Kicking games decide close matches in Madden 27, and this guide breaks down every kick type — field goals, punts, kickoffs and onside kicks — along with the control schemes behind them. The NFL’s real-world kickoff rules changed in recent years, and Madden 27 reflects that shift, so understanding the new landing-zone mechanics matters as much as timing your button presses.
Two Kicking Systems in Madden 27
Every kick in Madden 27 starts the same way: use the left stick to aim, then choose how you charge power and accuracy. Two systems handle that part differently.
Classic Kicking combines power and accuracy into a single meter, the way older Madden titles handled it.
Multi-Meter Kicking splits the two into separate meters — one for accuracy, one for power — giving players more direct control over each half of the kick.
On top of that, players pick between two control schemes:
- Tap & Tap requires two well-timed button presses.
- Tap & Hold requires holding the button, then releasing at the right moment to lock in power.
How Classic Kicking Works
Classic Kicking automatically uses the Tap & Tap scheme. Aim with the left stick, account for wind, and press X (Xbox) or A (PlayStation) three times:
- Once to start the kick.
- Again when the two arrows meet the white line at the top of the meter.
- A third time when the meter returns to its starting point — the game marks this spot with an X/A icon.
Nail all three presses and the kick has a much better chance of splitting the uprights.
How Multi-Meter Kicking Works
Multi-Meter Kicking still uses the left stick for direction, but it separates accuracy and power into two meters players track independently.
The horizontal meter controls accuracy. Aim toward the goal posts and adjust for wind, which can push a kick off-line even when the timing is clean.
The vertical meter controls power. Every kicker carries a Kick Power attribute, but the meter still requires manual timing — tap or hold as it rises, then release or tap again just before it hits the red zone at the top.
For field goals, aim for two things: land the accuracy meter as close to the green zone as possible, and stop the power meter just below the red area at the peak. Kicks outside the green can still succeed, but the tighter to center, the more reliable the result.
Punts, Kickoffs and Onside Kicks Explained
Beyond field goals, Madden 27 offers several kick types for punts and kickoffs, each suited to a different game situation.
- Sky Kicks — High, short punts that hang in the air longer, giving coverage units time to close on the returner. Effective in late-game spots where a big return could swing the game.
- Squib Kicks — The kickoff equivalent of a sky kick: low and short, designed to limit return yardage. CPU defenders often struggle to field them cleanly, and blocking on these plays tends to be weak.
- Backspins — Kicks that roll back toward the kicker after landing, useful on punts when you want to avoid a touchback and pin the opponent deep.
- Deep Kicks — Powerful kickoffs that usually force a touchback. Useful in some spots, but repeated touchbacks work against you under the current kickoff rules.
- Onside Kicks — A short kick aimed at regaining possession immediately. High-risk, high-reward: recovering it flips field position instantly, but failing hands the opponent the ball in excellent position. In the real NFL, only trailing teams can call an onside kick — Madden 27 lets you attempt one at any point in the game.
Onside Kicks split further into two approaches. High Kicks send a player up to fight for the ball in the air. Low Kicks skip along the ground, making them harder for defenders to scoop up. Both take practice — the game’s training mode is the best place to get comfortable with the timing before trying either in a real match.
Whichever kick type you choose, set it in the Game Settings menu before the snap, and remember that accuracy and power timing apply across all of them.
Dynamic Kickoffs in Madden 27
The NFL’s Dynamic Kickoff format carries over into Madden 27, landing zone and all. A few rules define how it plays out:
- Kickers should aim for the landing zone — the 1-to-20-yard line — without sailing into the end zone or out of bounds.
- Any kick that lands in the landing zone must be returned.
- A kick that reaches the end zone results in a touchback at the 35-yard line.
- Coverage players can’t move until the ball hits the ground or a returner inside the landing zone.
Every kicker’s individual power and accuracy ratings still cap what’s possible here — timing the meters well only goes so far if the kicker himself isn’t built for it. Investing in a reliable kicker pays off across every kick type in this guide.
That covers field goals, punts, kickoffs and onside kicks in Madden 27. For more Madden 27 strategy and NFL coverage, visit ClutchPoints, and subscribe to the gaming newsletter for weekly updates.
