How To Build A Custom Offensive Playbook And Gameplan

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  • edgevoice
    MVP
    • Sep 2008
    • 1199

    #1

    How To Build A Custom Offensive Playbook And Gameplan

    While nowhere near as well designed when compared to Madden 12, building a custom playbook and installing a gameplan is still possible in Madden 19. Although this feature is somewhat limiting, I will show you how I was able to build a custom playbook and install a 60 play gameplan. When properly utilized, not only will you have a playbook that best represents your playing style, you'll find yourself becoming a much better and more efficient play caller based on situation. You will also not have to "formation fumble" through your playbook in order to select your plays.

    Before you start building your custom playbook, be sure to pick a book that best represents the formations you want to use. In so doing, you will have the ability to take advantage of formation substitutions. Once you've settled on a playbook, select one play from a formation you wish to save and put it in all gameplan situations, except hail mary. Doing this will insure you avoid being prompted that a play cannot be deleted, since it's the only play in a given situation. Keep in mind that you will not be able to delete any play designated as "safe situation". Next, delete all plays and formations you do not wish to have in your book. From there, delete the rest of the plays you don't want to keep, but make sure you save at least 1 play per each of these formations, in order to keep the integrity and order of your playbook intact. If you don't, your formations may scramble and thus may not appear where they belong. Finally, build your playbook by first adding plays to the formations you've saved. Afterwards, you can select additional formations and plays you wish to install. Everyone has their own tastes, but I would highly advise that you try to stay as balanced as possible. Writing your playbook to a simple word pad file will allow you to keep track of how many runs, short, medium, deep passes and nickel packages you are installing. Think "situation". When you have finished, name your book and save.

    In order to start building your gameplan, start by simply selecting your offensive playbook for editing. You would then select 9 plays you absolutely want to show up all the time for each situation. This is done by awarding 3 plays 5 stars, 3 plays 4.5 stars, and finally 3 plays 4 stars. Continue to do this throughout every situation or copy and paste situations. Of note, 3rd & 4th down medium situations only allow for 6 selections. Make sure you are picking plays from every formation in your playbook or that formation may not show up in game. These plays will show up under Frequent Playcall Window. If you want to further enhance your gameplan, select 9 additional plays for each desired situation and award a star rating of 3.5 for each play chosen. While these plays will not show up under Frequent Playcall Window, you will notice 5 or 6 of them will randomly rotate under the Strategy Pick Window. What I did was add 2nd and short to both 1st and 10 and 2nd and medium/long situations. I also added 3rd and medium to my redzone situation. When you are finished, save playbook as gameplan. Finally, you will have to go through a game and call all of your plays at least 1 time. After you do this, you will find that all of your plays in your gameplan will show up according to situation under the Frequent Playcall Window, while supplemental plays you've added by rating them 3.5 will start rotating under the Strategy Pick Window.

    In the future, I hope EA improves the gameplan feature, as it had done so well in Madden 12. Being that there are 27 available playcall windows, it flies in the face of all logic to not be able to assign more plays into a gameplan window than 9. Having said that, having at least 9 plays for almost every situation and the supplemental use of formation substitutions is better than nothing.

    I have uploaded both my core offense named EdgeOffense and 60 play gameplan named Edgeplan for XBOX users in case you want to download and use either as a template. My apologies to PS users as I regretfully have no means to upload for you folks.
    Last edited by edgevoice; 04-13-2019, 05:51 PM.
  • RogueHominid
    Hall Of Fame
    • Aug 2006
    • 10900

    #2
    Re: How To Build A Custom Offensive Playbook And Gameplan

    Super interesting.

    One question: does this method 100% prevent formation jumbling?

    I found that if all I did was set custom audibles, all my formations would get jumbled.

    You're able to empty the book out, re-stock it, and set audibles, all without the formation jumble, using this method?

    Thanks!

    Comment

    • edgevoice
      MVP
      • Sep 2008
      • 1199

      #3
      Re: How To Build A Custom Offensive Playbook And Gameplan

      Attached please find example of how I set up my 60 play gameplan. I was not able to attach a professional colored version, as file was not supported here, but I hope this helps you in setting up your own personal gameplan.

      Also, I just uploaded my gameplan on XBOX 1 and is named edgeplan. As you will see, it is a very basic timing-based offense containing 5 pro and 5 nickel formations. I also included my formation audibles at the bottom. You may download it and then use it as a template to install your own gameplan.

