Madden NFL 10 - Short Yardage Run Plays

Many times throughout your Madden gaming experience you have heard the commentators say that the goal line or short yardage package is the first thing these teams do in training camp. That is true for NFL Football, and even if it is not the first thing you do when you pick up Madden NFL 10, it is very important to make sure that you are a solid and well-balanced player.

A pass-heavy offense may move the ball up and down the field and score a lot of points, but if you plan to keep that lead or win a tight game, then the situational running game must have some time devoted to it.

To get things started, let’s take a look at the short yardage run game and some plays that can be useful when in this situation.

Let’s begin a little differently, and from the very beginning let’s think outside the box. When looking to work on the short yardage run game you will naturally be drawn to using teams like the Giants (Brandon Jacobs), Vikings (Adrian Peterson), Jets (Thomas Jones), and Cowboys (Marion Barber) because of their dominant power running backs.

Instead of going that route, let’s use a team that had a poor Madden NFL 09 showing. The Seahawks were a team that was avoided by many last year, and it wasn’t because they couldn’t compete but because of the injuries to key players and the lack of a high-leaping receiver. This kept players away from them, and even though we are not focusing on the passing game right now, the Seahawks are a team that we can use to see if our short yardage run plays can get the job done. Basically, if the Seahawks can pound the ball then all other 31 teams can do it also.

Far Tight Twins—Quick Toss

The first play we want to consider is the Quick Toss from the Far Tight formation. Right away, this play challenges the logic of a short yardage running play. Why would you run a toss if you have to get 2 or 3 yards?

Well, opponents will see short yardage situations as inside running plays and set up their defenses accordingly, so why should we run a play that fits what the defense is expecting?

Instead, we use the toss to get our back to the edge as fast as possible in an effort to use his speed to get the ball at least 2—3 yards downfield. In football, there are no plays that have to be used for specific situations. Don’t limit yourself by thinking that third and 1 or fourth and 1 has to be a dive or iso.

The defense was prepared to defend the inside run. They had great penetration but we’re running between the tackles. Their assumption gives our back the daylight he needs on the outside.

Short yardage means 2–3 yards at the most. If we can gain 3–5 yards in short yardage situations then there isn’t any defense or opponent that will beat us, provided we call a good game.