It’s that time of year once again, Madden fans. TheGamer is here to offer up our picks for the best trick plays in Madden NFL 22.
We’ve scoured every play in Madden 22 to find the best trick plays so that you don’t have to. We leave out some of the plays that are trickier by nature, such as the Jet Sweep, Shovel Option, and most RPO plays, but hopefully, the plays we’ve selected will give you a tricky upper hand while facing off against an online opponent.
Most of these plays have variations of themselves in other formations, so if you find one that works especially well for you, try and find a similarly named play in another formation or set. Finally, and most unfortunately, no – the Flea Flicker is STILL not an available play in Madden 22 (and it breaks my heart).
What Playbook Are These Plays In?
I can’t stress enough that these plays are not from one specific Madden 22 playbook. When creating your own custom playbook, you can select from any available NFL offensive playbook to get started. Then, you’ll just navigate to the “All Plays” section to select from all available plays in Madden 22, find the play you want, and check the box to have it added to your custom playbook. Don’t forget to name and save your playbook before exiting the playbook creation menu!
And now, without further ado, here are our picks for the best trick plays in Madden 22.
Shotgun – Bunch – End Around
The End Around is a great run option if you have a speedy slot receiver on your team. Provided your ball carrier gets the downfield blocks he needs, he could be able to pick up considerable yardage on this outside run.
Shotgun – Bunch – Reverse
Again, you’ll want to be sure you have a fast slot receiver to run this play effectively, but the Reverse is a great way to keep your opponent on their toes as you fake a handoff to your running back only to pitch it to your receiver who is headed in the opposite direction.
Shotgun – Bunch – Fake Reverse
After running the regular reverse a couple of times, stick it to your opponent by faking the reverse and, instead, actually giving the ball to your running back.
Related: Madden 22 Review: Familiar, But In Next-Gen
Shotgun – Doubles – Fake Jet HB Seam
The Fake Jet HB Seam is a fun one to run, especially since you’ll often have plenty of available options to throw to. Tossing a lob to your running back down the seam will award you with the most yards, but, often, the wide receiver who goes in motion will be open for you to dump off the ball for at least 5-10 yards.
Shotgun – Doubles – Shark HB Wheel
“bUt tHAt’S noT a TriCK pLAy!” I know. I hear it every single year. However, Shark Wheel routes are so effective when run correctly that I have to put it in this list. Bootleg to the same side as your running back’s route, let them get behind their coverage, and then toss up a lob into their happily awaiting hands for a ton of yardage.
Shotgun – Doubles Y Off – Fake Jet Pass Power
A high-risk, high-reward play, you’ll want to be sure you have a speedy and powerful quarterback who can take a hit, since they’ll be running into a sea of defenders who are, hopefully, being properly blocked.
Shotgun – Bunch Open Offset – Fake Screen Verticals
Another play that toes the line of actually being a “trick” play, this fake screen will get you serious yardage if you’re given time to let your primary wide receiver cross the field en route to the end zone. This one is especially effective when run against single man coverage.
Singleback – Bunch – PA End Around Sift
This is a play that takes a while to set up, but is super effective if your trickier is given time to play out. Tossing the ball to your speedy slot receiver will typically be the most effective option.
Singleback – Bunch – Pitch WR Reverse
This is a typical pitch play, but will feature your receiver as the ball carrier who should be able to pick up a bunch of yards to the outside as long as his blocks are picked up.
Singleback – Bunch TE – WR Power Fake Jet
Another play that takes a bit of time to setup, this fake handoff will go to your slot receiver who should be able to run to the outside for a big gain. Keep your eyes open though and watch your blocks – sometimes, your best option may be to cut through the middle rather than running it to the outside.
I Form – Z Close – PA Sprint HB Flat
What makes this play “tricky” is that the camera actually follows the running back that you fake the handoff to, giving your receiver the time to get open on a crossing route downfield for a big gain.
I Form – Pro – HB Pass
Ah, the HB Pass. You’ll have two options for your running back to throw to downfield, but, typically, your best option is to hit the receiver on the crossing route in stride to the endzone.
Pistol – Open Slot – Fake Screen Wheel
Bonus “bUt tHAt’S noT a TriCK pLAy!” type of play! Similar to the Shark Wheel route, this fake screen should allow your receiver in single coverage to make his way down the sideline for a lob pass reception.
Pistol – Wing Slot – PA Bengal Screen
It turns out the Cincinnati Bengals CAN get something right, coming in the form of this screen pass to your number one receiver. Be patient with this one, as you’ll need your blocks to help open up a lane for you to run down the sideline.
Pistol – Philly – Philly Special
You knew it was coming… but does your opponent? Made famous by Nick Foles and the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, the Philly Special is especially satisfying if you’re able to throw the ball to your quarterback.
Pistol – Philly – Fake Philly
The fake form of the Philly Special requires you to be patient and watch how your blocks are set up so that you can take your running back through the open lane or to the outside for a good chunk of yards.
Next: I Wish More Of My Friends Played Madden
