All cheats for this game by platform: GameBoy Advance | GameCube | PC | PlayStation 2 | PlayStation | Xbox
Primary Collection of Cheats
Skip music
Go to the help menu, then hold [Square] and press [R1] or [L1] to change the music.
Go to the help menu, then hold [Square] and press [R1] or [L1] to change the music.
Hints
Unlimited creation points
Go to "Rosters", then choose "Edit Player". Select the players that you want to be rated 99. Go to his attributes, then increase everything.
Easy tokens
Play two-minute drill and choose to play four players, all with your profile. Set "Fire" the defense and the Vikings as your teams. Next, use Singleback 4WR All Streaks for touchdowns all day.
At the main menu, go into "Features", select "Rosters", then go to the team you would like to defend you. For example, select the Bengals, then go to their defense (CB, FS, SS and Linebackers and Defensive Linemen). Change all of there speed attributes down to 0. Make a note of the original values so they can be restored later. Then, go to the Two Minute Drill, select the Bengals as the defense, and change the difficulty to All-Madden.. Select your team with your profile (Vikings recommended) and you will rack up points against a team that cannot catch you at all. Put Randy Moss at running back for even more points when you score or just throw to him always.
Play two-minute drill, and choose any team you hate for the CPU's defense. Go to that team's roster and set all their defensive players' speed to 0. Instead of throwing the ball, use a run play. It takes about the same amount of time, but you will get more points for tokens when you use a running play. The "Near" formation and "HB Toss" are recommended. As always, use a fake field goal pass or fake run for the point after the touchdown. It is possible to score over 68,000 points with well over 340 tokens per 2 minutes.
Cheerleader and Pump Up Crowd Cards
Successfully complete the "Game Situation" challenges in mini-camp mode. The Cheerleader or Pump Up Crowd Cards for the team used will be unlocked.
Cheerleader Cards and game cheats
Get a gold rank in any event on the All Pro, Pro and Rookie levels.
Barry Sanders
Get a gold rank in Ground Attack in mini-camp mode under the All-Madden level.
To do this easier, play as Anthony Thomas. On any outside play, such as pitch right handoff sweep, etc., move the secondary over and cut back. This will force them to follow you. Your fullback and yourself can have a dead shot at the end zone. Remember to do this quickly, any other play like right up the middle, just juke and try to plow them over.
Deion Sanders
Get a gold rank in the DB Swat drill in mini-camp mode under the All-Madden level.
Jan Stenerud
Get a gold rank in Clutch Kicking Drill in mini-camp mode under the All-Madden level.
John Elway
Get a gold rank in the QB Pocket Presence under the All-Madden level.
Kevin Butler
Get a gold rank in P-Coffin Corner Punt under the All-Madden level.
Mike Ditka
Have a saved game file from another EA Sports football game on your memory card.
Mike Singletary
Get a gold rank in the LB Chase and Tackle drill in mini-camp mode under the All-Madden level.
Reggie White
Get a gold rank in All-Madden DL-Trench Fight under the All-Madden level.
Steve Largent
Have a saved game file from an EA Sports racing game on your memory card.
Steve Young
Get a gold rank in QB Precision Passing (St. Louis Rams) under the All-Madden level.
Dodge City Stadium
Have a saved game file from another EA Sports football game on your memory card.
Nile High Stadium
Have a saved game file from an EA Sports racing game on your memory card.
Marshals secret team
Have a saved game file from another EA Sports football game on your memory card.
Mummies secret team
Have a saved game file from an EA Sports racing game on your memory card.
Over the shoulder catch
When throwing the ball to a receiver that is running a fly route, lob the pass (tap the button) instead of throwing a bullet (holding the button). The receiver should catch the ball over his shoulder.
Break tackles
To easily break tackles as a running back, alternately press [L1] and [R1] immediately before you get tackled.
Get a few more yards
When you are about to go out of bounds and want to get more yards, juke to the side away from the sideline. You will not go out, and it also sometimes delays the defense from pursuit.
Easy rushing yards
When down in a game late and need yards, substitute your second string RB in and put your first string RB in at QB. Off the hike, you can either run or throw it. If a space is open, you will get more yards.
Easy sacks
Select "Whip Man" from the 4-3 defense. When your team lines up, move your linebackers to the right and linemen to the left. Hide your left linebacker (after shifting) behind your second linemen from the left, who should be lined up over the offense's tackle. Move the middle linebacker over the offense's right guard. At the snap of the ball, have the left linebacker blitz to between the offense's left guard and center, getting him right to the quarterback. If done correctly, even a running back blocking should not be able to stop you.
Easy passes
Choose a play like this: <PRE> x x TGCGT TE x QB x </PRE>
Note: This is not in shotgun. Use Hot Route, hit the leftmost WR up, then do Hot Route again to the man next to him, except hit right. This means the outermost man is streaking and the man next to him is cutting his path. Pump it to the streaking man then zip it to the man that crosses. If he is fast enough, you can stretch it into a long gain.
Onside kick
To kick an onside kick, keep the arrow where it is. Do not move it. Then, tap [X]x2 as quickly as possible. You should recover the onside kick the majority of the time.
Turn off penalties. When you are about kick the ball when starting or after you scored, choose one of the onside kicks. When you go to kick, move it all the way over and down. For example, if your kicker is kicking off facing towards the left, move it all the way over towards the left and all the way down. You should get the ball every time.
