Another new game play feature that is being added to Madden 13 and NCAA 13 is Receiver Route Awareness. What the features essentially does is takes away the quick passes that many players (including myself) have used over the years to beat the blitz. I’ll be honest, I have mix feelings about it. On one hand, I like it because it’s going to make playing defense that much easier. On the hand, I am concerned about trying to beat the blitz if my opponent has some type of nano heat.
In this Madden 13 Tips and NCAA 13 Tips Preview, I take an in-depth look look at what Receiver Route Awareness is and how it’s going to change the way we play both games this up and coming season.
Note: at the bottom of the breakdown, there is an in-depth video breakdown of how I think the Receiver Route Awareness will work in Madden 13 and NCAA 13.
Look for Quick Pass Routes Where the Receivers Icon Lights Up Quickly After the Snap
One of the first things I am going to do as soon as I get Madden 13 and NCAA 13 is look for quick pass routes where the receivers pass icon lights up shortly after the ball is snapped.
My guess is flats, drags, and slants will be those type of routes to use to get the receivers pass icons to light up quickly shortly after the snap.
Don’t Pass the Ball Before the Receiver Is Looking Towards the Quarterback
For those of us who have lived on throwing quick passes to beat the blitz, you better not pass the ball to a receiver who is not looking back towards the quarterback. If you do, be prepared for a drop pass or worse yet an interception.
For example in the image above, the SE (X) receiver is running a curl route.
If the ball is thrown to him before he is looking towards the quarterback ( indicated by his dim passing icon), then the pass won’t be completed to him. Instead the football will fall to the ground for an incomplete pass or could be picked off by a defender.
If the ball is thrown after the receiver’s pass icon lights up, then chances are the receiver is going to make the catch or at least attempt to make the catch.
Wait for the Receivers Pass Icons to Light Up Before Making the Pass
Unless you like to take control of receivers after the ball is snapped, you will want to wait for the receiver’s pass icons to light up before making the pass to the open receiver.
Notice all the receivers pass icons are lit up before the snap. I am not 100% sure if they are lit up or dimmed before the snap. I am guessing they will be lit up.
Once the ball is snapped, all the receivers pass icons dim down. At this point none of the receivers are open.
The first route that comes open is the flat route that is run by the RB (A).
The second receiver to start looking back at the quarterback is TE (Y), who breaks towards the corner. At this point, both the runningback and tight end are looking back towards the quarterback.
The third receiver to look at the quarterback is the FL (B).
The SE (X) breaks hard towards the middle of the field on his route and now is looking at the quarterback. Notice the only receiver not looking at the quarterback is the SL (LB) receiver, who is running a streak and is 15 yards down the field.
Streaks Concern Me
Streaks are one my concerns with the new receiver route awareness feature because from my understanding is they don’t start looking back towards the quarterback until 15-20 yards down the field.
What if my opponent sends a blitz and leaves a vacated area of the field open where the slot receiver is running his streak route. Will the slot receiver start looking back at the quarterback if he sees a blitz coming? Does he not even pay attention to the quarterback until he gets 15 to 20 yards down the field regardless if a blitz has been called or not? I understand if I take control of the receiver after the ball is snapped, he will look towards the quarterback, which is fine for us who like to take control of receivers. However, for those who don’t like to take control of receivers, where does that leave them?
Video Breakdown
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Final Thoughts
As I stated in my opening paragraph, I have mixed feeling about the new Receiver Route Awareness feature that is being added to Madden 13 and NCAA 13. On one hand I like it, on the other hands, I hope it does not hamper the passing game to much. Regardless, it’s going to be whole new ball game when it comes to passing the ball in Madden 13 and NCAA 13.
hey Kobra, another great break down. You bring up another interesting point, what if my slot reciever has a very high awareness, i wonder based on this screnario, would the slot reciever light up quicker (earlier in the route) based on his awareness and i would be able to throw the quick bullet pass since he would be wide open?
Otho, I am still 100% sure how this is going to work in Madden 13. I have heard a few different things. Hopefully, we will hear more next week on it.
Kobra
just thinking out loud on this new reciever route awr, with that said so whats the use in having a good qb someone like tom brady can make accurate quick passess aswell as deep accurate passess, so its like restricting their abilities.