Pros and Cons to FOB tackling?

[jeff]

Tacklers front of base touches anywhere on the ball carriers base.

[artlax]

That is how my son and I play - just wanted to be sure.

[Michigan Joe]

I think if you allow 3 players to push in the back field (similar to the Texas shoout and DFW rules) then I believe FOB tackling would tilt the scales too much for offense. If the rules stipulate that the QB can't push then i believe FOB for the first 10 yards from the line of scrimmage is a good way to play.
The size of the board makes a big difference too. A wider board means more running lanes and hence I believe is probably better suited for any touch.

Lastly, the "audible" or "formation" rules make a big differnece too. For example the Texas shootout rules make stacking against a run a desperation move since the offense can audible the RBs out of their original formations with the defense only allowed to move only 1 player. If the rules dictated that the defense could adjust 1 for 1 on audibles, then they could easily stack against a running formation and I would think that a running play with any touch tackling would be very difficult.

[Anthony D Burgess]

Adrian is right.

Also you must consider who you play as that plays a important part.

On Front of the base tackling, it is more realistic than any touch. But FOB requires that you turn players to be more effective. You must understand pursuit angles.

Now the flat front part of the base is a solid tackle, but the corner ( the somewhat rounded part) is questionable and this is your broken tackle option.

See if this will help you: Take your base and trace your base on paper. Now take your player and do the same.

Draw a strait line even with the sides of the base that goes in front of the base.

The area between the two lines of the base is the tackle zone of that player.

If on a tackle the runners base/figure is in the tackle zone of the tackler then you have a tackle, but if the runners bases/figure is not in the tackle zone of the tackler then you have a broken tackle. A referee should bake that call not the coaches playing.

Michigan Joe:

I can't say anything about that style as I have never played it.

But I can say that there needs to be a balance on both sides of the ball. This option must be there or you give someone an advantage over the other due to the set up of the style your playing in.

FOB works best when you can turn players ( Players can react ) and every player that is not touching the opposing player should be allowed to react/turn. But guidline need to be in place to police this.

[WEIRDWOLF]

Rules definetly have to be tweaked to balance the play. I like FOB but we did have some issues under quick board speed as to whether it was a tackle or not because things happened to quickly.

I agree with Wolf...I like the concept, but I think if you use this style in big tourneys, you would have to slow the board a bit, or let the defense stop the board as needed to see if a tackle has been made...otherwise the arguments begin! ("He got him" No he didn't" etc.)

Matt

[jeff]

Defense gets to run the board if it is a running play, and offense gets to run the board if it is anything else.

[Coach K-LO]

Originally Posted by Miltron

I agree with Wolf...I like the concept, but I think if you use this style in big tourneys, you would have to slow the board a bit, or let the defense stop the board as needed to see if a tackle has been made...otherwise the arguments begin! ("He got him" No he didn't" etc.)

Matt

this happens in AT also......

The thing about MF in general - each one call the game the same on both sides of the ball....if you want a broken tackle, you have to be willing to concede a broken tackle, etc...

Board speed can improve game play or cause more of the "scrum" because it's to slow. Some coaches try to use it as an advantage (slow speed) but all-in-all FOB is fun.

[Anthony D Burgess]

With FOB there needes to be balance. Each side wants this and that. Simply give them the same thing and how they use it makes the difference.

When the board stops, both sides have the same opportunity. This eliminates arguments. Offense goes first, then the defense goes 2ND. Move and counter move.

Like links in a chain, you have Stoppages+FOB+Timed adjustments+Pay and Game clock+Enforcment of football rules+Realism+Understanding of actual football plays and fuctions= A balance and playable game play for current and future coaches.

Now use off props+focus on props+other none football related issues= Unbalanced and a difficult game play for current and future coaches.

With each link supporting the next it eliminates the issues such as, " It hit him vs It did not, is it a tackle or not, etc."

I like to think of it like this, a coutship between actual football and playability leads to a marriages that reflects all that football is . The offspring is fairness, balance, realism.

Some times what we like is what is hurting the game. Some times we think it sounds good but ?????? That is the issue, Speculation !!!!

Give things an honest try and leave the speculation at the door.

So FOB needs to have a support system around it for it to be really effective and balanced. With out this your just opening the door to more issues that we really don't need.

Originally Posted by Miltron

I agree with Wolf...I like the concept, but I think if you use this style in big tourneys, you would have to slow the board a bit, or let the defense stop the board as needed to see if a tackle has been made...otherwise the arguments begin! ("He got him" No he didn't" etc.)

Matt

I like to play that you can tackle from the front or the side but not from the rear. That mean you have shoe string tackles but not tackling with your butt. Seems you still have more offense, but fills the lanes up a little better.