Madden 23 is the latest in a long line of sports sim games and by far the most realistic one to date. Those hoping to master the game are going to have to get to grips with all of the game's mechanics, which means learning how to intercept the ball.
When the opponent has the best quarterbacks in the entire NFL, interception is a must. But how does the interception work in Madden 23? With all the new changes to the gameplay, even veteran Madden players might need a helping hand.
How to Intercept Passes in Madden 23
Interception is the act of stealing the ball in the air. To perform that in Madden 23, players should hold the LT button to strafe toward the ball and then press the Y button. To do the same on PlayStation, they'll need to strafe with the L2 button and catch the ball with Triangle.
Beginner Madden players can intercept without strafing. For that, they can simply hold the catch button (Y on Xbox, Triangle on PlayStation). This triggers an automatic interception with the closest Lurker to the ball. However, it’s not as accurate as the manual pick.
The key to successful interception in Madden 23 is positioning. Players should ensure that the defender is aligned with the direction of the pass by following the reticle on the ground. They shouldn't get too close to the reticle though, as doing so will alarm the opponent and take away the turnover chance.
What to Do When Interception Seems Unfeasible
Interception aside, there are two other pass breakup options in Madden 23: deflect and tackle. So, when a turnover looks impossible, players should instead go for deflection or tackling. Here’s how:
- Deflecting the ball in Madden 23 is straightforward. Players should press the X button (Square on PlayStation) just before the receiver catches the ball.
- To tackle, players need to hold the A button (X on PlayStation) near the receiver. While tackling won’t result in a turnover, it certainly holds off the opposition.
The Best Settings and Formations for Interception
For a higher interception chance, players can go to the Coach Adjustments and set Cornerback Matchups to “By Overall.” This reduces the possibility of missed passes through a stat-based matchup.
As for the formation, players will want to go with a lineup that covers the opponent’s quarterbacks and receivers. If the opponent has three QBs, they should choose a Nickel formation. If they have four or more receivers, players should instead pick the Dime or Dollar formation.
Also, when in the defensive line, players may want to think about adjusting the linebackers and cornerbacks for the interception by pressing left on the D-pad.
Madden NFL 23 is available now for Xbox, PlayStation, and PC.