anatomy of a passing play? has one been done? Topic

is there a thread on the anatomy of a passing play? I thought I read one at one point but cant remember and I did a search of all NORBERT topics the last 6 months and cant seem to find it.

help :-)  thanks
5/8/2012 4:29 PM
JConte gave us the pass play walkthrough about a year and a half ago.
5/8/2012 4:33 PM
Let's re-phrase the question...

Is there a credible thread on the anatomy of a passing play?  
5/8/2012 6:22 PM
bhazlewood has it copied on his interviews link from the GUESS ratings page I believe, all2matt.
5/8/2012 6:24 PM
Norbert has done one on running but do not think as of yet on a passing play. Would be nice to see. Norbert when you get time could you break it down like you did for a running play. If you already have done this my bad missed it.
5/9/2012 12:59 AM
anatomy of passing play

1- find dungeons and dragons game in basement
2- retrieve 20-sided die
3- throw game in garage trash where wife won't see it
4- *if wife sees game before trashed, deny ownership. possibly left by old roommate
5- **if unmarried, take extreme precaution to prevent girlfriend from seeing dungeons and dragons game as she is more likely to leave you
6- roll die
7- 1-2 incomplete, 3-11 complete short, 12-14 throws out of bounds, 15-20 complete long
8- *if converted RB to QB, 1-19 complete short, 20 complete long
9- **if Notre Dame 1-20 complete long
10. ***if ebel331 is coach, qb not hurt during play but listed as severely injured post-game-- misses rest of season
11. repeat steps 6-10 on next down if necessary
5/9/2012 1:10 AM
lol
5/9/2012 12:26 PM
That's stupid.  I'd never throw my D&D in the trash.   

I don't know if I'd have time to write up the breakdown of the play, but I am getting ready to break it down so I can rebuild it for the new engine, so a lot of it will change, I think.  I plan on putting a little more emphasis on the line play and match up for both passing and rushing plays.  I still have a lot of work to do with that, so don't ask me for details.  I can tell you that with the current engine there are a lot of checks and results that affect the play that it really doesn't show well, like pretty much all those throws out of bounds are the result of QB pressure and it had already gone through several other checks - sack, scramble, etc. - before the QB throws it away.  So another goal with the new engine will be to do a better job of showing how each play plays out, which I hope in turn will give you a little better idea of the anatomy of a play just by looking at the results.

5/9/2012 3:02 PM
Great stuff Norb. Always appreciate what you do.
5/9/2012 5:16 PM
would the JConte info be a good guide as to how the passing plays currently work?
link anyone?
or norbert: can you comment on how things currently work, even at a high level? like for instance, how to passes end up going to certain positions, like TE vs WR4. is it a checkdown thing? like WR1, 2, 3 are covered, WR4 is open, i go there? or is it some point a probability cloud as far as who gets targeted?
will a QB ever throw to a covered guy? can style alter this?
6/5/2012 7:29 AM
Posted by norbert on 5/9/2012 3:02:00 PM (view original):
That's stupid.  I'd never throw my D&D in the trash.   

I don't know if I'd have time to write up the breakdown of the play, but I am getting ready to break it down so I can rebuild it for the new engine, so a lot of it will change, I think.  I plan on putting a little more emphasis on the line play and match up for both passing and rushing plays.  I still have a lot of work to do with that, so don't ask me for details.  I can tell you that with the current engine there are a lot of checks and results that affect the play that it really doesn't show well, like pretty much all those throws out of bounds are the result of QB pressure and it had already gone through several other checks - sack, scramble, etc. - before the QB throws it away.  So another goal with the new engine will be to do a better job of showing how each play plays out, which I hope in turn will give you a little better idea of the anatomy of a play just by looking at the results.

That's stupid.  I'd never throw my D&D in the trash.    

