If you want to have a fun and successful Madden 25 season, you must master new gameplay. Here is a handy list to know so that you won’t be caught off guard when you head into your first game. Check it out below!

New Hot Routes

New hot routes in Madden NFL 25 are accessible by choosing different positions to send on a new route. These new routes are based on formation and positions. For example, the outside receiver can now run a comeback route, smoke screen, or no pass block. This may not sound like a big deal but that simple hot route can turn a relatively basic play into something that is much harder to stop.

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! Hold down LB/L1 and then up/down on the left stick or D-pad to mess around with this

Read Option Mechanics

One of the most frustrating things for an average Madden gamer to defend against was the read option. There was no real way to defend it against an opponent who knew what he was doing other than to just manually go after the quarterback. Luckily, that will no longer be the case when Madden 25 comes out. You will now have the ability to choose whether you go after the quarterback or the running back if a read option in called. The new feature is being called, “defensive keys.” The default (if you press nothing) is to hand the ball off to your running back. If you want to instead pull the ball and keep it with your quarterback, you’d press A/X. This is the exact opposite of how it’s been in the past and will definitely take some getting used to.

Defensive Coverage Shells

On defense, you now can disguise your coverage pre-snap. For example, you can choose to show a Cover 3 shell when you are really in a Cover 2 defense, or you can choose to show a Cover 0 shell when you are really in a Cover 4. You have a lot of different options in Madden 25 when it comes to disguising your defense.

Defensive Switch Stick

One of the biggest changes to Madden 25 is the addition of the defensive switch stick. During the play, you can easily switch defenders by flicking the right joystick toward the player you wish to switch onto. For example, maybe you are using a linebacker underneath but notice a deep post developing 30 yards over your head. You can flick the right joystick up to be taken to the deep safety and try to make a play on the ball.

New Catch Type

There is a fourth catching mechanic this year to go along with the usual three options (Possession Catch, RAC Catch, and Aggressive Catch). In Madden 25 if you press LB/L1, your receiver will attempt a one-handed spectacular catch. The benefit of attempting a spectacular catch is that your receiver is granted a wider catch radius, the downside is an increased chance of a drop. However, after some practice, you’ll look like Justin Jefferson(84 OVR 250,000 Madden 25 Coins) with any receiver you want.

Revamped Pass Protection

Pass protection has received a significant overhaul in Madden 25. To adjust your slide protection, hold down LB/L1 before the snap. You’ll see who your offensive lineman is responsible for blocking as well as which defenders are unblocked (designated by the flame over their head).

Custom Playbooks

In Madden 25, you can create custom offensive and defensive playbooks to use in various modes. The game includes all 32 playbooks for each NFL team’s offense and defense, as well as nine other pre-made custom playbooks. Custom playbooks are available to use in Dynasty mode but will not be allowed in regular head-to-head matches or play-a-friend matches (as well as not being available in Ultimate Team).