Madden 20 Custom Playbook & Game Plan Play Call Guide

[edgevoice]

Re: Madden 20 Custom Playbook & Game Plan Play Call Guide

Awesome! I’ll have to check it out.

It seems I always get stopped inside the 5 on passes short of the goaline and even on longer runs. I have yet to find any true go-to plays inside the 5. Do you have any you recommend, mostly from the 2-3 yard line?

Obviously, the toughest situation to convert. Inside the 5, I am looking to call plays that will hopefully clear a specific receiver open.

I-Slants, while motioning my TE out to the slot works fairly well. I usually throw to the Z (Gallup) as the TE going to the flat often clears this route quickly. If I read zone, or the DB is playing inside leverage, I audible to a fade and throw that to X receiver (Cooper).

Also, Bunch Z spot works pretty well here. The receiver will hesitate just a bit before beginning his route. Rather than wait for him to settle, I drill the ball right on him as soon as he starts running.

I haven't had a lot of success running from goal line personnel, but having Zeke is an advantage here and am able to run the ball fairly well from either base or nickel offenses.

I make an attempt to take shots at the end zone before I find myself in this situation. It's tough inside the 5, as it should be.

[reyes the roof]

Re: Madden 20 Custom Playbook & Game Plan Play Call Guide

I want to give this a shot, I normally call by formation and I do a really bad job of getting as deep as I want to in my playbook. Just to be clear, when I call plays I’m doing it from the coach suggestions menu under the run and pass sections?

[edgevoice]

Re: Madden 20 Custom Playbook & Game Plan Play Call Guide

I want to give this a shot, I normally call by formation and I do a really bad job of getting as deep as I want to in my playbook. Just to be clear, when I call plays I’m doing it from the coach suggestions menu under the run and pass sections?

Yes sir. Once click over from Suggestion Box is Run and the next is Pass. You will also see some of your game plan show up under the Suggestion Box as well. Plays will rotate. I hope it works out for you and good luck.

[reyes the roof]

Re: Madden 20 Custom Playbook & Game Plan Play Call Guide

Yes sir. Once click over from Suggestion Box is Run and the next is Pass. You will also see some of your game plan show up under the Suggestion Box as well. Plays will rotate. I hope it works out for you and good luck.

Thanks, this is a lot more tedious than I thought it would be but I'm going to keep plugging away until I get my gameplan where I want it. I wish there was a way to add plays to your gameplan during a game so that I could work on it as I'm playing

[BQfromNY]

Re: Madden 20 Custom Playbook & Game Plan Play Call Guide

awesome work - ty!

[edgevoice]

Re: Madden 20 Custom Playbook & Game Plan Play Call Guide

Thanks, this is a lot more tedious than I thought it would be but I'm going to keep plugging away until I get my gameplan where I want it. I wish there was a way to add plays to your gameplan during a game so that I could work on it as I'm playing

No question, it is a grind no doubt. However, once you've finished, having the plays that you want to call come up when you want to call them makes the game so much more fun to play. I find this true especially on 3rd down situations.

Too make it easier, you could always just let the program assign 2 1/2 stars to your gameplan selections. The reason I use the method I originally explained is so that I can quickly find the plays I want to change when putting in additional gameplans. Take your time. Put it to paper first. Once you get the hang of it, you'll be amazed at how quickly you will be able to install a game plan. Let me know if you get hung up on anything. Good luck.

[tg88forHOF]

Re: Madden 20 Custom Playbook & Game Plan Play Call Guide

Worth adding that it's miles easier than it was in previous years, where you had to completely empty a playbook, build it from scratch, get your gameplan set up, then go into a Play Now and call each play individually before you got them to show up.

If you haven't been following Edge's methodology in previous versions, it's hard to really appreciate the improvements EA made in this area for 20.

[edgevoice]

Re: Madden 20 Custom Playbook & Game Plan Play Call Guide

Worth adding that it's miles easier than it was in previous years, where you had to completely empty a playbook, build it from scratch, get your gameplan set up, then go into a Play Now and call each play individually before you got them to show up.

If you haven't been following Edge's methodology in previous versions, it's hard to really appreciate the improvements EA made in this area for 20.

Lol, oh man that was insane stuff. I couldn't believe my eyes when I began labbing game planning out in the BETA this year. Very much appreciate the improvements made. Unless I missed it, I'm surprised EA didn't speak about this prior to release.