When you score, just before the kickoff, press [Start]. Select "Settings", then "Gameplay". Select "Easy play" and turn it on. You can now do an onside kick to your team. You can then turn "Easy play" off, or keep it on.
Move the arrow all the way to the right and down. Try to get the meter as low as possible and you will regain the ball every time.
Choose any of the onside kick formations during the kickoff. Move the arrow so that the tip of it touches the left hash mark two yards from the ball for a right legged kicker, or right hash mark two yards away for a left legged kicker. Kick the ball with half power (in between the red and yellow area) and perfect accuracy (in the yellow area). This works 80% of the time if done correctly.
Easy kick recoveries
Choose a regular kickoff play. If your kicker is left-handed, choose a Kickoff Left; if he is right-handed choose a Kickoff Right (recommended). Before you pick the play, make sure that the three players to the right and the three players to the left of the kicker are fast (90-99). When you are kicking, aim your kick as far up as possible and straight. Then, kick as light of a kick as possible (within the yellow). Make the players on the side of the kicker that the ball is landing run as fast as they can. If you kicked it lightly enough, your own players should recover it. Note: Once you catch it you cannot continue running; you will get the ball where it was caught.
Field goal block
Choose the punt block play. Substitute your fastest player into the returner's position. For a right-footed kicker, stand on the right side about three yards from the line. Go full speed when the ball is hiked and dive.
Punt block
Substitute (on Normal Punt Return) your second lineman from the left with a lineman that is fast (about 75 to 80; for example, Courtney Brown). Then, choose Normal Punt Return or any of the safe punts (not Punt Block). Take the new lineman and pull him to the outside of the line where the offense's blocker that is set back slightly is closest to the line. Next, either run straight past him or cut inside, depending on the blocker. If done correctly, you should be able to either tackle the punter or block the kick. You may have to fake inside and go around. Nevertheless, you will succeed about 70-75% of the time.
Stop field goal blocks
To stop a friend from blocking field goals, when you hike the ball to the holder hold [X] until his defender comes across the line off sides.
Good kick/punt returns
When you are receiving a punt, select punt left or right and run that same direction. You should see people chasing you, but if your blockers are good enough, they should give you enough room and time for a large return. When you are receiving a kick, select left or middle (recommended). If you have a fast kick returner who can break a tackle, run straight up the pipe. You should make it a long way for a touchdown or a huge gain. If you chose left, do the same thing as the punt; follow your receivers.
Fake audible
If you see defenders lining up where you know your play is about to go, or are setting up about to blitz, press [Square] then [L2]. Everyone will go back to their normal position and you can run your play.
Run defense
Choose the 4-3 defense and use one of the plays that have an OLB blitzing from the outside. Control the MLB and use [L1] to shift your lineman to the side that the tight end is on once the play starts. You should then have a clear shot at the RB.
Onside kick
Turn off penalties. When you are about kick the ball when starting or after you scored, choose one of the onside kicks. When you go to kick, move it all the way over and down. For example, if your kicker is kicking off facing towards the left, move it all the way over towards the left and all the way down. You should get the ball every time.
Better quarterback accuracy
Note what kind of quarterback you are passing with. If you have someone such as Kurt Warner, you may have better accuracy if you set your feet, then throw the ball. If you have someone like Donovan McNabb, you might have better luck throwing on the run.
Injuring defenders
To injure a defender easily, first at the main menu go to "Features", then to "Rosters". Go to the team that you will play. Go to every player and set their injury and toughness attributes to 0. Changing the other attributes is optional. Then, play against that team. Choose a running play (use Field Goal Fake Run after touchdowns). Once the running back gets the ball, run away from the line of scrimmage. Keep track of the yard lines to prevent a safety. Find an open defender on the way back. Sprint toward him (optional) and once you are very close to and directly in front of him, press [Triangle]. If done correctly, the defender will fall over and be injured. Note: The speed and timing will effect the length of the injury.
Easy catches
Throw the ball to any receiver. After the ball has been thrown, switch into your intended receiver and let the CPU run the pattern. Immediately before the ball gets to you, tap [R2] + [L2]. If the ball is somewhat to the receiver, he will reach out and most likely catch the ball.
Better draft pick
If you have a first place team and you know its going to be very late in the draft, trade with a last place team. Sometimes you can even get a first and second round pick for just your first. This is a very good way to get young players on your already good team.
Get any player or draft pick you want during franchise mode. After the regular season, such as during the playoffs or immediately before the Superbowl, go to create a player and make a quarterback. Make him 45 years old so that he will immediately retire when the season is over. Next, make him a 99 overall. Sign him from the free agency and trade him for any player or draft pick that you desire. You can do this as many times as you need, and can get ten first round picks and every player desired.
When you are in the off season, finish all the tasks until you are to NFL Draft. When you are about to do the draft, save the game. Then, do the draft. It does not matter who you pick. Go to "Trade Player" and highlight "Age". Press [Circle] and view all your rookies. Go through all the teams and write down all the rookies that have about a 75 rating or above. Exit your franchise, then load the game again. Go to the off season schedule, and select "NFL Draft". Draft as many of those well rated rookies as possible.
Note: This trick requires NCAA Football 2003. Go to Create A Player in NCAA Football 2003 and make players with all their attributes all the way up. Alternately, edit everybody on your team and make everyone seniors. Go to dynasty mode then go to the off-season. All of your seniors will graduate. Export the draft class. Then, on Madden NFL 2003, import that draft class and all the people that you created will be there. You should get some of the players that you drafted. Repeat this as needed.
