Comments to All in EF

In response to the "Is There More Than One Way to Play EF?" post.
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This debate seems to be more about control of the hobby than anything else. It seems to me that there are certain individuals in the hobby who are attempting to create a vangaurd on little 'ol EF.

Again, I think that we in the EF world must make the induction of new coaches into the hobby our highest priority. This and this alone will do more to boost the populartity of the game and thus empower those of us who have led the movement. In our MPFL group, we are doing exactly that despite the negativity of some. This is our main objective, and it is working wonderfully.

I keep saying that the most important function of these chat boards is to push information, not personal agendas. To have fun, but remember, this is not a blog, but rather a teaching tool.

Imagine the response of a newbie who is shacky in his EF committment. If he sees that we are bickering among ourselves and they can't find the info they want, then they may quickly put the game back into the closet and move on to something else.

I am working behind the scenes to create a site to house information rather than focusing on my own agendas, even at my own expense.

And, as far as playing the game in different methods: Perhaps people should begin to articulate WHAT THOSE METHODS ARE as most newbies haven't a clue what you all are talking about. (I get emails from newbies daily, and they are not relating to any of this). I have tried to do that by giving a visual reference with most of my educational posts.

I have done my best on both chat boards to be as informative as possible without toe-stepping, although my toes have been stepped on at times.

Let's keep it fun , fair, and EDUCATE. Or else, this thing might not last...

[Anthony D Burgess]

DM,

Man that is well said. It has been all about information, but others agenda won't allow for this. I hope that others will read this and get there act together and push what is best for the future of this hobby and not there own agenda.

Education is the key. And I have stated this all along. The future of this hobby is not with the current community, but with the many out there that know nothing of this hobby, they are the future, and if we don't do right for the hobby then we will be the cause it's death !

[Geno H]

I dont think thats it at all. I must say I am all for different styles.But....I also want at least ONE set of rules that WE can ALL come together and play on a NATIONAL level. I dont see ANYTHING wrong with wanting that.As I stated in another post in the Eleven months I have been in this hobby only ONE such organization has been offered. Another comment I keep hearing is what about the newbie? We can think for ourselves! Anything confusing can be sorted out in a question or two.ANY Hobby one gets into has political fall out all around it, dont make it out like it scares people away. If a little controversial conversation scares someone away then I would question his or her desire for the game.

Geno H

Certainly Geno, but you know that this is sort of a Democratic situation and people are not going to agree. We aren't getting anywhere with all the bickering and I will include my group in that assessment as I have already told them. We need to learn from one another before we can present anything to the outsiders and that has been slow in developing.

I am really sincere about doing good things in the hobby. I know that when everything I am working on is up and finished that folks will appreciate it and will see where I am coming from as far as educating newcomers.

[MplsTom]

Guys, it's a chicken or the egg deal.

If the hobby gets a big sponsored TV deal, then the rules for that event will de-facto become the "uniform" set of rules that most (not all) will play toward as they will want to compete and get better at "that style."

The main manufacturers are very nice people but a challenge we face as hobbyists is that it is marketed to a niche. Older guys like us will buy enough for them to be happy and keep busy and coming out with some new stuff. It isn't on their radar to really "go long" with the marketing. There's a lot of risk and work involved and for now serving the niche seems to be the right amount of busy. It's their company and they have every right to run it however they want.

That being said, expecting a groundswell to agree and rally is near impossible. Look at the lawmakers in DC (not the EF guys) if you think that guys can come close to agreeing (by the way, go onto Google and type in "failure" to see what site comes up first...sorry guys). Guys play the way they find enjoyable and there's nothing wrong with that. There are passionate opinions on many sides of the fence.

We are a dying breed, as most of the youth that play are our relatives. Video games, like it or not, are cool to the youth of today that even the best attempt at multi-stop doesn't compare to the immediacy of a video game that is getting programmed better and better.

Just my $0.02

I agree with you. It is not necessary that we all play the same way. It is just not that important. What is most important to me is that newcomers have place to go and get ready-made info. Now there are many great sites already out there. One of my favorites is the HEFL site.

There are others, but still alot of open trail in the education / do-it-yourself department. My belief is that many want to play EF, but decline due to uncertainty. That is based on the emails I get.

We are a dying breed, but not dead. This game is too much for little kids, but I think that a 12 year old will love it. I also see EF as a high-end catalog item only for true hobbyists. Not for "gamers."

My feeling was that if "Yugioh" (misspelled?) could take off with kids, then EF should have taken off a long time ago. Far more kids love football.

At my job in DC, when we create a new product or program, there is an ad campaign to get the word out. That add campaign runs down everything you need to know. Then, you'll feel better about spending your money and time.

Same with EF. The products are there, but the knowledge of how to use them is still lacking. I think the Smitty / Tron DVD series was the best thing in years. I helped (in a very small way) with it and got to see it before anyone else. I thought, man...these guys are on to something.

Anyway, that's my .25 cents.

[NEW CASTLE HiTMEN]

When my nephews (13 & 11 now) saw me playing a solitaire game they were not at first interested untill I explained to them the way I play. Multi-stop. My oldest nephew (Vincenzo) said Ah, you turn the board on and they all run in circles. Oh yeah. I turned the board on and he couldn't believe it. I ran a sweep with a pulling guard and he was amazed. Now they are hooked. They had the same outlook on this hobby as do alot of people. Turn the game on and watch the plastic football men carousel. We need to get out of that stereotype. Before standardization or rules or anything of that nature are ironed out, we need to educate on the breakthroughs and strides taken to make electric football a BETTER game than when we were kids.

[Anthony D Burgess]

From the mouth of children comes the truth.

When people out side of this hobby think of this game they think of the man running around in a circles, this is the stereotype that is holding back this hobby.

Lets face the truth, and please understand,.........the game plays like rugby, not football. I know that there is a love for the game by all, but please, for the sake of the future take a look at this.

Now there should be, and needs tobe a change that will bring new people to this hobby and educate them that, " that wae the old way to play, but hear is another way ".

It is time to get your head out of the sand, stand tall and look to the future !

Originally Posted by NEW CASTLE HiTMEN

When my nephews (13 & 11 now) saw me playing a solitaire game they were not at first interested untill I explained to them the way I play. Multi-stop. My oldest nephew (Vincenzo) said Ah, you turn the board on and they all run in circles. Oh yeah. I turned the board on and he couldn't believe it. I ran a sweep with a pulling guard and he was amazed. Now they are hooked. They had the same outlook on this hobby as do alot of people. Turn the game on and watch the plastic football men carousel. We need to get out of that stereotype. Before standardization or rules or anything of that nature are ironed out, we need to educate on the breakthroughs and strides taken to make electric football a BETTER game than when we were kids.

I feel your "from the mouths of children" quote.

Remember my little nephew's reaction to the game, and that was with no prior football knowledge.