[LK x Mufasa]

Re: Madden 20 Custom Playbook & Game Plan Play Call Guide

edge, I saw you link this in a recent comment in another thread and I'm really glad. I've seen your posts in years past and while I've never quite gotten to the step of creating my own playbook/gameplan, the work you put in to test this stuff and make it accessible is awesome! I'm hoping to get to the stage where I put this in action for myself at some point this year.

Taking a step or two back, do you have any advice for someone trying to take steps toward developing and practicing a playbook/gameplan? It's something I've tried to work on over the last year or two as I learn more about the game of football on a strategic level. This year I'm working out of the Giants playbook for my NYG franchise and I've picked out a handful of formations that look interesting or have some nice plays in them, then trying some plays out randomly in practice mode against different coverages and seeing what sticks.

Currently I have 20 plays that I have practiced out of 4 formations. 10 of those I would say I "know well" (ran them successfully at least 7 out of 10 times against random coverages with matched personnel). It's certainly limited but even so, I really enjoy calling plays that I know I've practiced as opposed to just picking one of 200+ random plays in a playbook.

The biggest barrier to entry for me has always been, on a conceptual level, HOW to develop and practice plays and gameplans aside from just picking random plays to test out. Any tips that you or anyone else reading could provide on how to build my skills so that I can create strong playbooks and gameplans in the future would be much appreciated!

[tg88forHOF]

Re: Madden 20 Custom Playbook & Game Plan Play Call Guide

Taking a step or two back, do you have any advice for someone trying to take steps toward developing and practicing a playbook/gameplan? It's something I've tried to work on over the last year or two as I learn more about the game of football on a strategic level. This year I'm working out of the Giants playbook for my NYG franchise and I've picked out a handful of formations that look interesting or have some nice plays in them, then trying some plays out randomly in practice mode against different coverages and seeing what sticks.

Currently I have 20 plays that I have practiced out of 4 formations. 10 of those I would say I "know well" (ran them successfully at least 7 out of 10 times against random coverages with matched personnel). It's certainly limited but even so, I really enjoy calling plays that I know I've practiced as opposed to just picking one of 200+ random plays in a playbook.

The biggest barrier to entry for me has always been, on a conceptual level, HOW to develop and practice plays and gameplans aside from just picking random plays to test out. Any tips that you or anyone else reading could provide on how to build my skills so that I can create strong playbooks and gameplans in the future would be much appreciated!

My approach:

Start by evaluating and planning for your personnel.

I always get very specific with my depth chart and specialist positions. I nearly always use different HBs as HB1, PWHB, and 3DRB, and maximize their progression for those roles. Same thing with WRs...in one of my current CFMs, I have 2 Deep Threats at WR1 and 2, 2 slot specialists at SLWR1 and SLWR2, and 2 Physical guys at WR3 and WR4.

This chart https://www.reddit.com/r/Madden/comm...m_source=share shows which formations use which players from your depth chart, and where they line up. I use that when picking formations and plays to maximize those roles.

For example, on 3rd and Medium, I'll look for a formation that lines up my WR1 and WR2 (the deep threats) wide on either side, my SLWR1 in one slot, and my WR3 (Physical) in the other slot. Then I'll look for plays in that formation that play to those strengths....for example, one that uses the Deep Threats as clearouts, has the SLWR1 as an underneath checkdown, and the Physical WR3 running a route just past the sticks.

This way, you're looking for formations and plays that use your personnel intelligently, rather than ones that just "look cool"

Learn your route concepts, what they work against, and when you'd use them

If you don't know these, the Skills Trainer is your buddy until you do. This is critical for scenario planning. Slant Flats is a good choice for 3rd and short, since both reads on the concept are likely to get you the yards you need...especially since that's a scenario where you're likely to see a zero blitz. On 3rd and long, it's not as great a call; since the slant isn't likely to get enough yards, and the flat is even less likely.

Look for plays that give you ways to beat multiple coverages

A lot of plays will have multiple route concepts running at the same time...maybe a Smash (a good C2 beater) to one side, and a man-beater like Slant/Flats on the other side. You're looking for plays that give you a way to beat whatever coverage you read when you get to the line.

Practice beating those multiple coverages

Take that play into Practice Mode and play them against multiple coverages....setting the defense to a random call can give you practice reading the coverage and picking the right route concept in that play to beat it (or where you need to Hot Route to beat it).

