
• Form Tackler - The ideal tackle-timing window is easier to hit

#21 - Madden Championship Series

Think you’re the best? Prove it.

The Madden Championship Series is back for its 10th season!  Register* today at Madden Championship website to compete for your share of the USD $1,700,000 prize pool. 

First up is the USD $100,000 Regs Kickoff Classic that begins ladder play on 8/14.

*Conditions & restrictions apply. See maddenchampionship.com/rules for details.

Foundational Football

“The fundamentals of the sport are at the forefront of everything we do in gameplay because an authentic and fundamentally-sound replication of the sport is extremely important to our players. Players want maximum control on the sticks and to be rewarded for their football knowledge by winning the chess match of pro football.” - Madden NFL 25 Gameplay Deep Dive

We’ve talked about what BOOM Tech provides, but Madden NFL 25 is giving you all new levels of control out there on the field!

#20 - Refreshed Skill Moves

If you enjoy making defenders look silly, we got you covered.

Ball Carrier skill moves have been completely refreshed in Madden NFL 25. We’ve added hundreds of new jukes, spins, high-steps, and hesi’s to go along with new tools for you to get creative to make those highlight-reel runs!

Have you ever played a game of Madden and your opponent will not click on to the defender to tackle you, letting their AI defender do the work? To give players more control and tools to deal with tactics like that, we’re introducing a new ball carrier mechanic called the Setup State. After entering the Setup State, you’ll be able to chain skill moves together and leave that defender in the dust.

How to use the Setup State: 

1. Hold down Sprint (RT/R2) and flick down on the right-stick to enter Setup State.
2. Juke, Spin, or really whatever feels right to you based on the defenders. Chain them together and make that highlight play! 

Check out this #ProTip from our development team about stacking jukes and spins when using the Setup State:

• Back-Right Juke to Spin (Flick right stick down to the right, then roll the right stick down and around the opposite direction)
• Back-Left Juke to Spin (Flick right stick down to the left, then roll the right stick down and around the opposite direction)

#19 - Switch Stick

If you have ever seen a WR cross the face of your zone defender and wished you could easily click-on to that defender to take that option away before the pass? You may be entitled to use the Switch Stick.

An all-new and advanced defensive mechanic will give you the ability to quickly switch between your defenders before the pass is thrown.

Switch Stick Tips:

• How to use the Switch Stick: Flick the right-stick (RS) in the direction of the defender you want to switch to prior to the pass.
• Switch Stick only works on pass plays, not run plays!
• If your defender is blitzing or pass rushing, you won’t be able to flick the RS but you can still switch defenders by holding B/Circle and flicking the left-stick (LS) directionally to switch to a coverage defender.
• If you’re not into the Switch Stick, no worries, there’s a gameplay setting to turn it off!

#18 - Blocking

There’s now ‘flame’ emojis in Madden NFL 25… hold on, let us explain real quick. Significant improvements have been made in the trenches for Madden NFL 25, and for the first time ever, you will be able to see who your offensive line is targeting to block on both run and pass plays before the snap. This will give you a much better idea of which gap to run your running back through or allow you to see precisely who your offensive line is going to block on a pass play.

Speaking of pass blocking schemes, pass protection just got a whole new layer of control by adding 4 new, and authentic, pass protections so you’ll have even more tools at your disposal to deal with pressure:

• Half-Slide Left/Right: One side of the line is in man blocking, the other side is in zone blocking. 
• Empty: Blocking the five most dangerous threats with the expectation the QB gets the ball out on time.
• Base: Use this to revert back to the default pass protection for that particular play

Think a cornerback is coming off the edge? Use ‘ID the Mike’ to have your running back to block that corner!

Let’s talk about ‘flame’ emojis. If a defender has the ‘flame’ emoji above their head pre-snap, it’s the game letting you know, “Hey, this guy is unblocked and unaccounted for in the pass protection currently.”

On top of all that, adjustments have been made to create a more authentic passing pocket by making sure your QB is not outlevering his tackles on the drop back and we have added over 500 new animations across all block types: pass block wins/losses, impact blocks, get-engages, reach blocks, and more!

#17 - Catching

You: I wish I could attempt those sweet one-handed catches whenever I want.

Madden NFL 25: Ok, bet.

Yes, you can now decide to one-hand catch every pass if you want - we’re not going to stop you, but the defense certainly might! 

