Getting Started

The effectiveness of the rocket catch has been turned down a lot since last year, but this doesn’t mean you can’t use it in your game plan this year. Mixed in with short passes and runs, the rocket catch can be deadly if used correctly.

Many people still don’t know where to even begin trying to rocket catching. In Madden 09, you would use the strafe button to rocket catch, this year you use the right stick. What we suggest you do first is go to practice mode on offense only. If you use a team with a QB who has a terrible “Pass Accuracy” rating, consider switching to a team with an accurate QB if you plan to rocket catch with frequency.

Rocket Catching for Rookies

Lets begin with learning how the right stick works. Choose any passing play (shotgun is strongly recommended if your opponent nanos) that sends at least one player deep (or you can just hot route a player to a streak). When you hike the ball, wait for your target to get deep, then lob him the ball. Switch to the receiver (Circle on PS3 and B on Xbox 360) and play around with the right stick to see what it does. Do this a few times until you feel confident that you understand what the right stick does. You should be getting sharp cuts with the receiver.
Now, you want to practice your rocket catching. Throw to streaks and use the right stick to turn around. Pressing the catch button is not always required, but the CPU won’t always try to catch for you, so always press the catch button just to be safe. Keep practicing until you start getting it right. Next, you will want to choose a play that has a post route towards the outside, or one that slants to the inside the turns into an outside post (which is what I use) and try to rocket catch those. This may take a lot of practice if you’re not used to controlling your receivers on their routes.

Plays that can be used for rocket catching:

Gun Split Slot Shakes, which can be found in the Miami Playbook and several others, is a perfect play for rocket catching:

This is one of two plays that I use frequently when trying to rocket catch (which I try almost all game). You will want to put your tallest and best catching receivers on “A” and “B” routes. I use the Chargers so I usually put Vincent Jackson in the “A” route and Antonio Gates in the “B” route. A player with good knowledge of the game will know that he has to respect both players. The “A” will help keep some defenders from the outside so that they’re not crowding the “B” receiver. Once the “B” receiver nears the sideline, throw him a bullet, take control of your receiver and point the right stick towards where the ball is coming from to turn around the player. You will need to practice to know when is the perfect time to turn around. You want to be the farthest you can from the red circle that shows where the ball is going to land but still be able to catch it.
If your opponent is in cover 3 a lot, hot routing the “A” receiver to a streak can help out greatly. The defensive back covering deep at the right side of the field has to choose between covering the “A” receiver who’s going deeper into the field or the “B” receiver who is not going to go as deep. The AI makes a smart choice and picks the receiver going deeper into the field knowing that the “B” receiver is less likely to score if left open. This is your chance to throw to either receiver. Your “A” receiver should be in single coverage. Once the defensive back is no longer in strafe (facing the QB) throw to the “A” receiver and prepare to rocket catch the ball. If you’re not yet confident with your skill, then risk showing your opponent you’re not confident, just throw to the “B” receive which should still be a big gain. This play is a game change when used correctly.
Another issue that comes up with people who like to rocket catch is finding the time to let your receivers get deep if your opponent is a blitzer or nanoer. Being owner of a Freestyle league I see a lot of nanos and know quite a few myself. Once again, Gun Split Slot Shakes is has something to help calm the blitz with the two running backs going to the flats. To make this play even more affective, use the Dual HB package and make your opponents ease up when bringing the heat. If you are in need to rocket catch or get down the field quickly, you can also hot route both your running backs to block and pinch your offensive line (PS3: L2 + Down;Xbox 360: LT + Down). Mixing this in with your current game plan can create an affective offense. Stay tuned for more rocket catching tips at the Maddenholics.com blog and the Maddenholics Section at the forums.