One of the toughest parts of learning a new game is getting familiar with the controls. Madden 22 is no exception, even if you were familiar with last year's title.
An area where new players especially need help is learning the passing controls, which have somewhat been updated this year.
To help you get a feel for the game without spending hours learning the controls, we put together this Madden 22 controls guide for you!
LATEST - A guide to passing in Madden 22
Moving the ball down the field with elite-level passing is going to be essential in Madden 22, and we're here to help.
There are five different types of passes, each of which you'll have to master to become a dangerous passer in this year's game.
For instance, when planning to throw a low pass this is what you'll do:
- Xbox: Receiver Icon + Hold LT
- PlayStation: Receiver Icon + Hold L2
- PC: Receiver Icon + Hold CTRL
By using these controls you can make sure you throw a pass that's less likely to be intercepted. Using these controls instead of just pressing the receivers button ensures the exact pass you'd like to throw.
For an in-depth look at our passing guide in Madden 22, follow this link!
Madden 22 Controls: Offense
Here's the truth, you don't want to be the player confused about which button is spin, sprint, or celebration right? The last thing you would want is to drop back for a pass and throw the ball away instead of activating your playmaker.
We've found a way to remedy some of the confusion. Although it could take some time getting used to.
Here are all the Madden 22 controls you'll need to know on offense for both the PS4 & PS5 and the Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S.
Ball Carrier Controls
When carrying the ball down the field you don't want to accidentally slide and wind up fumbling the football. Here's what you'll need to know when you're the ball carrier.
PS4 / PS5
- Stiff Arm - X
- Dive - ■
- Spin - O or Rotate RS
- Hurdle - ▲
- Jurdle* - ▲+LS
- Pitch - L1
- Sprint - R2
- Protect Ball - R1
- Truck - RS Up
- Dead Leg - RS Down
- Juke Left - RS Left
- Juke Right - RS Right
The Xbox One and Xbox Series X | S are quite similar, aside from the different button map, of course.
Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S
- Stiff Arm - A
- Dive - X
- Spin - B or rotate RS
- Hurdle - Y
- Jurdle* - Y+LS
- Pitch - LB
- Sprint - RT
- Protect Ball - RB
- Truck - RS Up
- Dead Leg - RS Down
- Juke Left - RS Left
- Juke Right - RS Right
Blocking Controls
You've got to be sure to lay key blocks in Madden 22 this year, wouldn't want to whiff and lose a big run!
PS4 / PS5
- Player Movement - LS
- Switch Player - O
- Aggressive Impact Block - RS Up
- Aggressive Cut Block - RS Down
Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S
- Player Movement - LS
- Switch Player - B
- Aggressive Impact Block - RS Up
- Aggressive Cut Block - RS Down
Catching Controls
It seems like the Madden 22 controls for catching will be more responsive this year after plenty of complaints through the last Madden title. It isn't a long list but still some useful information in there for you!
PS4 / PS5
- Sprint - R2
- Strafe - L2
- Aggressive Catch - ▲
- Run After Catch - ■
- Switch Player - O
- Possession Catch - X
Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S
- Sprint - RT
- Strafe - LT
- Aggressive Catch - Y
- Run After Catch - X
- Switch Player - B
- Possession Catch - A
Passing Controls
As the passer, you'll need to be sure you're throwing to the right target, and make sure you don't leave the pocket too quickly!
