ON THE FIELD

Play every play like it's your last.
If you are a bit rusty on basic plays or the rules in general, we would recommend visiting the following public websites to sharpen up:

- Plays: http://www.football.com/playbook/index.shtml
- Rules: http://www.football.com/rulesandinfo.shtml

GAME PLAY SCREEN

COIN TOSS
Before the kickoff, the team captains meet mid-field for the coin toss. When the coin is in the air, the visiting team makes the call (press the Directional Control Pad Left/Right to select Heads or Tails).
The winner of the coin toss chooses to kick or receive the opening kickoff (press the A Button or B Button) while the loser chooses to defend either the Home or Visitor end of the field (press the A Button or B Button). The teams then take the field.

KICKOFF
To kick off, press the A Button to set the kicker in motion. The Power Meter begins moving upward-the higher the meter, the higher the power. Press the Directional Control Pad Left/Right to aim the kick while the kicker is in motion. Press the A Button again to stop the meter and kick the ball.

NOTE: The Power Meter will move back downward if the A button is not pressed again soon enough.

Onside Kick
If your team is losing late in the game and you've just scored, try an onside kick and attempt to regain control of the ball.
To make an onside kick:

1. Press the C Button (to call an audible) and then the B Button or C Button to get in the onside kick formation.
2. To return to a normal kick, press the C Button (to call another audible)and the A Button to return to a normal kick off formation.
3. Press the A Button to perform the onside kick. The ball is kicked a short distance and your team can try to recover the ball.

Kickoff Return
The kickoff return man is automatically positioned to catch the ball. If he catches the ball in the open field, press the Directional Control Pad Up (and Left/Right) to gain yards. If he catches the ball in the end zone, you can either try to gain yards, or remain in the end zone for a touchback. On a touchback, the offensive drive begins on the offense's 20-yard line.

OFFENSIVE PLAYS
While in the huddle, select an offensive formation and play. Be sure to call a play and snap the ball before a delay of game penalty is called.
To choose a play on offense:

1. Press the Directional Control Pad Up/Down to scroll through the different formations. Press the Directional Control Pad Left/Right to highlight a formation. Press the A button to select the formation. The sets for that formation appear.
2. Press the Directional Control Pad Up/Down to scroll through the available sets for the selected formation. Press the Directional Control Pad Left/Right to highlight a set. Press the A button to select the set. The plays for that formation and set appear.
3. Press the Directional Control Pad Up/Down to scroll through the available plays for the selected set and formation. Press the Directional Control Pad Left/Right to highlight a play. Rushing plays are marked blue and passing plays are marked green
4. Press B to flip the direction of a play.
5. Press C Button to cancel the formation and play.
6. Then press the A button to select the play.

Rushing Plays
Control the clock with a solid ground attack. Take control of your running backs after the hand-off or watch the computer execute the play.
- After you press the A Button to snap the ball, the computer executes the hand-off or pitch automatically. To take control of the ball carrier, press the Directional Control Pad in any direction. If you do not press the Directional Control Pad, the computer runs the play for you.
- Execute five different moves when running: press the C Button to Dive, double tap the A Button to hurdle, the B Button to spin, and the A Button for a speed burst. When running as the QB, press the C Button to slide or dive. You can lateral the ball if a member of your team is close enough by double tapping the B Button.
Passing Plays
Attack the secondary with your passing game using timed, short passes or deep strikes to the end zone.
To execute a passing play:

1. Press the A Button to snap the ball.
2. Use the Directional Control Pad to control the quarterback, moving out of the pocket if necessary to avoid the defensive linemen.
3. Press the B Button to cycle through available receivers. (when Quick Pass mode is OFF).
4. Press the A Button to pass the ball to the selected receiver.

Controlling the Receiver
Once the ball is in the air, the receiver automatically completes his pattern. You can take control of the intended receiver by pressing the A Button and then using the Directional Control Pad to move him in any direction. Once you have control of the receiver you can press the B Button to make the receiver jump up to catch the ball, or press the C Button to have him dive to catch the ball.
Offensive Audibles
Call an audible at the line of scrimmage and change your original play. Press the C Button before the ball is snapped, followed by the A Button, B Button, or C Button to select your audible. Double tap the C Button to cancel without selecting an audible. For more information see Audibles under Game Play Options
No-Huddle Offense
If the clock is winding down and you're looking for that last-second score, hold down the A Button immediately after a play to get back to the line of scrimmage without consulting the playbook. The offense runs the previous play. Hold down the B Button immediately after a play to get back to the line of scrimmage and run a play to stop the clock. After the snap, the QB immediately spikes the ball.

DEFENSIVE PLAYS
Sure, you have an explosive offense, but defense wins championships. To run the defense, select the plays the same way you select your offensive plays. Once the offense chooses its play, you must choose your defensive play within five seconds or you run the same play from the previous down.
To choose a play on defense:

1. Press the Directional Control Pad Up/Down to scroll through the different formations. Press the Directional Control Pad Left/Right to highlight a formation. Press the A button to select the formation. The plays available from that formation will be displayed.
2. Press the Directional Control Pad Up/Down to scroll through the different plays. Press the Directional Control Pad Left/Right to highlight a play. Press the A button to select a play.
3. On the line of scrimmage, press the A Button to select a player to control. You can use the Directional Control Pad to reposition the player before the snap.
4. To show blitz, press the B Button.

Controlling the Defense
- To switch to the player closest to the ball during a play, press the A Button. Press the B Button or C Button to make a tackle.
Defensive Audibles
If you wish to call an audible before the offense snaps the ball, press the C Button followed by the A Button, B Button, or C Button to select your audible. Double tap the C Button to cancel without selecting an audible. For more information, see Audibles under Game Play Options.

PAUSE MENU
Press the D button to pause the game and view the Pause menu. While using any of the options, press B button to return to the Pause menu.

RESUME GAME | Get back on the field and resume the current game.
GAME PLAY OPTIONS | Adjust your Game Play options. For more information, see Game Play Options
CALL TIMEOUT | Each team is allowed three timeouts per half. A timeout stops the game clock and resets the play clock to 25 seconds. You must select a new play after a timeout.
SUBSTITUTIONS | Sub players in and out of the lineup. For more information, see Substitutions
STATISTICS | Read game statistics, team statistics, individual stats, and a score summary for both teams broken down by quarter.
CREDITS | View game credits for Madden NFL 2005.
END GAME NOW | End the current game and return to the Main menu.

POST-GAME SHOW
Every game is followed up with some of the same pre-game and in-game options: Statistics, Injury Reports, NFL Records, and Credits. When you exit a season game, the information for that week is stored in the record books.

Play Now | Table of Contents | Season Mode