Posted by nitros on 2/8/2020 8:59:00 PM (view original):

When using formations in a playbook your thought process should be about getting the ball to your most rested playmaker who has the highest chance of being defended by one of your opponent's weakest defenders.

Two points:

1. Any time pete drops some wisdom...listen, take notes and do what he says. Top 5 coach all time in my book.

2. That one sentence above is the best sentence ever stated on this forum with regard to offense game planning.

nitros (James)

Ditto:)

I just won Wilkinson title with 3 formations on offense (Iform - 2 pass and 1 run)

and basically 1 formation on defense (3-4, mostly just mix up blitz vs no blitz)... plus some heavy run defenses mixed in for short yardage.

just mentioning this for those who might think 10 formations is overwhelming, you can win with a pretty basic setup. I'm not saying the is ideal... I've been meaning to add more variations but never got around to it... but can have success with a minimal approach.

Posted by nitros on 2/8/2020 8:59:00 PM (view original):

When using formations in a playbook your thought process should be about getting the ball to your most rested playmaker who has the highest chance of being defended by one of your opponent's weakest defenders.

Two points:

1. Any time pete drops some wisdom...listen, take notes and do what he says. Top 5 coach all time in my book.

2. That one sentence above is the best sentence ever stated on this forum with regard to offense game planning.

nitros (James)

I thought pass defense was zone?

zone vs man depends on the formation iq of your #1 linebacker of formation

Posted by livemike on 2/9/2020 9:22:00 PM (view original):
zone vs man depends on the formation iq of your #1 linebacker of formation

I'm not understanding this?

I thought pass defense was zone?

Pass defense is zone. What Pete is saying is "weakest' defensive groups.

zone vs man depends on the formation iq of your #1 linebacker of formation

The sentence above is not accurate. I suspect he is just messing with you.

nitros (James)

Posted by nitros on 2/9/2020 11:48:00 PM (view original):

I thought pass defense was zone?

Pass defense is zone. What Pete is saying is "weakest' defensive groups.

zone vs man depends on the formation iq of your #1 linebacker of formation

The sentence above is not accurate. I suspect he is just messing with you.

nitros (James)

Well that's unfortunate, I've always had livemike pegged as one of the better coaches.

Regarding attacking the weakest defensive group with your strongest offensive group. How do you accomplish that when your WRs are your strength and LBs are your opponents weakness? Unless you are using trips or shotgun and the defense is using 4 DBs, even if you throw short to your WR, he will show as being covered by a DB. Most of those by the CB

Regarding attacking the weakest defensive group with your strongest offensive group. How do you accomplish that when your WRs are your strength and LBs are your opponents weakness? Unless you are using trips or shotgun and the defense is using 4 DBs, even if you throw short to your WR, he will show as being covered by a DB. Most of those by the CB

Comments:

1. Short to WR is always covered by CB (no exceptions).

2. The answer to your question is math. If that math says to run outside because the delta (difference) in talent is the highest (e.g. your offensive group vs. defensive group), then run outside b/c the math says to run outside.

3. The rule of 4. If the offensive group vs. the defensive group is within 4 points...then from a math perspective it is a tie and the result could go either way.

4. Don't over complicate the math. There are too many unknown variables to get the math perfect. Come up with a system that is easy and handles the core math. For example, the offensive group vs. defensive group for the inside run and outside run is published in the developer chats. Use GDReports for the "rating" of each of the groups and then add them up. That will give you a good sense of the basic formula you need going forward. As you get more experience, you can probably just "eye ball" groupings and figure out the biggest "delta". Or, you can refine your formula and run a spreadsheet.

5. Finally, understand how to get your "money players" in the game at the highest level of stamina against that defensive group you want to target. That requires at least two "formations" for your game plan. One formation for your "money play" and one formation to rest the players in your "money play".

Meh, probably too long of a post. Sorry.

nitros (James)

Posted by nitros on 2/11/2020 11:00:00 AM (view original):

Regarding attacking the weakest defensive group with your strongest offensive group. How do you accomplish that when your WRs are your strength and LBs are your opponents weakness? Unless you are using trips or shotgun and the defense is using 4 DBs, even if you throw short to your WR, he will show as being covered by a DB. Most of those by the CB

Comments:

1. Short to WR is always covered by CB (no exceptions).

2. The answer to your question is math. If that math says to run outside because the delta (difference) in talent is the highest (e.g. your offensive group vs. defensive group), then run outside b/c the math says to run outside.

3. The rule of 4. If the offensive group vs. the defensive group is within 4 points...then from a math perspective it is a tie and the result could go either way.

4. Don't over complicate the math. There are too many unknown variables to get the math perfect. Come up with a system that is easy and handles the core math. For example, the offensive group vs. defensive group for the inside run and outside run is published in the developer chats. Use GDReports for the "rating" of each of the groups and then add them up. That will give you a good sense of the basic formula you need going forward. As you get more experience, you can probably just "eye ball" groupings and figure out the biggest "delta". Or, you can refine your formula and run a spreadsheet.

5. Finally, understand how to get your "money players" in the game at the highest level of stamina against that defensive group you want to target. That requires at least two "formations" for your game plan. One formation for your "money play" and one formation to rest the players in your "money play".

Meh, probably too long of a post. Sorry.

nitros (James)

Thank you for posting to all of the greats. Much wisdom here...

Posted by nitros on 2/11/2020 11:00:00 AM (view original):

Regarding attacking the weakest defensive group with your strongest offensive group. How do you accomplish that when your WRs are your strength and LBs are your opponents weakness? Unless you are using trips or shotgun and the defense is using 4 DBs, even if you throw short to your WR, he will show as being covered by a DB. Most of those by the CB

Comments:

1. Short to WR is always covered by CB (no exceptions).

2. The answer to your question is math. If that math says to run outside because the delta (difference) in talent is the highest (e.g. your offensive group vs. defensive group), then run outside b/c the math says to run outside.

3. The rule of 4. If the offensive group vs. the defensive group is within 4 points...then from a math perspective it is a tie and the result could go either way.

4. Don't over complicate the math. There are too many unknown variables to get the math perfect. Come up with a system that is easy and handles the core math. For example, the offensive group vs. defensive group for the inside run and outside run is published in the developer chats. Use GDReports for the "rating" of each of the groups and then add them up. That will give you a good sense of the basic formula you need going forward. As you get more experience, you can probably just "eye ball" groupings and figure out the biggest "delta". Or, you can refine your formula and run a spreadsheet.

5. Finally, understand how to get your "money players" in the game at the highest level of stamina against that defensive group you want to target. That requires at least two "formations" for your game plan. One formation for your "money play" and one formation to rest the players in your "money play".

Meh, probably too long of a post. Sorry.

nitros (James)

Great information. I will add one thought that I believe he was particularly looking for.

When using Trips against any defense except Nickle and Dime there are certain circumstances where I can ensure that one WR will be covered by a LB. The defensive adjustments make a difference, but in most games, I can get that matchup a significant % of the time. Sometimes there are also opportunities to wear down a CB and then attack him with a fresh high $ receiver, again a lot has to do with the way that team has been set up. This becomes harder to do against more experienced coaches and teams with a roster that is on par with yours or better, in which case you just have to go with your highest percentage plays and hope that the game engine's random generator (Roll of the Die) is kind to you.

I have seen that WR-LB matchup. I always thought it was zone defense so wasn't too concerned about it.

I run a balanced offense, so my 'money players' are pretty much always in the game.

Some seriously good stuff to think about. If I get enough time I’ll have to plug some of these nuggets into my game planning. Thanks guys!