I played the game a lot several years back. I have tried to get back into it, but am struggling. I know my talent is not elite right now, but i will struggle with sims or get smacked by users with similar rosters. I can only assume a big issue is my gameplan. Anyone willing to give some pointers? Thanks in advance and feel free to DM.

Posted by dlion67 on 2/6/2024 11:15:00 AM (view original):
I played the game a lot several years back. I have tried to get back into it, but am struggling. I know my talent is not elite right now, but i will struggle with sims or get smacked by users with similar rosters. I can only assume a big issue is my gameplan. Anyone willing to give some pointers? Thanks in advance and feel free to DM.

WOW!! that's a great question my friend. I was and kinda am in the same boat as you. I've asked a similar question and what it basically comes down to is "TALENT"! Talent is GOD IMO regarding this game. Game planning comes in when two (2) similar teams are matched up. That's where planning takes place. Then again you can destroy your team a with horrible game planning as well. I've taken my fair share of lickings regarding SIMs. We learn, We adapt, and We overcome.

P.S. I wouldn't count on anyone divulging their game plan techniques. Every coach guard something...LOL

I've actually got pretty good at taking teams with less talent than most other teams deep in the playoffs with solid game planning. It's nothing super secret. I use GD Analyst to see my opponent's tendencies and allocate different defensive alignments accordingly.

I have a base defense, a pass defense, and a blitz defense based on what the other team is doing. If they are running the ball 100% of the time on 3 and 2 I'll set my defense to blitz defense 100% run and 100% blitz. Does it always work? No. I've still had good running backs blast through that for a 50 yard gain. But putting your defense where they at least know the tendency of the other team the majority of the time can be the difference between winning and losing a game.

I've also found ways to gain a small advantage on offense such as converting a super fast WR to TE then throwing to them short. It works especially well if the other team's defense is full of slow LB. If the blazing fast TE makes the catch and breaks one tackle they can go for a long gain. I try things like that all the time. Some work. Some don't but you have to keep trying new things. The key is to give yourself an advantage no matter how slight it is. If you have enough of them over the course of a game it makes a huge difference.

For me, it is what you want to experiment with. I have run one offense game plan, and one defensive game plan for some teams. Then other teams I have 6 - 7 offense ( run in/out, pass short/deep, balanced run/pass, WR pass, RB pass TE pass etc) and 5 - 6 defense (for and against run, pass, heavy pass, heavy run balance, blitz etc). Also such things as SG running, WB passing.

Just have fun, experiment, raise your Form IQ and recruit the best players.

Posted by theromper on 2/6/2024 10:21:00 PM (view original):
I've actually got pretty good at taking teams with less talent than most other teams deep in the playoffs with solid game planning. It's nothing super secret. I use GD Analyst to see my opponent's tendencies and allocate different defensive alignments accordingly.

I have a base defense, a pass defense, and a blitz defense based on what the other team is doing. If they are running the ball 100% of the time on 3 and 2 I'll set my defense to blitz defense 100% run and 100% blitz. Does it always work? No. I've still had good running backs blast through that for a 50 yard gain. But putting your defense where they at least know the tendency of the other team the majority of the time can be the difference between winning and losing a game.

I've also found ways to gain a small advantage on offense such as converting a super fast WR to TE then throwing to them short. It works especially well if the other team's defense is full of slow LB. If the blazing fast TE makes the catch and breaks one tackle they can go for a long gain. I try things like that all the time. Some work. Some don't but you have to keep trying new things. The key is to give yourself an advantage no matter how slight it is. If you have enough of them over the course of a game it makes a huge difference.

Hmmmm that is actually a great idea and thank you for sharing that. I honestly never knew about GD analyst. I must take a gander regarding this. Thanks again for sharing some insight...seriously I appreciate it.

You don't need GD analyst. Just go back on your opponents recent past games vs live coaches, especially as close to your level as possible, and eyeball the Expanded pbp. See what they do. This aint quantum physics.

While Mojo isn't wrong, don't listen to him.

GDAnalyst makes things a lot easier and less time consuming.

my money's on mojo

I know "my" money's on Mojo. Do I have a choice ?

Posted by mitz151 on 2/8/2024 5:57:00 PM (view original):
While Mojo isn't wrong, don't listen to him.

GDAnalyst makes things a lot easier and less time consuming.

That fine, but I have 1 game plan for sims and 4- 5 others for humans.