A request to Reginald Rutledge, explain to the EF/MF masses how to make a 4.0 team.

The other my brother and friend Reginald Rutledge, like a true friend and Big Brother does he always checks in on his little brother from time to time, its no mystery that So Flo is now 4.0, i enjoy the fast paced play of the 4.0 style, that and Devider style are my two Fave ways to play at the moment, my trip to texas last year showed me that the transition to 4.0 from 3.2, It is a transition but not an impossible one, I remember what Mike Robertson told me, Lock to play here your entire squad needs to function, i watched, took mental notes, watched what bases were used the whole shebang. I understand that a good coach is one who understands what style he plays under, and also what weapons he needs to bring to battle. the Joe Greco's Jets for those that dont already realize, is a perfect blue print for a solid 4.0 team, Reg for the masses please lay down the blueprint for a 4.0 team.

Stay Blessed

[Reginald Rutledge]

I guess I should.

You know Lock, if this was anyone else, I probably would not do this because this is such a long and arduous and complicated task that you could write a book on it.

This is a Public Service Announcement:
If this is not a topic that interest you, please don't spend your valuable time reading any further because this speaks specifically to a topic that may interest only those using FF.COM products. Thanks!

Have you seen the league rulebook? When I originally wrote the book (back in 1995), it had 90 plus pages of information. Writing the details of putting a 4.0 team together could be well over 500 pages (literally) because there is so much information that goes into developing a team to win championships that it's just best not to get into it.

I will one day do that on the Footballfigures.com website because I want something like that geared specific to people who use my products. I think knowledge is the key and I have a responsibility to give that type of knowledge when I can.

Therefore, I can offer a condense version of things about the 4.0 system. Here goes:

In 1995, when I developed the 3.2 gram system, it was done with a different type of athlete. Athlete is defined as the player + base. These athletes were more traditional in nature. They were your 67 Big Men and traditional electric football players. After seeing Larry Walker's custom poses, I got very interested in exploring that area. However, because the Internet had not evolved at that point in time, there was no way to see the art of players.

Fast-forward to FF.COM's arrival on the scene. For years, the players I had were harassed and chastised across the country. I held true to what I believed. The more barbs at me and my products, the more determined I was to dominate. Even in my own league (the DFW), there were coaches who went on strike protesting the use of these players. Tournaments used hidden agenda tactics to keep FF.COM players out of their tournaments. At the Shootout, we allowed all products in for there was no fear of the other players. I say that to tell you this...

When I line my team up against another team, I feel pretty confident that we will walk away victorious. Whether it is in the Shootout style of play or any other style, we are very sure we can compete well. Since this is 4.0 Shootout-rule specific, we will focus our discussion to that.

"Building the Team"
Offensive Line 1-The Elephant Line
Lock, look at this like you are a college recruiter for great high school talent. Your head coach runs a certain type of system and you are specifically looking for a certain type of athlete. You call high school coaches and ask about the senior prospects. You tell them you are looking for certain specifics of athletes.

Now in my system, from the offensive perspective, my attack is centered around what my fellow coaches call "The West Coast Offense". Now, I kinda like that name but I think it also may have some negative connotations to it as well. The ability to score quickly but not being with power in their mind is what I gather. That is so far from the truth it is not funny!

Anyhow, this offensive scheme is centered around 12 offensive linemen. You saw 5 of Joe Greco's linemen. Those players are used "mainly" for power football, what I term my "Elephant Line". The physics of these players give them more natural power because of where the weight is distributed. They are low which still applies even in miniature football "Low man does win".

However, that "low man" must have the right base to make up the best athlete for the job. For the "Elephant", each base is created in a manner of developing a wedge. The left tackle must loop inward towards the right and the right tackle moves left. The guards must perform the same function. The center should definitely move straight ahead, the staraighter the better!

There are various guys in miniature football that create strong bases. I prefer bases that have the TTC dial for this blocking line. The reason being that the dials offer some type of resistance to defensive players penetration. Based on how far apart you set these linemen will make a lot of difference as well.

So at this point, you go out and see the great high school athletes that may interest you. You begin to imagine how to create them. For me, creating the 3-pt linemen is a 60-second operation. Just take that Menacing Enforcer and LT poses and do the necessary cuts and within 60-seconds, you should have the makings of a great athlete!

The Center is created from the Squatter pose and the LT extended arm. This pose is used as the centerpiece to line up your team. All 5 linemen should be on power bases.

Offensive Line 2-West Coast Laterals
Before ITZ or anyone else started fooling around with lateral bases, this was definitely developed in my lab many years ago. Ever since I was 10, I had Munro dials but at that time, they seemed weird and easy to defend against. However, in 1996, I made a great discovery by placing a Munro dial under a Tudor shell. I began to see the possibilities!

Then with the emergence of FF.COM figures, I began to study O-Line movement. Two NFL organizations that caught my fancy was the Denver Broncos and San Francisco 49ers. Both teams used a "zone blocking" scheme. I felt that if it could be done in the NFL, it could be done (to a degree) in the NFL. I also began to look at the arm movement of linemen. By this time, my figures were dominating in the DFW in their regular stance. However, I think I saw Orlando Pace or someone in his ilk pass block. The light bulb went on. The next thing I knew, I was developing a line that had the ability to move forward, side ways, or backwards. This had to be done because at the time, our league was running rampant with steroid use! Nearly every team had them to compete against the straight ahead power teams.

