Diamond Directional Test

[Electric Coach]

I received my diamond directional bases today. The base weighs in at 1.3g. I spent 10 minutes tweaking one base. When I mounted a Haiti repro blocker on the base it held its ground, but it didn’t impress me enough to be considered for a lineman position.

Next, I switched the base to a Haiti repro defensive back. It matched well against my lineman, which is mounted on a boiled base. That impressed me, but I don’t use that figure on the line. At corner back, it dominated my hybrid receivers, which are a combination of Football Figures.com and Buzzball figures. The base really shined on a cover corner. No receiver was able to get open.

So, I moved the base to a Buzzball Mr. Everything figure, which I use to play tight end and full back. On that type of figure, the base performed well. It blocked linemen and held its ground.

The speed is decent; the base sailed across the board. Currently, I am working to get that balance of strength and speed out of this one base. Overall I am pleased with the performance of this base. This particular base will be put on one of my teams.

Maurice

The Electric Coach

[Electric Coach]

Before leaving for work this morning, I tried the base again as a lineman. I mounted it on a Haiti repro blocker. It pushed a little gaining ground and suddenly it began losing ground. This is good because it is possible that some of these bases might turn out to be linemen.

So far, I am still convinced that this particular base will be a tight end or running back. Its varied strength makes me uncertain about using it in my defensive back field.

I have not trimmed or cut any of the prongs. By the way, the bases are very clean. There is no flash. I smashed the front prongs. I also smashed and stretched the rear prongs. I have yet to use any heat.

I will post more about these bases as I gather more information.

Maurice

The Electric Coach

[Electric Coach]

I ran more tests with these new Diamond Directionals. When mounted on a traditional figure such as a Haiti Repro lineman, the base doesn’t do well in the battle at the line of scrimmage.

When this base is mounted on a Football Figures.com lineman, the base can consistently compete with my best defensive linemen, some of which are mounted on boiled bases.

As some coaches have said, the base lacks control in that the dial can’t be turned. Here at Electric Coach Training Camp, linemen must be able to turn left and right. If coaches want that control at lineman using this base, coaches are going to have to physically alter the base. Currently, the only possible alteration that I see is using the dial from a Miggle base, which fits perfectly. I have yet to find that one dial that will give me the strength that can compete at the line of scrimmage.

In regards to tweaking the prongs, heat does not help to gain strength in this type of base. Heat does help to increase speed because the plastic is hardened from it cooling. Since I like a balance of speed and strength, I stick to using my pliers and hobby scissors. Doing that produces a smooth moving base with decent strength to play cornerback, running back, tight end and receiver.

Depending on the type of figures you use will determine how versatile this base can be. Overall, the base as is even with tweaking is not a base for linemen, linebackers, or safeties.

Maurice

The Electric Coach

[Shabby J]

Thank you Maurice for your indepth analysis I am sure we are all taking notes and experimenting on our own.

These bases will fit right in once we get some more hands on time with them.

[Electric Coach]

I posted my findings concerning this new base in an effort to stimulate discussion. Also I wanted to perhaps inform those who didn’t purchase the bases. Furthermore, I made my ideas public so coaches around the hobby would have something other than their own observations to compare with. I too have read other post concerning this base and I am comparing my experiences with those posts.

Maurice

The Electric Coach

[Shabby J]

Maurice, my thank you was complimentary.