Hard Time Catching Jump Balls?

[PapiSuave]

Is it just me or is catching jump balls in NCAA Football 14 significantly harder than in years before?

As someone who grew up as a taller WR, I've always been drawn to taller WRs who excel at going up and over the smaller DBs to make a catch and this version has been frustrating to me in that aspect. In my dynasty, I recruit a lot of tall, athletic WRs among the Randy Moss/Calvin Johnson mold. Almost all my WRs are 6'2^ including one who was 6'4, 216 with 98 spd and 99 jumping, but his height and jumping haven't translated when I try and utilize him in matchups with smaller DBs.

One of my favorite plays in real life is the red zone jump ball in the corner of the end zone that Randy Moss basically perfected as evidence by plays around the 3:16 and 5:34 marks of this video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcMlkpKX4EY

I know not all WRs are as talented as Moss or Megatron, but many lesser talented WRs are used in this manner in the college and pro game and use their size to create mismatches.

Does anyone else have this problem also or any suggestions on how to eliminate this problem other than to stop trying?

[DorianDonP]

Re: Hard Time Catching Jump Balls?

My jump button doesn't seem as responsive as years past. Way too many times I press triangle (jump/catch button) and the receiver doesn't even do anything. For this reason I don't even try many jump balls anymore because I feel like the DB makes plays on the ball while the WR either runs right by or just stands there (even when I'm pressing the jump button).

I was wondering if anyone else was having this issue. The fade jump ball was more powerful last year so maybe they decided to tone down it's effectiveness.

[bigbob]

Re: Hard Time Catching Jump Balls?

As Dorian said, the jump button isn't very responsive this year. It goes for both sides of the ball as well. I've had the perfect jump on interceptions, and I press triangle and nothing. I've had times on a streak where my wide receiver would just keep running with no attempt on the ball, whatsoever.

[BleedGreen710]

Re: Hard Time Catching Jump Balls?

Best way to take advantage of taller wide receivers is to throw the ball higher using precision passing. Problem with this game though is receivers don't come back to the ball or try to get better positioning.. they just run to area and wait for the ball to fall to them, whereas defenders are much more aggressive. One way to fix this is to try user catching, but as others mentioned its very tricky to get your receiver to jump by using the triangle button. I find a lot of success with fade routes in the endzone, if you throw to the corner they will usually jump up and snatch it.

[hazey]

Re: Hard Time Catching Jump Balls?

Has anyone ever noticed if response is somehow tied to awareness or some attribute or even a combination of attributes, where they have to be so high to either get it to wok or work more effectively?

Every once in a while I will get it to work, and I always forget to look at their ratings and see if its a player with high awareness or jup, or man cover or something, but have always forgot.

[superxero27]

Re: Hard Time Catching Jump Balls?

Unless you're playing defense, you're almost certainly not coming up with a jump ball. DBs are much more aggressive in going for the ball then receivers.

I have yet to see a user-thrown jump ball that hasn't been picked, deflected, or dropped.

[RonNewman75]

Re: Hard Time Catching Jump Balls?

I can only get WR to do it when I under throw a streak route and turn into the WR and jug to about 2-3 infront of the marker and normally jump catch it with the DB still running to the marker.

[Reed1417]

Re: Hard Time Catching Jump Balls?

Jump balls for 360 players (at least me) are no better. That goes for both sides of the ball as well. Too many times I've had an INT all ready for the taking aaaaaaaaaand it's gone.

[JrueToTheGame]

Re: Hard Time Catching Jump Balls?

I've been on these NCAA boards a lot lately and I've been very critical of this game, not because I am hating or anything like that, but because I know how great this game can be. All the while I have been working on a slider set behind the scenes to accomplish the following goals

-Fix the CPU defense vs the read option
-Stop the ROBO QB
-Make larger receivers play to their size
-Establish a solid pass rush

The sliders are still a work in progress but I believe that we will see some things that have never been seen before. I've already encountered some never before seen catch animations, here are just a few examples of TE's and large receivers going up to get the ball. Stay tuned for my slider set.

"Unleash Infinity"

[AshamanCarnage]

Re: Hard Time Catching Jump Balls?

Seems like the problem is universal, the jump button rarely works. Doesn't seem to matter whether I hold it for a full second or tap it. Never seems to go for the ball on either side of the ball.

[JOHNNYHEISMAN]

Re: Hard Time Catching Jump Balls?

I've actually had a decent jump ball completion rate compared to others from what it seems like. I find I have more success when a receiver has kind of stopped his route and is just waiting on the ball, those plays seem to give the reciever better response

[AshamanCarnage]

Re: Hard Time Catching Jump Balls?

I've actually had a decent jump ball completion rate compared to others from what it seems like. I find I have more success when a receiver has kind of stopped his route and is just waiting on the ball, those plays seem to give the reciever better response

That maybe, but on fade routes and one on one situations, how many times doe the receiver stop and just wait? I think that is people's problems.

[Zalym]

Re: Hard Time Catching Jump Balls?

I'm glad to know this is not just a problem with me and my ability, though I'm certainly not a great player. I've had far too many instances of being in a great position (sometimes as good as standing directly in front of a WR waiting for a long bomb that was throw a little short) when I've hit, and I've tried tapping and holding, the triangle button. A majority of the time my CB/S won't make a play on the ball at all - much less intercept it. He'll just stand there watching it sail overhead. However, I was able to complete the NIKE training easily, as I was curious if it was the game or me, but it doesn't seem to work well for me in regular games.

In full disclosure I've had a few times when I've been able to get USER INT's but they are few and far between it seems. Maybe it is a timing or distance thing, where you have to be a certain distance and/or hit the button at a certain point? Also my INT slider is on 30.

I don't want all interceptions but defenders certainly should not just stand there or run with the receiver and not put a hand up. It's got to be a bugged ball-hawking issue (really love that feature btw ). I don't catch for the WR very often but I have on occasion and usually don't have a problem with the button then - but that sample size is far smaller than the many times I've had to make a play defensively to make up for the AI.

On that note - have any of you tried using the swat button instead of going for the pick? I haven't consciously tried it as far as I remember. If you have is it better?

[Coyotesfan98]

Re: Hard Time Catching Jump Balls?

I agree with everyone else. There's been countless times I've had a cb right there for the pic hit the button and he doesn't even move his arms... frustrating as heck.

[prettylittlesmiles]

Are you guys just hitting the button or holding it?