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● Minimize losses in the backfield: Find running plays that get the ball into the hands of your running back as close

to the line of scrimmage as possible.

● Run North and South, not East and West: Almost every quick developing running play will be the most beneficial

when you take the handoff and get up the field as fast as possible. Otherwise, if you dance around in the backfield

you run the risk of losing yardage.

The single best running play in Madden over the past couple years is the HB Slam, which can be found in a number of

different Singleback formations. In this example, we've chosen to showcase it from the Singleback Big formation. The

reason this play is widely known as the best running play in the game is because not only does it develop faster than

other runs, but the handoff is received only two yards deep in the backfield. By taking the handoff just two yards deep in

the backfield you're minimizing the risk of losing yardage and maximum your chances for any kind of positive gain.

HB Slam is one of the best running plays because you minimize risk of losing yardage.

In our example, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck gives the handoff to running back Shaun Alexander on

the HB Slam play exactly two yards deep in the backfield. However, let's suppose the defense was set up perfectly and a

defender is rushing straight through the open gap in the offensive line. The linebacker mets Power Back Shaun Alexander

about as quickly as any defender could possibly get to our ballcarrier on this play. Fortunately, despite the defense being

able to blow this play up quickly we are in no way going to lose yardage because the initial hit is made at the line of

scrimmage. The extra speed that our ballcarrier was able to get up to before he was met by the linebacker was enough

to fall forward for a gain of two yards. This is a great example of what makes this play so popular. Our opponent

defended this play flawlessly, yet we were still able to pick up two yards.

Let's take a look at the Singleback Big HB Dive play. Upon first glance this appears to be the exact same play as the HB

Slam. However, the HB Dive develops slightly different, preventing us from being able to experience the same consistent

success.

When running the HB Dive play, the exchange is made three to four yards in the backfield. This means that if you have

been choosing to run the HB Dive instead of the HB Slam, then you are giving up an extra one to two yards to your

opponent than you need to every time. The deeper starting point in the backfield for almost the exact same running play

is an obvious reason that we would never suggest using the HB Dive. In a similar defensive situation as mentioned

earlier, Seahawks' back Alexander would be met one yard deep in the backfield instead of at the line of scrimmage. One

yard may not sound like a big deal, but the difference between a 3rd and 1 and a 3rd and 2 is huge when attempting to

convert for big first downs in crucial spots.

The HB Slam / HB Dive comparison can be made with a number of plays that appear to be the same. However, what we

want to get you to start thinking about is are you maximizing your running game? Are there other running plays that you

could be calling that would serve the same purpose, but be more effective and more consistent? Start thinking about

how often you get hit in the backfield when running the ball. The running plays that you call should have little or no

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