Lead and pull blocking

[feeq14]

Lead blocking on power and toss plays has always been bad, but after feeling like it was a bit better a few patches ago, someting is off again. I am still gitting ridiculous wiffed blocks with pulling blockers trying to block guys behind them or running past guys to block defenders on the other side of the screen.

Does anyone have any hot fixes that have helped them with this?

[PhillyPhanatic14]

Re: Lead and pull blocking

Man the pull blocking in this game is such trash. I've had some success with one of the toss plays in the Chiefs playbook recently, but it's so hard to get guys to do their job when they're run blocking. If you don't slowly walk behind them and lead them to their block they just don't do anything.

[edgevoice]

Re: Lead and pull blocking

Lead blocking on power and toss plays has always been bad, but after feeling like it was a bit better a few patches ago, someting is off again. I am still gitting ridiculous wiffed blocks with pulling blockers trying to block guys behind them or running past guys to block defenders on the other side of the screen.

Does anyone have any hot fixes that have helped them with this?

Overall, certain running plays with OL pulling are blocked better than others. I feel it seems to change from edition to edition. Power runs aren't as effective for me in M20, as the pulling guard often appears unsure of his assignment, as you've pointed out. However, counters, traps and dive plays from certain formations work really well this year, if you follow your blocks and time your speed burst. Pretty amazed at some of the second level blocking I experience on certain dive plays whereas a double team takes place briefly before the lineman attacks the LB. The only toss play I've found effective thus far is out of I-Twins Flex. I sometimes flip the direction of the play. I've busted off some really long runs at times, and have also been caught behind the LOS at others.

[stinkubus]

Re: Lead and pull blocking

A few thoughts.

For starters your lineman has to have enough mobility to actually reach his target in time. Power OL are some of the worst pull blockers mostly because they are too slow do to anything other than trap DTs. Agile OL with high STR and relevant blocking stats are much, much better.

As edgevoice alluded to you MUST follow your blockers. If you abruptly change direction this will induce them to change their targets. Never assume your OL will block someone until they actually engage.

As always properly time your use of the sprint button. This is very much a matter of "feel" and firm rules cannot be given. Backs with really high SPD can trigger disengages without sprinting. If your player has elite top end speed you may need to go easy on the left stick to prevent them.

[DSonTL]

Re: Lead and pull blocking

I have a custom pb that is based around the power O and I have no problems here. The tosses tho are pretty bad. But I’m so dominant wen I run counter or power it’s ridiculous. Make sure you got the right stats for your linemen. Your opinion may change


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[feeq14]

Re: Lead and pull blocking

I get what some of you guys are saying about linemen getting out on blocks. But that's not my issue. It'd be different if I saw linemen missing blocks or attempting blocks and whiffing on them or not getting to their spot in time.

The issue is watching a pulling guard and fullback both run past two defenders they were running directly at without even attempting a block.

The issue is seeing a pulling guard not get up field and pause or stutter-step into an open hole cuasing my runner to get held up in the gap and get tackled.

The problem is not poorly executed blocking, it's poorly designed blocking AI. Sometimes a pulling blocker will engage in a block and get insta shed. I don't want that to happen but that is at least a reasonable outcome. But many times a blocker will be running directly at the appropriate defender to block only to run right past them into open space and then turn around to find someone to block on the other side of the field.

The tethering or whatever programing that the game uses to assign blockers simply does not function well on toss and power plays. Blockers out int he open have too many options and ALWAYS chooses the wrong one.

The blocking in space is poorly designed and programmed. In real football, blockers are taught to never turn around and to head upfield on run plays. But for over a decade now blockers in madden and even NCAA have been turning around to block players they shouldn't even be able to see. It wouldn't be a problem if it was rare but it's basically a 50-50 chance on any given toss or power play that a blocker is going to mess the entire play up by getting in the way or not even attempting a block.

[MakaveliLPC]

Re: Lead and pull blocking

Creating your own running plays and blocking assignments would be niiice

[tru11]

Re: Lead and pull blocking

Lead blocking on power and toss plays has always been bad, but after feeling like it was a bit better a few patches ago, someting is off again. I am still gitting ridiculous wiffed blocks with pulling blockers trying to block guys behind them or running past guys to block defenders on the other side of the screen.

Does anyone have any hot fixes that have helped them with this?

its just poor programming.

nothing you can do about it.

o-liners will block safeties instead of the dline or the linebacker.

you can run to the left and be 20 yards downfield only to be called back by the RT blocking someone in the back.....

corners can man up o-liners and fbs and toss them aside at will.

basicially the moment you tap the sprint button anything ridiculous can happen.

your best bet is to not touch that button and hope for the best.

[IlluminatusUIUC]

Re: Lead and pull blocking

Anyone labbed to see how the Lead Block rating works, as compared to the previous Run Block ratings? Does it just track how successful they are at lead blocking or does it influence their choice of target? Also, does it apply anytime there is a pull, regardless of whether they actually lead outside (ie Wham blocks)

[tru11]

Re: Lead and pull blocking

Anyone labbed to see how the Lead Block rating works, as compared to the previous Run Block ratings? Does it just track how successful they are at lead blocking or does it influence their choice of target? Also, does it apply anytime there is a pull, regardless of whether they actually lead outside (ie Wham blocks)

can confirm that its a useless rating.

Ricard has a 95 lead block rating.

He cant pick the right target to block nor if he actually manages to at least pick a usefull target just whiffs even when its a corner or safety.

following him might have not even get you to the LOS....

[OhMrHanky]

Re: Lead and pull blocking

I get what some of you guys are saying about linemen getting out on blocks. But that's not my issue. It'd be different if I saw linemen missing blocks or attempting blocks and whiffing on them or not getting to their spot in time.



The issue is watching a pulling guard and fullback both run past two defenders they were running directly at without even attempting a block.



The issue is seeing a pulling guard not get up field and pause or stutter-step into an open hole cuasing my runner to get held up in the gap and get tackled.



The problem is not poorly executed blocking, it's poorly designed blocking AI. Sometimes a pulling blocker will engage in a block and get insta shed. I don't want that to happen but that is at least a reasonable outcome. But many times a blocker will be running directly at the appropriate defender to block only to run right past them into open space and then turn around to find someone to block on the other side of the field.



The tethering or whatever programing that the game uses to assign blockers simply does not function well on toss and power plays. Blockers out int he open have too many options and ALWAYS chooses the wrong one.



The blocking in space is poorly designed and programmed. In real football, blockers are taught to never turn around and to head upfield on run plays. But for over a decade now blockers in madden and even NCAA have been turning around to block players they shouldn't even be able to see. It wouldn't be a problem if it was rare but it's basically a 50-50 chance on any given toss or power play that a blocker is going to mess the entire play up by getting in the way or not even attempting a block.

Yeah, I agree with this totally. The I form toss sweep is my fav play to see the poor blocking. Lol. I’ll have to post a video later if I upload it. I took a great one where the FB and pulling OL both look to be setup for perfect blocks, only they choose to block the other’s assignment. Lol. Or, that is to say, they look like they’ll both get a block, but halfway through, they both have a change of heart and decide to block the wrong guy. Because they choose this so late, they don’t block anyone, run into each other, AND end up tackling me!!! Lol.

I have found lately, that if I make a concerted effort to simply follow the FB, he ends up blocking somebody because, in essence, the tackler has to go through the FB to get me at some point in the play. Instead of sort of ‘seeing’ the play develop and assuming this block or that block will happen, I simply follow the FB until he blocks someone, then I speed burst past that particular block. I still see goofiness, but I’ve had the best results with that philosophy.


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