How to do one-handed catches in Madden NFL 25:

• On Playstation 5: Hold L1
• On Xbox Series X|S: Hold LB

We have to tell you to be careful though. This new spectacular catch mechanic factors in ratings and does have a higher drop-chance than other catch types.

Madden NFL 25 offers even more control with catching than ever before. When you hit a catch button, you are going to get that catch type. You can even switch catch types while the ball is in the air. If you've ever tried to make a RAC catch a bit too close to the sidelines, when, in hindsight, you should have just pressed the possession catch instead... we get it, we've all been there before - well now you can branch if you decide to change your mind and get that desired input.

To bring all this catching innovation in Madden NFL 25 to life, over 700 new catching animations were added, including easier access to back-shoulder catches and fades to the back pylon. Also, if you go for an ‘aggressive catch’ and the pass is a little too low, you’ll see new low-height jumping catches to respect your choice on trying to ‘aggressive catch’ a low ball.

Too many reasons to count so we’re hitting BONUS Reasons to play Madden NFL 25 all focused on our Foundational Football gameplay:

Coverage Shells: Another tool at your disposal to disguise your defense and deceive the offense!

How to use Coverage Shells in Madden NFL 25:

• While you’re in the play-call menu: Use Right Stick to toggle through different coverage shells or alignments for that defensive formation. You’ll be able to show Cover 1, Cover 2, Cover 3 and Cover 4 looks to disguise your coverage!

Custom Route Stems: When hot routing an eligible receiver, you can now determine the length of the initial stem of the route with any route that can be smart-routed. Turn a 5-yard out route into a 15-yard out route or turn a 10-yard post route into a 20-yard post route, the choice is yours and you have full control!

This creator mechanic will allow you to modify any route that can be smart-routed. Hold L1 and LS to extend by 1 yard at a time, or use the D-Pad for 5-yard increments.

How to do Custom Route Stems in Madden NFL 25:

• On Playstation 5: 
  • Select a receive to hot route
  • Hold L1 and use the Left-Stick or D-Pad to adjust the depth
• On Xbox Series X|S: 
  • Select a receive to hot route
  • Hold L1 and use the Left-Stick or D-Pad to adjust the depth

Pro Tip: Hold L1/LB and LS to extend by 1 yard at a time, or use the D-Pad for 5-yard increments.

New NFL Kickoff: Yes, Madden NFL 25 has the new NFL kickoff rules! Experience the new NFL Hybrid Kickoff Rules in Madden NFL 25 before you see it on Sunday.

But did you know with the new NFL kickoff in Madden NFL 25, we also have some new components all focused on giving you more control:

• Personnel Packages: Before selecting your kickoff formation, you can use the Right-Stick to select different personnel packages for kickoffs!
• Depth Chart: Now you will have even more freedom to substitute other positions as Kickers and Returners!
• DIY Trick Play Kickoff Returns: We have a new mechanic for kickoffs where you can choose to manually hand off to a reverse player… OR NOT!

New Kick Meter Options: Madden players will now have 2 kick meter options available to choose from. You can still use the legacy Madden NFL Kick Meter. The new Kick Meter option features two meters: Horizontal meter for accuracy and a vertical meter for power.

How to use the new Kick Meter in Madden NFL 25:

• On Playstation 5:
  • Press and hold X to set the accuracy of the kick
  • While holding X, the vertical meter will start to fill up and you can release the button to determine the power of the kick.
• On Xbox Series X|S:
  • Press and hold A to set the accuracy of the kick
  • While holding A, the vertical meter will start to fill up and you can release the button to determine the power of the kick.

Be sure to release the button before the meter fills up into the ‘overkick’ red area!

New Read Option Mechanics: Read Option mechanics have been updated to better reflect the intuitive nature of having your QB “pull the ball” and become more aligned with how RPO’s (Run-Pass Options) work.

How to hand the ball off on a Read Option in Madden NFL 25:

• Do nothing! The ball will automatically be handed off to the running back on all Read Options, just like RPOs!

How to keep the ball with your Quarterback on a Read Option in Madden NFL 25:

• On Playstation 5:
  • Hold down X to as the read is being made to keep the ball with your quarterback on a Read Option
• On Xbox Series X|S:
  • Hold down A as the read is being made to keep the ball with your quarterback on a Read Option

Check out the Madden NFL 25 Gameplay Deep Dive to learn even more!