Better trades
If you play with the salary cap penalties turned on in franchise mode, it is better to trade the player(s) you wish to cut for another team's draft pick. You will avoid penalties, keep your roster from becoming full, and get another draft pick.
Start a franchise and create a new coach (or make one under the Coach Option/Job Openings screen). In Coach Options/Job Openings screen, highlight your coach, then press [Left] or [Right] to select the team with the player or draft pick you want. You are now the coach of that team. Trade the player you want to your team. Then, return to the Job Openings screen in Coach Options and select your original team. Back out and you will be coaching your team again.
Start a franchise and select all 32 teams. Turn off the salary cap. Start the season, go to the roster, then trade a player. You will be able to trade with yourself without the rejection or the team. For example, you can trade Clinton Portis for Marshal Faulk, or Ed Macalfry for Terrell Owens.
Get any player
Use the following trick to get any player in a trade without the other team rejecting. In the franchise mode, create a player as a quarterback and move his attributes until you get to 99 points. Then, put his injury and stamina down to 0. This will not change the attribute point level. Sign him as a free agent then trade him to any team for anybody you want. When you play the team he is playing for, after a couple of plays he will either become injured or will be taken out of the game for his weak stamina. No team will refuse your trade and you will have any player you want on your team.
When playing in franchise mode you can trade for any player you want without having that trade turned down. Go into the create a player menu and create a QB that is all 99s. Sign that player to your team then trade him to another team that has a player that you want. To make the trick even better, you can add another player from their team to the trade that is in the 80s -- this will be a 2-for-1 trade. When the trade is complete, exit out to the franchise main menu and enter back into the create a player menu. Go back into the QB's attributes and edit them all the way down to 0s and then go back into the trade screen. Take the second player in the deal and trade him back to the team for the created QB. You can then start the whole process over by going into the create a player menu and editing his attributes all the way up again.
If you want to get anybody (including 99 rated players) get Corey Dillon on your team. You can trade him for anyone. The only two players that you can get together are Charles Woodson (Oakland) and Sebastian Janikowski (Oakland). Also, play or simulate all but one week. Select "Standings" to learn which team is worst and trade with Corey Dillon for their first, second, and third round picks.
Cheap players that are good
To make a receiver go to create player and create the player as a quarterback. Give the player very low passing abilities (zero) and very high catching and ball handling levels. The player will cost very little because his quarterback skills are bad. You will have to sign him as a quarterback but use him as a wide receiver. His salary will never go up because he will not play as a quarterback. You can also change his number and attributes in the edit player screen. You can also make a dirt cheap fullback by eliminating his receiving skills.
Cheaper player
When you have an expensive player, you can release him and sign him for less money.
Cheaper created players
When the free-agent signing period appears in the off-season, go to the "Create-A-Player" menu and make a player with very low attributes. He will want a low salary. Then, offer him a contract. Before he accepts it, go to the "Create-A-Player" menu again and set his attributes to anything desired. He should accept the contract you offered him, and the other teams almost never bid on him.
Lower team's overall salary
One way to lower a team's overall salary is to cut certain players' salaries. You can do this with players that have low attributes but high salaries. To do this, go to "Rosters" and select "Edit player". Select a player on the team that has a low overall rating (anything under the low 80s) and has a high salary. When you choose to edit the players "Attributes", you will notice that his salary decreases. Do not change anything in his attributes and exit out. You have now made your first budget cut of the season.
Increase salary cap room
While playing in franchise mode, you can easily increase the room under your salary cap. First, look at some of your players with very high salaries. Some of those players will be very skilled, and some will not. It reflects the real salaries that they receive. Cut that player from your roster. That player will go into the free agent pool, where you can usually sign them for much less than they were paid before. However, you must be careful. Sometimes the player will demand more than they used to be paid.
Super team
Play through the entire season and save at the Pro Bowl. Simulate the Pro Bowl and go to off-season schedule/player progression. Look for young players from other teams in positions that you need that have progressed well. About +7 overall should be sufficient. Next, look at your players to see those that have progressed negatively. Quit the game and reload your previous save game. Trade away all of your players that have progressed negatively for young players that progressed well.
Fantasy team franchise
Start a new Madden game (no loaded rosters, teams, franchises, etc.). At the menu screen, go to "Features", "Rosters", then "Trade Player". Find your desired team and trade the players you do not want for those that you do. All trades will be accepted, unlike in franchise mode. Save your roster under something easy to remember, load it, start a franchise, and start playing.
At the main menu, go to "Features", then "Rosters". Select "Release Player". Release any player that you want from any team. Then, go to franchise and select a team. Go to "Rosters", then "Free Agents". And all the players you released will be there, and you will be able to sign them to your team.
Getting all your favorite players on your team in franchise mode is a large task. Go through all the teams by selecting coaches for them; then trades are un-rejectable. Once your team's salary cap is too high, release and sign your players repeatedly until all them are as low as possible. Some players must be signed to shorter than seven years to get them to drop. Some players will not accept a drop in salary at all, but if you release them again, you will find that they want less. You can keep doing this until they are low. However, there are a handful of players that you cannot do any of this with. This will clear up some room to get all the players you want. Also, you can do this to stack your other favorite teams. You can also create eight new custom teams in franchise mode. Do this, and you can kick your least favorite eight teams out of the league by replacing them. Wait until the end of the season to trade for the top draft picks; by then they are all set. Just select a coach, a team, and trade for the top seven picks then give the other top picks to your other created or favorite teams. To keep the teams you want good, and the ones that you dislike bad, select a coach and trade good players up at the end of each season. This entire process takes many days, but is great when completed.
