The Official NCAA 14 Flexbone Offense Thread

[Timeetyo]

Quote: Originally Posted by catcher_0_3

I think your problem is you're playing with Georgia State. They won't be favorites over any team they play. Throw one of the real flex teams in there for a couple of games and then see if you're having similar results. 5 Staple Plays in the Flexbone Offense: 1.) Triple- You could run this play every play and I wouldn't consider it cheesing. I've seen high school and college teams run it over and over until they drove the ball down the field and into the endzone. Make the other team stop this before you start getting "creative". 2.) Trap Option- Eventually if you are playing a human, they will get frustrated, take over a linebacker and start over pursuing once they see which Slot back is going in motion. The trap will keep them honest because the run goes opposite of the motion. 3.) Misdirection- Similar reasoning as the trap, the misdirection should be used to take away overpursuing defenses. However, the blocking on this play is usually top notch from my experience and the slot back can really pick up some big yards without a read. 4.) Midline- This one may take some time to really master because you are reading the defensive tackle right in front of you. However, it's a great play if you can master it because instead of your typical inside/outside run design, this one is all about pounding the middle and you have lots of blockers dedicated to it. 5.) Flood- One of my favorite passing concepts, Flood can really burn a defense for lots of yards once they start getting frustrated and begin sending the house to stop the run. Have this play read as an audible for when you see it coming. If it's the corner, hit the streak. If it's an outside linebacker or safety hit the slot back once he cuts out. If the shallow is open dump it and pick up the easy yards. If you read it wrong and they are running man, take off for the first down as well.

Thanks for the info. I do know part of the effectiveness problem is from having the lowest rated team, but that doesn't change the ratios for the reads that I am seeing. I've been running mostly triple for my running plays and have started mixing in some of the others. I have seen good results from the midline although it just feels weird to run if it is a keep. I'll have to give the others a try as well.

[Slackarelli]

Quote: Originally Posted by Timeetyo

Slackarelli - I know you listed strength as a key attribute, but I am not sure how you prioritze the other attributes. Could you do me a favor and do the following as it would likely be very helpful for myself and others to get an idea of what you are looking for: Go into recruiting and look at only 3* backs (and ATH if there are any) for a given recruiting class. From there if you could pick out a few that you would target (interest doesnt matter in this scenario) and what key attributes lead you to them. For example (completely making this up): HB1 - STR - X; SPD - X, ACC - X I think this would help and we could easily scale this up or down to project this into the level player we are recruiting (based on school). Thanks!

BCV- 70+
ELU - 70+
Car - 70+
STR - 70++
SPD - 80+
Acc - 80+

This is an ideal B-Back recruit. He doesn't need to be a speed demon. He needs to be strong enough to at least gain a yard yard every time he touches the ball, even if I make a bad read. Dont go below 65 for the top 4.

[Slackarelli]

Quote: Originally Posted by catcher_0_3

I think your problem is you're playing with Georgia State. They won't be favorites over any team they play. Throw one of the real flex teams in there for a couple of games and then see if you're having similar results. 5 Staple Plays in the Flexbone Offense: 1.) Triple- You could run this play every play and I wouldn't consider it cheesing. I've seen high school and college teams run it over and over until they drove the ball down the field and into the endzone. Make the other team stop this before you start getting "creative". 2.) Trap Option- Eventually if you are playing a human, they will get frustrated, take over a linebacker and start over pursuing once they see which Slot back is going in motion. The trap will keep them honest because the run goes opposite of the motion. 3.) Misdirection- Similar reasoning as the trap, the misdirection should be used to take away overpursuing defenses. However, the blocking on this play is usually top notch from my experience and the slot back can really pick up some big yards without a read. 4.) Midline- This one may take some time to really master because you are reading the defensive tackle right in front of you. However, it's a great play if you can master it because instead of your typical inside/outside run design, this one is all about pounding the middle and you have lots of blockers dedicated to it. 5.) Flood- One of my favorite passing concepts, Flood can really burn a defense for lots of yards once they start getting frustrated and begin sending the house to stop the run. Have this play read as an audible for when you see it coming. If it's the corner, hit the streak. If it's an outside linebacker or safety hit the slot back once he cuts out. If the shallow is open dump it and pick up the easy yards. If you read it wrong and they are running man, take off for the first down as well.

I use all of those often except the misdirection play. I use rocket toss (wb toss) instead. Other than that he pretty much hit the hammer on the head with the base plays. I run some of them for different reasons though. I will go over that in my videos. Send me a message if you want access.