      Remember, you will likely have to go into a play now game and call all plays once before they will show up under frequent playcall window.
      Attached Files

      Comment

      • edgevoice
        MVP
        • Sep 2008
        • 1199

        #4
        Re: How To Build A Custom Offensive Playbook And Gameplan

        Originally posted by Trojan Man
        Super interesting.

        One question: does this method 100% prevent formation jumbling?

        I found that if all I did was set custom audibles, all my formations would get jumbled.

        You're able to empty the book out, re-stock it, and set audibles, all without the formation jumble, using this method?

        Thanks!
        That is the million dollar question my friend. When I first tried to build a custom playbook in Madden 19, not only were my formations jumbled, almost half of them were missing because I completely stripped it initially. I am very OCD so I wanted to completely start from scratch and then build.

        This year, I had to find the playbook that most closely resembled what I wanted from a formation standpoint. From there, I made sure I kept at least one play from each of these formations I wanted to keep alive when stripping it. After doing it that way, everything laid out perfectly, even the additional formations I added.

        It would be a good idea to save your playbook after you are done stripping it, leaving at least one play alive per formation desired. Go into practice mode and you should see everything stacked correctly.

        Comment

        • cirespieler
          Rookie
          • Sep 2015
          • 226

          #5
          Re: How To Build A Custom Offensive Playbook And Gameplan

          Excellent write up, thanks. Appreciate all the time that goes into something like this.

          It's definitely best to start with an existing PB and modify, found that out the hard way a few years back. Hail Mary and game plan can really cause a lot of glitches if you try to delete everything and start from zero.



          Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

          Comment

          • AceCoach704
            Rookie
            • Nov 2016
            • 7

            #6
            Re: How To Build A Custom Offensive Playbook And Gameplan

            I like reading stuff like this, I admire the patience and attention to detail. For me, I coached High School Football for 13 years so I got used to having my call sheet to refer off of. Attached is a simple 3 play per formation call sheet I made for the New Orleans Saints playbook I use, but it's easily editable in Excel. Hope someone finds it useful.
            Attached Files

            Comment

            • edgevoice
              MVP
              • Sep 2008
              • 1199

              #7
              Re: How To Build A Custom Offensive Playbook And Gameplan

              Originally posted by cirespieler
              Excellent write up, thanks. Appreciate all the time that goes into something like this.

              It's definitely best to start with an existing PB and modify, found that out the hard way a few years back. Hail Mary and game plan can really cause a lot of glitches if you try to delete everything and start from zero.

              Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports
              Thanks for the kind words. The unfortunate thing is that the write-up had to be as lengthy as it was, in order to explain the workaround to allow for the gameplan feature to actually work.

              You would think that the 9 plays you starred 5-4.5-4 respectively would show up under Strategy Picks. Instead, you will find them under Frequent Called. I discovered it quite by accident, just before I nearly hurled my controller through my Sony....
              Last edited by edgevoice; 09-19-2018, 08:01 AM.

              Comment

              • edgevoice
                MVP
                • Sep 2008
                • 1199

                #8
                Re: How To Build A Custom Offensive Playbook And Gameplan

                Originally posted by AceCoach704
                I like reading stuff like this, I admire the patience and attention to detail. For me, I coached High School Football for 13 years so I got used to having my call sheet to refer off of. Attached is a simple 3 play per formation call sheet I made for the New Orleans Saints playbook I use, but it's easily editable in Excel. Hope someone finds it useful.
                Thanks Coach. Funny, I actually used the Saints playbook as my base for my custom book, as it contained quite a few of the formations I wanted to have represented. I see you have quite a bit of stuff I like to run.

                When I built my book overall, before I put together my gameplan, I was very careful to make certain I had a play in each formation designated for each receiver, along with both an inside and outside run. That way, when I put together my gameplan, I wouldn't tip my hand by making sure to utilize all my weapons.

                I attached my book below. Again, I have a nice colored file that I am unable to attach here. I start off each formation listing running plays across. From there, pass plays to the X, SLOT or TE and Z receivers are shown from left to right across. Hopefully it may help others looking to build their own book.

                Curious question: How many plays did you have up when you coached HS football per-game? Thanks again.
                Attached Files

                Comment

                • RogueHominid
                  Hall Of Fame
                  • Aug 2006
                  • 10900

                  #9
                  Re: How To Build A Custom Offensive Playbook And Gameplan

                  Edge, are you on XBOX or PS4?

                  I'd love to see this NO-based book of yours if you happen to be on PS4 and are able to upload it.