Bring players out of retirement in franchise mode
Once the season has ended and you begin the off season, the first thing you are supposed to do is check to see which players have retired. If one of your created players is on that list, you can bring them out by doing the following. In the off season schedule, advance through retired players, rookie scouting, and re-signed players, but do not go to free agent signing. Get out of your off season schedule by pressing [Triangle], then go to "Features", then "Create-A-Player". All the players you created should be on the list. The retired ones should be there as well. Highlight the player that retired and choose to edit him. Select "Delete Player" and it will give you a list of your created players to delete. Do not delete the retired player. As you scroll the list down, you should see the player that just recently retired. It will say what team he is on, etc. Your retired player will be listed as a free agent. Once you see your retired player on your list of players to delete, do not delete him. Instead, go back to the previous screen, then to your off season schedule. Then, go to the free agent signing and your retired player should be there for you to sign back on to your team.
Easier gold in mini-camp mode
Create a player and trade him to the team that you are doing the drill with. Make sure that the created player is playing the position of the person that you are trying to complete the drill with. For example, Ronde Barber is the corner back in the Defensive Swat Pass drill. If you create a corner back and make his attributes all 99, put him on the Buccaneers and make him the starting or number one cornerback. Then, he will do the drill. You may do this with any person on any drill. You may also make the people who you are going against in the drill "sorrier". If you know their names, go to their attributes and turn them all the way down.
Thanksgiving commentary
Set the system date to the third Thursday in November.
Christmas commentary
Set the system date to December 25 to hear John Madden say "Merry Christmas to all".
New Year's commentary
Set the system date to January 1.
Former NFL coaches
In franchise mode, go to create a coach and enter a former NFL coach's full name (for example, Don Shula) and all his former stats should appear.
Announced names
Create a new team and name the new coach "John Madden". Melissa will be able to say his name during the game.
To have the announcer's call your name, you must choose an NFL player's name that is in the game. For example, use "Dan" form Dan Marino and "Barber" from Tiki Barber to make a player named "Dan Barber". Note: Sometimes the announcers will only call the player's last name.
City name spoken
When creating a custom team, use the a city where an NFL team plays as your custom team's home city. The refs and the PA announcer will say your team's city.
Stadium name spoken
Create a Stadium that has the same name as a teams' stadium. For example, enter "Aloha Stadium" as your stadium's name and it will be announced.
Players in boxers
Go to "Two Minute Drill" with the Colts. Play the drill, and when it is done select "Try Again". When it loads again, all the players on the Colts will be wearing black and white boxers. Note: You may need a certain number of points.
Recommended offensive plays
Go to create a playbook, select offense, then create the following formation. You can name it as desired: <PRE> x xxxxxx x x x x </PRE>
Create this play. Everyone run blocks except have your fullback block, lead far right. Have your half back do a hop step sprint right. If done correctly, just follow your halfback during a game and the hole will open up. If you play as the Raiders, this strategy is usually good for at least 8 yards.
Pick a run play that has two tight ends. If the defensive line/backs move left or right, press [Square] + [R2] so your play is flipped. The defence will not move giving you an open field or at least a 12 yard gain.
For a pass play. do a 4 Wide play. If the defense calls an audible, press [Square] + [R2] so that your wide receivers switch sides. This also creates an open field for a QB Draw or a 30 yard pass to your deepest receiver.
To run a short slant route, press [L2] or [R2] at the line of scrimmage. Running backs and tight ends can run this route also, but they cannot be on the line of scrimmage.
On offense, you can get cheap with your QB, especially a fast one. Line up in a shotgun set with one back if you have it. Try to find a play where your back flares out and your strong side receiver runs across the middle. The defense's LBs should pick up the back and receiver, leaving the DB to be in a deep zone. You should have a huge hole. Drop your passing icons and make a mad run for the first down. Either dive, slide, run out of bounds; or slow down to take a hit because very few QBs can take a full shot and hang on to the ball. This strategy has a 95% success rate and only fails if the defense is good or your OT makes a mistake.
Recommended defensive plays
Use the following plays against All-Madden difficulty level teams. Go to the 4-3 formation and scroll up until you see the "Sweet Blitz" play. It is a good play to use when the team runs or passes. To make it even better, have your lineman and linebackers shift so that they are are in other positions. The "Fireman" is also a good play, as well but not as great as "Sweet Blitz". You can also find it in the 4-3 formation. The best play for passing is "Robber". You can find it in Quarter. Its very good because you will get a lot of your secondary covering the receivers and is about 70% efficient when stopping passes.
While in the 4-3 defense, you can really break down the offensive line with the Mike blitz. Shift your defensive line to the strong side and press [R1] + [Up] to slide your LBs outside to prevent sweeps. Then, stack your MLB behind the man in front of the center. When the ball is snapped, blitz to the opposite of the NGs slant. If done correctly, the weak side guard will pick up the DE instead of the MLB and the center will washout the NG, leaving a massive hole for you. It has a 85% success rate against the middle run and a 65% rate against the pass. However, if the offense comes out in a twin TE set, the defense is useless and you will need to switch to whatever strategy you want to counter this set.
