Play Action and Playbooks

[CFL_FAN_7]

3 questions:

Can you make your own playbook (def/off/both) and use it for any team you use?

Do all teams in a league have the same playbook?

When you amke or edit plays can you do a play action play?

Is there Play Action?

[nmleague]

1. Yes you can make playbooks, each playbook has the following.

offenive plays, defensive plays, kickoff, kickoff return, punt punt return

2. Each team is assigned a play book, in a league every team could have their own different play book if you can make them.

3. Yes you can make play action plays, I have put a number in the 1959 NFL playbook I did and they work pretty good.

[CFL_FAN_7]

2. Each team is assigned a play book, in a league every team could have their own different play book if you can make them.

Is every team's playbook different?

[nmleague]

Not many playbooks came with the game, one 11 man I think. The only way teams have different playbooks is if you create a different playbook for each team. If every team in a league has "playbook X" as their playbook they will all use the some offenes and defenses.

[CFL_FAN_7]

ok, thanks

[maddad]

I hope someone is working on some real nfl playbooks?

[Old Coach]

I've been working with the PDS for about three years and I'm still learning how to create realistic and effective plays. The fact is, no play edit system can completely mimic actual field action. I coached high school football in Georgia in the 70's and 80's when option offenses were king. My style is mash mouth, option football sprinkled with sprint out and bootleg passes. That's the system I coached and played in high school in the 60's. That's what I know the best. That's why there are several bootleg/sprintout passes in the
revised fun and gun playbook. I guess my point is, play around with the PDS and practice mode. Experiment and let your playbooks reflect football the way you think it's fun to play. And also realize that play editing systems in computer games will have flaws. I'll post playbooks as I finish them, but don't wait on others, be creative, have fun.
Some playbooks I'll post as time permits are:
1) Old Straight T
2) Old Double Wing
3) Wishbone
4) Splitback Veer
5) I Formation (with emphasize on option and roll out passing)

Through Matrix Games, FBMAX and other sites we can share ideas and plays and have fun!

Old Coach

[anash]

Just wondering, have you done much with defense using the PDS?

If so, how are you getting around the limitations (no bump & run, cover TEs/backfield, shade under or deep, draw different zones, etc)?

Thanks Old Coach

[CFL_FAN_7]

ORIGINAL: Old Coach

I've been working with the PDS for about three years and I'm still learning how to create realistic and effective plays. The fact is, no play edit system can completely mimic actual field action. I coached high school football in Georgia in the 70's and 80's when option offenses were king. My style is mash mouth, option football sprinkled with sprint out and bootleg passes. That's the system I coached and played in high school in the 60's. That's what I know the best. That's why there are several bootleg/sprintout passes in the
revised fun and gun playbook. I guess my point is, play around with the PDS and practice mode. Experiment and let your playbooks reflect football the way you think it's fun to play. And also realize that play editing systems in computer games will have flaws. I'll post playbooks as I finish them, but don't wait on others, be creative, have fun.
Some playbooks I'll post as time permits are:
1) Old Straight T
2) Old Double Wing
3) Wishbone
4) Splitback Veer
5) I Formation (with emphasize on option and roll out passing)

Through Matrix Games, FBMAX and other sites we can share ideas and plays and have fun!

Old Coach

I see you're real old skool, can u do PA plays?

[Old Coach]

Very few of the pass plays I draw up are straight dropback passes. Most are play action featuring a fake to either back and then sprint action. The bootleg pass is my favorite. I'd be great if a future version of MaxFb could include the boot action where the QB hides the ball on his hip after making the play fake. I got pretty good at doing that back in the 60's. Bootleg was always a staple play when I coached.

I created 4 wide and shotgun plays for the stock playbook but they're not my expertise. When I can settle down from testing and get down to really playing football with this game, I'll really have fun making college style playbooks to share.

Old (Ancient?) Coach

[Magnum357]

Hey Old Coach, I heard David mentioning in the Past that he tried to include "Option" type Commands for the PDS in order for us to create Option Run and Pass plays, but he said he had too take them out because they were huge AI busters. Did you ever see how this worked when David included them origionally? I heard you were part of the Beta Test team so i was wondering if you had any knowlege of this.

