For this Madden Tips breakdown, we take a look at the 2 minute drill and how to run it effectively. The two-minute drill is similar to the no huddle offense, but at run at a faster pace as the offensive team is looking to score within the last two minutes of the half. The offensive team wants to run it quickly and efficiently while using as little of the time on the clock as possible. Very few rushing plays should be called and most passing plays are designed to get receivers out of bounds as soon as they make the catch. Most plays that are ran will last no longer than 3 and 7 seconds in a two minute offense.
Advantages of Running the 2 Minute Drill:
- Player controlling the offense has the ability to change the play at the line of scrimmage
- Fun for players and other plays watching the game at a football video game tournament.
- Create Defensive problems – they can’t simulate it in practice, and you can make them prepare for more crap.
- Set the Tempo during the last two minutes of the half.
The Purpose of the 2 Minute Drill:
From the offensive perspective, the overall goal of any strategic element is to make it easier to score points. However, under the unique circumstances that the two-minute drill is built from — namely the small amount of time left on the clock, and the fact that the offense is losing — a few other elements come into play that aren’t as important earlier in the game. The two most important elements in the 2 minute drill are:
- Controlling the game clock and conserving time.
- Choosing plays that are relatively safe, both in terms of the time they will consume and their chances of gaining positive yards.
Factors of Deciding To Use the 2 Minute Drill:
- Timeouts are a valuable commodity near the end of a game, as they allow for a little bit more flexibility with calling plays. For example, if the offense has run several pass plays that send receivers near the sideline, they could try a play that sends a receiver a bit deeper downfield, but in the middle of the field instead of close to a sideline. If the receiver catches the ball, the offense could use a timeout so they don’t lose time in regrouping where the catch was made.
- Does the offense need to score a touchdown, or just kick a field goal? The difference, of course, is that field goals can be kicked approximately 30 yards outside of the end zone, making them easier to pull off.
- It would be unlikely, but if the defense responds to the two-minute drill strategy by using the same formation several times, it would be very easy to exploit that tendency.
Know The Game Situation:
- Before the half.
- End of the game.
- Time on the clock.
- How many time outs you have
- How many points do we need to win if at the end of game?
- Do you need a Touchdown or field goal?
- If you score to quick can you stop your opponents 2 Minute Offense?
2 Minute Quick Tips:
- Use of timeouts is critical as they should all be used in the first half. Don’t take them to the locker room at the end of the half or end of game.
- If your quarterback gets sacked, instruct him to call timeout immediately.
- STOP THE CLOCK with the Spike Ball play.
- Do not panic!!! Stay cool. Remember efficiency and execution are the keys to effectively running a 2 Minute Offense
- Know your formation audibles for each formation you have set (if any). Most players will change them at the 2 Minute Warning.
- The pressure is on the defense to stop you. Don’t ease up when running the 2 Minute Drill Always keeping thinking the pressure is on the defense to stop you.
- Once the receiver makes the catch, don’t run towards the middle, instead run towards the side lines. Before the receiver is about to be tackled get as much yardage as you can and get out of bounds.
- Use your formation audibles efficiently. Consider having a deep, short, inside run, and play action play for each.
- Use the hot routes when running the two minute offense, just don’t over use them. You don’t have the luxury of hot routing each receiver during the 2 Minute Offense because of time constraints. Watch for false starts when using hot routes, especially when playing online and with fair play mode on.
- Limit the use of motion, you don’t have time to wait for receiver come all the away across the field and the get set to snap the ball.
- Don’t line up in the huddle; use the no huddle button, unless the play clock is stopped.
- Spread the defense out with 4 and 5 receiver sets.
- If you have a time out to spare and deep middle of the field is open, go ahead and make the throw. As soon as the receiver is tackled, call time out if you have them, if not spike the ball.
- See what pass coverage the defense is playing. If the defense plays prevent or four deep throw to the underneath routes but get out of bounds quickly once the catch is made.
Types Of Plays To Run in your 2 Minute Drill:
- Plays with out routes.
- If the defense plays soft zone coverage, run screens to the running backs and receivers.
- Swing and flat passes to the backs out of the backfield.
- Hook and curls near the side lines.
- Flood patterns are excellent passing concepts to run in the 2 Minute Drill.
- Delayed patterns to backs or tight ends.
- If you have a time out to spare, try running a draw the defense spreads out or need a first down in short yardage situations.
Final Thoughts
We hope these Madden Tips for the running the 2 Minute offense in Madden will help you improve your game when needing to score quickly.
