Madden 21 has arrived on our consoles, and with next-gen iterations still in the distance, there is plenty to explore across Xbox One and PlayStation 4.
If you’re new to the game, or an experienced veteran, here are the controls for Madden 21 across offense and defense, with subtle changes bringing dramatic effects in the title’s gameplay.
Big changes in this year’s edition come via ball-carrying controls, as well as configurations both at the line and in the secondary on the defensive side of the ball.
In this Madden 21 controls guide, RS and LS refer to the right and left analogue on either console controller. The buttons R3 and L3 refer to the pressing of the right or left analogue to trigger the action.
Madden 21 Ball Carrier Controls
| Action | PS4 / PS5 Controls | Xbox One / Series X Controls |
| Stiff Arm | X | A |
| Dive | ■ | X |
| Spin | O or rotate RS | B or rotate RS |
| Hurdle | ▲ | Y |
| Jurdle* | ▲+LS | Y+LS |
| Pitch | L1 | LB |
| Sprint | R2 | RT |
| Protect Ball | R1 | RB |
| Truck | RS Up | RS Up |
| Dead Leg | RS Down | RS Down |
| Juke Left | RS Left | RS Left |
| Juke Right | RS Right | RS Right |
Note that with the ball, changes have been made with the L2/LT button. Used as a precision modifier in previous editions, it’s now the taunt/celebration button.
So, make sure not to use it when attempting to beat defenders this year; otherwise, you’ll be turning the ball over time and time again by fumbling.
New to this year are the Dead Leg (replacing the stop juke), and the ‘Jurdle’ – a hurdle that goes over and to the side of an opponent, rather than all the way over a defender.
Madden 21 Passing Controls
| Action | PS4 / PS5 Controls | Xbox One / Series X Controls |
| Low Pass | Receiver Icon + Hold L2 | Receiver Icon + Hold LT |
| High Pass | Receiver Icon + Hold L1 | Receiver Icon + Hold LB |
| Bullet Pass | Hold Receiver Icon | Hold Receiver Icon |
| Touch Pass | Press Receiver Icon | Press Receiver Icon |
| Lob Pass | Tap Receiver Icon | Tap Receiver Icon |
| Scramble | LS + R2 | LS + RT |
| Pump Fake | Double Tap Receiver Icon | Double Tap Receiver Icon |
| Throw Away | R3 | R3 |
| Throw (Receiver 1) | X | A |
| Throw (Receiver 2) | O | B |
| Throw (Receiver 3) | ■ | X |
| Throw (Receiver 4) | ▲ | Y |
| Throw (Receiver 5) | R1 | RB |
Madden 21 Catching Controls
| Action | PS4 / PS5 Controls | Xbox One / Series X Controls |
| Sprint | R2 | RT |
| Strafe | L2 | LT |
| Aggressive Catch | ▲ | Y |
| Run After Catch | ■ | X |
| Switch Player | O | B |
| Possession Catch | X | A |
Passing and receiving controls remain largely untouched from previous versions of the game. Learning the advanced passing and catching controls may seem subtle, but doing so can lead to devastating results.
Madden 21 Defensive Pursuit Controls
| Action | PS4 / PS5 Controls | Xbox One / Series X Controls |
| Strafe | L2 | LT |
| Sprint | R2 | RT |
| Defensive Assist | L1 | LB |
| Strip Ball | R1 | RB |
| Breakdown Tackle | X | A |
| Aggressive / Dive Tackle | ■ | X |
| Switch Player | O | B |
| Hit Stick | RS Up | RS Up |
| Cut Stick | RS Down | RS Down |
| Blow-Up Blocker | RS Flick | RS Flick |
Open-field defending has been mostly left unchanged from Madden 20, where the safe bet one-on-one is to use the breakdown tackle.
Madden 21 Ball in the Air Offense Controls
| Action | PS4 / PS5 Controls | Xbox One / Series X Controls |
| Possession Catch | X | A |
| Switch Player | O | B |
| RAC Catch | ■ | X |
| Aggressive Catch | ▲ | Y |
| Auto Play / Defensive Assist | L1 | LB |
| Straft | L2 | LT |
| Sprint | R2 | RT |
Madden 21 Ball in Air Defense Controls
| Action | PS4 / PS5 Controls | Xbox One / Series X Controls |
| Sprint | R2 | RT |
| Strafe | L2 | LT |
| Defensive Assist | L1 | LB |
| Ball Hawk | ▲ | Y |
| Swat | ■ | X |
| Switch Player | O | B |
| Play Receiver | X | A |
As above, defensive play when the ball in the air is unchanged from the ball-hawking additions brought in a few seasons ago. For new players, it’s safer to defend at the line of scrimmage.