[thelasthurtknee]

Quote: Originally Posted by volwalker

I am getting the same results. I have only played one game but have been in practice mode for several hours. In both instances the B back, even when read properly just isn't very effective for whatever reason. Yeah I get a couple of yards everytime but the B back just doesn't come off the ball fast enough. That and he seems to come off the outside hip of the guard too. I guess I still need to test some more stuff, but the B back situation concerns me. I thought the B back was the main feature back in this offense but it seems to be the exact opposite? My A back gets the vast majority of carries because 9/10 the defender always goes for the QB. In NCAA 06 (my standard for football video games) there always seems to be a balance of who the defender would go after.

B back should be out rushing ur a backs. Make sure ur running ur dives to right tech side. Some of the dives go a gap and some b. Some up the guard. U need to make sure ur fb is diving to the correct tech side depending on which play is called.

To the guy with sim issues. 2 things. Alwasy sim on play at a time when ur on d or special teams. Never sim to end of drive. U dont have to watch but just do play at time. Also whe. U do this the sliders work for simming. U can make the cpu have 6 to 10 play drives this way. They wont use mich time but 2 to 3 mjnutes on 10 plays compared to 4 plays and 20 secs is much better

[KleShreen]

My issues so far with the flexbone.

I'm playing on AA difficulty, normal game speed (which eliminates the RB's being bogged down when taking pitches/tosses for a couple steps).

Firstly, with triple option plays, the DE you are reading almost never takes the QB. He almost ALWAYS takes the FB, so the FB only gets maybe 1-2 carries a game in my experience.

Secondly, on non-triple option plays (speed option, quick option), it's nearly impossible to have enough time to tell who the DE takes to read the pitch correctly. Your QB is on top of him almost instantly and my "read" is to pitch while my QB is being wrapped up, basically.

[jt2000]

Issues I found is speed sweeps can't be ran if flipped. The qb just keeps the ball instead of handing it off. Plus option passes can only be ran on the wide side of the field.

[JakeReaves]

Quote: Originally Posted by catcher_0_3

I think your problem is you're playing with Georgia State. They won't be favorites over any team they play. Throw one of the real flex teams in there for a couple of games and then see if you're having similar results. 5 Staple Plays in the Flexbone Offense: 1.) Triple- You could run this play every play and I wouldn't consider it cheesing. I've seen high school and college teams run it over and over until they drove the ball down the field and into the endzone. Make the other team stop this before you start getting "creative". 2.) Trap Option- Eventually if you are playing a human, they will get frustrated, take over a linebacker and start over pursuing once they see which Slot back is going in motion. The trap will keep them honest because the run goes opposite of the motion. 3.) Misdirection- Similar reasoning as the trap, the misdirection should be used to take away overpursuing defenses. However, the blocking on this play is usually top notch from my experience and the slot back can really pick up some big yards without a read. 4.) Midline- This one may take some time to really master because you are reading the defensive tackle right in front of you. However, it's a great play if you can master it because instead of your typical inside/outside run design, this one is all about pounding the middle and you have lots of blockers dedicated to it. 5.) Flood- One of my favorite passing concepts, Flood can really burn a defense for lots of yards once they start getting frustrated and begin sending the house to stop the run. Have this play read as an audible for when you see it coming. If it's the corner, hit the streak. If it's an outside linebacker or safety hit the slot back once he cuts out. If the shallow is open dump it and pick up the easy yards. If you read it wrong and they are running man, take off for the first down as well.

Nice write-up. The midline is probably the most underrated play out of the flex.

[JakeReaves]

Quote: Originally Posted by KleShreen

My issues so far with the flexbone. I'm playing on AA difficulty, normal game speed (which eliminates the RB's being bogged down when taking pitches/tosses for a couple steps). Firstly, with triple option plays, the DE you are reading almost never takes the QB. He almost ALWAYS takes the FB, so the FB only gets maybe 1-2 carries a game in my experience. Secondly, on non-triple option plays (speed option, quick option), it's nearly impossible to have enough time to tell who the DE takes to read the pitch correctly. Your QB is on top of him almost instantly and my "read" is to pitch while my QB is being wrapped up, basically.

You are correct about the speed op and the quick op. The plays are broken on this game so I do not run them. There should be a slight hesitation by the QB after the snap to allow things to unfold for a second, however EA has the QB snap the ball and sprint immediately. That's why the DE is in your grill before you realize what's going on. Just put those 2 plays on the DNC list.