- Low Pass - Receiver Icon + Hold L2
- High Pass - Receiver Icon + Hold L1
- Bullet Pass - Hold Receiver Icon
- Touch Pass - Press Receiver Icon
- Lob Pass -Tap Receiver Icon
- Scramble - LS + R2
- Pump Fake - Double Tap Receiver Icon
- Throw Away - R3
- Throw (Receiver 1) - X
- Throw (Receiver 2) - O
- Throw (Receiver 3) - ■
- Throw (Receiver 4) - ▲
- Throw (Receiver 5) - R1
Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S
- Low Pass - Receiver Icon + Hold LT
- High Pass - Receiver Icon + Hold LB
- Bullet Pass - Hold Receiver Icon
- Touch Pass - Press Receiver Icon
- Lob Pass - Tap Receiver Icon
- Scramble - LS + RT
- Pump Fake - Double Tap Receiver Icon
- Throw Away - R3
- Throw (Receiver 1) - A
- Throw (Receiver 2) - B
- Throw (Receiver 3) - X
- Throw (Receiver 4) - Y
- Throw (Receiver 5) - RB
Player Locked Receiver Controls
This will be important when playing online in Madden Ultimate Team and as a wide receiver, or if you need to help a friend who is.
PS4 / PS5
- Individual Play Art - L2
- Just-Go Release - R2
- Player Lock - Double Press L3
- Route Running/Move Player - LS
- Change up (on the line) - Flick RS
- Foot Fire (on the line) - Hold RS
- Conservative Change-up Release - X
- Cut Out of Press (off the line) - Flick RS
Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S
- Individual Play Art - LT
- Just-Go Release - RT
- Player Lock - Double Press L3
- Route Running/Move Player - LS
- Change up (on the line) - Flick RS
- Foot Fire (on the line) - Hold RS
- Conservative Change-up Release - A
- Cut Out of Press (off the line) - Flick RS
Preplay Offense Controls
Whether using it to hot-route a receiver or audible the entire play, you're going to make sure you have a good handle on these controls. You'll use these a lot in MUT 22 this year.
PS4 / PS5
- Motion Player - LS Left or Right (Hold)
- Player Lock - Double Press L3
- Pass Protection - L1
- Show Play Art - L2
- Fake Snap - R1
- X-Factor Vision - R2
- Hot Route - ▲
- Audible - ■
- Switch Player - O
- Snap Ball - X
- Pre-Play Menu - R3
- Timeout - Touchpad
- Camera Zoom In - D-pad down
- Camera Zoom Out - D-pad up
- Motion Player - LS Left or Right (Hold)
- Player Lock Double Press - L3
- Pass Protection - LB
- Show Play Art - LT
- Fake Snap - RB
- X-Factor Vision - RT
- Hot Route - Y
- Audible - X
- Switch Player - B
- Snap Ball - A
- Pre-Play Menu - R3
- Timeout Touchpad - Menu Button
- Camera Zoom In - D-pad down
- Camera Zoom Out - D-pad up
Madden 22 Controls: Defense
Defense, the unsung hero of every championship team, saw significant upgrades and features to their controls this year. These Madden 22 controls will especially be important in the Face of the Franchise mode.
This is really great to see considering in most previous games, the defense was essentially an afterthought. Let's get you updated on the new Madden 22 controls for both consoles!
Ball in the Air Defense Controls
The layout is identical to the catching layout so a keen eye will be needed to keep track of which button applies to what.
PS4 / PS5
- Sprint - R2
- Strafe - L2
- Defensive Assist - L1
- Ball Hawk - ▲
- Swat - ■
- Switch Player - O
- Play Receiver - X
Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S
- Sprint - RT
- Strafe - LT
- Defensive Assist - LB
- Ball Hawk - Y
- Swat - X
- Switch Player - B
- Play Receiver - A
Defensive Coverage Controls
When playing a defensive back, each of these keys and the layout as a whole will be vital to your success on defense. Keep a close eye on how to use these Madden 22 controls during the game.
PS4 / PS5
- Press / Chuck Receiver - X + LS
- Switch Player - O
- Player Movement - LS
- Strafe - L2
- Defensive Assist - L1
Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S
- Press / Chuck Receiver - A + LS
- Switch Player - B
- Player Movement - LS
- Strafe - LT
- Defensive Assist - LB
Defensive Engaged Controls
Here you have to be especially careful, as there are new features and pass-rushing controls that can help or keep you from the quarterback.