Recommended quarterback
The best free agent quarterback is Michael Bishop. He is only rated at 79, but outperforms Kurt Warner, Rich Gannon, and almost every other quarterback in the league. Sign him then use him only in the second half of the game and he will be extremely accurate.
Go to "Rosters", then choose "Edit Player". Select the players that you want to be rated 99. Go to his attributes, then increase everything.
Easy tokens
Play two-minute drill and choose to play four players, all with your profile. Set "Fire" the defense and the Vikings as your teams. Next, use Singleback 4WR All Streaks for touchdowns all day.
At the main menu, go into "Features", select "Rosters", then go to the team you would like to defend you. For example, select the Bengals, then go to their defense (CB, FS, SS and Linebackers and Defensive Linemen). Change all of there speed attributes down to 0. Make a note of the original values so they can be restored later. Then, go to the Two Minute Drill, select the Bengals as the defense, and change the difficulty to All-Madden.. Select your team with your profile (Vikings recommended) and you will rack up points against a team that cannot catch you at all. Put Randy Moss at running back for even more points when you score or just throw to him always.
Play two-minute drill, and choose any team you hate for the CPU's defense. Go to that team's roster and set all their defensive players' speed to 0. Instead of throwing the ball, use a run play. It takes about the same amount of time, but you will get more points for tokens when you use a running play. The "Near" formation and "HB Toss" are recommended. As always, use a fake field goal pass or fake run for the point after the touchdown. It is possible to score over 68,000 points with well over 340 tokens per 2 minutes.
Cheerleader and Pump Up Crowd Cards
Successfully complete the "Game Situation" challenges in mini-camp mode. The Cheerleader or Pump Up Crowd Cards for the team used will be unlocked.
Cheerleader Cards and game cheats
Get a gold rank in any event on the All Pro, Pro and Rookie levels.
Barry Sanders
Get a gold rank in Ground Attack in mini-camp mode under the All-Madden level.
To do this easier, play as Anthony Thomas. On any outside play, such as pitch right handoff sweep, etc., move the secondary over and cut back. This will force them to follow you. Your fullback and yourself can have a dead shot at the end zone. Remember to do this quickly, any other play like right up the middle, just juke and try to plow them over.
Deion Sanders
Get a gold rank in the DB Swat drill in mini-camp mode under the All-Madden level.
Jan Stenerud
Get a gold rank in Clutch Kicking Drill in mini-camp mode under the All-Madden level.
John Elway
Get a gold rank in the QB Pocket Presence under the All-Madden level.
Kevin Butler
Get a gold rank in P-Coffin Corner Punt under the All-Madden level.
Mike Ditka
Have a saved game file from another EA Sports football game on your memory card.
Mike Singletary
Get a gold rank in the LB Chase and Tackle drill in mini-camp mode under the All-Madden level.
Reggie White
Get a gold rank in All-Madden DL-Trench Fight under the All-Madden level.
Steve Largent
Have a saved game file from an EA Sports racing game on your memory card.
Steve Young
Get a gold rank in QB Precision Passing (St. Louis Rams) under the All-Madden level.
Dodge City Stadium
Have a saved game file from another EA Sports football game on your memory card.
Nile High Stadium
Have a saved game file from an EA Sports racing game on your memory card.
Marshals secret team
Have a saved game file from another EA Sports football game on your memory card.
Mummies secret team
Have a saved game file from an EA Sports racing game on your memory card.
Over the shoulder catch
When throwing the ball to a receiver that is running a fly route, lob the pass (tap the button) instead of throwing a bullet (holding the button). The receiver should catch the ball over his shoulder.
Break tackles
To easily break tackles as a running back, alternately press [L1] and [R1] immediately before you get tackled.
Get a few more yards
When you are about to go out of bounds and want to get more yards, juke to the side away from the sideline. You will not go out, and it also sometimes delays the defense from pursuit.
Easy rushing yards
When down in a game late and need yards, substitute your second string RB in and put your first string RB in at QB. Off the hike, you can either run or throw it. If a space is open, you will get more yards.
Easy sacks
Select "Whip Man" from the 4-3 defense. When your team lines up, move your linebackers to the right and linemen to the left. Hide your left linebacker (after shifting) behind your second linemen from the left, who should be lined up over the offense's tackle. Move the middle linebacker over the offense's right guard. At the snap of the ball, have the left linebacker blitz to between the offense's left guard and center, getting him right to the quarterback. If done correctly, even a running back blocking should not be able to stop you.
Easy passes
Choose a play like this: <PRE> x x TGCGT TE x QB x </PRE>
Note: This is not in shotgun. Use Hot Route, hit the leftmost WR up, then do Hot Route again to the man next to him, except hit right. This means the outermost man is streaking and the man next to him is cutting his path. Pump it to the streaking man then zip it to the man that crosses. If he is fast enough, you can stretch it into a long gain.
Onside kick
To kick an onside kick, keep the arrow where it is. Do not move it. Then, tap [X]x2 as quickly as possible. You should recover the onside kick the majority of the time.
Turn off penalties. When you are about kick the ball when starting or after you scored, choose one of the onside kicks. When you go to kick, move it all the way over and down. For example, if your kicker is kicking off facing towards the left, move it all the way over towards the left and all the way down. You should get the ball every time.
When you score, just before the kickoff, press [Start]. Select "Settings", then "Gameplay". Select "Easy play" and turn it on. You can now do an onside kick to your team. You can then turn "Easy play" off, or keep it on.
