Play action pass?
 

How do you do a play action pass play?

Good question.....in most leagues, a true play action pass play can't be done. However, the way to pull it off in EF is to line up in what looks like a running set. You and the "D" make adjustments and then you call pass and run the play. Hopefully, the "D" is surprised by your call. Set this up by running out of the same set consistently and switching up to a pass only occasionally and when it is not expected.

That's a good analysis FrustratedFinFan. This might something you described in your reply. The play is set up to look like a dive to the RB. The QB is on an immobile base so that he does not interfere with the RB. The RB goes into the line faking the dive play while the QB looks for his receiver. Is this an example of what you are talking about ? I think I am going to put that into my offensive game plan.

Coach J

So, maybe I should set up in an I formation?:confused:

Great idea-Play action
 

Andre,

An I-formation is great as it will really look like a run; moving the linebackers up closer to the line of scrimmage(just like real football). I would use an offset I, having the I-formation say, to the left of the QB(with the QB on immobile base, roll-out base(TTC) or drop back base(tweaked to go backwards)).

Let the defense set up and then really make it look like you have a plan to run by pivoting one or both of the RB's.

You could do the same with an I-Formation right behind the QB if you pivot both RB's

That's play-action, EF style!

Hhmmmm. Good stuff!

Also...don't discount the value of having a fast TTC base for your starting running back. I have one....and it opens up options for me that aren't always obvious to my opponents. However, many folks can look at a TTC dial and tell immediately what direction the player is going. To deceive them, try putting the player on the base backwards some of the time! Also....maybe it is time to give your opponent a true devious running back....on ITZ dials or Munro bases....they mask your intentions effectively and give the player more "mobility," but often aren't able to be tweaked to be as fast as good rookie or TTC bases.

great descriptions on the play. One thing that you must establish is "being able to run" .... whithout that, you will not get the defense to bite on a play fake.

Good point, Coach K-LO

anyone else ever think of maybe having a coin or something that the offense designates either a normal run, or play action run. Then when they line up, he calls run... and the defense adjusts to run... if he had the coin fliped to playaction then it would be a pass, or if he didn't flip it to the other side it would be a normal run. the coin would have to be revealed every run so the guy couldn't make up his mind once he saw the defense. Not sure if it makes sense to anyone, but it could be a way to show run and call run, but the defense would still have to be cautious for the play-action.

and i'm sure everyone is very confused... it sounded better in my head. ppls$

I am glad this post was started because it helped me develop a few play action plays for The Seawall Brawl. As a matter of fact a few of those plays are potential game breakers. I won't share them publicly because there are coaches on the chatboard who will be attending The Seawall Brawl and we don't want Spygate in MF (smile). One thing that Coach K-Lo said that was so true and that is you must have an effective ground game. As in regular football if you don't have an effective ground game then a play action pass has very little impact.

Coach J

The Tornado Alley F-5 base has a "no read dial". The dial has no notch in it, looks the same all the way around. thmbsp$


Geno H

Hey Geno...I know what you are saying about the notches....but the way I tell what direction a TTC base is going is by looking at the lean of the figure/base combo....it gives it away every time...except when Bill Porche puts his figure on the base backwards and suckers me that way....so now I look for that one too....and then he uses a ITZ dial in the base.....and I figure that out....and so on and so on!!!

Hey, whatever doesn't kill me will only make me stronger!

Playaction pass AJ style
 

Love the descriptions you guys laid out. I love the playaction pass and until someone stops it I will utilize until the bases fall off.
In my first game of the season I was play action pass left and right...soon the defense kept protecting the outside then I gave the hand off to my back for an 80 yard td run.