However, if you do find yourself controlling a player in the backfield, holding triangle/Y will not only act as an attempted intercept but likely an incompletion, should your player be unable to pick off the pass
Madden 21 Preplay Offense Controls
| Action | PS4 / PS5 Controls | Xbox One / Series X Controls |
| Motion Player | LS Left or Right (Hold) | LS Left or Right (Hold) |
| Player Lock | Double Press L3 | Double Press L3 |
| Pass Protection | L1 | LB |
| Show Play Art | L2 | LT |
| Fake Snap | R1 | RB |
| X-Factor Vision | R2 | RT |
| Hot Route | ▲ | Y |
| Audible | ■ | X |
| Switch Player | O | B |
| Snap Ball | X | A |
| Pre-Play Menu | R3 | R3 |
| Timeout | Touchpad | Menu Button |
| Camera Zoom In | D-pad down | D-pad down |
| Camera Zoom Out | D-pad up | D-pad up |
Madden 21 Preplay Defense Controls
| Action | PS4 / PS5 Controls | Xbox One / Series X Controls |
| Defensive Keys | L1 | LB |
| X-Factor Vision | R2 | RT |
| Show Play Art | L2 (Hold) | LT (Hold) |
| Linebacker Audible | Right D-Pad | Right D-Pad |
| Defensive Line Audible | Left D-Pad | Left D-Pad |
| Camera Zoom Out | Up D-Pad | Up D-Pad |
| Camera Zoom In | Down D-Pad | Down D-Pad |
| Coverage Audible | ▲ | Y |
| Audible | ■ | X |
| Switch Player | O | B |
| Defensive Hot Route | X | A |
| Off the line | R2 (Tap) | R2 (Tap) |
| Pre-Play Menu | R3 | R3 |
| Timeout | Touchpad | Menu Button |
| Show / Weak Side Gap Assignment | R2 + X + O | RT + A + B |
| Pump Up Crowd | RS Up | RS Up |
Madden 21 Defensive Engaged Controls (New Pass Rush Controls)
| Action | PS4 / PS5 Controls | Xbox One / Series X Controls |
| Reach Tackle | LS Left or Right + ■ | LS Left or Right + X |
| Swat | ▲ | Y |
| Bull Rush | RS Down | RS Down |
| Switch Player | O | B |
| Club/Swim Move | RS Left or Right | RS Left or Right |
| Rip Move | RS Up | RS Up |
| Speed Rush | R2 | RT |
| Contain | L2 | LT |
Defensive line play has been re-written in Madden 21, with beating offensive linemen via engagement now dependent on your skills with the right analogue.
For the new pass rush controls, flicking up on the right analogue and swimming by moving the stick laterally is the key. Still, your miserliness is crucial: too many attempts of the right stick will deplete your lineman of stamina, so use in moderation.
In Early Access, the swim move seems hugely effective.
Madden 21 Defensive Coverage Controls
| Action | PS4 / PS5 Controls | Xbox One / Series X Controls |
| Press / Chuck Receiver | X + LS | A + LS |
| Switch Player | O | B |
| Player Movement | LS | LS |
| Strafe | L2 | LT |
| Defensive Assist | L1 | LB |
For new players, it’s strongly recommended that you control linemen or blitzing players when on the defensive side of the ball.
Madden 21 Blocking Controls
| Action | PS4 / PS5 Controls | Xbox One / Series X Controls |
| Player Movement | LS | LS |
| Switch Player | O | B |
| Aggressive Impact Block | RS Up | RS Up |
| Aggressive Cut Block | RS Down | RS Down |
Madden 21 Player Locked Receiver Controls
| Action | PS4 / PS5 Controls | Xbox One / Series X Controls |
| Individual Play Art | L2 | LT |
| Just-Go Release | R2 | RT |
| Player Lock | Double Press L3 | Double Press L3 |
| Route Running/Move Player | LS | LS |
| Change up (on the line) | Flick RS | Flick RS |
| Foot Fire (on the line) | Hold RS | Hold RS |
| Conservative Change-up Release | X | A |
| Cut Out of Press (off the line) | Flick RS | Flick RS |
While these controls will be most useful when switching to a wide receiver in Face of the Franchise, it might be worth refining these skills in practice modes.
Madden 21 Special Teams Offense Controls
| Action | PS4 / PS5 Controls | Xbox One / Series X Controls |
| Snap / Kick Power / Accuracy | X | A |
| Switch Player | O | B |
| Audible | ■ | X |
| Flip Play | ■ + R2 | X + RT |
| Fake Snap | R1 | RB |
Madden 21 Special Teams Defense Controls
| Action | PS4 / PS5 Controls | Xbox One / Series X Controls |
| Jumping Block Attempt | ▲ | Y |
| Switch Player | O | B |
| Audible | ■ | X |
| Diving Block Attempt | ■ | X |
| Flip Play | ■ + R2 | X + RT |
| Show Play Art / Jump Snap | R2 | RT |
Now that you know all of the controls for Madden 21, it’s time to hit the gridiron and dominate your NFL counterparts.
How to fair catch in Madden 21
After the opposition hits an airborne scrimmage kick, and the camera switches to your receiving players, press O/B to switch to the target receiver, and then press Triangle/Y to have them call for a fair catch in Madden 21.
Looking for Madden 21 guides?
Madden 21: Best Money Plays (Offensive & Defensive) to use in MUT, Online and Franchise Mode
Madden 21: Best Playbooks (Offensive & Defensive) to Win Games on Franchise Mode, MUT, and Online
Madden 21 Relocation Guide: All Uniforms, Teams, Logos, Cities and Stadiums
Madden 21 Defense: Tips to Crush Opposing Offenses
Madden 21: Best (and Worst) Teams to Play with on Franchise Mode, Online, and to Rebuild
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