While Madden NFL 22’s AI may be tougher this year, many of the same tactics apply when it comes to defense and offense. You’ll want to be careful when opponents are attempting to flank you or execute long passing plays – this can be done by paying attention to the hard flats and soft squats (with cloud flats covering everything in between).
On many occasions, there will be man-to-man or 1v1 scenarios taking place. Knowing how to defend in these cases is the key to victory. To best optimize your defense in these scenarios, press Y or Triangle when the round begins, then press either again for more options. You can then select the defenders that go against each attacking player.
Another useful trick is shade coverage – simply press Y/Triangle and then point the right stick towards an area on the field. This will provide defense in 1v1 scenarios. Right flicks are most useful when guarding on the outside – left flicking will guard the inside. Top flicks are, as the name indicates, providing shade coverage in the topmost areas while flicking down will cover areas below.
When planning your attack, knowing all of the routes on the field and how your opponent will tackle them is key. Keep track of your receivers’ locations and where they can be positioned. Using corner routes is still a viable strategy but try not to exploit them too heavily. Mix up your plays and try out different kinds of formations.
It may be tempting to go for the bomb with your quarterback as much as possible to gain lots of yard coverage. However, it can lead to more interceptions as well (along with making you predictable). Sticking to different strategies and mixing things up will ensure success in the long run. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to try out different offensive playbooks to gain an advantage. For more details on the best playbooks, check out our guide here.
Madden NFL 22 is currently available for Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS4, PS5, and PC. Read our official review here for more details.
