Best Sellers 7: Football Classics 2/CD1.iso/bsfball2/windows/coac/football.doc

Text File | 1995-10-25 | 15KB | 299 lines

The game of football...

Disclaimer: this file is intended to introduce novices to the game of football
enough to play Coach.  It is not intended to be a complete guide to the game.
There may be differences between Coach and "real" football, in which case this
file will explain how Coach works.


Overview

  The object of the game is to get the football down a one hundred yard long
field as often as possible, scoring in a few different ways.  The teams have
45 players, 11 of whom are on the field at once.  There are three different
"teams" on each football team: the offense, the defense, and the special
teams.
  The offense is the group that tries to score.  The defense tries to keep the
other team from scoring.  The special teams are not simulated in Coach, except
for the punters and place kickers.


Game Play

  When a team gets the ball, it has four chances to either score or advance
ten yards down the field.  Each play is ended when the offensive player who
has the ball is tackled by a member of the defense.  If, after three downs,
the team has not gotten 10 yards, they will usually attempt either a field
goal if they are close enough to the opponents' end zone, or they will punt.
Punting means that your punter will drop-kick the ball as far as he can down
the field, where the other team has someone to catch the kick and run it back
until he is tackled.
  There are two methods an offense can use to get the ball upfield: running it
and passing.  When running, the quarterback normally gives the ball to a
running back, who then follows a pre-planned play and runs as far as possible
before a defensive player tackes him.  Occasionally he is tackled for a loss,
but a 3 to 5 yard gain is average.  When passing, the quaterback will throw
the football to one of his receivers, who will (hopefully) catch the ball and
run upfield.  This type of play has the most possible benefits, but also the
most risks.  The worst thing that can happen is an interception, in which case
a defensive player catches the ball, which results in a turnover.  The next
worst is that the quarterback will be tackled before he has a chance to throw
the ball (sacked), which usually results in about a 7 or 8 yard loss.  It is
also possible for the receiver to not catch the pass, either as a result of
poor play or good defense.


Scoring

A team can score in three ways:
  1 - Touchdown (6 points).  This happens when the offense takes the ball
into its oppenents' end zone (the area at the end of the field).  After a
touchdown, the place kicker gets a chance to kick an extra point, which is
roughly a 20 yard field goal.  If good, the team gets 1 point in addition to
the 6.  The extra point attempt is nearly always good.  Following a touchdown,
the other team gets the ball.
  2 - Field Goal (3 points).  If the offense is facing a fourth down and is
relatively close to the goal line , it may elect to try a field goal attempt.
In this case, the place kicker will try to kick the ball trough between two
vertical bars at the end of the end zone (10 yards beyond the goal line).  The
ball must also be at least 10 feet above the ground for the field goal to be
good.  As the kicker lines up 7 yards behind the ball position and the bars
are 10 yards past the goal line, the actual distance of a field goal is 17
yards longer than the distance between the ball and the end zone.  After a
field goal, the other team gets the ball.
  3 - Safety (2 points).  This is a defensive score in which the defense
tackles the ball carrier in his own end zone, and is therefore a rare way of
scoring.  When one happens, not only does the defensive team get two points,
but they also get the ball.


Offensive Positions

  Quarterback (QB).  This is the player that runs the offense.  On a running
play, he normally hands to ball off to a running back (but occasionally runs
it himself).  On a passing play, he throws the ball.
  Running back.  Running backs normally are used in running plays, although
they are eligible to receive passes.  As receivers, they usually are involved
in short plays.  A second running back will always act as an extra blocker.
There are two types or runners: tailbacks (TB) and fullbacks (FB).  A tailback
is usually smaller and faster, and does best running outside.  A fullback is
usually bigger and a better blocker, and does best blocking or running up the
middle.
  Wide receiver (WR).  These are the ones who make the spectacular plays you
see on highlight films.  Their only job is to try to catch the ball.  Although
they are most noted for their long plays, they go medium most of the time.
  Tight end (TE).  This a linemen eligible to receive a pass.  A tight end
must also protect the quarterback if the defense is blitzing.
  Offensive Line.  There are five linemen, who protect the QB on passing plays
and make holes in the defense for runners to run through on running plays.
The center (C) is in the middle, an offensive tackle (OT) on either
side, and an offensive guard (OG) on the ends.


Offensive Formations
  Wishbone - a rushing formation, often with a second tight end.
       WR                OG OT C  OT OG TE
                               QB

                               FB
                             TB  FB

  I formation - a rushing formation.
       WR                OG OT C  OT OG TE              WR
                               QB

                               FB
                               TB
a wide receiver can be removed for a second tight end or a second fullback.

  Pro Set - a balanced formation for passing and rushing.
       WR             TE OG OT C  OT OG                 WR
                               QB

                            RB    RB
A wide receiver can be removed for a second tight end.

  Run and shoot - a formation that shoots slighty more than it runs.  The
tailback is featured much more than the fullback.
       WR             TE OG OT C  OT OG TE            WR
                               QB

                               RB
A tight end can be removed for a third wide receiver.

  Shotgun - a good formation for passing and allows a little rushing.  Like
the run & shoot, the tailback is favored.
       WR             TE OG OT C  OT OG TE            WR


                               QB RB
The running back and/or a tight end may be removed for one or two wide
receivers.

  Spread - good only for passing.  The tailback is favored over the
fullback.
       WR   WR        TE OG OT C  OT OG               WR
                               QB

                               RB
The running back can be removed for a second tight end or a fourth wide<br>
receiver on passing downs, and a wide receiver for a second tight end on<br>
rushing downs.


Defensive Positions

  Cornerback (CB).  Defends against the wide receivers.  Can rush the
quarterback on a rare cornerback blitz.
  Safety (SF).  Usually not assigned to defend any player, rather is the last
defensive player between an offensive player and the end zone in case a
linebacker or cornerback misses a tackle.  Can rush the quarterback on a
not-quite-as-rare safety blitz.
  Linebackers.  Defend the tight ends, wingbacks, and running backs on a
pass play.  They are also supposed to stop and running backs that make it
beyond the line of scrimmage.  Can rush the quarterback on a linebacker blitz.
They are divided into inside linebackers (ILB) and outside linebackers. (OLB)
  Defensive ends (DE).  Line up on the offensive guards.  They try to sack
the QB and stop running plays early.
  Defensive tackles (DT).  Line up on the offensive tackles and the center.


Defensive Formations

  4-3 - 4 defensive linemen and 3 linebackers, a good all-round defense,
though only 3 LBs to defend pass plays of moderate depth.
                       SF            SF
          CB                 ILB                  CB
                 OLB                      OLB
                      DE    DT  DT    DE

  4-4 - four linemen and four linebackers,