If defense wins championships, then learning how to tackle is key to reaching the pinnacle of the gridiron. Since you won’t be able to prevent other teams from finishing every play, the next best thing is to minimise the yardage they gain, and one way to do that is by effectively wrapping up and taking down opposing players. Otherwise, you might have to watch Saquon Barkley zoom past you for a third touchdown because you keep missing your tackles.
How to tackle
There are four tackle types you need to learn in Madden 25:
| Tackle Type | Xbox | PlayStation |
|---|---|---|
| Aggressive Tackle | X | Square |
| Breakdown Tackle | A | X |
| Stand-Up Tackle | (After Breakdown tackle) Rapidly press A | (After Breakdown tackle) Rapidly press X |
| Hit Stick Tackle | Flick right stick upward | Flick right stick upward |
| Cut Stick Tackle | Flick right stick downward | Flick right stick downward |
Out of all the tackle types, the Breakdown Tackle is by far the safest since it automatically wraps up the ball carrier with the press of a button. However, you’ll need to remember that Breakdown Tackles can trigger Stand-Up Tackles, meaning you’ll need to continue pressing either A (Xbox) or X (PlayStation) even after you’ve made contact with the opposing player.
Screenshot captured by VideoGamer
Now, if you’re confident of your defensive player’s positioning and want to force a turnover, the Aggressive, Hit Stick, or Cut Stick tackles are ideal. The first two are especially useful for creating fumbles since you can use them to lay down tremendous hits on ball carriers. On the other hand, the Cut Stick tackle requires a bit more timing and precision since you’ll be taking out a player’s legs instead of directly hitting them.
Screenshot captured by VideoGamer
Of course, these last three tackles aren’t without risks; they can easily be countered by juking, spinning, or hurdling, so they might not be as effective on higher difficulties in certain Madden 25 game modes. In most scenarios, you’ll be better off attempting Breakdown tackles to limit your opponent’s yardage. But if you’re down big going into the fourth, taking a calculated risk for a forced fumble every now and then won’t hurt.