In the 3 shots below you will see how i do it.

photo 1 - i use a spread offense with 1 back. We have angles and motions so i set up as if my RB could run right up the middle

photo 2 - i angle my QB to roll out right and angle my HB

photo 3 - my QB is designed to roll all the way to the sideline and cut back up field if I need to keep the board on and run. This time I have a WR open across the middle. It was a completed pass.

photo 4 - same set up as before this time I angle my RB to come under the QB like a shuffle or dump pass

photo 5 - QB rolls out and has an open field to run or dump to the open HB. Had I given the ball to the RB as a handoff he would have found the hole.

photo 6 - I went for the WR open downfield. This resulted in a TD.

This was actually a good game against Chris and he did have some very good safeties. My WR is pretty had to contain and leads the league. The final score was 21-14.

AJ

Hey! BUCKEYES1, well that play work in the pro set formation or other formatioms? :)

It sure will with more running options. And if your QB is good you can have him roll to either side with a RB flaring out out of the backfield both ways.

Makes the defense real honest and can open up the middle for the run.

AJ

very true
 

you can run that play all day for sure AJ!!!ppls$ ppls$ thmbsp$ thmbsp$

You can use any formation to run that play. One of my favorite plays to use in the redzone...gives the offense an extra option down close.

Update on the play action pass
 

I've been experimenting with a style of play that allows for a more realistic form of play action pass. Though I'm still getting the kinks out what I have is a style that is a hybrid of several styles that are out there. First you have to at least play with a one stop form of play. My setup is similar to AJ's but can be used in an I, pro, or pretty much any kind of running formation. I turn my QB away from the line of scrimmage just like he's running back to hand the ball off. Now with the one stop, the quick on/off of the switch simulates the snap. There is enough movement in the backfield to where the qb is approaching or passing the rb's. At that point you have the option of handing off to either back in the backfield (adjusting the backs and any unengaged defenders) OR immediately call a pass play and replacing the qb with a stationary qb and running your normal passing ruleset OR continue rolling the qb out to run or pass. The defense has to honor the run because they don't know if you are going to hand off or not. I use this scrimmaging with my solitaire league and it seems to work for me.

Just remember...you must have at least one stoppage which allows you to determine if you want to run or pass. Just like real football the defense has to account for both. keep in mind that none of this is new, I just borrowed from what others are already doing.

Your thoughts?

Try this..
 

I like to use ITZ on my TE/FB. I have the figures look the same one on a TTC one on and ITZ. I run an off set I dive right: dive left. Then that ITZ based figure I'll sneak him in at FB in the off I set then have him slip out around the corner left or right followed by the QB on the rollout then pop pass for 10-30 yds. That's my play action play.

Darrian

Hey Don,
 

in your format you have the quick on/off for the snap. Offense adjust first? Then defense? Then offense says run or pass?

OR

quick snap. Defense adjust first. Offense adjust & calls run or pass?

Either way, I like the idea of the quick snap. Very interesting.

I also like the stopage after 10yds on run plays. LAEFL & DFW style.

In the passing game, I really like that attack passing used by the NHFL. Very, very challenging!!!

Nat'l

I play adjusting the offense first, then the Defense, then call run or pass or option to roll the QB out to pass. The quick snap idea I got from several others but it works in adjusting the running backs to run toward opening holes. You can also adjust your linebackers to fill gaps. I've had some real life like collisions with that style.

Note: I have offensive line gaps at least a half inch (some times an inch) a part. That translates to about a full base width. I also don't allow the d-line to line up in the gaps but I can angle them towards a gap. That way you have some real mano-a-mano battles on the line of scrimmage. Tweaking skills and proper use of the TTC bases come into play. It becomes more of a chess game within the game between the O and D lines. The spacing allows you to shoot a fullback through to take on a linebacker or have a linebacker darn near decapitate a ball carrier.

Real life like in my opinion. Still working on it though.

.
 

don, i like this your style. gonna go try that.

the quick snap stoppage is so good.

Play action......
 

the "I" or the offset would work as long as you have rules stating you have to call "run" or "Pass" before the snap. There are leagues that do not have that rule so it's a hard sell - unless your run game has been working well.