I hope David does find some way to include an Option Command, at least for running plays. I like them a lot in Running Plays.

[Old Coach]

The option command was never actually put in any beta version. We discussed it alot on the forum. My suggestion was to include an option pitch animation and command and then assign the command at the appropriate place in the QB's run path. It would be a called play- you might have a play designed 11 option which would be the QB running the ball and then 31 option where the QB pitches the ball to the trailing back and you see the pitch animation. It would look good. There would be no AI in which the QB would "decide" what to do.

Old Coach

[Sonny]

ORIGINAL: Old Coach

The option command was never actually put in any beta version. We discussed it alot on the forum. My suggestion was to include an option pitch animation and command and then assign the command at the appropriate place in the QB's run path. It would be a called play- you might have a play designed 11 option which would be the QB running the ball and then 31 option where the QB pitches the ball to the trailing back and you see the pitch animation. It would look good. There would be no AI in which the QB would "decide" what to do.

Old Coach

This is what I did to simulate the option.

[Marauders]

Just wondering, have you done much with defense using the PDS?

If so, how are you getting around the limitations (no bump & run, cover TEs/backfield, shade under or deep, draw different zones, etc)?

At this time, those are limitations. One has to design plays around them. That is why many of the defensive plays resemble real plays but have logic assigned to them or positioning that looks strange at times. The PDS needs some tweaking, but it is more powerful than some other games out there.

I am not used to setting up a defensive scheme with set zones and limited logic, but one has to make do with the tools given. I'll likely post a few more defenses and search for work-arounds for some of the limitations.

[Old Coach]

Some days back someone asked this question in response to one of my posts and I'm just getting around to answering- sorry. My defenses in MaxFB are very simple because the command logic is limited. I'm still learning the best ways to deal with the defensive logic in my play design. I also understand the limitations of the defensive logic so I construct my offensive plays to work within these limitations. Simply- I try not to design plays that will always beat the A.I. and be sure TD's or long gains. Example: sweep plays can very easily be designed that will turn the corner and beat the defense for a big play. I draw RB paths long enough to reach the corner but not so long as to always get outside the CB's. Certain pass routes are A.I. killers, so I avoid those. Another factor is player ratings. Playtest to balance ratings for realistic results is also important and something that I am working on.

Old Coach

[Magnum357]

I do that aswell Old Coach on Running plays. I've notice that Sweep Plays can be designed too really destroy the Defense. Once a Running Back breaks the corner, its very hard for the DB (or any other defender) to catch him. So I put in some Design Perameter Limitations too keep my Offense Play designes limited.

[Marauders]

There are plays in the 11 man and 8 man playbooks that take on sweeps, but the computer will not always go to them quickly enough. Of course, new plays can find new holes in the AI, so it makes sense to give a counter defensive play to the computer to use if new offensive plays are to be used.

[elmerlee]

I am curious to know what the PDS does that FBPro 98 did not do.

Seems like it is more like Madden a few year back.The fact that you can draw lines and jiggles for movement does not mean much if the lack of logic is there.

Guess this type action is being looked into ;but NOT short term.
Probably will hurt SALES short term.

[Magnum357]

Well, I will admit that the PDS might be a little less capable then the Play Editor that Football Pro 98 has. But trust me, the PDS is far better then anything EA Sports has offered in all its Madden Games.

[Marauders]

I am curious to know what the PDS does that FBPro 98 did not do.

FBPro was powerful, but the AI could be beat just by lining up backfiled players outside the hash marks and other simple AI busters. Many leagues banned plays or went to league certification because of it. FBPro was good, but it had limitations.

Seems like it is more like Madden a few year back.The fact that you can draw lines and jiggles for movement does not mean much if the lack of logic is there.

There is logic in the game, but more logic would be better. It takes a supercomputer to beat a Grand Master in chess, and it will likely take some added logic to beat veteran coaches in a football simulation.

Guess this type action is being looked into ;but NOT short term.

This is being looked at by beta members, and the people who have taken the time to post here have also helped. I am sure David will take a look at this given time and priority.