How to do ballcarrier special moves in Madden 25

Madden NFL 25 gives ball carriers a whole arsenal of moves to leave defenders on the wrong end of a highlight reel. Anybody who has played NBA 2K or similar games will feel at home, as the setup state and special moves feel reminiscent of really good dribble sequences. Here's how to break your opponent down with these new moves and some oldies but goodies:

Making Them Miss

Hold down RT on Xbox or R2 on PlayStation is still the sprint button, as it has been for several years. You don't want to use this until you know which running lane you're headed towards. Defenders actually get a bonus to their block shedding if you sprint behind the line of scrimmage. The white stamina bar under your runner will deplete as you do this.

The juke button will give you a quick cut in either direction by flicking the right stick either to the right or the left. Holding the RT/R2 while doing it will give you a precision juke with more steerability. You can take serious ankles with this move. Also, juking it into a running lane can give you a sort of speed boost.

Pulling the right analog down and to the left or right will give you a hopstep back juke. This is great if a defender is going for a diving tackle or low cut stick.

For a spin move, press B or circle. Hold R2/RT for a precision spin and move the left analog in the direction you wish to spin. It is thankfully not as broken as the one CFB 25 just nerfed, but still a good move.

If a defender is diving at you, the hurdle button is Y or triangle. It can send you over their head and into the endzone. It also is really embarrassing for the defender.

Set 'Em Up, Up, Up

The setup state offers countless ways to break down opponents and the moves can be chained together for even more effectiveness. EA's Madden 25 Deep Dive gives the example of a Back Right or Back Left Juke into a spin move. These moves combat the common defensive tactic of steering a defender to the spot and then allowing the AI to line up the tackle.

First, you need to press RT on Xbox or R2 on PlayStation and flick down on the right analog stick to enter the setup state. In this state, the runner will brace for contact and enter a "fight or flight mode." He's ready to do something to avoid the defender or plow right into him if you are that type of runner. Madden 25 offers a variety of options.

These moves are only usable in the setup state:

RT/R2: Hesi skip

Stop holding RT/R2: Hard Stop

Hold Both Triggers: Traditional Madden hesi

Let up on Left Stick, Release Right Trigger: Straight Back Juke

Let up on Left Stick and Hold Right Trigger: Set Up

Don't Stand on The Tracks When The Train's Coming Through

The shortest distance between two points is a straight line, and runners such as Derrick Henry or Mike Alstott know this well. Thanks to BOOM Tech, bigger backs hit different this year. Flicking the right analog stick up is the truck stick. Your runner will cover up the ball, lower his shoulder, and hit the defender with extreme prejudice. Any runner can do it, but power backs will get better results.

Sometimes, you have to keep the defenders at arm's length, Press A/X to stiff-arm your opponent and keep them away. Again, power is key, and the ability Arm Bar will be a huge help.

These are just a few of the tools at runners' disposal in Madden 25. Mix, match, experiment and find your own pathway to paydirt!