Playing without TTC

[the french guy]

Hi,

I 've seen a lot of videos of good/high level games running teams WITHOUT any (or few) TTC bases. I think about the 2008 open run tournament video, for example.

I've seen a lot of standard miggle rookie bases (old frostie?), and a lot of proline rookies too, and a few DDB and white lightning bases.

I know I asked similar questions before, but I just don't get it so my question is for people actually not using TTC bases : why ?

For people using just a few of them (I've seen vids of people having only one or 2 TTC base figures in the team), what do you use them for ?

Personaly, as a beginner, I don't like too much TTC bases, when you manipulate it, after a few plays you can slightly turn the dials and make the bases not eficient.

Another thing, I never turn the dials in game : so the turning function is useless for me. But I'm a beginner, so perhaps I miss something.


The only things I see for TTC use, is to add options to the linemen, to create holes, slightly turning the dials. But for what I saw, when I turn the TTC dials of my linemen, it make them weaker than a straight dial TTC


The other possible use is to make circle turning coverage figures, and then straight the dials to intercept offense players. But I even don't know if it's allowed in rules, and of course it will work only on multiple stopping rulesets (example : passing simulation).


Well...I'm confused.


THanks !

[Joeram57]

Dimitri,

I am not very experienced in competitive play, nor am I very good,however, I use TTC white dials for safeties (to spin) sometimes to stay deep and then adjust after the catch, TTQB or sticks passing (advanced pivot per DSMFL rule)...also an RB or two to run left or right off tackle. I will say, often I don't get the dial just right, but I like to at least try for changing it up a bit.

Also, I use them for "loopers" as well in conjunction w/buzzball speed or a miggle rookie that accidentally loops and is fast...

I also use proline TTC strong dials for "O" line to try and open holes...I am not very good at creating holes however...probably because I don't have the confidence (balls) to implement wider line splits on the line...

I don't have it all understood, however, experimenting, to me is key...

Hope that helps a bit,

Joe Ram

[the french guy]

thank you for the answer, Joe.


I guess now I understand the "traditional" TTC function : safeties, line and RBs.


But the thing I don't understand is how some great players (see the 2008 open run vid on the mfca.org videos section) play without TTC...I guess they use big rosters (40+ based figures teams) to insert options in the game, in place of using the ttc dials ?

[Joeram57]

D,

That may be true of the folks in the open run w/large rosters, don't know...everyone has there own style. I think those folks out on the West coast US can tweak some fast bases from what I hear and see on you tube, not to say other leagues don't...they all seem fast to me

I am still experimenting and my bases change frequently along with my style. I try and get best practices from everyone I play and ask an LOT of questions to Geno H, Joel P, Mike Pratt, Don Smith, RPD and many more.

I have found a lot of these GREAT players have different styles and theories. That's what makes it fun. There is no one right way.

My style is still evolving both on "O" and "D"...right now, I just play "lost in space" but love the challenge to get better...

Joe Ram

[eflfanatic]

I use TTC bases on Offensive Lineman primarily and my QB. On the Linemen I turn the bases around so that the dial is at the back part of the figure and curl the prongs back so that they do move forward in the tweaking process. To me, this seems to give the linemen more balance and greater strength. I also use them on my Defensive tackles where I want more strength. I use them on my QB for more mobilty and miss direction. I typically always have my QB fade back to pass or rollout to one side or the other. I put the base on the figure so that the figure runs backwards, but occassionaly as a surprise to the defense I will turn the base around so that the QB runs forward on a QB sneak or draw. It is hard to detect this unless my opponent actually sees me turn the base around. He is usually to busy setting up his defense to notice it.

[RavennaAl]

Dimitri, your use of TTC's will vary depending on the rule set you are playing by and what you want to accomplish with them. Let's look at the basics:

A TTC base weighs more than a rookie. Most rookies weigh appx .8g, where most TTC's weigh 1.2-1.3g Therefore, a TTC will have a basic strength advantage over a rookie simply because it weighs more.

