/ STRUCTURED REFERENCE · 01

THE MECHANIC.
THE INPUT.
THE BOUNDARY.

17 source-labeled records

A filterable index of what EA has actually named. Every row separates the published input or system from the retail behavior we still need to reproduce.

Official Madden NFL 27 short-yardage scrum at the goal line
View EA's Gameplay Deep Dive
DATABASE RULENO MIRRORED RATINGS. NO INVENTED PLAYBOOKS.

This index only includes mechanisms supported by the current EA source desk. Missing keyboard, Switch 2 and alternate-layout labels remain visibly unresolved.

Read the evidence standard
VERIFIED REFERENCE ROWS17 / 17
Controls · Pre-snap01

Camera toggle

EA remaps D-pad up and down to cycle the pre-play camera.

INPUT / ENTRY
D-pad up / down
SIDE
Both
APPLIES TO
EA console example; PC keyboard and Switch 2 labels still need capture
EVIDENCE
Officially announced
RETAIL CHECK
Capture every default prompt and remapped state on each platform after release.
Controls · Pre-snap02

Coach Vision HUD

EA assigns Coach Vision to D-pad left inside the reorganized pre-play layout.

INPUT / ENTRY
D-pad left
SIDE
Both
APPLIES TO
EA console example; PC keyboard and Switch 2 labels still need capture
EVIDENCE
Officially announced
RETAIL CHECK
Verify the prompt, available overlays and mode boundaries in a retail build.
Controls · Pre-snap03

Dynamic Subs

EA maps Dynamic Subs to D-pad right as part of the new pre-play hub.

INPUT / ENTRY
D-pad right
SIDE
Both
APPLIES TO
EA console example; PC keyboard and Switch 2 labels still need capture
EVIDENCE
Officially announced
RETAIL CHECK
Verify eligible modes, substitution limits and live menu labels after launch.
Controls · Pre-snap04

Protection hub

EA says major offensive protection decisions are grouped under Left Trigger.

INPUT / ENTRY
Hold Left Trigger
SIDE
Offense
APPLIES TO
EA console example; PC keyboard and Switch 2 labels still need capture
EVIDENCE
Officially announced
RETAIL CHECK
Record the full option list, timing window and keyboard equivalents in retail.
Coverage · Pre-snap05

Global Coverage Adjustment hub

The defensive Left Trigger hub groups team-level and receiver-focused coverage decisions.

INPUT / ENTRY
Hold Left Trigger
SIDE
Defense
APPLIES TO
EA console example; PC keyboard and Switch 2 labels still need capture
EVIDENCE
Officially announced
RETAIL CHECK
Verify menu timing, available calls and visual feedback on each release platform.
Adjustments · Pre-snap06

Custom Adjustments shortcut

EA assigns the saved or preset Custom Adjustments shortcut to L1/LB at the line.

INPUT / ENTRY
L1 / LB
SIDE
Both
APPLIES TO
EA console example; PC keyboard and Switch 2 labels still need capture
EVIDENCE
Officially announced
RETAIL CHECK
Confirm active-card limits, reset behavior and every supported mode in retail.
Tackling · In-play07

Hit Stick

The four-direction Tackle Stick assigns Hit Stick to right-stick up.

INPUT / ENTRY
Right stick up
SIDE
Defense
APPLIES TO
EA console example; PC keyboard and Switch 2 labels still need capture
EVIDENCE
Officially announced
RETAIL CHECK
The input is announced; outcomes still depend on ratings, momentum, angle and tuning.
Tackling · In-play08

Cut Stick

The four-direction Tackle Stick assigns Cut Stick to right-stick down.

INPUT / ENTRY
Right stick down
SIDE
Defense
APPLIES TO
EA console example; PC keyboard and Switch 2 labels still need capture
EVIDENCE
Officially announced
RETAIL CHECK
Reproduce result ranges by angle and ball-carrier context before recommending usage.
Tackling · In-play09

Lunge Tackle

The four-direction Tackle Stick assigns Lunge Tackle to right-stick left.

INPUT / ENTRY
Right stick left
SIDE
Defense
APPLIES TO
EA console example; PC keyboard and Switch 2 labels still need capture
EVIDENCE
Officially announced
RETAIL CHECK
Verify range, miss behavior and assisted-control interactions on a named build.
Tackling · In-play10

Wrap Tackle

The four-direction Tackle Stick assigns Wrap Tackle to right-stick right.

INPUT / ENTRY
Right stick right
SIDE
Defense
APPLIES TO
EA console example; PC keyboard and Switch 2 labels still need capture
EVIDENCE
Officially announced
RETAIL CHECK
Verify animation selection and failure cases before calling it a safer tackle.
Coverage · Pre-snap11

Receiver-focused coverage

Receiver icons expose target-specific coverage choices inside the announced defensive hub.

INPUT / ENTRY
Hold Left Trigger, then select a receiver icon
SIDE
Defense
APPLIES TO
EA console example; PC keyboard and Switch 2 labels still need capture
EVIDENCE
Officially announced
RETAIL CHECK
Confirm eligible receivers, assignment changes and interaction with motion.
Coverage · Pre-snap12

Double Team

EA publishes a console example for assigning focused help to a selected receiver.

INPUT / ENTRY
Hold Left Trigger, choose receiver, press Square / X
SIDE
Defense
APPLIES TO
EA console example; PC keyboard and Switch 2 labels still need capture
EVIDENCE
Officially announced
RETAIL CHECK
Confirm assignment rules and the space surrendered elsewhere before recommending it.
Coverage · Pre-snap13

Smart Zones

EA describes zone-behavior choices including aggression, Plaster and situational awareness.

INPUT / ENTRY
Global Coverage Adjustment hub
SIDE
Defense
APPLIES TO
All announced platforms; exact retail behavior still needs a named-build test
EVIDENCE
Officially announced
RETAIL CHECK
Map each live option and reproduce its effect under a named call and build.
Coverage · Pre-snap14

Roll Coverage

EA names Roll Coverage as a targeted way to tilt coverage help.

INPUT / ENTRY
Global Coverage Adjustment hub
SIDE
Defense
APPLIES TO
All announced platforms; exact retail behavior still needs a named-build test
EVIDENCE
Officially announced
RETAIL CHECK
Verify targeting, disguise and opposite-side trade-offs in the retail game.
Adjustments · In-play15

Gap Integrity

EA names Gap Integrity as part of Madden 27's run-defense behavior changes.

INPUT / ENTRY
Announced defensive system
SIDE
Defense
APPLIES TO
All announced platforms; exact retail behavior still needs a named-build test
EVIDENCE
Officially announced
RETAIL CHECK
Record personnel, front, run concept and sample size before making effectiveness claims.
Controls · Pre-snap16

Formation Shift control correction

EA's Launch Guide says Formation Shift controls were corrected after beta feedback.

INPUT / ENTRY
Exact retail input still needs capture
SIDE
Offense
APPLIES TO
All announced platforms; exact retail behavior still needs a named-build test
EVIDENCE
Official launch update
RETAIL CHECK
The note confirms developer intent, not every retail input path or edge case.
Controls · In-play17

Classic Kick Meter correction

EA's Launch Guide records a feedback-driven correction to the Classic Kick Meter.

INPUT / ENTRY
Exact retail input still needs capture
SIDE
Both
APPLIES TO
All announced platforms; exact retail behavior still needs a named-build test
EVIDENCE
Official launch update
RETAIL CHECK
Capture the live meter, settings and timing behavior before publishing instructions.