                  I have an additional question: If you create the book and set it up as directed, you get a properly-ordered book with no formation jumbling, but are you also able to go in later and re-edit, say the audibles, and still have a properly-ordered book?

                  I ask this because I'm wondering why it is that just changing the audibles in an existing book goofs everything up but the process you've outlined does not. I'm wondering if changing audibles after a playbook is established does something unique to jumble formation order.

                  Comment

                  • edgevoice
                    MVP
                    • Sep 2008
                    • 1199

                    #10
                    Re: How To Build A Custom Offensive Playbook And Gameplan

                    Originally posted by Trojan Man
                    Edge, are you on XBOX or PS4?

                    I'd love to see this NO-based book of yours if you happen to be on PS4 and are able to upload it.

                    I have an additional question: If you create the book and set it up as directed, you get a properly-ordered book with no formation jumbling, but are you also able to go in later and re-edit, say the audibles, and still have a properly-ordered book?

                    I ask this because I'm wondering why it is that just changing the audibles in an existing book goofs everything up but the process you've outlined does not. I'm wondering if changing audibles after a playbook is established does something unique to jumble formation order.
                    Sorry TM, but I am on XBOX. Wish there was a way to upload book for everybody.

                    My formations never change or jumble when changing audibles. I have no idea as to why they are causing your formations to jumble. One thing I never, ever do is change audibles in practice or in game. I only change my audibles in the playbook section. However, when I tried to take the approach I'd taken in past iterations, which was to strip the selected playbook almost completely and build from there, not only did formations jumble, many simply didn't even show up when I went to practice mode. Sure, when I went back into custom playbook section, I could see the plays were chosen, but they would not show up in practice or in game.

                    The way I approached building the custom playbook and installing my game plan was basically a 5-step process. First, I built my base template off the Saints playbook, making sure I kept at least 1 play per-formation I wanted to keep, and saved. Next, I made sure formations were in order by going to practice mode and checking thoroughly. Afterwards, I then selected my playbook template, completed my book and saved. Finally, I re-selected my finished playbook and installed my 60-play game plan, set my audibles and saved file "as". Lastly, I went into an exhibition game and called all plays at random at least once. Afterwards, all plays showed up in their respective situations under "Frequent Play Call" window.

                    I probably shouldn't be, but I am somewhat shocked that a core function of football that is playbook design and game planning, is so still so bugged and poorly designed. Having said that, I will admit that even with it's significant limitations, I am usually able to call my best plays at the proper time, without having to sift thru my formations or look at my play call sheet. This makes the game far more enjoyable to me and reminds me to use nearly my entire game plan.

                    I'll say it again, they got it right back in Madden 12. We had 30 play call windows for each situation and they would even stack in order, pertaining to how many stars you assigned each play under the game plan window! No excuse for this area to be given 0 attention, with the exception of adding more windows for community suggestions. My suggestion is for EA to give us more options and control over what we want to call going forward.

                    Comment

                    • RogueHominid
                      Hall Of Fame
                      • Aug 2006
                      • 10900

                      #11
                      Re: How To Build A Custom Offensive Playbook And Gameplan

                      Cool, thanks for the feedback.

                      Whoever designed the playbook editor function and the formation subs did a flat-out terrible job. These two things should be easy to get right but they are so poorly done in Madden that it's hard for me to believe a qualified professional did either of these things. And they've been broken for years running, which I'd think would be embarrassing to whoever's name is on this aspect of the game, but I digress.

                      I followed your directions in post one and took a customized book into practice mode. Lo and behold, the Ace formations are now no longer atop the list. Rather, Strong/Weak/I Pro are now atop the list. And certain formations are not in the same order within the sets.

                      I'm wondering if I'm confusing something in the steps. Here's the language that's tripping me up:

                      "Next, delete all plays and formations you do not wish to have in your book. From there, delete the rest of the plays you don't want to keep, but make sure you save at least 1 play per each of these formations, in order to keep the integrity and order of your playbook intact.?

                      The next/from there phrasing makes it sound like these are two different steps, but the content of these steps sounds the same to me.

                      As I understand it, you:

                      1) Take your base book
                      2) Choose one play from one formation and put it in every situation except Hail Mary
                      3) Delete every formation you don't want in your playbook
                      4) For every keeper formation, leave one play in to preserve the order, then empty that formation of all unwanted plays
                      5) Fill each keeper formation with the plays you desire

                      Do I have that right?

                      Comment

                      • edgevoice
                        MVP
                        • Sep 2008
                        • 1199

                        #12
                        Re: How To Build A Custom Offensive Playbook And Gameplan

                        Originally posted by Trojan Man
                        Cool, thanks for the feedback.

