The Action box

[LARamsfan]

This message is intended for Reg Rutledge. I need an explanation of how the Action box is used and how I can use it in solitaire play. Thanks Reg.

[Reginald Rutledge]

LARamsfan This message is intended for Reg Rutledge. I need an explanation of how the Action box is used and how I can use it in solitaire play. Thanks Reg.

The Action Box is used in a manner to simulate various elements of MF that are not easily done such as fumbles, injuries, and penalties. The Box was introduced to me in 1995 by Roddy Garcia. Originally, when he showed me "The Box", I thought it was a little cheezy (to say the least). But as I began to incorporate it into my own game, I saw many benefits of "The Box".

It was originally conceived from a game called Strat-o-matic and Paydirt. Back in the day, I had one of those games and played strategy football. I never thought to incorporate the two games together.

Anyhow, once I got the necessary information from Roddy on how to play this with MF, I have never wanted to play any other way.

The emotional highs and lows (ebbs and flows) or momentum in the Shootout system is directly related to "The Box" and the time factors that we play under. "The Box" brings that emotional element to the game that is sometimes lacking when you offer no opportunity for turnovers. It changes the strategical thinking when a great player is hurt and you have to put in a backup. The question becomes, "Will you run that same play?" and "Do you have confidence in that backup player?". Or When you are headed in on a long game-clinching drive and you shake it up and "The Box" says "Holding on the offense" Ten Yards and replay the down!

That can be devastating to a team's pysche! Or when a fumble occurs when your back is ready to throwdown for a 60 yard gallop! To me, the ball just got stripped! That's all and that's a part of the game.

There are some who do not like "The Box". Truth be told, "I hate the Box" but I love it too! It's that classic love-hate relationship. One of the great things about having brought this to the DFW was that it was an element that most coaches quickly embraced and saw it as an enhancement to the game.

It also helped improve their skill level. Many coaches knew that penalties were a part of the game and did not want a penalty being the cause of them not winning a game. So many perfected their skill as passers, running teams, etc.

This element works for some and others it don't. I've implemented this in the CBSMF because I wanted guys to experience some of what I have experienced. Some were skeptical at first because they thought it would take up so much time. Some form of action occur at the same rate (or even less) as the NFL with the Box. When guys spend some time under "The Box", it becomes difficult to go back to what they use to do. It's a quick and simple shake. The official usually shakes the box so it does not impede your progress unless some action happened. And that is not very often. But when it happens, it can change the momentum of the game.

"The Box" and I have been heavily criticized over the years but to me, it made no difference because I knew that whatever league I played in, I would play with "The Box". However, many had inquired about it because their games were becoming monotonous! They wanted to spice up their games and this was just one of those methods.

Now, there are several leagues that enjoy the fruits of "Box" such as the LAEFL, the CBSMF, the BAM, and a few others. So it has given guys more reason to continue to play - the element of surprise.

From a solitaire perspective, "The Box" works best in a system where the games are not slow. All of the principles of action apply from injuries, penalties, and fumbles so that would never change. I have incorporated "The Box" to call the plays as well.

"The Box" will be shaken at the start of a play, which is called "The Pre-Snap Formation". This will give the offensive and defensive alignment of each unit with the defense setting up first. A certain number from the 6-sided dice located in the "Pre-Snap" compartment will tell what the defensive alignment is. Some teams will be limited to certain structures because this is what they may have historically ran during this era. The offensive play calling will have from 00-99 number of plays, based on their offensive alignment during that era. I think Tomkat told us of this site (Fast and Furious) which showed so many pro and college team playbooks! This was incredible information because now, you can create your teams based on these perspective. The only thing is this takes a tremendous amount of time to practice and do things with.

However, that is not the only option. Chart plays that you have liked historically and give them a name and number and you could have those as your "Pre-snap" formations.

But once you decide either way, 90% of the battle is done. You have the playbook for both offense and defense. In my method of play, a tackle is any touch. The reason is simply because I play 100 plays per game. That's usually a 3-hour window. If you are efficient, you can do a quarter in about 45 minutes. This gives you some pretty nice stats where RBs are able to carry 30 times and have a passer throw 30 times! But this comes with practice and an understanding of timing. So you will have backs average 3.5, 5.4, and 6.2 yards per carry. The great backs usually have the higher average.

One of the problems with people who don't like the any touch has something to do with time. People are usually in a hurry and don't want to be sitting playing a board game for a very long time. I totally agree!!! If the game is not interesting, who's got 3-hours to burn? So that's why timing is so crucial in this method.

I guarantee that you would be anxious to come back the next day to play another game! With the action box and the timing, there's always something new and exciting ready to happen. The great thing about what I speak of is that it plays just as well in the solitaire world as it does in a competitive world.

One of the things that made the CBSMF so exciting was that you'd hear across the country, "I hate that D A M N Box" but by the same token, they would say "But I love it too!" It gave you so much intrigue that you looked forward to playing again and again and again!

So LARamsFan, I hope this gave you some insight into what I know about "The Box". I hope some other guys chime in on "The Box" because many have had their experiences with "The Box".

All I can tell you is that I can't wait to play solitaire again and in the CBSMF and the BAM just to hear those words "I hate the Box" and "I love the Box". At one time, people were saying "I would never play with the Box". So when I hear the words, I think how far we've come in letting this little piece be a part of the big picture.

Reg