Special Teams is in desperate need of attention from the coders. There have been many threads regarding them; perhaps there are too many of which to adequately keep track. Here are several areas of Special Teams which must be added with specific suggestions for each.
• Depth Chart (thanks Buckeyes33) (DONE)
• AI Inputs and Outputs
• Playbooks, including Fakes
• Advanced Tactics (thanks Calderman98)
• Replays (thanks Maristfan) (DONE)
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Special Teams Depth Chart (thanks Buckeyes33)
Original reference link: http://goallineblitz.com/game/forum_thread.pl?thread_id=2069194
There should be a means of assigning specific players to specific positions on kickoff, kick return, punt, punt return, FG/PAT, and kick safe/block.
Kickoff: Numbered 1-10 from L to R, with KOS for punter or kicker
Kick return: Front line: LT-LG-C-RG-RT, next two: LE-RE, next two: LB/RB, returners: LKR/RKR. Variable spots for variable return formations, e.g. 5-3-2-1
Punt: Line: LT-LG-DS-RG-RT, up-back: UB, ends: LE-RE, Gunners: LGR/RGR. Variable spots for variable punt formations, e.g. tight, double-gunners, etc.
Punt return: Similar to defensive formation, with returner replacing FS.
FG/PAT: LW-LTE-LT-LG-DS-RG-RT-RTE-RW, H, K
FG Safe/Block: Similar to defense, depending on safe vs. block
Examples: Images by Buckeyes33 (use different nomenclature than my own:
Punt: http://i44.tinypic.com/15n7rc5.jpg
Kick Off: http://i43.tinypic.com/2hmphzd.jpg
Punt Return: http://i39.tinypic.com/33uybnd.jpg
Also, it would be nice to display the team's starting KRs and PR on the team page below the K and P. (DONE)
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Special Teams AI Inputs and Outputs
There should be an additional tab for Special Teams AI in the teams' tactics sections. These should have the following settings:
Kickoff: When to onside, when to squib
Kick return: When to wedge, when to go directional, when to fair-catch
Punt: When to go tight, when to go wide, when to go directional, when to avoid returner
Punt return: When to block, when to do "safe," when to return normally, when not to field
FG/PAT: When to fake run/pass
FG Safe/Block: When to do "safe," when to block
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Special Teams Playbook
There should be an additional tab for Special Teams Playbook in the teams' tactics sections. These should have a GUI similar to the currently existing offensive playbook and should be called for by the Special Teams AI. For when multiple plays are appropriate for a call, one would be chosen at random - exactly how the Offensive AI/playbook works. An AI tester would have to be included.
Kickoff: Deep Left, Deep Right, Middle
Onside Kick: Low Left, Low Right, "Gomer Pyle" (line up like normal, K barely taps ball and recovers it himself)
Kick Return: Middle/R/L wedge, formations (5-2-2-2, 4-3-2-2, 5-3-2-1)
Punt: Tight, Wide, double-gunner, 7-3, Rugby-style
Fake Punt Run: Up-back left/right/straight, trap
Fake Punt Pass: Flood left, flood right, throwback
Punt Defense: Double-team Gunners, Safe, block R, block L, 2 deep, etc.
Fake FG/PAT run: Option? left/right, sweep left/right
Fake FG/PAT pass: Flood left, flood right, throwback
FG/PAT Defense: Safe, overload middle, speed block R/L
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Special Teams Advanced Tactics (thanks Calderman98)
Original reference link: http://goallineblitz.com/game/forum_thread.pl?thread_id=2153131
Calderman98 suggests sliders for punters and kickers for distance vs. accuracy similar to power vs. elusive running style. I think there should be special teams tactics for those attached to special teams positions, including returners. This gives them something to set every game depending on the return tendencies of the other team.
K: Slider: power vs. accuracy, height vs. distance, direction
P: Slider: power vs. accuracy, height vs. distance, direction
KR/PR: Follow blockers vs. create one's own, end zone touchback depth (e.g 3 yards deep = max)
Other ST: for kickoff/punt teams, stay in lane vs. make a play (essentially conservative vs. aggressive coverage)
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Special Teams Replays (thanks Maristfan) (DONE)
Original reference link: http://goallineblitz.com/game/forum_thread.pl?thread_id=2267933
It's silly not to have these, especially if what I've suggested for having fakes on FG/PAT is heeded. The old argument against including these is that it would "give too much away" regarding what one would need to work on to improve their kicker.
Knowing whether a kick was short/wide right/wide left may not be enough to know what your kicker lacks since kicking is a multifactorial equation; it's not as though strength alone determines Y/Z axes (if it's short) and kicking determines X axis (wide). A kick could be short because a kicker may have planted his foot incorrectly (agility?), not put the proper part of his foot on the proper part of the ball (kicking?), not accurately measured the ground, conditions, or snap timing (vision?), or didn't put enough leg into it (strength?).
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Hopefully we can get the third dimension of football included in the game planning and intensify the need to win the "battle of hidden yards." Lord knows this game won't be near-ready to "go live" without it.
Thanks to those who made the original suggestions. I should buy y'all lunch or something. Thanks to Dr. E for resurrecting the idea after 10 months of stagnation.