PS4 / PS5
- Reach Tackle - LS Left or Right + ■
- Swat - ▲
- Bull Rush - RS Down
- Switch Player - O
- Club/Swim Move - RS Left or Right
- Rip Move - RS Up
- Speed Rush - R2
- Contain - L2
Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S
- Reach Tackle - LS Left or Right + X
- Swat - Y
- Bull Rush - RS Down
- Switch Player - B
- Club/Swim Move - RS Left or Right
- Rip Move - RS Up
- Speed Rush - RT
- Contain - LT
Defensive Pursuit Controls
Tracking down a runner that's broken free will end up being important with all the offensive features added. Get familiar with these controls to tackle, and maybe produce a fumble while on defense.
PS4 / PS5
- Strafe - L2
- Sprint - R2
- Defensive Assist - L1
- Strip Ball - R1
- Breakdown Tackle - X
- Aggressive / Dive Tackle - ■
- Switch Player - O
- Hit Stick - RS Up
- Cut Stick - RS Down
- Blow-Up Blocker - RS Flick
Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S
- Strafe - LT
- Sprint - RT
- Defensive Assist - LB
- Strip Ball - RB
- Breakdown Tackle - A
- Aggressive / Dive Tackle - X
- Switch Player - B
- Hit Stick - RS Up
- Cut Stick - RS Down
- Blow-Up Blocker - RS Flick
Preplay Defense Controls
Making reads and adjustments on defense are just as, if not more important than making them on offense. Keep an eye on how to activate your X Factors!
Here's how you can keep your defense alert with the Madden 22 controls!
PS4 / PS5
- Defensive Keys - L1
- X-Factor Vision - R2
- Show Play Art - L2 (Hold)
- Linebacker Audible - Right D-Pad
- Defensive Line Audible - Left D-Pad
- Camera Zoom Out - Up D-Pad
- Camera Zoom In - Down D-Pad
- Coverage Audible - ▲
- Audible - ■
- Switch Player - O
- Defensive Hot Route - X
- Pre-Play Menu - R3
- Timeout - Touchpad
- Show / Weak Side Gap Assignment - R2 + X + O
- Pump Up Crowd - RS Up
Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S
- Defensive Keys -LB
- X-Factor Vision - RT
- Show Play Art - LT (Hold)
- Linebacker Audible - Right D-Pad
- Defensive Line Audible - Left D-Pad
- Camera Zoom Out - Up D-Pad
- Camera Zoom In - Down D-Pad
- Coverage Audible - Y
- Audible - X
- Switch Player - B
- Defensive Hot Route - A
- Pre-Play Menu - R3
- Timeout - Menu Button
- Show / Weak Side Gap Assignment - RT + A + B
- Pump Up Crowd - RS Up
Madden 22 Controls: Special Teams
Don't forget, the Special Teams group is just as important to learn the Madden 22 controls on. Whether you'll need to call for a fair catch or audible to an onside kick could change the course of the game, especially with X Factors involved.
Special Teams Offense
PS4 / PS5
- Snap / Kick Power / Accuracy - X
- Switch Player - O
- Audible - ■
- Flip Play - ■ + R2
- Fake Snap - R1
Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S
- Snap / Kick Power / Accuracy - A
- Switch Player - B
- Audible - X
- Flip Play - X + RT
- Fake Snap - RB
Special Teams Defense
You'll want to know how to block a field goal or jump a snap and successfully block a punt in Madden 22. Be sure to pay attention to these controls to make it easier on yourself.
- Jumping Block Attempt -▲
- Switch Player - O
- Audible - ■
- Diving Block Attempt - ■
- Flip Play - ■ + R2
- Show Play Art / Jump Snap - R2
- Jumping Block Attempt - Y
- Switch Player - B
- Audible - X
- Diving Block Attempt - X
- Flip Play - X + RT
- Show Play Art / Jump Snap - RT
That about sums up all you'll need to know about the new Madden 22 controls, so get out there and start winning games now with the EA Play trial!
Explore new topics and discover content that's right for you!
Madden