Back to School: Levels
The art of football isn’t just about power and speed—it’s also about tactical depth and exploiting defensive lapses. In the wide palette of offensive strategies, the Levels passing concept remains a staple. Transferred to the world of Madden, especially in PML matches, understanding and executing Levels becomes a game-changer. Dive with us into the Levels design, its representation in Madden, and the best formations and personnel to bring this concept to life.
Levels: Stacking the Field
Route Characteristics:
- Layered Attack: Levels is about creating a high-low read for the quarterback. Receivers run routes at different depths, essentially creating “levels” on the field.
- Defensive Dilemma: By sending multiple receivers into the same area but at varied depths, the Levels concept strains zone coverages and forces defenders to make choices, leaving one of the receivers potentially open.
Best Out of: Formations like “Gun Trips” and “Gun Doubles” amplify the Levels concept. The trips formation, in particular, can create mismatches and overloads on one side of the defense, making it a favorite for Levels.
Madden Implications and Optimal Personnel:
- Attacking the Middle: In PML, Levels is a prime choice for dissecting the middle of the field, especially against zone coverages. Recognizing which ‘level’ the user-controlled defender commits to can lead to big gains.
- Receivers’ Traits: For the Levels concept, receivers with crisp route-running and good separation skills are ideal. This ensures that as they break into their respective depths, they create clear windows for the quarterback.
- Quarterback Skills: In PML, the user controlling the quarterback should be adept at quickly processing the defensive reaction post-snap. Recognizing where the open space will develop is paramount.
The Levels passing concept has endured and thrived because of its straightforward yet effective approach to stretching defenses vertically in a confined area. Recognizing the “open level” and making a quick, accurate throw is key. Whether it’s a Sunday showdown or a high-stakes PML match, the Levels concept, when executed with precision, can be a driving force behind an offense’s success.
