Under-center passing relies heavily on play action, which simply isn't as effective in the game as it is in real football. Shotgun gives you cleaner reads, faster decisions, and better spacing-everything you need to CUT 26 Coins protect the football.

If passing is a core part of your offense, shotgun should be your default.

Learn to Throw the Ball Away

One of the simplest but most overlooked mechanics is throwing the ball away. When a play breaks down and nothing is open, forcing a pass is the worst possible option.

Clicking the right stick lets you safely throw the ball away and live to fight another day. This isn't a failure-it's smart football. You can also roll out slightly to avoid pressure before throwing it away if needed.

There are even situations where going down intentionally with your quarterback is the right move, especially when protecting the ball or managing the clock. These small decisions save possessions and prevent momentum-shifting turnovers.

Optimize Your Passing Settings

Your settings matter more than most players realize. Using Placement & Accuracy passing gives you the most control and consistency, regardless of skill level. Reticle speed should be set to something manageable-around 7 is a strong balance for precision without overcorrection.

Avoid unnecessary passing assists that interfere with manual control. Clean settings paired with good reads will immediately improve your interception rate.

Master Pass Leading (This Changes Everything)

If there's one skill that separates average players from elite passers, it's pass leading. Using the left stick while throwing allows you to place the ball away from defenders instead of directly at the receiver.

Pass leading isn't random-it's intentional. The goal is always to throw the ball where only your receiver can reach it. That might mean leading down and away on a corner route, outside against Cover 2, or slightly inside against man coverage.

The same route against different coverages requires different pass leads. When done correctly, pass leading turns interceptions into incompletions-and incompletions into touchdowns.

If you ever watch a throw and think, "That should've been a pick," pass leading is usually the difference.

Smart Passing Wins Games

Throwing fewer interceptions doesn't require flashy tricks or overhauling your entire offense. It comes down to:

Reading areas, not receivers

Progressing through routes instead of NCAA Football 26 Coins forcing throws