How to Fair Catch in Madden 25

As dynamic and exciting as a big punt or kickoff return can be, sometimes you need to play it safe and call for the fair catch in Madden 25. It'll be tempting to hit the gas every single opportunity, but calling for a fair catch might be your best bet depending on what stage of the game you're in. We'll go over exactly how to fair catch in Madden 25 and some of the situations where you might use this strategy.

How to Fair Catch in Madden 25

Any time you're returning a punt or kickoff, it helps to remember how to call for a fair catch in Madden 25. Thankfully, it's one of the simplest Madden 25 controls and shouldn't take players too long to master. First, make sure you've selected and are controlling the returner. If the ball heads away from the player you're currently in control of, the computer controlled returner might make the decision for you.

In Madden 25, you can call for a fair catch by holding Y (on Xbox) or Triangle (on PlayStation) while the ball is in the air heading towards your palyer. Press B (on Xbox) or Circle (on PlayStation) if you need to switch to that player, and then call for the fair catch. This is going to be pretty straightforward on punt returns, but the new NFL kickoff rules should be kept in mind.

With the new dynamic kickoff rules, you actually are not allowed to fair catch anywhere in the Landing Zone (the area between the endzone and the 20-yard line) and must return any ball that is caught in the Landing Zone or lands and stops in the Landing Zone.

If a ball is caught in the endzone, you can take the knee and make it a fair catch by holding Y or Triangle, and in that case you would start on the 30-yard line. If the kicked ball lands in the Landing Zone and is untouched as it rolls into the endzone, then that ball is picked up and downed in the endzone or rolls out the back of the endzone, that will instead cause your team to start on the 20-yard line.

These changes were made in the NFL to encourage more returns for exciting kickoffs, and the adjustment of how players setup for these will hopefully lower the number of injuries that occur on kickoffs. This also means your decision making during a kickoff is mostly down to the kicker's aim, and the only time you'll even have the option for a fair catch is if the ball is in the endzone.

As for returning a punt, a fair catch will depend largely on how quickly the kicking team is closing in on your returner. With room you could create a big return, but you also risk a fumble and chewing away at the clock. If you're in a tight time management scenario or just don't want to risk it during a close game, make sure to call for the fair catch in Madden 25.