Community wrtier Sgibs is a big time Madden baller at Sportsgamer.com. He's here to share some of his tips with you to help you become a better Madden player. If you have tips of your own or want to ask him question just stop by our forums and ask away.
Hey guys and gals Sgibs here bringing you the latest and greatest madden news, tips, and advice on the web. Maybe one of the worst feelings a Madden gamer can have is feeling that they have hit a brick wall and not sure what to do to be a successful baler. I feel you on this one because I have been in that very same situation in the past. I’m here to not only help you get past this road block, but lead you into the promise land. Below are the top 10 sure fire methods to start improving your game over night!
10. Picking a team that plays to your strengths:
Are you a smash mouth user that loves the running game? Then its time for you to stop playing with the Patriots, Raiders, and Colts and look towards teams like the Jaguars, Chargers, and Vikings. Yes, I know the Patriots have Moss and Maroney is pretty good. But they don’t have the personnel tailored to your strengths as a baler. Often times guys get caught up in being the highest rated team in the game because they have a 97 overall rating. Don’t read a book by its cover guys, look for specifics. Pick a team to start you in the right direction of your chosen mentality
9. USER controlled player made easy:
How many times have we all found that golden play in practice mode? That play that’s unstoppable? That play that is going to win me the MADDEN CHALLENGE!! Then we bring it online and it’s just absolutely terrible because or opponent takes it away with great USER ability. USER ability is what separates the best from the rest. Are you getting as many USER picks as you should be? Are you avoiding incoming blockers when attacking the line of scrimmage? Or on a run play? Are you going for the INT when you really should be going for the SWAT? Seems simple, but its surprising how many Madden gamers overlook this easily mastered craft. Here’s my suggestion, pick up your controller right now and starting failing miserably at this. Sooner rather than later (hopefully) you will be on the track to success
8. Proven Formula to beat ANYONE you play:
Learning how to effectively scheme a fast QB, FB dive, HB screen, and PA passes is the quickest way to raise your win total and decrease your losses. These basic concepts of the game not only are the easiest to learn but they are also the most effective. You have seen it run against you a MILLION times. The Fun n’ Gun…excuse me…the Run n’ Gun. Full house formation is the most annoying play set to defend. There’s no denying how effective it is. The combo of FB dives, screens, and a mobile QB will start getting you wins. I personally feel that if you aren’t using this formation, you’re putting yourself at a disadvantage right off the bat. I suggest at the very least, take a gander.
7. Personal and Audible’s all wound up:
Lots of times in Madden we find that we love certain formations. We also find certain plays and certain formations that are truly more effective then others (see above ) What helps to even further this procedure it to make sure your getting the right personal in the right spots on the field. It’s a known fact running no huddle is a pain in the neck for defenses in madden and many times leads to TD’s. When you package correctly and have the right audibles that put your play makers in a position to succeed, you won’t be able to put your controller down! Get into practice mode and audible to and from your other auidbles and see where your players position on the field. Sometimes getting your number 1 WR at HB isn’t a bad option.
6. To be the Best, you have to Play the Best:
Madden, among others things in life, is all about confidence. Anyone can go out there and just “bum hunt” (playing low levels gamers to level up and to increase rank) but if your serious about taking your game to the next level (and you are because you’re here!) then stop these childish gimmicks. All the greats at one point or another had to take some bumps and bruises along the way. Not only are you going to increase your skill level along the way but you will learn A LOT. I’m not saying that you should steal your opponents schemes and ideas but there’s nothing wrong with implementing there “money plays” into your scheme. Go into East 1 and start right now!
5. When to do it, Where to do it, and How to do it:
So, after reading the above articles you are now officially a Madden god! OK, not really, but your well on your way! Many times simply just knowing what to do in certain situations can increase your chances of victory. I can’t even begin to describe how many times I have been in MC games and online games where I have had my opponent in a situation such as 4th and 5 and on there own 25 yard line in the 1st QTR and they go for it. Now, there’s nothing wrong with confidence in your game and believing your going to get the first down. What you need to do here though is way the risk/reward of the situation. Punting isn’t always as glorious as getting that big 4th down conversion in your own end (unless you’re Jeff Feagles) but it will pay dividends later on.
4. How to Get in your Opponents Head (No not really silly!):
What if I told you there was a way that when you come out on the offensive side of the ball that you could know exactly what defense your opponent was in? Sadly, not even I, Sgibs the greatest madden play of all time (hardly) can not. However what I can show you is how to know whether your opponent is in a zone or in man coverage. That’s almost as good, right? Come out in any tight formation, under center or shotgun. At the beginning of the play watch the outside defenders, if they slide in the defense is playing zone. If the defenders line up right next to the offensive player they are in man. Be careful though if your opponent is heady, (not Zfarls) they will be savvy enough to pick up on this and switch there play pre-snap.
3. Labbing Right vs. Labbing Left:
The term Lab has become a Madden phenomena so much so I think it needs to becomes its own separate definition on Wikipedia (as a matter of fact I’m going to do that as soon as I’m done here). Truth of the matter is the term labbing is as much as an overstatement as it is an understatement. You can spend 4 hours in the lab and literally get nothing accomplished, opposed to if it was done properly a 30 min lab session can pay dividends to your success. Don’t fall victim to being that guy that has money plays against the CPU. There is a big difference between what works against CPU and USER player
2. Madden Gems:
One thing that’s so great about madden is that we all have the ability to be completely original. There are so many playbooks, so many teams and so many different styles we can put forth on the virtual gridiron, its ridiculous. Another thing that’s great about Madden is that no where in the professional football world would you ever hear someone utter the words that Matt Jones is a better WR then Marvin Harrison. In the Madden world however there are many arguments to be had. Certain attributes rule the game. Speed, height, jump, elusiveness, trucking, catching, and hit power are a few to name. Look for players with a mix of those attributes who lower ratings and you could find yourself a “Madden Gem”
1. “The Real OC” err I mean “The Real RC”:
Unlike Laguna Beach, MTV’s hit TV show, Madden 09’s Rocket Catch is a live and well and yes its REAL. Many this year believe that not only it does not exist but that it is not an effective strategy to win games. Boy are they wrong! RC dominates this game, not many implement RC into there game because they refuse to believe how effective it is. Get into practice mode right now and start learning how to use the most dangerous weapon in madden 09. There is no route that can’t be done. Don’t believe me? Well I’ll gladly be happy to show you in a nice friendly game. Sgibs7 is my gamertag. I’ll see YOU on the virtual gridiron.