- DMFA
• Depth Chart (thanks Buckeyes33) (DONE)
• AI Inputs and Outputs
• Playbooks, including Fakes
• Advanced Tactics (thanks Calderman98)
• Replays (thanks Maristfan) (DONE)
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Special Teams Depth Chart (thanks Buckeyes33)
Original reference link: http://goallineblitz.com/game/forum_thread.pl?thread_id=2069194
There should be a means of assigning specific players to specific positions on kickoff, kick return, punt, punt return, FG/PAT, and kick safe/block.
Kickoff: Numbered 1-10 from L to R, with KOS for punter or kicker
Kick return: Front line: LT-LG-C-RG-RT, next two: LE-RE, next two: LB/RB, returners: LKR/RKR. Variable spots for variable return formations, e.g. 5-3-2-1
Punt: Line: LT-LG-DS-RG-RT, up-back: UB, ends: LE-RE, Gunners: LGR/RGR. Variable spots for variable punt formations, e.g. tight, double-gunners, etc.
Punt return: Similar to defensive formation, with returner replacing FS.
FG/PAT: LW-LTE-LT-LG-DS-RG-RT-RTE-RW, H, K
FG Safe/Block: Similar to defense, depending on safe vs. block
Examples: Images by Buckeyes33 (use different nomenclature than my own:
Punt: http://i44.tinypic.com/15n7rc5.jpg
Kick Off: http://i43.tinypic.com/2hmphzd.jpg
Punt Return: http://i39.tinypic.com/33uybnd.jpg
Also, it would be nice to display the team's starting KRs and PR on the team page below the K and P. (DONE)
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Special Teams AI Inputs and Outputs
There should be an additional tab for Special Teams AI in the teams' tactics sections. These should have the following settings:
Kickoff: When to onside, when to squib
Kick return: When to wedge, when to go directional, when to fair-catch
Punt: When to go tight, when to go wide, when to go directional, when to avoid returner
Punt return: When to block, when to do "safe," when to return normally, when not to field
FG/PAT: When to fake run/pass
FG Safe/Block: When to do "safe," when to block
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Special Teams Playbook
There should be an additional tab for Special Teams Playbook in the teams' tactics sections. These should have a GUI similar to the currently existing offensive playbook and should be called for by the Special Teams AI. For when multiple plays are appropriate for a call, one would be chosen at random - exactly how the Offensive AI/playbook works. An AI tester would have to be included.
Kickoff: Deep Left, Deep Right, Middle
Onside Kick: Low Left, Low Right, "Gomer Pyle" (line up like normal, K barely taps ball and recovers it himself)
Kick Return: Middle/R/L wedge, formations (5-2-2-2, 4-3-2-2, 5-3-2-1)
Punt: Tight, Wide, double-gunner, 7-3, Rugby-style
Fake Punt Run: Up-back left/right/straight, trap
Fake Punt Pass: Flood left, flood right, throwback
Punt Defense: Double-team Gunners, Safe, block R, block L, 2 deep, etc.
Fake FG/PAT run: Option? left/right, sweep left/right
Fake FG/PAT pass: Flood left, flood right, throwback
FG/PAT Defense: Safe, overload middle, speed block R/L
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Special Teams Advanced Tactics (thanks Calderman98)
Original reference link: http://goallineblitz.com/game/forum_thread.pl?thread_id=2153131
Calderman98 suggests sliders for punters and kickers for distance vs. accuracy similar to power vs. elusive running style. I think there should be special teams tactics for those attached to special teams positions, including returners. This gives them something to set every game depending on the return tendencies of the other team.
K: Slider: power vs. accuracy, height vs. distance, direction
P: Slider: power vs. accuracy, height vs. distance, direction
KR/PR: Follow blockers vs. create one's own, end zone touchback depth (e.g 3 yards deep = max)
Other ST: for kickoff/punt teams, stay in lane vs. make a play (essentially conservative vs. aggressive coverage)
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Special Teams Replays (thanks Maristfan) (DONE)
Original reference link: http://goallineblitz.com/game/forum_thread.pl?thread_id=2267933
It's silly not to have these, especially if what I've suggested for having fakes on FG/PAT is heeded. The old argument against including these is that it would "give too much away" regarding what one would need to work on to improve their kicker.
Knowing whether a kick was short/wide right/wide left may not be enough to know what your kicker lacks since kicking is a multifactorial equation; it's not as though strength alone determines Y/Z axes (if it's short) and kicking determines X axis (wide). A kick could be short because a kicker may have planted his foot incorrectly (agility?), not put the proper part of his foot on the proper part of the ball (kicking?), not accurately measured the ground, conditions, or snap timing (vision?), or didn't put enough leg into it (strength?).
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Hopefully we can get the third dimension of football included in the game planning and intensify the need to win the "battle of hidden yards." Lord knows this game won't be near-ready to "go live" without it.
Thanks to those who made the original suggestions. I should buy y'all lunch or something. Thanks to Dr. E for resurrecting the idea after 10 months of stagnation.
- DMFA
Edited by dmfa41 on Aug 9, 2010 00:16:34 (edit implemented things out of title)
Edited by dmfa41 on Aug 9, 2010 00:15:57
Edited by dmfa41 on Aug 9, 2010 00:13:59 (Update for implementations)