I stayed true to my belief and developed the "West Coast System". My O-Line is literally spread a base length apart on every play. But because my athletes have the ability to move laterally, in the Shootout system, you have no idea where the hole is coming from if you are the defense. With the right athletes, this type of scheme is virtually unstoppable. The only thing that may stop this scheme is your own lack of execution as a passer. Because if you can pass with great effectiveness, your running game becomes close to unstoppable.

The O-line for the West Coast "flava" is created to have "range of motion". Some O-linemen have been produced in traditional manners or with their arms going straight ahead. Such thinking limits what an offensive team can do. A line with player arms outstretched but looking real, gives you 2-3 more seconds (potentially) on every play to pass. Not only does it do this, all those players need to do is give you a slight push to get you out of a hole.

Some guys think sheer power on defense will beat the offense. I beg to differ. My team is one of the weakest teams in the league but I have been to 9 Super Bowls, won 3 and lost 2 when my fullback was running in from 80 yards to put the game out of reach and fumbled the ball. I lost 2 on the last play of the game, one where I decided that instead of OT, just win it! What the heck! My team is the one team no one likes to play.

So guys that think you have to simply have "strong" bases are missing the concept under this style of play. You have to have finesse and think outside the box. You have to coach your team up.

Shown below are the two types of lines used. I also use an additional 2 other linemen which are used to create trap plays and power sweeps. A lot of people ask me, "Do the power sweeps" and traps and counter trays really work. From a person who uses them extensively, "Yes, they work like a charm".

I will come back and discuss the "Skill" players.

Lock, now is this the type of information you are looking for. If you wish, I can take this offline and just write you with this information.

Reg

[rjackson]

...This truly amazing. Reg you really got me thinking on some things man!!!

[Reginald Rutledge]

These are two distinctively different line sets. One is for a more versatile attack (pass and run) which is the West Coast. The other one is for power running (3 pt. linemen) known as the Elephant package.

There are pros and cons for each one. I, myself, love the West Coast line because of the range of motion of the linemen. With the arms out looking like they are in pass-blocking mode, they allow the QB 2-3 more seconds to throw the ball. Plus, they allow for greater holes to be opened.

Attached are the compared lines. These are Joe Greco two different lines. He will still get two extra linemen on TTCs able to pull for power sweeps.

Thanks Reg I copied the post for my guys here, they are real excited, i appreciate the time you took to break it down, u know my love for your products and i understand the concept of making power atheletes, this blueprint will be given to all my guys and all new prospective coaches, Reg holla at me later, i need that magic you make for recruitment.

[Reginald Rutledge]

skill players, D-Line, LBs, Safeties, CBs, Kick-off team, and Kick Return so this will be long and extensive.

You may hate me after this is done.

Reg

Reg my brother u forget I have every major post on EF/MF from the miggle board and here as well information is power pour it on my brother pour it on

[asparks31]

Not that he really needs backing but this is so true i just got my hands on ff.com figures and bought the how to dvd, its amazing how this works my pass blocking line is outstanding working on the run line as we speak. Reg who else is coming with you to the brawl anybody in my division ? would like to get in a couple of games then and i'm thinking about going to the shootout as well

[andre kc]

Reg my brother, how would this work with Buzzball or other products like Miggle fig's? Reg, I want to thank you for taking the time on this, man this is great

[Reginald Rutledge]

Attn: Biglock

Yeah, I know you had all the post that I have discussed which must be A LOT! Sometimes, I just think what I say may be falling on deaf ears and it may not be worth the reader's time filtering through all the analysis.

But if you are willing to read, yes I can get you the information. The one thing I do know is what I am talking about when it comes to Shootout-based 4.0 grams teams. Having written the book on 3.2 gram teams, I do know a bit about that as well. But because this is about 4.0 discussion, we will continue on with that.

Coach Dru Sparks:
No doubt you are a student of the game! One who I think that if you come into the DFW League totally washing away your thinking of what miniature football is and wanting to learn from guys who know this style better than anyone, you will be a champion in this league within 5 years!

Michael Robertson (5-time Champion) and myself probably know the science of the 4.0 system better than anybody. We are always looking for the next great coach, willing to take his lumps and learn on the fly. You can always spot potential but its the ones who come in here willing to learn and ask questions and implement. A blueprint has been written many years ago on how to win big in this style of play and all you have to do is follow it!

We've got so many potentially great coaches coming to the DFW League but many already have their philosophies in place and will not really hear the messages you are trying to get over to them.

Mike Robertson was one of the few who really took every thing I did and copied word-for-word. Now, some would argue that he has passed me. But I get great satisfaction out of his accomplishments because he was a willing student thirsting for the knowledge.

Just in our conversations, I think you may be that next great one. But only time will tell. I always tell people in this style of play, "Copy what's winning". Some people hear me but their stubborness and pride forces them to do it a different way. So any information I can offer you, always feel free to ask.

Coach AndreKC,
I am not very knowledgeable of other vendor's figures when it comes to 4.0 grams. However, I would assume that a lot of the strategies would work the same. I am not too familiar with the functionality of the players from an offensive perspective but I would think the players would perform better at the 4.0 gram class. You may want to contact the makers of these other vendors and ask them about what their philosophy is regarding strategy and how to win with their figures. I am only an expert on FF.COM products and I can only speak from that perspective. Sorry if I can not be of service in that manner.

Reginald