Typically, most rookie bases are faster than TTC's. I think this is due to the longer and thinner prongs on a rookie base. The TTC prongs on the dial are shorter due to the thickness of the dial itself, so to make the base 'even' or level, they need to be shorter. Since the TTC weighs more, the prongs are slightly thicker to hold up the extra weight. Short, thick prongs can be tweaked better for strength, long, skinny prongs work better for speed.

Now take into account the rules. If your rules say that the maximum weight is 3.2g and they are weighing the base and figure seperate, and you are not allowed to add any weight to the bases, then naturally most guys will use the TTC bases for the strength positions and rookies for the speed positions. If you are allowed to add weight, then I would think that guys would mix and match bases more because now they can make a rookie and TTC base weigh the same, so it would all come down to which base tweaks better for them.

Personally, I like using all rookie bases for my teams. Since I'm not on the tournament circuit, getting maximum strength is not a concern. I simply like to have all my teams competitive with each other, so my tweaks are done at a minimum. Besides, I don't like having a wheel sticking out of the sides, especially when they are all different colors. I prefer to paint all my bases the same color to give them some uniformaty. And as you already know, it is too easy to accidentally turn a dial and have a player go the wrong way.

[the french guy]

thank you all for the answers

urn the bases around so that the dial is at the back part of the figure and curl the prongs back so that they do move forward in the tweaking process.

Sounds interesting ! I have to try that. Another advantage of it, you have the square side of it on front, so it should block better.

Personally, I like using all rookie bases for my teams. Since I'm not on the tournament circuit, getting maximum strength is not a concern. I simply like to have all my teams competitive with each other, so my tweaks are done at a minimum.

That 's an interesting point. As you know, I play only with my brother for now, and I'll go for solitaire playing soon.

From my beginner point of view, tweaking TTC is more difficult to do than rookie bases. Especially for speed. I've got some DDB bases, they 're easy to tweak for strenght, even really good strenght. I believe, proline rookie strongs will be quite the same (quite same prong shape, for what I saw).


So if I have to learn and teach the basic tweaking to other friends, the simplier the better.

Besides, I don't like having a wheel sticking out of the sides, especially when they are all different colors. I prefer to paint all my bases the same color to give them some uniformaty. And as you already know, it is too easy to accidentally turn a dial and have a player go the wrong way.

Same thing here. I passed so much time on my team that I'm not happy to put it on yellow, red or wheeled bases. Should sound weird for sport/competition oriented coaches, but from my point of view, I think exactly the same than you. It 's why I'm so interested about the proline range of bases : same colors, diferent options.


BTW? what do you use to paint your bases ? Does the paint stick well to the bases ?

And as you already know, it is too easy to accidentally turn a dial and have a player go the wrong way.

With my big short fingers, it happens all the time Some dials are quite loosy attached to the shells, so the phenomenon is even worst.


to conclude, I believe I'll still use some TTC (proline since I readed they turn in tighter circles) for my safety positions. Perhaps I'll try to tweak some runners with that too, for the fun.



thanks


dimitri

[RavennaAl]

BTW? what do you use to paint your bases ? Does the paint stick well to the bases ?



I like to use plain old Testors green enamel. Some of my teams are over 35 years old and the paint is still holding. I have a few players where the paint has chipped off, mostly on custom colored bases. But for the regular green, it's hard to beat. Plus, it matches most playing surfaces pretty nice so that it looks more like the players are on grass. I also use it for the players stand, the flat part under the figure that his feet are attached to.

[Vince148]

Interesting topic as I'm redoing my team. My OL are on strong bases with ITZ dials. But I'm experimenting with putting the TTC dials back in or just using the strong flat rookie bases. I don't use Miggle figures on my OL. Instead, I use Reggie's figures because they weigh more. We'll see how it works out.

[Shabby J]

In the Open Run college tournemant we had a 60 man roster. In the LAEFL Pro League we have no roster limit. This allows you to create players that do specific things on bases other than TTC, to maximize the strength and speed attributes of the non-TTC bases without giving the other coach a clue as to what your intentions are.

TTC bases can be made very strong with the right dial and they can be made very fast in stock form, but when they are subbed in or manipulated during a game oft times the opposing coach can "read" the direction or predict the adjustment to a certain extent.

We like to create directional and or trick players using non-TTC to maintain the element of surprise.

Shabby