INTRODUCTION
Madden 17 is finally upon us, and we are proud to present to you our first offensive guide of the new year. The Patriot Act Offensive Guide is based on, you guessed it, the New England Patriots offensive playbook. This offense is based heavily on the short to intermediate passing game with a few very high powered runs added to the mix.
With the new variations added to the coverage on Madden 17 we truly believe that being able to pass the ball effectively will be the difference maker towards success. Gone are the days of being able to just assume something is open because you know the defense is playing man or zone, now there are several different variations to each coverage shell and they all play differently. Making your reads and recognizing your coverage keys are a very crucial part of the game that many will not appreciate for months into the game. We have a section below explaining what we mean by coverage keys as well as a brief explanation of using a progression read system.
So let’s jump into learning the offense without further delay. Remember, being comfortable is a huge part of success and you will not be comfortable if you are reading setups and watching videos for reads in the middle of a game. Get in practice mode and drill each setup and read until it is second nature.
”Coverage
COVERAGE KEYS: For the purposes of this guide when we highlight a “coverage key” this means that we are telling you to read a defender or area of the field as opposed to watching a specific WR or route. This is very important on the plays that we recommend it for because it will give you the ability to make a read between two, and sometimes three, wide receivers at the same time. Timing is crucial for your routes on Madden 17, and this method will give us the ability to save time so we can maximize our threats on each play.
PROGRESSION READ: A progression read is a common system for making reads in a spread style offense that does not rely on reading the defense pre-snap. This is beneficial to us because quite honestly with all the different variations to the coverage shells on Madden 17, reading the defense at all pre-snap is difficult. (bullfrogspas.com) Sometimes the progression of the reads will go short to deep, sometimes left to right, sometimes right to left, and even on occasion deep to short. Once in awhile the progressions may even be split into two quadrants with a coverage key telling you which quadrant to focus on.
”Gun
In the first section of this guide we will be going over Split Close Patriot. This was a very popular formation at the start of last year, and really remained popular most of the year. We will be passing from it much differently than what you are used to however, so make sure to get comfortable with the setups and reads. One added bonus to this formation is that it is home to possibly the most overpowered run in Madden 17, the HB Power O.
HB Wheel
- Swing Left RB to Left
- Motion Right WR to Left
- Adjust TE Route as Needed
X Drag Trail
- Place Left WR on Flat
- Place Right WR on Fade
- Motion Right WR to Left
Z Spot
- Streak Left RB
- Motion Right WR to Left
- Adjust TE Route as Needed
HB Power O
- Motion Right WR to Left (Optional)
WR Corners
- Streak Right RB
- Adjust Left WR as Needed (See Video)
- Motion Right WR to Left
”Gun
Trips TE gives us an incredible short to intermediate passing game. We have plenty of great routes, posts, wheels, angled posts, rounded in’s and out’s, bubbles, and a delayed angle route from the backfield. When it comes to moving the ball primarily through the air this is one of our favorite formations in the guide.
Pats Y In
- Adjust RB as Needed (See Video)
- Motion Left Inside WR to Right
Curl Flat
- Slant Left Inside WR
- Motion Left Inside WR to Right
Pats Y Post
- Adjust Middle Left WR as Needed (See Video)
- Motion Left Inside WR to Right
Slot Swing
- No Adjustments
45 Quick Base
- Motion Left Inside WR to Right (Optional)
Verticals
- Place Left Inside WR on an Out Route
- Streak RB
PA Slot Corner
- Streak TE
- Wheel RB
- Motion Left Inside WR to Right
”Gun
Pats Wing Trips is another great passing formation. This formation gives us the ability to push the ball downfield with a great spot wheel concept as well as hit several underneath routes that cause our opponent fits. Passing wise this formation ranks right under Trips TE, but the run audible is again a power instead of a base, which gives us a slightly better run option.
Pats Drag Wheel
- No Adjustments
Pats Slot Out
- Place the RB on an Option Route
Curl Flats
- Streak or Fade Left WR
- Slant Right Slot WR
HB Power
- No Adjustments
Stutter Curl Seam
- Drag Right Outside WR
PA Pats Cross
- Swing RB Left
”Gun
Gun Normal Y Slot is another formation that blends greats passing concepts along with an overpowered run play. In this formation we will have the ability to motion to create various trips formations to cause confusion. There are plenty of wheel routes to be had as well as the ability to create many popular concepts with slot posts as well.
Curl Flat
- Fade Left Slot WR
- Motion Left Slot WR Right
Z Shallow Cross
- Place Left Slot WR on In Route
- Place Right Outside WR on Comeback
- Motion TE to Left
Deep Attack (Version 1)
- Place Left Slot WR on Flat
- Place Right Outside WR on Slant
- Motion TE Left
Deep Attack (Version 2)
- Place the Left Slot on an In Route
- Place the RB on an Option
- Motion Left Slot WR to Right
HB Power
- No Adjustments
PA WR In
- Place RB on an Out Route
HB Base
- Motion TE Left (Optional)
Verticals
- See Video for Adjustments and Motion
PA TE Wheel
- See Video for Adjustments and Motion
”Extra
This section of the guide goes over some extra offense to mix into the scheme. These plays are extremely good setups, from otherwise sub-par formations. Look to mix these into your offense to keep the defense on their heels, or save them for those must convert situations. Having something really good in your back pocket that the defense hasn’t seen yet can be very effective.
Gun Normal Wing Pats: Switch Fork
- Adjust Right WR as Needed (See Video)
- Motion Left Slot WR to Right
Gun Normal Flex Wk Pats: Patriots Drag
- No Adjustments
Gun Trips Y Iso: PA Bubble Y Look
- No Adjustments
Gun Bunch Wk: Verticals
- Max Protect
- Place TE on Out Route
- Slant Left Solo WR
Gun Bunch Wk: PA Post
- Max Protect
- Place TE on Out Route
- Swing RB Left
”Update
”TheThis section of the guide is an update that was inspired by BksBully. He provided the base play in Tight Doubles On and the entire I-Pro Twins Scheme. We built on the Tight Doubles On stuff and now you have two of the easiest formations to run with success in Madden 17. Make sure to tweet Bk @bksbullynyc and use the hashtag #FourFingerGreatness to show your appreciation for his efforts.
Tight Doubles On: Shot Fade Cross
- Drag the TE
- Motion Right WR to Left
Tight Doubles On: Cross Wheels
- Watch Video
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Tight Doubles On: Sail Concepts
- Watch Video
Tight Doubles On: HB Slip Screen
- Motion Left Outside WR to Right
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Tight Doubles On: HB Quick Base
- See Video for Motion
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I-Form Pro Twins: Inside Cross
- Swing RB Left
- Adjust TE as Needed
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I-Form Pro Twins: PA Draw Shot
- Swing RB to the Left
- Place Outside WR on Fade
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I-Form Pro Twins: PA Power O
- Swing RB to Left
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I-Form Pro Twins: Run Game
- Iso
- Power O
- Stretch
- Counter
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