Madden 18 Coaching Adjustments – How To Use Them

Those of you who played the NCAA Football video games know all about the coaching adjustments option in Madden 18.  For many of you though, it is brand new.  We are going to go over what it is, when to call what, and how to properly use it.

First off, the coaching adjustments screen can be found on the front page of the playcalling screen.  You select, “Coaching Options” which takes you to the next screen which will look something like this.

This is the screen on defense.  You can set your matchups, chose whether or not to use auto-flip on defense, and a wide variety of other options.

Here is what each option does, according to EA Sports.

Defensive Adjustments

• Auto Flip Defense
  • On – The CPU will flip your defensive play to best match the offensive formation
  • Off – Disables auto flip defensive play call
• Ball In Air Defense
  • Play Ball — AI will play the ball in two-man catch situations
    • Pro:  Increased chance of an interception
    • Con: Increased chance of WR catching ball and increased chance of a broken tackle
  • Play Receiver – AI will play the receiver in two-man catch situations
    • Pro:  Decreased chance of a broken tackle
    • Con:  No chance of an interception
  • Swat Ball –AI will attempt a swat in two-man catch situations
    • Pro:  Increased chance of knocking out ball
    • Con:  No chance of an interception
• Option
  • Conservative
    • Pro:  Focused on QB on the option
    • Con:  Dive and Pitch left open on the option
  • Aggressive
    • Pro: Focused on the Dive and Pitch on the option
    • Con: QB left open on the option
• Pass Rush
  • Conservative
    • Pro:  Outside rushers play QB Contain and AI defensive line will look to swat passes
    • Con:  No Jump Snap bonus and more time in pocket for QB
  • Aggressive
    • Pro:  AI pass rushers will attempt to jump the snap
    • Con:  Higher chance of off sides penalty versus hard count
    • New Addition:  Pass Rushers also see an increase in fatigue
• Strip Ball
  • Conservative
    • Pro:  Lowers break tackle chances
    • Con:  AI will not attempt to strip
  • Aggressive
    • Pro:  Higher chance for AI to attempt a strip for a higher fumble chance
    • Con:  Higher chance of a broken tackle and face mask penalty
• Tackling
  • Conservative
    • Pro:  AI defenders tackle conservatively
    • Con:  Increases chances of allowing yards after contact
  • Aggressive:
    • Pro:  AI defenders attempt Hit Stick tackles for higher fumble chance
    • Con:  Higher chances of missed tackles

Offensive Adjustments

• Ball Carrier
  • Conservative
    • Pro:  Ball carrier protects the ball, decreased fumble chances
    • Con:  Decreased ability to break tackles
  • Aggressive
    • Pro:  Higher chance of triggering auto break tackles
    • Con:  Increased fumble chances
• Blocking
  • Conservative:
    • Pro:  Decreased chances of holding penalty
    • Con:  Hold blocks less for run and pass
  • Aggressive:
    • Hold blocks longer for run and pass
    • Increased chances of holding penalty
• Deep Pass Catching
  • Conservative:
    • Pro:  Receivers will attempt a RAC catch, increases run after catch chances
    • Con:  Increased interception chance
  • Aggressive:
    • Pro:  Receivers will attempt an Aggressive catch
    • Con:  Decreases run after catch chance
• Intermediate Pass Catching
  • Conservative:
    • Pro:  Receivers will attempt a Possession catch
    • Con:  Decreased run after catch chance
  • Aggressive:
    • Pro: Receivers will attempt a RAC or Aggressive catch
    • Con:  Increased chances of ball being knocked out

So you can see that each strategy has a time and place to be used.  You do not have to mess with any of these settings if you don’t want to.  By default everything is set to balanced in Madden 18 is you shouldn’t notice much difference if you don’t mess around with it.

How do you feel about coaching adjustments in Madden 18?  Is it something you plan on using?