[edgevoice]

Re: Madden 20 Custom Playbook & Game Plan Play Call Guide

edge, I saw you link this in a recent comment in another thread and I'm really glad. I've seen your posts in years past and while I've never quite gotten to the step of creating my own playbook/gameplan, the work you put in to test this stuff and make it accessible is awesome! I'm hoping to get to the stage where I put this in action for myself at some point this year.

Taking a step or two back, do you have any advice for someone trying to take steps toward developing and practicing a playbook/gameplan? It's something I've tried to work on over the last year or two as I learn more about the game of football on a strategic level. This year I'm working out of the Giants playbook for my NYG franchise and I've picked out a handful of formations that look interesting or have some nice plays in them, then trying some plays out randomly in practice mode against different coverages and seeing what sticks.

Currently I have 20 plays that I have practiced out of 4 formations. 10 of those I would say I "know well" (ran them successfully at least 7 out of 10 times against random coverages with matched personnel). It's certainly limited but even so, I really enjoy calling plays that I know I've practiced as opposed to just picking one of 200+ random plays in a playbook.

The biggest barrier to entry for me has always been, on a conceptual level, HOW to develop and practice plays and gameplans aside from just picking random plays to test out. Any tips that you or anyone else reading could provide on how to build my skills so that I can create strong playbooks and gameplans in the future would be much appreciated!

First off, thanks for the kind words. Much appreciated. It's something I enjoy doing and if it helps just one person, it's well worth the effort. I don't know if I would be so bold as to give you advice on how to build your playbook and gameplan. However, I would be happy to share my personal philosophy on both, with the hope that it triggers some ideas that may help you.

As I was building my playbook and initial gameplan, the first thing I considered was my personnel. Since my passing game is mostly timing-based, I put my most physical receiver at X, since he is the receiver most easily pressed. I tend to throw deep a bit more to my Z receiver so that's where I usually place my deep threat. Finally, I put my most versatile receiver in the slot. Also, since I have two tight ends capable of making plays, I made sure to include formations whereas I had them both on the field. Due to the versatility of both my running back and offensive line, installing my running plays was unlimited.

After picking out each formation, I began selecting plays so that I had good balance throughout. If you take a look at my attached PDF, you will see a variety runs, including inside and outside zones, counters and straight power. With regards to my passing attack, I made sure to include short, medium and deep routes designated to every receiver. That way, when I put my gameplan together, I did not tip off what I'm about to run based off of my formation. I kept this philosophy in mind when selecting my audibles as well.

From a gameplan perspective, my core 1st and 2nd down offense is a balance of various styles of run plays, along with passing plays designed to attack a variety of coverages. As I practiced my passing plays against both random and selected defenses, I eventually gained perspective as to what receiver tends to get open, pertaining to each play, vs. certain coverages. I also got a feel for what runs work best against odd, even, over or under fronts.

Regarding 3rd down and red zone passing offense, I tended to select plays from my playbook that are more designed to scheme or clear a specific receiver open. I do this since these situations often find the defense sending pressure, so there isn't as much time to read the coverage in the same manner. The ball has to come out more quickly. Specifically to the red zone, I make sure to spread and attack horizontally, while including plays up to attack the endzone from the 20 however.

Overall, as I built my playbook, I kept situational playcalling in mind the whole time. Even still, I found myself having to go back and add additional plays to shore up situations where my book was lacking. It's definitely a process that takes time, patience and creativity. For me, it's never ending and I continue to work on improving my knowledge and expanding my concept understanding. Overall, having pre-planned and installed plays show up situationally throughout the game, adds a layer of strategy and simulation that is a real kick for me.

Best of luck to you. If you have further questions, fire away and I will do my best to help, as I'm sure others here will do also.

[LK x Mufasa]

Re: Madden 20 Custom Playbook & Game Plan Play Call Guide

I responded yesterday, but apparently it never went through...

Regardless, thanks to you both for the tips. I really like that spreadsheet, tg, and edge, your tips on scheming to get a specific player open in the red zone is really helpful.

tg, regarding your point about finding plays with good route concepts and matching my personnel, that certainly makes sense. But looking through that spreadsheet, there are 98 formations in 11 personnel! 11 of those alone out of Shotgun in the Giants' playbook. Even less common personnel types have dozens of formations. Do I just have to bite the bullet and go through a ton of trial and error to see what works? It seems a little daunting figuring out where to even begin, which is why I just end up picking semi-random formations.

