Why Passing Sticks Should Be Allowed

[ki6ds]

I just came back from my first EF tournament and I learned a lot. Now I have a much greater appreciation of what I have been reading about on the list. You have to experience some things in person before you can get a real grasp of what is going on.

When Geno told me he was going to host a tournament, I was really excited about going. Then I read the thread about the use/nonuse of passing sticks in another league. I realized that passing was a huge part of the game, and that I would not have time to become proficient at throwing the ball before I went to the tournament, as I had to build a team from scratch! Painting, decaling, ordering figures and bases, there just was not enough time to learn to pass too. So I decided that I would go with a running game only, not say anything about it, and hope that no one would realize I could not pass. Yeah right, that would last about 3 plays.

Then Geno announced the rules and said that you could use one of three types of passing, TDQ/TTQ, Passing Sticks, and Attack Passing. This was huge for me. I quickly researched the passing sticks, built a couple of sets to practice with for my grandson Tyler and I, and now would have a complete game at Lyons. I would be a rookie, but I would be able to compete because of the passing stick rule. Neat.

When I was at the tournament, I quickly realized that passing sticks would make me able to pass, but the guys who could use the TDQ had a huge advantage. Yet, there were times when even those guys used passing sticks.

What are the advantages of both that I saw? The big thing with the TDQ is that you get to "turn and burn" or pivot the receiver after the catch, and that is huge. Lets take a situation. I have a guy wide open in the left flat, 4 yds down field. He is 12 yards away, so I use the white stick and put it to the side of the field because I need to keep the defense from intercepting. My receiver touches the magnet and makes the catch, but when he does so he is just inbounds but headed directly out of bounds. The magnet is picked up, the board turned on and I go directly out of bounds for a gain of about 6yards.

Now lets look at the TDQ pass. Exact same man in the exact same place. Complete pass with the TDQ. NOW, I get to pivot the receiver and head him for the endzone. He has a clear path and goes all the way for a 40 yard TD!! A lot better than the sticks, but the passer is rewarded for learning a skill in TDQ passing. Are the sticks bad then?? No way, because I had a passing game using the sticks and the defense has to play me honest, whereas they would not if I could not pass.

Where am I going with this? I truly believe that if we want to grow the game, we need to make is as easy as possible for a guy to get competitive as fast as possible. The leagues and tournaments that don't allow for passing sticks are keeping some guys out. Maybe that is the intent, but I hope not.

If you are on the other side and think that passing sticks offer an advantage to the guy using them, make the rule that you can switch back and forth between passing methods in a game. If passing sticks are to your advantage in a situation, use them, if not don't but that way the guy using just passing sticks have NO advantage over you.

What am I going to do? Exactly what my grandson told me on the plane ride home.

Tyler: "Grandpa, we have to learn how to pass like Flynt and Geno or we will never beat them. Passing sticks are ok to start with, but to be good like them, we have to learn to use the TDQ."

Grandpa: "Tyler, you are absolutely right. I am going to make you some targets like wolf had so that you can practice ok?"

Tyler called last night and asked, "Where are the targets Grandpa? You have them made yet???"

My advice to those who want to attract new blood to the game: Make passing sticks legal.

Doug

[Coach Rip]

"Where am I going with this? I truly believe that if we want to grow the game, we need to make is as easy as possible for a guy to get competitive as fast as possible. The leagues and tournaments that don't allow for passing sticks are keeping some guys out."


I have been saying this for years, .....but it is a "manhood" issue for some.......

[MplsTom]

I like the sticks, but for different reasons. I think the sticks give the defense more of a play on the ball which makes you play honest defense and also gives a "skill" chance at a turnover as opposed to a dice.

I've put in the time and went from a passer who couldn't hit the broad side of a barn to a fairly proficient passer. But in the current world of 80-90% passers, that defender being "somewhat close by" doesn't make a whole lot of difference to a strong passer.

One compromise I'd like to try is to call the defender down at the end of any TTQB pass in front of the LOS (similar to Buzzball Rules) but ALSO allow the defender to place any unengaged defender within a white stick anywhere directly behind the target. I also like replacing the man with a target for an easy way to tell if it was complete.

[Geno H]

I like the sticks for both reasons.
#1. New coach has a passing game.
#2. Defense has a play on the ball.

Now that being said I love the 2 forms of passing (stick passing & throwing to the figure engaged or not engaged) combined in a rule set. Here's why. Now the seasoned coach and rookie coach can compete in a competitive game instantly. However the seasoned coach can retain his hard work and dedication to throwing the ball physically with the ability to throw to the figure and then turn and burn. In the stick version the pivot is done before the catch and no pivot after. To me both participating coaches are rewarded within the ruleset for thier ability or lack there of.

Also as a defense this keeps you honest at all times........ yet the fun is about scoring. Every coach likes to score.

Geno H

[eflfanatic]

Ok, I guess I subscribe to the "Manhood Issue", because I prefer only to use the TTQB or TDQ when passing, because I believe that is a skill level that is being lost with any kind of pass simulation (and probably because I suck at pass simulation - can never get my guy to run to the stick). However I think all methods of passing should be allowed for in a tournament. Leagues however should choose one or the other to define their "style of play".

Just my opinion. Good question and points made by all.

[NATIONAL]

There should be 2 different divisions....one for sticks (rookies) and one for passing (pros)

Sticks are fun, but they take away from the game. In the NFL you come to play the Colts, you know you are going against a great QB
In EF you going to play Andrew Stewart or Greg Hardmon you know you are going against a great passer. You playing Jim Davis, you know you will get a heavy dose of running.
The sticks take all that away and puts everyone at one level. Sticks make a pass that nobody on earth can make...real or MF look easy!

Throw the pill.


Nat'l

[sweetka]

I don't like the turn and burn because compared to the sticks it provides an unfair advantage. If you run to the ball and catch why then can you not turn and run upfield.

I like the sticks because as a defender you have to decide whether to play the man or the ball like in real football. It also causes routes to be broken off when there is good coverage and reaction time by defenders in coverage.

I just feel that the after the catch rules should stay consistent. Other than that, why not both?

[KINGPIN]

I agree with national 100% on this one. There is no quick fix at being good in this hobby. A rookie beginner has no place being equal to someone who has mastered the game due to years of game time experience. I do however see the importance of utilizing the sticks for the new players that come aboard the hobby because they can see success right away at passing and I could see a separate division for that as Corey had mentioned. But old school players will never say you are an elite player until you win passing with the TTQB and the TDQ.


Just my thoughts.



The Kingpin

[Geno H]

National I would agree with you IF we had 40 people show up at tournamnets or leagues but the fact is its hard enough just to gather up 6 to 10 coaches in most areas. Seperating the rookies from the Pro's is just division where there arent enough anyway. So it depends where you play and how many you play with.



Geno H

[NATIONAL]

Spiderman and Kingpin agreeing


I won't say that I don't like them, they def have their place in this sport. I just prefer to pass!!!!!

Jim Davis only won that game against me at Buzzfest because he scored 2 tds using stick passing. And I had just based that team up right before we played.

With the power of the stick pass he became an instant threat thru the air....so what my defenders had a chance at the ball, if he had to throw some of those passes he don't even come close!
He got no respect from me with that victory.

I do however love the Attak passing used in the NHFL...both methods are used in that passing format.

Nat'l