Move the arrow all the way to the right and down. Try to get the meter as low as possible and you will regain the ball every time.
Choose any of the onside kick formations during the kickoff. Move the arrow so that the tip of it touches the left hash mark two yards from the ball for a right legged kicker, or right hash mark two yards away for a left legged kicker. Kick the ball with half power (in between the red and yellow area) and perfect accuracy (in the yellow area). This works 80% of the time if done correctly.
Easy kick recoveries
Choose a regular kickoff play. If your kicker is left-handed, choose a Kickoff Left; if he is right-handed choose a Kickoff Right (recommended). Before you pick the play, make sure that the three players to the right and the three players to the left of the kicker are fast (90-99). When you are kicking, aim your kick as far up as possible and straight. Then, kick as light of a kick as possible (within the yellow). Make the players on the side of the kicker that the ball is landing run as fast as they can. If you kicked it lightly enough, your own players should recover it. Note: Once you catch it you cannot continue running; you will get the ball where it was caught.
Field goal block
Choose the punt block play. Substitute your fastest player into the returner's position. For a right-footed kicker, stand on the right side about three yards from the line. Go full speed when the ball is hiked and dive.
Punt block
Substitute (on Normal Punt Return) your second lineman from the left with a lineman that is fast (about 75 to 80; for example, Courtney Brown). Then, choose Normal Punt Return or any of the safe punts (not Punt Block). Take the new lineman and pull him to the outside of the line where the offense's blocker that is set back slightly is closest to the line. Next, either run straight past him or cut inside, depending on the blocker. If done correctly, you should be able to either tackle the punter or block the kick. You may have to fake inside and go around. Nevertheless, you will succeed about 70-75% of the time.
Stop field goal blocks
To stop a friend from blocking field goals, when you hike the ball to the holder hold [X] until his defender comes across the line off sides.
Good kick/punt returns
When you are receiving a punt, select punt left or right and run that same direction. You should see people chasing you, but if your blockers are good enough, they should give you enough room and time for a large return. When you are receiving a kick, select left or middle (recommended). If you have a fast kick returner who can break a tackle, run straight up the pipe. You should make it a long way for a touchdown or a huge gain. If you chose left, do the same thing as the punt; follow your receivers.
Fake audible
If you see defenders lining up where you know your play is about to go, or are setting up about to blitz, press [Square] then [L2]. Everyone will go back to their normal position and you can run your play.
Run defense
Choose the 4-3 defense and use one of the plays that have an OLB blitzing from the outside. Control the MLB and use [L1] to shift your lineman to the side that the tight end is on once the play starts. You should then have a clear shot at the RB.
Onside kick
Turn off penalties. When you are about kick the ball when starting or after you scored, choose one of the onside kicks. When you go to kick, move it all the way over and down. For example, if your kicker is kicking off facing towards the left, move it all the way over towards the left and all the way down. You should get the ball every time.
Better quarterback accuracy
Note what kind of quarterback you are passing with. If you have someone such as Kurt Warner, you may have better accuracy if you set your feet, then throw the ball. If you have someone like Donovan McNabb, you might have better luck throwing on the run.
Injuring defenders
To injure a defender easily, first at the main menu go to "Features", then to "Rosters". Go to the team that you will play. Go to every player and set their injury and toughness attributes to 0. Changing the other attributes is optional. Then, play against that team. Choose a running play (use Field Goal Fake Run after touchdowns). Once the running back gets the ball, run away from the line of scrimmage. Keep track of the yard lines to prevent a safety. Find an open defender on the way back. Sprint toward him (optional) and once you are very close to and directly in front of him, press [Triangle]. If done correctly, the defender will fall over and be injured. Note: The speed and timing will effect the length of the injury.
Easy catches
Throw the ball to any receiver. After the ball has been thrown, switch into your intended receiver and let the CPU run the pattern. Immediately before the ball gets to you, tap [R2] + [L2]. If the ball is somewhat to the receiver, he will reach out and most likely catch the ball.
Better draft pick
If you have a first place team and you know its going to be very late in the draft, trade with a last place team. Sometimes you can even get a first and second round pick for just your first. This is a very good way to get young players on your already good team.
Get any player or draft pick you want during franchise mode. After the regular season, such as during the playoffs or immediately before the Superbowl, go to create a player and make a quarterback. Make him 45 years old so that he will immediately retire when the season is over. Next, make him a 99 overall. Sign him from the free agency and trade him for any player or draft pick that you desire. You can do this as many times as you need, and can get ten first round picks and every player desired.
When you are in the off season, finish all the tasks until you are to NFL Draft. When you are about to do the draft, save the game. Then, do the draft. It does not matter who you pick. Go to "Trade Player" and highlight "Age". Press [Circle] and view all your rookies. Go through all the teams and write down all the rookies that have about a 75 rating or above. Exit your franchise, then load the game again. Go to the off season schedule, and select "NFL Draft". Draft as many of those well rated rookies as possible.
Note: This trick requires NCAA Football 2003. Go to Create A Player in NCAA Football 2003 and make players with all their attributes all the way up. Alternately, edit everybody on your team and make everyone seniors. Go to dynasty mode then go to the off-season. All of your seniors will graduate. Export the draft class. Then, on Madden NFL 2003, import that draft class and all the people that you created will be there. You should get some of the players that you drafted. Repeat this as needed.
Better trades
If you play with the salary cap penalties turned on in franchise mode, it is better to trade the player(s) you wish to cut for another team's draft pick. You will avoid penalties, keep your roster from becoming full, and get another draft pick.
