Defense: Add two buttons for swat, one for each hand

I really like this idea as our own user intelligence of using the correct button could be the difference between a swat/tackle, or miss altogether for a possible tud. I do believe L1/LT is actually a DB "lock-on" feature that locks the user DB automatically onto the reciever to follow their route though, which means the button combo would have to be thought over. Maybe  making it a "L2/LB +" feature is viable. I suggested they add the extra L2/LB button combo for switch stick to improve accidental switches, so maybe that would viable to simply make it a button combo then using L1&R1 (LT&RT) or S&O (X&B) as possible combos with the L2/LB+ input.

If implemented it correctly, correct user inputs could result in greater knockout/swat/tackle wins that kind of follow in line with correctly guessing a play for increased wins. It has the potential to really make it a much more defensive game which has been needed for some time now frankly. 

EA_Shepard​ This too is potentially a very good idea worth passing on!

I was actually thinking that if this menu setting "User controlled swats" is enabled, L1  defensive assist would be disabled.

This setting would be for advanced users that wouldn't have a need for defensive assist.

I appreciate your support in this, thanks for the reply.

Good point...  I remember when we had a left and right stiff arm at the shoulder buttons.  It was situational, so had to switch the ball manually before he would throw the stiff arm.  

Unfortunately, Madden took out a lot of the detailed mechanics of individual play to make room for other features that give us more action options.  I like being able to cover the ball, but I miss having to choose which arm to carry the ball in.  

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GVRH​ You make a good point about user input being the difference between a swat, tackle, or a miss that turns into six. That kind of control-based defensive payoff could make those plays feel a lot more earned, rather than just coming down to whatever animation wins out.

The note about L1/LT already being tied to DB lock-on is helpful too, because that makes the button-combo side of this way more practical. The L2/LB+ idea and the switch stick comparison help explain what you’re actually trying to achieve here, which is cleaner defensive control without adding input chaos.

So logistics aside, how would this improve user accessibility and player experience? Would it conflict with play calls and other mechanics? 

When it comes to being worth passing on, it all is. "How" you play is vital because I'm going to be really upset if I change those buttons and that caused an interception with a 40-yard return, someone is buying me a new controller 😂

UtahUtes32​ So, I stared at the images for like 5 min before I actually saw it. That one tiny hand behind the helmet.

EA_Shepard​  Hey man, thanks much for taking a look at this; I really think it has some awesome potential as an addition!

So, in terms of accessibility, this is definitely more of a high risk, high reward skill addition that will likely take some work to master, as with some other additions in the past like the Switch Stick or Free-Form passing.  In saying that, it's probably going to cause some initial frustration both to current players getting used to it, and new players who have yet to learn even the more basic controls. In saying that however, people have been on fire for a more defensive game for quite some time, and I really feel that mastering this skill has the potential to make usering DB's a more rewarding experience while making the game a much more defensive battle as many players have requested. Mastering this skill could create a pretty significant skill gap, which will likely push some away, but also creates the potential for bringing up some newer players into a more skilled, pro-potential gamer that may not be the best at offense (making reads, play calling, etc.), but in turn become lockdown defensive players.

Now, I do have to note that "Strafe" is in fact tied to L2/LT already post-snap, but here's why I don't think that'll be a problem:

1.  When locked on or simply usering a DB, most are not using L2/LT in this scenario unless they need to quick turn to get in front of a ball for an INT creating minimal conflict. 
2. For those that opt to using the L1/LB "Defensive Assisst" feature, that finger is preoccupied, so while you would have to time this appropriately, transitioning from L1/LB to L2/LT, ultimately the reward would be worth the effort despite maybe feeling uncomfortable at first. 
3. Here's where masters of these controls are going to be happy. Mostly skilled players presnap are either usering a LB or DL positions to create confusion/pressure, and switch sticking to DB's to make plays on the ball. Especially with no look no INT introduced, when usering LB's or CB's, L2/LT has been a much greater neccessity to get in front of balls to make decent plays. For LB, this position already utilizes L2/LT the best to strafe gaps in coverage and keep eyes on the ball, creating minimal conflict. For DL, L2/LT is not really being used until a position switch is made, nor are they using L1/LB, so there's no conflict there. 
   
   So here's the real kicker, if you were to also tie in Switch Stick to the L2/LT button, it would allow for quick, seamless transitions to make plays. The combo would look like this: Hold L2/LT + RS Switch --> Sq/X or O/B (left or right hand knockout) OR Tri/Y for an INT. Introducing L2/LT Strafe into the combo like this could actually prove better for players in order to get in front of balls so they don't get caught not looking. Of course, it could also create some pretty big misses, which is why it's ultimately a high risk, high reward, skill mechanic.

In summary, I really think this is doable, causing very minimal conflict with other buttons or mechanics, and could even possibly be better with Switch Stick added to the mix. It could potentially revolutionize how defense is played and create much more skilled battles in the future for high level players. It's also bound to make pump-faking a more useful asset, and scheming people open absolutely vital to making plays. I honestly think if utilized properly, it could make having to use superstar knockout abilities less essential, creating opportunity for other abilities to be put to use instead. On the downside, it could be a skill gap that becomes a large a barrier for entry level players. Honestly though, that ship might have already sailed with introduction of Swich Stick and Free Form Passing which has created large enough skill gaps already. Hopefully I covered all the bases here, but I also look forward to hear some things I might have missed and not thought of so we can get it figured out potentially! Thanks again for taking the time to look at this!

I'm interested in how this would work...  Some of us use the D-Pad to switch because the split second my finger is moving between the Pad and the L-Stick, I know who I'm controlling and what I need to do.  I'm wondering what the impact to my muscle memory will be. 

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MaddenUniversity​ Hey man, thanks for your feedback! If this were to actually be implemented in the exact way I proposed, it definitely could take some time to rework muscle memory. I still often use the O/B button to switch instead of the stick because of how long it's been a habit for me. So yeah, it would certainly feel uncomfortable at first, but I think the upside might make it worth trying. The good news is though, the thumb is primarily what's working the D-Pad & LS on that left side, still leaving the index finger (or even middle finger if you're skilled like that) to work that L2/LT to make the proper inputs. Also, if you were to ulitmately to feel uncomfortable using it, since it would be tied to L2/LT, you could always opt out and stick to your normal, single button inputs for switches and swats and whatnot. So again, not that it wouldn't take getting used to it, but I don't think it's an impossible thing for most of us to learn. What do you think? 

haha, correct.  The DB used the wrong hand to swat, chose the arm behind the receiver.

I understand I'm in the minority, most people don't play DB every play on defense - I'd love to see this enhanced though.  Either through better animation selection or just mechanic choice.

MaddenUniversity​ That was the first thing I thought about. Muscle memory.

GVRH​ If we take into consideration the games we play - Sports/MMO/RPG/Mobile - things get really confusing once you swap over to another game.

So, thinking not just as the player, but also from my side, would this hinder more controls or help swap back and forth if the mapping and condition settings were what we wanted? 

I play a few rounds of BF, then go to Madden, then swap to something like Skyrim (first one that came to mind), and then back to Madden later. Where does that land me on not getting aggro because i should have landed that toss but ended up in a fumble.