Madden 09 help! XBOX 360?

Question

i just got madden 09 today and im really bad! i play as the packers in franchise mode and i throw INTs all the time and cant run the ball at all! i need a few tips just to get going since i havent played since madden 07! if you could give me a few hints that be helpful! thanks!

Answer 1

This may sound a bit elementary, but practice mode is the best way to get better. It doesn't matter if you get sacked, it doesn't matter if you get intercepted, it doesn't matter if you get stuffed. Heck, it doesn't matter if you throw touchdowns or make big runs. Pick a defense you don't like playing against in a game situation and practice running and passing against them. You'll learn how they react, you'll learn what kind of plays you need to run against different defenses and you can run the same play over and over again which allows you to familiarize yourself with the different patterns in the play which helps you become more comfortable with spreading the ball around.

When you're practicing the pass, make sure and pick a defensive play that blitzes. Learning how to call hot routes before the snap and react quickly after the snap will help you immeasurably in the passing game when it comes to reducing your INTs thrown and the amount of times you get sacked.

The best thing about practice mode is learning how to run the ball. You don't have to worry about any of the things you have to worry about in a game situation like how many yards you pick up or whether you're going to fumble because you're using the highlight stick a lot. Try running the same play over and over again and focusing on just one of the highlight moves for several plays in a row. You will become a veteran juke/spin/stiff arm runner in no time.

Personally I like to pick one formation, practice all the plays in the formation until I'm comfortable with them and then go play a franchise or online game using nothing but that formation. You'd be amazed as to how much better you'll become with just an hour or even less spent in practice mode.

Answer 2

You should rent madden 08 for a little bit and get used to the controls that happened to me switching from madden 05 to 08 getting used to the hitstick hope this helps!

Answer 3

Ok dude i have the game and the same thing was happening to me so yah. i think i know why you are having problems YOU ARE PLAYING WITH THE PACKERS! COME ON NOW. you should have picked a better team this is what you should do.

1) Since it is a little harder than what it used to be. All you have to do is change the camera. go to your madden settings,go to gameplay and go to the bottom and you will see a thing that says cameras so chafe t to classic and it should feel like your playing madden 07 again. because it is easier to see your wrs and other players.

2) A team that i think you should start picking is the cowboys i hate them but hay since you need a good balanced quaterback then tony romo gets the job done he is pretty good on thhis game. and you do any thing because he has better speed than  rogers and he has some good accuracy and throwing power.

3)another thing you should do if you have a quater back that can handle the ball pretty well and has good speed then all you have to do is just call a single back play and make sure it is not a play option and when your opponent doesnt expect it and is doing a cover one or any man to man coverage plays then just do this itll get you a few 6-7 yards. just right when you hike it jst run with your fast quater back rght down the middle and it you see someone coming at you never go head up either run out or just dive.

And thats about it so i hope this helped and good luck man. peace

Answer 4

Well just to let you know, Aaron Rodgers is no Carson Palmer so don't expect perfect passes every time.

1) Try to stay in the pocket at all times. There is no need to scramble all around the field and out of the pocket, because that can lead to sacks, or under thrown passes which lead to interceptions. Only scramble when absolutely necessary. It may take some time to get used to, but it really helps.

2) Look at your options. Donald Driver and Greg Jennings are two great receivers, so try to get the ball into there hands. Try running drags, hitches, or options with those players. Also you have to be able to look down the safety ( I actually play football for my school so I would know). If you use QB Vision, do not always look at the receiver you are going to throw to, because the safety will edge over there and maybe pick it off.

3) Do not rush your throw. If you feel pressure, maybe you can step up in the pocket and try to find the receiver, but if you don't,  don't throw it down field into double coverage! You should take the sack. If you stepped up it will only be a 2 yard pass.

4) If there are no receivers open, get out of the pocket and throw the ball away. It is very useful and prevents many interceptions.

5) Don't always pass it to the same guy. Kind of obvious, but if you keep doing that, interceptions will be thrown.

6) Mix up your play calling. This is extremely crucial, especially against good defenses! Choosing the same 3 plays over and over again is no good strategy, because the defense will catch on and choose the right play to eliminate any receiving options.

7) When running the ball, look for holes that your offensive line gives you. You have to have the quick reaction to see the hole and explode through it. Also you don't always have to be fancy and highlight stick, spin, or juke. And don't always run to the outside. If you run dives and slams and go through the tackles, you are sure to get good gains.

8) Don't only pass the ball. This is kind of different, but it is crucial. If you are able to run the ball, you can get the defense jumping and defending against the pass, opening up your playbook to more play actions plays, which can leave receivers wide open! Which also brings me to my next point. Too much PA is no good, because you will be sure to get sacked.

9) And when it comes down to it, you have to make the right decisions. Do not throw the ball to a guy who is going deep with a safety and a corner on him, because there is no way hes catching it, and it will most likely become an interception.Also the back are a good option out of the backfield, because a lot of time they are left wide open. And don't forget the Tight End, who is a great option because usually linebackers are lined up on them.

10) Call plays on both sides of the field plus the middle. It spreads out defenses, leaving either open receivers or great running holes.

11) Play on All-Madden mode. It may be the hardest mode, but it is the best mode to learn how to play football the NFL way (that's the way I play). And playing football the NFL way is the best way because you can maul defenses with that knowledge.

I hope that helped (and personally I am best on the PS2 version!)