A few other questions for both of you or anyone else: how many plays do you typically have in a playbook, or how many before you'll start using the book? Do you create defensive gameplans as well or just offensive?

[edgevoice]

Re: Madden 20 Custom Playbook & Game Plan Play Call Guide

I responded yesterday, but apparently it never went through...

Regardless, thanks to you both for the tips. I really like that spreadsheet, tg, and edge, your tips on scheming to get a specific player open in the red zone is really helpful.

tg, regarding your point about finding plays with good route concepts and matching my personnel, that certainly makes sense. But looking through that spreadsheet, there are 98 formations in 11 personnel! 11 of those alone out of Shotgun in the Giants' playbook. Even less common personnel types have dozens of formations. Do I just have to bite the bullet and go through a ton of trial and error to see what works? It seems a little daunting figuring out where to even begin, which is why I just end up picking semi-random formations.

A few other questions for both of you or anyone else: how many plays do you typically have in a playbook, or how many before you'll start using the book? Do you create defensive gameplans as well or just offensive?

Rather than being overwhelmed by all the many different formations, personnel packages, run and pass concepts, it may help you to step back, take a breath and start slow and simple.

I would suggest picking 5 base formations and 5 nickel formations that best suit your particular preferences and roster. From there, select various types of running plays including zone, power, counters, tosses etc. Be versatile with regards to selecting your pass plays also. Select man beaters, zone beaters, plays that spread out the defense and plays that tend to clear a specific receiver.

Based on the Giants personnel, I would make sure I feature the heck out of Barkley, Engram while working some PA deep to Tate. Shepard is no slouch either.

Hit the practice field and work on what you've selected so far. See what you run well and expand upon that. Everyone has their own theories on offense and what they like best. As you continue to work through a variety of different plays, your own philosophy will be born from that.

I create a defensive playbook, but do not install a gameplan. I just don't like the way it's set up. I'm probably only up to around 140 plays in my offensive book thus far, but only bring my gameplan (60 plays) to each game. I find that to be enough.

[tg88forHOF]

Re: Madden 20 Custom Playbook & Game Plan Play Call Guide

I responded yesterday, but apparently it never went through...

Regardless, thanks to you both for the tips. I really like that spreadsheet, tg, and edge, your tips on scheming to get a specific player open in the red zone is really helpful.

tg, regarding your point about finding plays with good route concepts and matching my personnel, that certainly makes sense. But looking through that spreadsheet, there are 98 formations in 11 personnel! 11 of those alone out of Shotgun in the Giants' playbook. Even less common personnel types have dozens of formations. Do I just have to bite the bullet and go through a ton of trial and error to see what works? It seems a little daunting figuring out where to even begin, which is why I just end up picking semi-random formations.

A few other questions for both of you or anyone else: how many plays do you typically have in a playbook, or how many before you'll start using the book? Do you create defensive gameplans as well or just offensive?

In addition to Edge's advice, that's why I included the tip regarding finding plays that run multiple route concepts at once.

A good example...Singleback Doubles/Dice (whatever they're calling it this season...the one with the TE inline on one side, the SLWR1 in the slot on the opposite side) tends to run mirrored concepts a lot. Curl Flats has the same concept being run on both sides...so does Slant Flats. So even though that formation has a 01 Trap that I really like, I tend to avoid it in favor of formations that give me more plays with multiple route concepts.

So, when you scroll through, use that as a filter.

[edgevoice]

Re: Madden 20 Custom Playbook & Game Plan Play Call Guide

In addition to Edge's advice, that's why I included the tip regarding finding plays that run multiple route concepts at once.

A good example...Singleback Doubles/Dice (whatever they're calling it this season...the one with the TE inline on one side, the SLWR1 in the slot on the opposite side) tends to run mirrored concepts a lot. Curl Flats has the same concept being run on both sides...so does Slant Flats. So even though that formation has a 01 Trap that I really like, I tend to avoid it in favor of formations that give me more plays with multiple route concepts.

So, when you scroll through, use that as a filter.

Completely agree with this philosophy. I never want to tip my hand as to what I am running based off of formation alone. I'd rather run with fewer formations with more varied concepts than go with a plethora of formations while running the same basic plays.