How to play Madden NFL 26 as a beginner

Updated 1 week ago1 min read

Overview

New to Madden NFL 26? Check out our beginner’s tips to help you learn the basics of the game, explore beginner-friendly modes, practice essential skills, and more.

Table of Contents

Start with beginner-friendly modes

Madden NFL 26 offers multiple ways to play. If you’re new to Madden, these modes are a great place to start. They offer low-pressure ways to learn the basics at your own pace. 
  • Teaches core mechanics like passing, tackling, and ball handling through interactive drills.
  • Perfect for learning in a low-pressure environment, with no opponents or time limits
  • An instant feedback system that helps track your progress.
  • A great warm-up tool before jumping into Franchise, MUT, or online modes.
Learn more about how different modes in Madden NFL 26 work.

Get familiar with the controls

Go to Settings > Controls in-game to get familiar with how your controls work.Start with learning which controls to use for these must-know moves. 
  • Snap the ball
  • Pass and catch
  • Switch defenders
  • Tackle and swat/intercept passes
  • Use special moves like juke, spin, and stiff arm

Pick a team you know

If you follow real-world football, start with your favorite NFL team. It’s easier to learn the game when you're already familiar with player names and playstyles.Not sure who to pick? Try one of these beginner-friendly teams for reliable quarterbacks, solid defensive units, and playbooks that are easier to learn.
  • Kansas City Chiefs: Great offensive power
  • San Francisco 49ers: Balanced offense and defense
  • Philadelphia Eagles: Strong running game and defense

Learn basic football strategies

Understanding these basic football concepts can help you get to grips with Madden NFL 26 faster. 

Offensive playbooks are organized by formations (e.g., I-Form, Shotgun, Singleback).
  • I-Form is great for running.
  • Shotgun works well for passing plays.
Defensive formations like Nickel, 4-3, and Dime change the number of defensive backs or linemen on the field.
  • Use Nickel for balanced coverage.
  • Use Goal Line for short-yardage defense.
Want to learn more about how playbooks work? Check out our Madden NFL 26 playbooks guide. 

  • Pass when you need a big gain or the defense is stacked against the run.
  • Run when you want to control the clock or set up the play-action.

Playing defense is about more than just chasing the ball. Here’s how to think like a defensive coach.
  • Use man coverage to guard specific players, zone to protect space.
  • Watch formations; wide sets usually mean pass, tight sets mean run.
  • Cover the middle with a linebacker for safety.
  • Tackle consistently, not aggressively.
  • Change your play calls to keep the offense guessing.

Kicking is all about timing, accuracy, and field awareness. Here’s how to improve your kicking game.
  • Field goals are for scoring, punts are for field position.
  • Check the wind before kicking—it affects distance and aim.
  • Focus on accuracy first, then power.
  • On punts, aim to pin opponents deep, not just kick far.
  • Use different kick types (line drive, sky, angle) to control returns.

Avoid common beginner mistakes

Here are a few mistakes beginners might make, and ways to avoid them.

  • Don’t throw into heavy coverage.
  • Read the defense pre-snap.
  • Use Coach Suggestions for safer play calls.

  • Holding the sprint button too long can tire players and cause fumbles.
  • Use sprint strategically, like in open space or just before contact.

  • Repeating the same play type makes you predictable.
  • Mix in play-action passes and jet sweeps to confuse defenders.
Ready for more? Check out some of our Madden NFL 26 deep dives to take your strategy to the next level. 
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