Help me not suck at Madden 13

[Jub]

I picked up Madden 13 yesterday and I tried a few games of offline career mode (Pro difficulty) and I'm not really accomplishing much. I went with a westcoast style QB passer and set my career path to undrafted. I can pass the easiest practices, but I throw a lot of picks and I know there's a bunch of stuff I don't know about playing the game. Does anybody have any tips or tricks for me?

[Havok]

Like actual football, practice.
There are "rules" that exist in the game because it is a programed game, so learning those could be helpful, but again, practice is really all you can do to get better.
I also don't mean the literal practice modes, but just playing all aspects of the game.

[GuppyShark]

There is an option in the settings for "Coach Mode". In this mode the AI will control the QB without your input - just like every other player on the field. If you want to play the game and not necessarily learn how to play quarterback immediately, this will help speed you along. Pick a QB with high Awareness if you decide to do this.

[spaceviking]

If you are anything like the people I play with... Don't be afraid to hold on to the ball a little longer. It is worth it to risk a few sacks to let passes develop.

[Jub]

How do I throw the ball away before a sack? Also how do I signal a fair catch? Lastly, how do I take a knee?

[Block]

Left trigger, Y button and taking a knee is under the special teams play calls.

[Havok]

Dude, read the fucking manual or just go into the control menu. Don't be that guy.

[Jub]

I wouldn't be asking here if I'd found those things when I was looking over the controls. I've been an NHL man for years and this is my first time playing Madden, I didn't mean to come off as anything but a person who's new to a game and asking for a few tips to get started. On that note I've figured things out a lot more now and I'm starting to get a feel for the game; at least enough to start knowing what I don't know.

Things like finding a rhythm to my play calling, reading a defensive scheme, knowing when my kicker is going to make a field goal versus when to punt. I suspect that these are things best learned through playing and watching some real games. Though I admit, without people who know what's going on already, it can be hard to learn the more nuanced aspects of a game as complex as football.

[spaceviking]

Watching real games does not always translate well. In a video game I almost never punt (unless I am within my own 30). Just play it is more intuitive than you think.

[Jub]

Watching real games does not always translate well. In a video game I almost never punt (unless I am within my own 30). Just play it is more intuitive than you think.

That's sort of what I figured to be honest. Sports games are never 100% accurate and I do attempt 4th down conversions more often than you'd ever see in the real NFL.