How to Touch Pass, Bullet Pass, and Perform Other Passes in Madden 20

Whether you’re great at reading the field or are still getting to know your playbook, mastering the pass game in Madden 20

is as essential as ever. Here’s how to execute all five passes and, more importantly, when to use them.If you’re not sure which button mention corresponds to the version you’re playing, visit this page by EA for information on each version of Madden 20’s controls.

Touch Passes are normal throws executed by pressing-and-releasing the receiver button. They come out a bit slower than bullet passes but arc a little higher and are difficult for anyone not in the quarterback’s face to deflect them prior to the flight. Touch passes are relatively easy to catch for both the offense and defense, but they tend to be the most accurate type of pass. If you’re not throwing into a crowd, touch passes are usually the best option.

Bullet Passes are quick throws executed by holding down the receiver button. They are released the fastest from the quarterback and travel the fastest in-flight. They tend to be thrown around chest-height and can be deflected by defensive linemen if the receiver is within a few yards of the line of scrimmage. They are more difficult to catch and intercept than other types of passes. Bullet passes thrown by poor quarterbacks tend to be inaccurate and difficult for receivers to handle.

Lob Passes are long, high-arcing throws executed by quickly tapping the receiver button once. They come out a bit faster than touch passes but slower than bullet passes. However, due to their high arc, they are impossible to deflect until reaching the receiver. Lob passes have the longest flight time and give both receivers and defenders plenty of time to get there. Lob passes are mainly used for any deep throw, but they’re easy to defend against; you’ll want to use them either for last-second desperation throws, or when you have a streaking receiver wide open.

High Passes are targeted above the receiver’s head, and they are executed by holding L1/LB and pressing the receiver button. They have a slightly lower arc than a lob pass but will fly about as fast as a touch pass. This allows a receiver to make a catch with far less chance of interception against a defender who is shorter or lacks jumping ability. However, the receiver is at risk for being tackled immediately even if they catch it, and poor quarterbacks may overthrow the receiver entirely. High passes are best used when the receiver only has to beat one defender.

Low Passes are targeted at the receiver’s thighs or knees, and they are executed by holding L2/LT and pressing the receiver button. This allows the receiver to dive and immediately go to the ground, significantly increasing the chance to make the catch while significantly decreasing the chance of an interception. However, because the receiver goes to the ground immediately, he’ll be unlikely to gain any yards after the catch. Further, the low trajectory means passes are at greater risk of being batted down at the line of scrimmage.

Low passes are best thrown when they need to be caught in traffic in the middle of the field or you absolutely need to make the reception and don’t care about yards after catch, such as converting on a 3rd down when the receiver is already beyond the line to gain. Low passes tend to be underthrown if the receiver is running away from the quarterback; they’re best used when the receiver is running parallel to the line of scrimmage.

For detailed tutorials on each of these, be sure to play the new Face of the Franchise mode. For our thoughts on the game you can read our Madden NFL 20 review and for more Madden 20 tips and insights check out our Madden 20 guide for this year’s Team Ratings and more.

Jon Michael is a freelance guide writer for IGN and YouTube content creator. You can follow him on Twitter @PyroFalkon and subscribe to him YouTube.