Madden 23 is all about momentum swings and setting the tone on defense. Sure, running up the scoreboard with an elite offense is fun but mastering the other side of the ball is the key to victory. However, sometimes, no matter how good you cover your man or zone, your opponent seems to have an answer for every play. It’s in these moments that you need to know how to properly utilize the hit stick.
In this guide, we will explore how to use the hit stick in Madden 23.
How to Use the Hit Stick in Madden 23
In Madden 23, the hit stick allows you to lay out a ball carrier with a massive hit, which oftentimes can lead to a fumble and a potential change of possession. So, whether you’re down late in a game and need a big play or just want to set the tone on defense, laying the hammer down with the hit stick is a very important skill to learn.
Related: Madden 23 – How to Control the Full Team in Face of the Franchise
Thankfully, Madden 23 has made the process to use the hit stick incredibly straightforward. All you need to do is press up or down with the right trigger when you’re approaching the ball carrier. However, depending on the direction you move the right trigger, a different form of hit stick can be attempted by your defender. So, here are the different variations of the hit stick you can perform in Madden 23;
- High Tackle (Up on the Right Stick) – Pressing up on the right stick as you approach the ball carrier will initiate a high tackle. This is essentially a high-powered hit to the other player’s upper body, immediately stopping all of their momentum in its tracks. It’s the most traditional sense of the hit stick and is best used in situations when the ball carrier is already in motion. This will send the other player back in the opposite direction and potentially lead to a fumble.
- Low Tackle (Down on the Right Stick) – Alternatively, you can also press down on the right stick to trigger a low tackle. This maneuver is also extremely powerful, but is more of a chop block-type tackle, with the defender throwing themselves at the ball carrier’s lower body. This style of hit stick is best used against ball carriers after they just catch the ball or get out of a broken tackle animation. It should also be used when you’re controlling a smaller defender going up against a larger offensive player.
Keep in mind that while the hit stick is fun to use and can even lead to a potentially game-changing play. It also comes with some possible downsides as well. For example, when you trigger the hit stick, you sacrifice some degree of precision, technique, and accuracy, as you’re really just focused on laying out a big hit. This can become problematic going against ball carriers with high speed, agility, or juking traits, as they can easily elude the tackle attempt.
As a result, each of these two versions of the hit stick should only be used in select circumstances, otherwise, it could lead to some big plays for the other team.
That’s everything you need to know about how to use the hit stick in Madden 23. If you’re interested in more Madden 23 content, be sure to check out our guides section here at Gamer Journalist. Where you can find helpful information like how to scout in Madden 23 Franchise mode or how to stop short passes in Madden 23.