Start a franchise and create a new coach (or make one under the Coach Option/Job Openings screen). In Coach Options/Job Openings screen, highlight your coach, then press [Left] or [Right] to select the team with the player or draft pick you want. You are now the coach of that team. Trade the player you want to your team. Then, return to the Job Openings screen in Coach Options and select your original team. Back out and you will be coaching your team again.
Start a franchise and select all 32 teams. Turn off the salary cap. Start the season, go to the roster, then trade a player. You will be able to trade with yourself without the rejection or the team. For example, you can trade Clinton Portis for Marshal Faulk, or Ed Macalfry for Terrell Owens.
Get any player
Use the following trick to get any player in a trade without the other team rejecting. In the franchise mode, create a player as a quarterback and move his attributes until you get to 99 points. Then, put his injury and stamina down to 0. This will not change the attribute point level. Sign him as a free agent then trade him to any team for anybody you want. When you play the team he is playing for, after a couple of plays he will either become injured or will be taken out of the game for his weak stamina. No team will refuse your trade and you will have any player you want on your team.
When playing in franchise mode you can trade for any player you want without having that trade turned down. Go into the create a player menu and create a QB that is all 99s. Sign that player to your team then trade him to another team that has a player that you want. To make the trick even better, you can add another player from their team to the trade that is in the 80s -- this will be a 2-for-1 trade. When the trade is complete, exit out to the franchise main menu and enter back into the create a player menu. Go back into the QB's attributes and edit them all the way down to 0s and then go back into the trade screen. Take the second player in the deal and trade him back to the team for the created QB. You can then start the whole process over by going into the create a player menu and editing his attributes all the way up again.
If you want to get anybody (including 99 rated players) get Corey Dillon on your team. You can trade him for anyone. The only two players that you can get together are Charles Woodson (Oakland) and Sebastian Janikowski (Oakland). Also, play or simulate all but one week. Select "Standings" to learn which team is worst and trade with Corey Dillon for their first, second, and third round picks.
Cheap players that are good
To make a receiver go to create player and create the player as a quarterback. Give the player very low passing abilities (zero) and very high catching and ball handling levels. The player will cost very little because his quarterback skills are bad. You will have to sign him as a quarterback but use him as a wide receiver. His salary will never go up because he will not play as a quarterback. You can also change his number and attributes in the edit player screen. You can also make a dirt cheap fullback by eliminating his receiving skills.
Cheaper player
When you have an expensive player, you can release him and sign him for less money.
Cheaper created players
When the free-agent signing period appears in the off-season, go to the "Create-A-Player" menu and make a player with very low attributes. He will want a low salary. Then, offer him a contract. Before he accepts it, go to the "Create-A-Player" menu again and set his attributes to anything desired. He should accept the contract you offered him, and the other teams almost never bid on him.
Lower team's overall salary
One way to lower a team's overall salary is to cut certain players' salaries. You can do this with players that have low attributes but high salaries. To do this, go to "Rosters" and select "Edit player". Select a player on the team that has a low overall rating (anything under the low 80s) and has a high salary. When you choose to edit the players "Attributes", you will notice that his salary decreases. Do not change anything in his attributes and exit out. You have now made your first budget cut of the season.
Increase salary cap room
While playing in franchise mode, you can easily increase the room under your salary cap. First, look at some of your players with very high salaries. Some of those players will be very skilled, and some will not. It reflects the real salaries that they receive. Cut that player from your roster. That player will go into the free agent pool, where you can usually sign them for much less than they were paid before. However, you must be careful. Sometimes the player will demand more than they used to be paid.
Super team
Play through the entire season and save at the Pro Bowl. Simulate the Pro Bowl and go to off-season schedule/player progression. Look for young players from other teams in positions that you need that have progressed well. About +7 overall should be sufficient. Next, look at your players to see those that have progressed negatively. Quit the game and reload your previous save game. Trade away all of your players that have progressed negatively for young players that progressed well.
Fantasy team franchise
Start a new Madden game (no loaded rosters, teams, franchises, etc.). At the menu screen, go to "Features", "Rosters", then "Trade Player". Find your desired team and trade the players you do not want for those that you do. All trades will be accepted, unlike in franchise mode. Save your roster under something easy to remember, load it, start a franchise, and start playing.
At the main menu, go to "Features", then "Rosters". Select "Release Player". Release any player that you want from any team. Then, go to franchise and select a team. Go to "Rosters", then "Free Agents". And all the players you released will be there, and you will be able to sign them to your team.
Getting all your favorite players on your team in franchise mode is a large task. Go through all the teams by selecting coaches for them; then trades are un-rejectable. Once your team's salary cap is too high, release and sign your players repeatedly until all them are as low as possible. Some players must be signed to shorter than seven years to get them to drop. Some players will not accept a drop in salary at all, but if you release them again, you will find that they want less. You can keep doing this until they are low. However, there are a handful of players that you cannot do any of this with. This will clear up some room to get all the players you want. Also, you can do this to stack your other favorite teams. You can also create eight new custom teams in franchise mode. Do this, and you can kick your least favorite eight teams out of the league by replacing them. Wait until the end of the season to trade for the top draft picks; by then they are all set. Just select a coach, a team, and trade for the top seven picks then give the other top picks to your other created or favorite teams. To keep the teams you want good, and the ones that you dislike bad, select a coach and trade good players up at the end of each season. This entire process takes many days, but is great when completed.