                        Whoever designed the playbook editor function and the formation subs did a flat-out terrible job. These two things should be easy to get right but they are so poorly done in Madden that it's hard for me to believe a qualified professional did either of these things. And they've been broken for years running, which I'd think would be embarrassing to whoever's name is on this aspect of the game, but I digress.

                        I followed your directions in post one and took a customized book into practice mode. Lo and behold, the Ace formations are now no longer atop the list. Rather, Strong/Weak/I Pro are now atop the list. And certain formations are not in the same order within the sets.

                        I'm wondering if I'm confusing something in the steps. Here's the language that's tripping me up:

                        "Next, delete all plays and formations you do not wish to have in your book. From there, delete the rest of the plays you don't want to keep, but make sure you save at least 1 play per each of these formations, in order to keep the integrity and order of your playbook intact.?

                        The next/from there phrasing makes it sound like these are two different steps, but the content of these steps sounds the same to me.

                        As I understand it, you:

                        1) Take your base book
                        2) Choose one play from one formation and put it in every situation except Hail Mary
                        3) Delete every formation you don't want in your playbook
                        4) For every keeper formation, leave one play in to preserve the order, then empty that formation of all unwanted plays
                        5) Fill each keeper formation with the plays you desire

                        Do I have that right?
                        You have it dead on right and I am sorry for the confusion. I tried to explain clearly, yet with all necessary detail, but since this feature is so flawed it is hard to put instructions to words..

                        Maybe I just got lucky TM, but my formations stayed intact. When I tried to use the Cowboys as a base, which I've done in the past, I had significant scrambling of formations and missing content.

                        If you can resign yourself to live with the fact that the formations don't quite come up in the order you'd like, once you set your gameplan, you'll be bouncing back and forth between Frequent Called and Strategy Pick windows anyway and won't need to call plays by formations any longer, other than when you are hit with the 4 minute (safe) situation bug that cannot be remedied. Believe me, I hear you at how time-consuming, frustrating and bugged this process is. My apologies for not having more answers for you here.
                        Last edited by edgevoice; 09-22-2018, 12:46 PM.

                        Comment

                        • mpd3892
                          Rookie
                          • Aug 2005
                          • 494

                          #13
                          Re: How To Build A Custom Offensive Playbook And Gameplan

                          Very interesting and something I will definitely have to give a try.

                          Out of curiosity, have you tried doing this with CPU play books? Mind you, you would have to use the 2 controller workaround to get it to work, but if so, this would be great. It would allow us to game plan for the CPU and provide a play book that would possibly make the game more challenging and possibly realistic in terms of play calling.

                          Also, have you applied this to defensive play books?

                          Comment

                          • edgevoice
                            MVP
                            • Sep 2008
                            • 1199

                            #14
                            Re: How To Build A Custom Offensive Playbook And Gameplan

                            Originally posted by mpd3892
                            Very interesting and something I will definitely have to give a try.

                            Out of curiosity, have you tried doing this with CPU play books? Mind you, you would have to use the 2 controller workaround to get it to work, but if so, this would be great. It would allow us to game plan for the CPU and provide a play book that would possibly make the game more challenging and possibly realistic in terms of play calling.

                            Also, have you applied this to defensive play books?
                            Good luck to you and I hope it works out. Let me know if you need help.

                            I have not attempted to do CPU gameplans. SABO has that covered and does a great job with it. See his post on page 1. I believe he has uploaded books for PS4. The main purpose of my way of gameplanning is so that user will be guaranteed to have 9 plays absolutely always show up per-situation under Frequent Playcall Window, with another 6 that will rotate under Strategy Playcall Window. CPU gameplans need to be set up differently, whereas several plays will rotate continuously, which is a whole new ball game.

                            I built a custom defensive playbook, but found gameplanning to be quite bugged with regards to assigning situations.

                            Comment

                            • RogueHominid
                              Hall Of Fame
                              • Aug 2006
                              • 10900

                              #15
                              Re: How To Build A Custom Offensive Playbook And Gameplan

                              Edge, I'm getting this to work for offensive books but am not having the same luck with defensive books.

                              Are you able to replicate your success at keeping the formations in the proper order on the defensive side of things?

                              I don't mind if individual sets are in a different order (SB Wing coming up as #7 instead of #2), but I have a harder time living with Nickel 2-4-5 Double A Gap showing up above 3-4 on my defensive formations list, for example.

                              Any perspective to offer there?

                              Comment

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