With Madden 25 Early Access now underway, we wanted to share 10 new game-changing features so you can become a better Madden player and win more games.

1. Spec Catch

First and foremost, you can use the new Spec Catch feature in Madden 25 to make a great one-handed catch. If you see a highly rated receiver like Justin Jefferson open in a 1v1 defense, throw the ball and press L1 or LB to use Spec Catch feature. This will give your receiver the opportunity to make a great one-handed catch.

Spec Catch is a new feature that joins the three existing catch types: Possession Catch, Aggressive Catch, and Run After Catch (RAC). Spec Catch expands your catch radius, allowing you to catch the ball from farther away.

Keep in mind that Spec Catch does increase the chance of a fumble, so choosing the right time to use this feature will help avoid costly fumbles. We found it difficult to catch the ball one-handed in heavy traffic, but it is not impossible unless you are willing to spend more MUT 25 Coins to get a top tier receiver.

2. Switch Stick

Second, you can now switch to different players in coverage during a passing play using a new mechanic called Switch Stick. This allows you to use multiple players on a single passing play and lurk for throws all over the field. You do this by flicking the right stick toward the player you want to switch to.

One of the best strategies to use players in coverage is Guard Corner Routes, running Cover 3 zone while using a linebacker in coverage.

During a play, if you see a Corner Route forming, you can switch to a flat defender by simply flicking the right stick in that direction, then using that player and lurk for throws.

One important note is that you can only Switch Stick with a player who is performing a coverage assignment. So if you’re stuck on a D lineman, you won’t be able to use the right stick to periodically switch sticks. You have to hold down B or O and flick the left stick toward someone in coverage.

3. Default Hot Routes

Third, Madden NFL 25 has a new Default Hot Routes that allows us to place routes on the field that we couldn’t before unless you had the ability to be a Hot Route Master or WR Apprentice. You can access Hot Routes by pressing Y/Triangle and selecting the player you want.

The new Default Hot Routes for Wide Receivers are Speed ​​Out, which features a circular cut to the outside, a post route, and a corner route, also known as C Route.

For Inside Receivers, we have a post route and a corner route, replacing the popular zig route.

For Tight Ends, we have a short corner route, a post route, and a slant route.

For running backs, we have a flat route and a new triple option that allows the running back to read the defense to decide if he wants to sit in the open, or go left or right.

4. Custom Route Stems

Fourth, you can now adjust the distance of any route with a new feature called Custom Route Stems.

For example, in a play, your corner route may be covered by a deep flat, and you can use Custom Route Stems to adjust the route to be longer to break out longer distances on the deep flat. To do this, press Y/Triangle, select the receiver you want to adjust, then hold down L1 or LB and move the left stick up until the route is the distance you want.

You can also use D-pad to adjust the route in 5-yard increments instead of 1-yard increments with the left stick. After adjusting the route, release L1 or LB to confirm the route and watch the custom stemming corner open up over the defender to easily gain yards.

When playing against man defense, custom stemming posts and corners all the way to the line of scrimmage are also a great way to create distance from the man defender. Because the line cuts are quick and sharp, it makes it harder for the defender to keep up with easy darts.

5. Blocking Mechanics

Fifth, Madden 25 introduces the ability to view your blocking play before the snap and more precisely adjust pass protection with four new blocking adjustments.

To view your blocking play before the snap, simply hold down L1 or LB, which will allow you to see who each blocker is targeting, helping you better plan pass protection adjustments.

In the pass protection menu, the four new adjustments are Half-Slide Right, Half-Slide Left, Base, and Empty. To access these new blocking adjustments, hold down L1 or LB and move the left or right stick in the direction of your desired blocking protection.

Half-Slide is probably one of the most commonly used and effective blocking protections, where half of the offensive line will slide over to the side you choose to protect QB, while the other half of O-line will perform a man blocking assignment.

One bonus tip is that if you see Flame emojis above the heads of defensive players, this indicates that O-line will not block these players, even if they blitz. So keep an eye out for this when setting up pass protection so you know who will not be blocked if these specific players blitz.

6. Kick Meter

Sixth, kicking the ball in Madden 25 will be harder than ever with the new multimeter. The new multimeter has a horizontal meter for accuracy and a vertical meter for power.

To kick the ball with this meter, aim the arrow with the left stick straight down, then hold X or A when the arrow is between the two lines of the accuracy meter. Then continue to hold X or A to fill up the meter inside the arrow, and release X or A when you have enough power in your kick.

Be careful though, because if the meter fills up with red marks, it can reduce the accuracy of your kick. Therefore, it is recommended that you only time the arrow on one side, rather than looking at both sides. This will help you lock on to the arrow and time it better to hit the middle more accurately.

7. Reverse Kickoff Returns

Seventh, you can call reverse plays on kickoff returns for potentially huge gains.

While running these reverse option plays, if you decide you want to hand the ball off to the reverse, run upfield to the player and press L1 or LB to hand off the ball.

One thing you should notice here, it is best not to hold down Sprint button when trying to hand off to the reverse, as this will give you more time to execute the handoff. This prevents the player from running past the intended handoff point and being hit for the minimum yardage.

8. Disguise Defense

Eighth, besides base alignment to confuse the opponent, there is a new way to Disguise Coverage Shells.

In the play calling menu, you can disguise your coverage by flicking the right stick left or right, changing your Coverage Shells to look like Cover 4, Cover 3, Cover 2, Cover 1, or even Cover 0 Shells.

When you do this, your defense will appear in Cover for Defense look, but you will be in Cover 3 defense selected in the play calling menu.

You can also change the coverage shell look by pressing Y/Triangle and moving the left stick in the direction of your desired Coverage Shell. Alternatively, you can press R1 or RB to display a blitz.

Disguising your coverages will make your defense less predictable, making it harder for the offense to make pleasant calls, increasing the chances of stops and forced turnovers.

9. Revamped Hit Stick

Ninth is Revamped Hit Stick, which rewards players with perfect timing on the hit.

Hit success in Madden 25 will now be determined by the timing of the hit and the angle at which the defender approaches the ball carrier. On successful or failed hits, there is a feedback system on the field that tells you the power, squareness and timing of your Hit Stick.

Players with higher Tackle and Hit Power ratings will give you more chances to successfully hit the ball, while players with lower Tackle and Hit Power ratings will have a harder time hitting the ball hard, especially against bigger and better running backs. Therefore, for smaller players, it is better to use X or A for Breakdown Tackle or use Cut Stick Tackle to knock down the player’s legs by flicking the right stick downward.

10. New Read Option ‘Hold to Keep’ Mechanic

Finally, there is the new Read Option ‘Hold to Keep’ Mechanic, which will make it easier to make reads in option and RPO games.

For example, if you want to hand the ball to the running back, you don’t need to press any button to hand off the ball, and if you want the quarterback to keep the ball, hold X or A for the quarterback to run.

These are the 10 key new features you need to know before entering Madden NFL 25. If you haven’t entered Early Access yet, you might want to use this guide to learn about the relevant mechanics in advance to help you get a better start!