Madden 23 PC Controls: Pass Rush, Offense, Defense, Running, Catching, and Intercept

Madden 23 has arrived on PC for the fourth year in a row, and there are plenty of things to explore.

Madden’s PC controls have remained similar throughout each version. The fundamental changes this year mainly pertain to ball-carrying controls and the D-Line movement.

Here, you’ll find all of the Madden 23 controls, enabling you to manage every aspect of the game, from offense to defense.

Pre-play Offense PC Controls

Action	Key Controls
X-Factor Vision	Left Shift (hold) or Right-Click
Snap Ball	Spacebar or Left-Click
Show Play Art	Left Ctrl (hold)
Pre-play Menu	Tab
Call Timeout	T
Audible	A
Hot Route	H
Pass Protection	P
Fake Snap	Alt
Switch Player	F
Select to a Specific Player	F + Left or Right Arrows
Player Lock	Z
Motion Player	After selection, Left or Right Arrows
Quiet Crowd	Q
Zoom In and Out	PgUp or PgDn

The pre-play offense can be easily and accurately controlled with the keyboard, making adjustments more efficient and taking full advantage of the game clock.

Passing PC Controls

Action	Key Controls
Player Movement	Arrows or Mouse
Show Play Art	Left Shift (hold) or Right-Click
Scramble	After snap, left Shift (hold) or Right-Click
Pass Lead	After pass, Arrows or Mouse
Throw Away	X
Lob Pass	Tap receiver icon
Bullet Pass	Hold receiver icon
Touch Pass	Double-tap receiver icon
High Pass	Alt + receiver icon
Low Pass	Ctrl + receiver icon
Playmaker Closest Receiver	W, A, S, D

PC controls provide an easier experience when it comes to passing leads and playmaking.

Ball Carrier PC Controls

Action	Key Controls
Player Movement	Arrows or Mouse
Sprint	After snap, left Shift (hold) or Right-Click
Jurdle	A or D
Dead Leg	S
Hurdle	W
Dive	Q
Truck	R
Stiff Arm	E
Spin	F
Protect Ball	Spacebar
Celebrate	Left Ctrl
Pitch Ball Back	Alt

Without the joystick and with clear key commands, controlling the new jukes has never been easier.

Catching PC Controls

Action	Key Controls
Possession Catch	E
RAC Catch	Q
Aggressive Catch	R
Strafe	Left Ctrl
Defensive Assist	Alt (hold)
Switch Player	F

Blocking PC Controls

Action	Key Controls
Player Lock	Z
Aggressive Impact Block	W
Aggressive Cut Block	S

Pre-play Defense PC Controls

Action	Key Controls
X-Factor Vision	Left Shift (hold) or Right-Click
Show Play Art	Left Ctrl (hold)
Pre-play Menu	Tab
Call Timeout	T
Audible	A
Individual Adjustment	I
Defensive Line Shift	L
Linebacker Audible	End
Switch Player	F
Select to a Specific Player	F + Left or Right Arrows
Coverage Audible	C
Defensive Keys	P
Zoom In and Out	PgUp or PgDn

The pre-play defense is controlled with ease, allowing audibles to be performed by single keystrokes.

Defensive Coverage Controls

Madden 23 PC Controls Defensive Coverage

Action	Key Controls
Strafe	L-Ctrl or Left-Click
Press / Chuck Receiver	E
Defensive Assist	Alt (Hold)

Defensive (Engaged) PC Controls

Action	Key Controls
Switch Player	F
Select a to a Specific Player	F + Left or Right Arrows
Speed Rush	Left Shift (hold) or Right-Click
Contain	Ctrl or Left-Click
Rip	W
Bull Rush	S
Club	A or D
Swat	R

Madden 23 has improved the defensive controls and mechanics as user-rushing and D-Line users become more prevalent.

Player Locked Receiver

Action	Key Controls
Play-art	L-Ctrl (hold)
Player Lock	Z
Just-Go Release	Left Shift (hold) or R-Mouse Btn
Footfire Release	Q + Arrow
Cut Out of Press	A or D
Cut Moves While Route-Running	Space + Movement
Call for Ball	E

Defensive (Pursuit) PC Controls

Action	Key Controls
Switch Player	F
Select a Specific Player	F + Left or Right Arrows
Sprint	Left Shift (hold) or Right-Click
Defensive Assist	Alt
Strafe	Left Ctrl or Left-Click
Aggressive Dive	Q
Conservative Tackle	E
Strip Ball	Spacebar
Hit Stick	W
Cut Stick	S
Blitz QB Spy	Z

In the early days of Madden 23, the bull rush move seems highly effective while engaged on defense.

Ball in Air Defense PC Controls

Action	Key Controls
Switch Player	F
Sprint	Left Shift (hold) or Right-Click
Defensive Assist	Alt
Strafe	Left Ctrl or Left-Click
Swat Ball	Q
Play Receiver	E
Ball Hawk	R

Interception animations have been hard to trigger and time correctly through the early days of Madden 23; swatting the ball has been more useful to defend a pass.