CLASSIC response!!!!   Great job Norbert!!
6/5/2012 9:56 AM
thx for the link chaney.

heres what Jconte said:

1. The first step after the ball is snapped is to determine the time the QB has to throw the ball.
*** This initial determination is done looking at the number of players the offense has available to pass protect on the play and their ability to do so (blocking, strength, and game instinct are the most important factors) against the defense's pass rushing ability (strength, elusiveness, and technique). There is also a chance that an offensive player will miss his assignment which would result in very quick pressure on the QB. This is done by selecting a blocker and looking at his blocking, formation IQ, and experience to determine if he understands whom to block on the play.

2. The QB determines where his target location to throw the ball is for the play.
*** This determination is done based on the aggressiveness of the offensive play call to start. Then it is adjusted by shifting the QB's vision if it is 3rd or 4th down and he needs to look beyond the first down marker, if the team is close to scoring and the field is compressed, or if the throw needs to go to the endzone (time running out, hail mary, etc.).

3. Using the protection time and target location, does the QB have time to go to his target location?

4a. QB has the time - the matchup between the target receiver and the defender on the play is analyzed to determine if the receiver is open. (Go to 7)
*** This is done by looking at athleticism, speed, elusiveness, technique, and game instinct for the receiver and athleticism, speed, technique, and game instinct for the defender. This is further modified by the location on the field -- the player is more likely to be open on a screen pass than he is on a deep throw.

4b. QB does not have the time - does the QB recognize that he does not have the time he needs? (Go to 5)
*** This is based on the QB's game instinct and experience.

5a. No - there is a chance for a sack. The matchup between the QB and the pressuring defender is analyzed to determine if the sack is made or the QB eludes the pressure. (Go to 6)
5b. Yes - the QB will either select a different target he does have time for (checkdown) or rollout to buy some extra time. If he leaves the pocket, the amount of extra protection time is determined and the decision process basically goes back to 3. The QB can obviously only leave the pocket 1 time to get extra time.

6a. Sack
*** Based on the matchup between the defender (ATH, SPD, GI, TKL, TECH) applying the pressure and the QB (ATH, SPD, ELU, STR).

6b. The QB will leave the pocket to get more time if he is in the pocket.
*** The amount of time he can gain is based on his ATH, ELU, SPD, and STR along with the blocking/defense factors determined in step one with slight modifications.

6c. The QB will either throw the ball away or scramble if he is already outside the pocket.
*** Determine if the QB will scramble based on his ATH, SPD, and ELU.

7a. Receiver is open -- determine if the QB recognizes that the target receiver is open (Go to 8)
*** The main factors here are the QB's GI and formation IQ.

7b. Receiver is covered -- the QB will either force the throw or move on to another target which basically goes back to 3. *** The decision to force the throw is based on the aggressiveness of the play call, the QB's GI, and his STR.

8a. Yes -- the throw is made.
8b. No -- the QB moves on to another target which again goes back to 3.

9. Determine the outcome of the throw. Is it a good throw?
*** This is based on the distance of the throw, the throwing window the QB has (relative "open-ness" of the receiver), and the QB's accuracy (TECH, STR).

10a. Yes -- does the receiver make the catch? (Go to 11)
*** Based on the accuracy of the throw (ease of the catch), and the receiver's hands, athleticism, strength, and technique.

10b. No -- determine if the defender makes the INT or if it is just incomplete.
*** This is based on the positioning of the defense and the closest defender. Whether or not the defender can make the play on the ball and intercept it is based on his speed, athleticism, hands, strength, and technique.

11a. Yes -- is the receiver tackled right away by the defender? (Go to 12)
*** Based on the ease with which the receiver made the catch (results of 10a).

11b. No -- the receiver dropped the pass.

12a. Yes -- receiver tackled.
*** Whether or not the receiver is tackled or the run continues is based on defensive positioning, receiver's speed, elusiveness, athleticism, and strength, and defender speed, athleticism, game instinct, tackling, and technique.

12b. No -- receiver runs after the catch.
6/5/2012 12:49 PM
anatomy of a passing play? has one been done? Topic

Search Criteria

Terms of Use Customer Support Privacy Statement

© 1999-2025 WhatIfSports.com, Inc. All rights reserved. WhatIfSports is a trademark of WhatIfSports.com, Inc. SimLeague, SimMatchup and iSimNow are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts, Inc. Used under license. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.