Maize (Zea mays) is a vital cereal crop globally, serving as a staple food and feed source. The orientation of maize leaf angle plays a crucial role in determining light interception, photosynthesis efficiency, and overall crop productivity. In this chapter, we examine the plant breeding approaches employed to optimize maize leaf angle and enhance yield potential. We explore the diverse strategies, including germplasm evaluation, phenotypic selection, hybridization, pedigree breeding, participatory plant breeding, and marker-assisted selection, highlighting their contributions to improving maize leaf angle and its impact on yield. Additionally, we discuss the prospects and challenges of these breeding approaches, emphasizing the need for integrated and multidisciplinary efforts to further advance maize breeding for optimized leaf angle and sustainable agriculture.