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Picking the best formation from your playbooks before initiating a play is the key to winning games in Madden NFL 25. See the different playbooks and formations for each team here!
List of Contents
Each team in Madden has a different selection of formations and plays in their Playbook based on their rosters' abilities. It's important to familiarize yourself with the Playbook of your preferred team and strategize around the options available to you.
Every game in Madden requires you to select a formation before making a play, whether on Offense or Defense. Choosing your formation will determine the positioning of your players and allow you to counter your opponent's formations by allocating players and directing running routes wherever needed.
| Formation | When to Use |
|---|---|
 Far
|
Used when the team wishes to have the Running Back positioned away from the Tight End. |
 Full House
|
Has the Running Backs lined up in a row behind the Quarterback. This pressures the defense to defend both sides of the field. |
 Goal Line (Offense)
|
Usually doesn't have Receivers; only Running Backs and Tight Ends. Intended to be used for Running Plays when near the Goal Line. |
 I Form
|
Commonly used in Running Plays. Since the Running Backs are positioned far behind the Quarterback, it gives the RBs a chance to look for weak routes to run through. |
 Near
|
Used when the team wishes to have the Running Back positioned near the Tight End. |
 Pistol
|
The Quarterback, along with the Running Back, is lined up a few yards behind the Center. This gives the option for the QB to either run the ball or hand it to the RB, which leaves the defense confused on who will actually bring the ball forward. |
 Power I
|
Allows the Running Back to run through the field with as many blockers as possible to guard him. |
 Shotgun
|
Offensive horizontal spread that sacrifices pass protection for more passing options and Quarterback distance from the line of scrimmage. Quarterback is always around 5 yards behind the Center, while Wide Receivers are placed on both ends and the Running Back is right next to the QB, depending on the Set. |
 Singleback
|
Has a Receiver lined up beside the offensive linemen to draw defenders off the line of scrimmage, creating open routes for the ballcarrier to run through. |
 Strong I
|
A variation of I Form that maintains 2 Wide Receivers and a Running Back lined up behind the Quarterback, except the Fullback is slightly toward the strong side of the field. Geared towards Running Plays that break through the Defense, but maintains the option for Wide Receives. |
 Weak I
|
A variation of I Form that maintains 2 Wide Receivers and a Running Back lined up behind the Quarterback, except the Fullback is slightly toward the weak side of the field. Balanced man coverage makes this best for passing plays and outside runs due to the variety of pass routes available. |
 Wildcat
|
The ball is snapped to a Receiver, Running Back, or Tight End instead of the Quarterback to confuse the defense. |
| Formation | When to Use |
|---|---|
 3-3-5
|
Spreads the team's coverage thin with 3 Defensive Linemen, 3 Linebackers and 3 Defensive Backs for Blitz defenses to create maximum confusion on the field. |
 3-4
|
Composed of 3 defense linemen and 4 linebackers. Used to apply more pressure on Running Backs who manage to get past the main line of defense. |
 4-3
|
Composed of 4 defense linemen and 3 linebackers. Primarily used to apply more pressure on the offensive linemen. |
 4-4
|
Composed of 4 defense linemen and 4 linebackers. This makes it difficult for the Offense to determine where the defense pressure is focused on. |
 46
|
Composed of 8 players in the defense box. The Strong Safety is also included in the box instead of staying near the Goal Line to apply more pressure to the offensive team. |
 5-2
|
Composed of 5 defense linemen and 2 linebackers. Mainly used in short-yardage situations where the defense will want to sack the QB or take down the RBs as quick as possible. |
 Big Nickel
|
Has an unofficial third Safety player. The third Safety acts as either a linebacker or cornerback and helps with covering Tight Ends and Receivers. |
 Dime
|
Composed of 6 defensive backs. Used to prevent the offensive team to make medium to long range passes. |
 Dollar
|
Composed of 8 defensive backs. Focused heavily on preventing long passes. |
 Goal Line (Defense)
|
Since this is a short-yardage play near the Goal Line, more players will be on the defensive line, linebackers will be positioned further back to prevent Running Backs from getting through, and Defensive Backs will be focused on isolating the offensive team's best receiver to prevent a touchdown. |
 Nickel
|
Composed of 5 defensive backs. It is used to stop Wide Receivers from running deep yardage. |
 Prevent
|
Composed of fast and agile defensive backs to prevent the opposing team from scoring a touchdown on short-yardage plays. |
 Quarter
|
Composed of 7 defensive backs. Used to prevent medium to long passes. |
| Madden NFL 25 Guides | |
|---|---|
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 Tips and Tricks |
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|
Playbooks and Formations
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