Bring players out of retirement in franchise mode
Once the season has ended and you begin the off season, the first thing you are supposed to do is check to see which players have retired. If one of your created players is on that list, you can bring them out by doing the following. In the off season schedule, advance through retired players, rookie scouting, and re-signed players, but do not go to free agent signing. Get out of your off season schedule by pressing [Triangle], then go to "Features", then "Create-A-Player". All the players you created should be on the list. The retired ones should be there as well. Highlight the player that retired and choose to edit him. Select "Delete Player" and it will give you a list of your created players to delete. Do not delete the retired player. As you scroll the list down, you should see the player that just recently retired. It will say what team he is on, etc. Your retired player will be listed as a free agent. Once you see your retired player on your list of players to delete, do not delete him. Instead, go back to the previous screen, then to your off season schedule. Then, go to the free agent signing and your retired player should be there for you to sign back on to your team.
Easier gold in mini-camp mode
Create a player and trade him to the team that you are doing the drill with. Make sure that the created player is playing the position of the person that you are trying to complete the drill with. For example, Ronde Barber is the corner back in the Defensive Swat Pass drill. If you create a corner back and make his attributes all 99, put him on the Buccaneers and make him the starting or number one cornerback. Then, he will do the drill. You may do this with any person on any drill. You may also make the people who you are going against in the drill "sorrier". If you know their names, go to their attributes and turn them all the way down.
Thanksgiving commentary
Set the system date to the third Thursday in November.
Christmas commentary
Set the system date to December 25 to hear John Madden say "Merry Christmas to all".
New Year's commentary
Set the system date to January 1.
Former NFL coaches
In franchise mode, go to create a coach and enter a former NFL coach's full name (for example, Don Shula) and all his former stats should appear.
Announced names
Create a new team and name the new coach "John Madden". Melissa will be able to say his name during the game.
To have the announcer's call your name, you must choose an NFL player's name that is in the game. For example, use "Dan" form Dan Marino and "Barber" from Tiki Barber to make a player named "Dan Barber". Note: Sometimes the announcers will only call the player's last name.
City name spoken
When creating a custom team, use the a city where an NFL team plays as your custom team's home city. The refs and the PA announcer will say your team's city.
Stadium name spoken
Create a Stadium that has the same name as a teams' stadium. For example, enter "Aloha Stadium" as your stadium's name and it will be announced.
Players in boxers
Go to "Two Minute Drill" with the Colts. Play the drill, and when it is done select "Try Again". When it loads again, all the players on the Colts will be wearing black and white boxers. Note: You may need a certain number of points.
Recommended offensive plays
Go to create a playbook, select offense, then create the following formation. You can name it as desired: <PRE> x xxxxxx x x x x </PRE>
Create this play. Everyone run blocks except have your fullback block, lead far right. Have your half back do a hop step sprint right. If done correctly, just follow your halfback during a game and the hole will open up. If you play as the Raiders, this strategy is usually good for at least 8 yards.
Pick a run play that has two tight ends. If the defensive line/backs move left or right, press [Square] + [R2] so your play is flipped. The defence will not move giving you an open field or at least a 12 yard gain.
For a pass play. do a 4 Wide play. If the defense calls an audible, press [Square] + [R2] so that your wide receivers switch sides. This also creates an open field for a QB Draw or a 30 yard pass to your deepest receiver.
To run a short slant route, press [L2] or [R2] at the line of scrimmage. Running backs and tight ends can run this route also, but they cannot be on the line of scrimmage.
On offense, you can get cheap with your QB, especially a fast one. Line up in a shotgun set with one back if you have it. Try to find a play where your back flares out and your strong side receiver runs across the middle. The defense's LBs should pick up the back and receiver, leaving the DB to be in a deep zone. You should have a huge hole. Drop your passing icons and make a mad run for the first down. Either dive, slide, run out of bounds; or slow down to take a hit because very few QBs can take a full shot and hang on to the ball. This strategy has a 95% success rate and only fails if the defense is good or your OT makes a mistake.
Recommended defensive plays
Use the following plays against All-Madden difficulty level teams. Go to the 4-3 formation and scroll up until you see the "Sweet Blitz" play. It is a good play to use when the team runs or passes. To make it even better, have your lineman and linebackers shift so that they are are in other positions. The "Fireman" is also a good play, as well but not as great as "Sweet Blitz". You can also find it in the 4-3 formation. The best play for passing is "Robber". You can find it in Quarter. Its very good because you will get a lot of your secondary covering the receivers and is about 70% efficient when stopping passes.
While in the 4-3 defense, you can really break down the offensive line with the Mike blitz. Shift your defensive line to the strong side and press [R1] + [Up] to slide your LBs outside to prevent sweeps. Then, stack your MLB behind the man in front of the center. When the ball is snapped, blitz to the opposite of the NGs slant. If done correctly, the weak side guard will pick up the DE instead of the MLB and the center will washout the NG, leaving a massive hole for you. It has a 85% success rate against the middle run and a 65% rate against the pass. However, if the offense comes out in a twin TE set, the defense is useless and you will need to switch to whatever strategy you want to counter this set.
Recommended quarterback
The best free agent quarterback is Michael Bishop. He is only rated at 79, but outperforms Kurt Warner, Rich Gannon, and almost every other quarterback in the league. Sign him then use him only in the second half of the game and he will be extremely accurate.
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