A reliable mechanic you can use while running the ball in Madden NFL 25 is the stiff arm, a technique that can keep defenders at bay as you gain more yards. Sometimes, a stiff arm can be the difference between punting and getting a first down. Like any juke or hurdle, you'll want to learn this strategy to use every trick in the book to score.

Whether you're just catching the ball as a receiver, taking the ball as a halfback, or trying to run as a QB, a stiff arm could save you from getting tackled. Typically, the fastest players in Madden 25 will use this mechanic best during a game. However, it takes a considerable amount of strength from an athlete to fend off powerful defensive players looking to hit them hard.

How To Perform A Stiff Arm In Madden NFL 25

Hold The Right Button While Running

Performing a stiff arm is surprisingly simple in Madden 25; you only need to hold the "A" or "X" button on your controller while running. Whatever athlete you're controlling will automatically run slower when doing this, but also prepare to stiff-arm whoever gets close. Should a defender get near you, your character will put out whatever arm is closest in an attempt to force an opposing athlete away from them.

In the best-case scenarios, a stiff arm will force a defender away long enough for you to escape and gain more yardage. Sometimes, if your athlete is strong enough, you'll even knock a defender to the ground and clear the path forward to a touchdown. That being said, every player has a stiff arm Rating that impacts how successful this technique is whenever you try it as you run.

Usually, running back or halfback players on your offensive team have the best chance to beat the top linebackers in Madden 25 with a stiff arm.

There are tons of factors that determine whether a stiff arm is successful or not. Beyond simply who is stronger, you have to consider the angle at which a defender is about to tackle you, how much momentum you've built while running, etc. The robust physics engine of Madden 25 makes it difficult to know for sure whether a stiff arm will work, given the complexity of every play.

As a rule, it is harder to stiff-arm right after getting the ball, so try to gain speed before attempting it. Since you slow down while performing a stiff arm, you should gain ground on defenders and use this technique as the final touch to get away. Anyone who can find the right position to do a stiff arm to an incoming defender can break free and have a better chance to score in Madden NFL 25.