Online Strategy

Like its predecessors, Madden NFL 06 offers two distinctive play experiences; one against the CPU in quick offline games and Franchise mode, and the other against fellow human beings online (or offline if you have a buddy over).

For the most part, strategy in one style is applicable to the other, but over the years certain inevitable truths have come to the fore when playing against another person. We've compiled a few tried and true tips that should help you when competing against a real-life opponent.

That's right, tip it. Don't always go for the pick.

Picking Up the Blitz
Flustering an opposing quarterback with all-out blitz packages has long been a favorite tactic in Madden multiplayer, and though the tendency hasn't changed in Madden NFL 06, the success rate has. Offensive lines do a much better job of picking up the blitz, so don't become overly reliant on it, especially against human opponents, online or off.

Vision Cone Excellence
Though the vision cone is turned off by default, don't think it will make passing easier without it. Instead, make good tactical use of it. If you switch your hot read (hold down the right trigger and press the button of the corresponding receiver), you'll automatically turn your vision cone on and direct it towards that receiver (essentially you're telling the game that's where your eyes are going).

This will make passing to that receiver much more accurate and efficient, and is great when you audible after seeing a weakness in the defense. It's a useful offline tip as well, but with human opponents offering much stiffer competition, make sure you get comfortable with the vision cone mechanic.

Strip It!
Fumbling in Madden has also been a bit of a rare occurrence, but with the strip functionality switched (by default) to the A button, you'll find the ball carriers suffering from butter-finger-itis on a much more regular basis.

Two things: one, use strip every time you tackle (unless you're using the hit stick), and two, when carrying the ball, tap the Y button to protect the ball at the end of a run. Note that the QB doesn't have the ability to cover up the ball, so make sure you slide and don't take a hit when freelancing with the QB.

Got to take a better angle on the tackle.

Use the Lobbies
Quick Match and Custom Match work perfectly for getting into some quick competition, but if you want to do a little research, or make sure you're matched up against someone you want to play, hit up the lobbies. It's there that you can check a possible opponent's win-loss record, Did Not Finish percentage, and, perhaps most importantly, their connection speed (one, two, or three bars).

Play Equal or Better
If you're the competitive type and play Ranked matches whenever you're able, as a standard try to play an opponent of equal or greater ranking. First, you receive more points for defeating someone as good or better, and, second, you don't risk a match with an unproven level one that can drop your ranking in a hurry if you lose.

Up the Gut
It seems most people who play online get pass happy really quickly. That's where the glory lies, and that's where the big play can break at any time, but it's also one-dimensional. If you rely on passing, you'll find that well-ranked opponents expose you rather swiftly.

Instead, surprise your online competition by relying on the run to open up your passing game. Establish a few first downs on the ground, and the play action passing will open up substantial opportunity. This isn't bad advice offline either, but online players pass so much that you'll catch your opponent off guard more often than not if you start the game grinding it out on the ground.

Find the Weakness
Unlike the CPU, online players tend to fall in love with plays. They get comfortable with a certain play call, or think they can fluster you by moving linemen out of place or calling all-out blitzes. Stay calm, examine the defense, and look for patterns in their play calling.

Are they stacking the line for the blitz? Call quick slants or fly routes to expose their one-on-one man coverage. Are they bringing linebackers for extra pressure every play? Start employing your tight ends in the middle of the field, and your halfbacks in the flats. Burn your opponent's one-dimensional defensive philosophy and you'll force them to change in a hurry.

Strafe and Spy
Another online tactic beloved by many is over-juking and taking off with the QB. To neutralize the first, use the left trigger to strafe from side to side with your defensive player, allowing you to stay in front of the ball carrier. That way, when they juke to the left and right, you have a much easier tackle.

For those that love Michael Vick and other speedy QBs, call QB Spy plays, so you have dedicated defensive players roaming the line of scrimmage ahead of the QB, staying in position at all times to make a play if they take off.

Now get online and start wreaking a little havoc on that virtual gridiron!

Article by Alex McLain