In this Madden NFL 21 Controls guide, we will give you an in-depth look at the myriad of control combinations present in the game.
With the right controls at your fingertips, rushing past a defensive line or getting a sweet intercept should be a piece of cake for you.
Madden NFL 21 Controls
The overwhelming number of control combinations and inputs can become a hassle to memorize, but with practice comes the utmost perfection.
Below is a list of all the inputs for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
As you employ each move during your playthroughs, you’ll become more and more familiar with the various combinational controls and inputs.
Offense
Pre-play Offense
| X-Factor Vision | LSHIFT or RMB | RT | R2 |
| Snap Ball | Space or LMB | X | Cross |
| Show Play Art | LCTRL (Hold) | LT | L2 |
| Pre-play Menu | Tab | R3 | R3 |
| Call timeout | T | Menu Button | Touchpad |
| Audible | A | X | Square |
| Hot Route | H | Y | Triangle |
| Pass Protection | P | LB | L1 |
| Fake Snap | ALT | RB | R1 |
| Switch Player | F or MMB | B | Circle |
| Player Lock | Z | Press L3 twice | Press L3 twice |
| Motion Player | Left/Right Arrows | LS Left or Right (Hold) | LS Left or Right (Hold) |
| Zoom Camera In/Out | PGUP/PGDN or Scroll Wheel | D-Pad Up/Down | D-Pad Up/Down |
| Fake Snap | ALT | RB | R1 |
Passing
| Show Play Art/Scramble | LSHIFT or RMB | ||
| Pass to Receiver | Q, E, F, R or Spacebar | A, B, X, Y | Cross, Circle, Square, Triangle |
| Throw Ball Away | X | R3 | R3 |
| Lob Pass | Pass Key (Tap) | Tap Receiver Icon | Tap Receiver Icon |
| Bullet Pass | Pass Key (Hold) | Hold Receiver Icon | Hold Receiver Icon |
| Touch Pass | Pass Key (Double Tap) | Press Receiver Icon | Press Receiver Icon |
| High Pass | ALT or MMB (Hold) | Receiver Icon + Hold LB | Receiver Icon + Hold L1 |
| Low Pass | LCTRL or LMB | Receiver Icon + Hold LT | Receiver Icon + Hold L2 |
Ball Carrier
| Sprint | LSHIFT or RMB | RB Button | R2 Button |
| Juke Left/Dead Leg/Juke Right | A/S/D | RS Left/Right | RS Left/Right |
| Protect Ball | Space (Hold) | RB | R1 |
| Dive | Q | X | Square |
| Truck | R | RS Up | RS Up |
| Stiff Arm | E | A | Cross |
| Hurdle | W | Y | Triangle |
| Spin | F | B or rotate RS | Circle or rotate RS |
| Pitch Ball | ALT | LB | L1 |
Ball in air Offense
| Sprint | LSHIFT or RMB | RT | R2 |
| Switch Player | F or MMB | B | Circle |
| Defensive Assist | ALT (Hold) | LB | L1 |
| Strafe | LCTRL or LMB | LT | L2 |
| RAC Catch | Q | X | Square |
| Possession Catch | E | A | Cross |
| Aggressive Catch | R | Y | Triangle |
Blocking
| Switch Player | F or MMB | B | Circle |
| Player Lock | Z | Double Press L3 | Double Press L3 |
| Aggressive Impact Block | W | RS Up | RS Up |
| Aggressive Cut Block | S | RS Down | RS Down |
Player locked Receiver
| Individual Play Art | LCTRL (Hold) | LT | L2 |
| Player Lock | Z | Press L3 Twice | Press L3 Twice |
| Just-Go Release | LSHIFT or RMB | RT | R2 |
| Aggressive Footfire Release | Q + Arrows | Hold RS | Hold RS |
| Conservative Change-up Release | E | A | Cross |
| Cut out of Press | A or D | Flick RS | Flick RS |
Defensive Controls
Pre-play Defense
| Linebacker Audible | END | Right D-Pad | Right D-Pad |
| Coverage Audibles | C | Y | Triangle |
| Defensive Keys | P | LB | L2 |
| X-Factor Vision | LSHIFT (Hold) or RMB | RT | R2 |
| Show Play Art | LCTRL | LT (Hold) | L2 (Hold) |
| Call Timeout | T | Touchpad | Menu Button |
| Pre-play Menu | TAB | R3 | R3 |
Defensive (Engaged)
| Speed Rush | LSHIFT (Hold) or RMB | RT | R2 |
| Contain | LCTRL or LMB | LT | L2 |
| Rip | W | RS Up | RS Up |
| Bull Rush | S | RS Down | RS Down |
| Club/Swim Left | A | RS Left | RS Left |
| Club/Swim Right | D | RS Right | RS Right |
| Swat | R | Y | Triangle |
Defensive (Pursuit)
| Player Movement | Arrows/Mouse | ||
| Defensive Assist | ALT (Hold) | LB | L1 |
| Strafe | LCTRL or LMB | LT | L2 |
| Aggressive Dive/Tackle | Q | X | Square |
| Strip Ball | Spacebar | RB | R1 |
| Hit Stick | W | RS Flick Up | RS Flick Up |
| Cut Stick | S | RS Flick Down | RS Flick Down |
Ball in Air Defense
| Defensive Assist | ALT (Hold) | LB | L1 |
| Strafe | LCTRL or LMB | LT | L2 |
| Swat Ball | Q | X | Square |
| Play Receiver | E | B | Circle |
| Ball Hawk | R | Y | Triangle |
