Complete List of Coaching Adjustments in Madden NFL 18

EA Sports today unveiled the list of coaching adjustments you’ll be able to employ in Madden NFL 18 in a new blog.

The coaching adjustments feature was initially in NCAA Football, and many of these are going to be familiar to fans of that series (we want you back!).

Here’s a list:

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

Cornerback Matchups

• By Overall – Highest-rated cornerback will matchup vs. highest rated receiver
• By Speed – Fastest cornerback will matchup vs. fastest receiver
• By Height – Tallest cornerback will matchup vs. tallest receiver
• By Route Running – Highest-rated man coverage cornerback will matchup vs. highest rated route run receiver
• By Depth Chart – Matchup based on cornerback’s depth chart position vs. receivers overall rating

AI Usage and Game Styles

• Ball Carrier Conservative
  • When ahead, late in the game, and running the ball in an effort to keep the clock running
• Cornerback Matchups
  • By Overall rating, when it has a cornerback on its team with at least a 90 OVR, and the offense has a receiver with at least a 90 OVR
• Pass Rush Aggressive
  • In certain passing situations.
• Strip Ball Aggressive
  • When trailing late in a close game, when the offense is trying to keep the clock running
• Strip Ball Conservative
  • During late-game, two-minute situations, when ahead
• Tackling Aggressive
  • In some short yardage situations, also late in games when trailing in a close game
• Tackling Conservative
  • During late-game, two-minute situations, when ahead

Overall

This collection of features, if implemented with the proper amount of effect on gameplay, could end up being a significant addition to the game. I personally didn’t use the NCAA adjustments much as I didn’t feel you were ever punished much for just keeping things balanced.

If there’s noticeable changes from balanced to conservative to aggressive this feature will make a lot of sense. I can see me using the cornerback matchups much more — though the game styles could get interesting too.

What do you think of the new adjustments?