Home » Madden 23 Defense Tips: Interceptions, Tackle Controls, and Tips and Tricks to Crush Opposing Offenses
Learn how to become a defensive mastermind and lockdown every opponent in Madden 23.
Contents
- 1 How to intercept the ball
- 2 How to play defense in Madden 23
- 3 How to tackle
- 4 How to swat
- 5 Full Madden 23 defense controls for PC, PlayStation, and Xbox
- 6 Madden 23 defensive tips
- 7 1. Don’t use linebackers in coverage without abilities
- 8 2. Blitz your user in coverage
- 9 3. Shift the D-Line
- 10 4. User blitz down the middle
- 11 5. Edge blitz outside of a contain
- 12 Best defensive teams
In the NFL, defenses win championships; in Madden 23, this isn’t any different. Defense is probably the most important aspect as you can stop your opponent from scoring and, if you’re skilled, score yourself. To win a game, it is vital to learn how to intercept, swat, user rush, and more.
So, here is the ultimate Madden controls guide with tips and tricks on how to play defense.
How to intercept the ball
To intercept the ball in Madden 23, the targeted defender has to be selected, and the user must press the Triangle button on PlayStation, Y button on Xbox, or R on PC.
How to play defense in Madden 23
In order to play impeccable defense in Madden 23, you must anticipate the opponent’s plays and make adjustments to defend them. To do so, Madden provides a screen from which you can select plays based on formations, concepts, play types, and personnel.
Certain formations are better suited to defend specific plays. For example, a 3-4 set is centered on linebackers, which is helpful against rushing plays. A nickel or dime formation has more DBs on the field, making it easier to defend against passes.
There is also a coaching adjustment screen from which zones can be modified to play specific areas on the field. Here, you can also change the way that DBs interact with receivers and how aggressive you want tacklers to be.
Once you’ve selected a play, you can select any player to either cover a receiver or blitz. Here, you can make audibles and adjustments to fit the play to your needs. Doing this effectively will render your opponent scoreless and surely bring the W.
How to tackle
There are four different types of tackles in Madden 23:
- Conservative Tackle: X on PlayStation, A button on Xbox, E on PC
- Dive Tackle: Square on PlayStation, X button on Xbox, Q on PC
- Hit Stick: Flick Down on the Right Analog Stick on PlayStation and Xbox, W on PC
- Cut Stick: Flick Down on the Right Analog Stick on PlayStation and Xbox, S on PC
How to swat
To perform a swat in Madden:
- Select the defender the ball is being thrown near by pressing Circle on PlayStation, B button on Xbox, F on PC.
- Press Square on PlayStation, X button on Xbox, Q on PC to swat the ball.
Full Madden 23 defense controls for PC, PlayStation, and Xbox
Pre-Play defensive controls
| Action | Xbox | PlayStation | PC |
| Momentum Factors / X-Factors Vision | RT (Hold) | R2 (Hold) | Left Shift (Hold) |
| Show Play Art | LT (Hold) | L2 (Hold) | Left Ctrl (Hold) |
| Pre-Play Menu | R3 | R3 | Tab |
| Call Timeout | View | TouchPad | T |
| Switch Player | B | Circle | F |
| Audible | X | Square | A |
| Defensive Line Shift | Left D-Pad | Left D-Pad | L |
| Linebacker Audible | Right D-Pad | Right D-Pad | End |
| Coverage Audibles | Y | Triangle | C |
| Defensive Keys | RB | R1 | P |
Pursuit defensive controls
| Action | Xbox | PlayStation | PC |
| Player Movement | Left Analog Stick | Left Analog Stick | Arrows |
| Sprint | RT (Hold) | R2 (Hold) | Left Shift (Hold) |
| Defense Assist | LB | L1 | Alt |
| Switch Player | B | Circle | F |
| Strafe | LT | L2 | Left Ctrl |
| Dive Tackle | X | Square | Q |
| Conservative Tackle | A | X | E |
| Strip Ball | RB | R1 | Space |
| Hit Stick | Flick Up on the Right Analog Stick | Flick Up on the Right Analog Stick | W |
| Cut Stick | Flick Down on the Right Analog Stick | Flick Down on the Right Analog Stick | S |
Engaged defensive controls
| Action | Xbox | PlayStation | PC |
| Player Movement | Left Analog Stick | Left Analog Stick | Arrows |
| Speed Rush | RT | R2 | Left Shift (Hold) |
| Contain | LT | L2 | Left Ctrl |
| Switch Player | B | Circle | F |
| Rip | Flick Up on Right Stick | Flick Up on Right Stick | W |
| Bull Rush | Flick Down on Right Stick | Flick Down on Right Stick | S |
| Club/Swim Left | Flick Left on Right Stick | Flick Left on Right Stick | A |
| Club/Swim Right | Flick Right on Right Stick | Flick Right on Right Stick | D |
| Swat | Y | Triangle | R |
Madden 23 defensive tips
Here are tips on how to play good defense in Madden 23.
1. Don’t use linebackers in coverage without abilities
Linebackers rarely animate to pick the ball in the air. They are also much slower and can’t jump higher than a defensive back. So, use linebackers as blitzers or add linebacker abilities such as the Lurker ability.
2. Blitz your user in coverage
By blitzing your user in pre-play, you’ll be able to start coverage with a tiny speed boost.
3. Shift the D-Line
You can stop runs by shifting the D-Line to the strong side, opening a gap that you can seal with your user.
4. User blitz down the middle
User blitzing gives the selected player a speed advantage. If you set up your defense so that your user can pass through the middle of the O-Line, the pressure can arrive much faster.
5. Edge blitz outside of a contain
Contains are protections set up where a defensive edge protects the outside of the pocket, preventing a rollout. If a blitzer comes from outside of the contain, the O-Line gets confused, and pressure can arise while also keeping the QB in the pocket.
Best defensive teams
- Buffalo Bills: 87 DEF, 81 OFF, 83 OVR
- Green Bay Packers: 87 DEF, 83 OFF, 84 OVR
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 87 DEF, 88 OFF, 87 OVR
- Los Angeles Chargers: 85 DEF, 81 OFF, 82 OVR
- New Orleans Saints: 85 DEF, 80 OFF, 82 OVR
- Philadelphia Eagles: 85 DEF, 85 OFF, 85 OVR
- Los Angeles Rams: 84 DEF, 81 OFF, 82 OVR
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 84 DEF, 76 OFF, 79 OVR
- San Francisco 49ers: 84 DEF, 81 OFF, 82 OVR
- Cincinnati Bengals: 83 DEF, 85 OFF, 84 OVR
With these tips and tricks, you can improve your defensive skills and lock down your opponents in Madden 23.
Looking for more Madden 23 guides?
Madden 23: Best Offensive Playbooks
Madden 23: Best Defensive Playbooks
Madden 23: Best Playbooks for Running QBs
Madden 23: Best Playbooks for 3-4 Defenses
Madden 23: Best Playbooks for 4-3 Defenses
Madden 23 Sliders: Realistic Gameplay Settings for Injuries and All-Pro Franchise Mode
Madden 23 Relocation Guide: All Team Uniforms, Teams, Logos, Cities and Stadiums
Madden 23: Best (and Worst) Teams to Rebuild
Madden 23 Running Tips: How to Hurdle, Jurdle, Juke, Spin, Truck, Sprint, Slide, Dead Leg and Tips
Madden 23 Stiff Arm Controls, Tips, Tricks, and Top Stiff Arm Players
