When I started getting into football back in 2003 I watched the Louisville Cardinals play religiously, and man was it fun with guys like Petrino as the head coach, and Brian Brohm and Mike Bush throwing and toting the rock. It goes without mention that we got to watch guys like Elvis DUUUUUUUUUMERville crush guys. That however, led to playing video games against my friends that involved football.
Now when we play, we keep one thing in mind, we try to keep it as realistic as the game will let us. That means you don't abuse a loop-hole in the game to win. Now, the cool thing about that is you actually have to know a little bit of football to actually be good at these football games. As the games have progressed, your need to know football has increased. On offense you have to know when to read what defense the other team is in, and on defense you have to know how to apply pressure to the ball carrier, or key on his tendencies.
So I started off small at first. I got the basic ideas down from playing tutorials within the games and mastering them. On offense initially I broke down 2 WRs I'd throw the ball too, one if they brought pressure, and one if they didn't. I read what the linebackers did first, and if they came I knew to get it out quick. However, as the game got better every year this wasn't possible. Suddenly I had to flip everything around. I had to figure out how to read what the secondary was doing based on the free safety, strong safety and the cornerbacks.
That was really hard at first, I didn't know what it meant when both safeties where up top, or if one was low and one was high. I couldn't tell you if the corners were lined up in man against my guys or if they were in a zone coverage. Was the opposing team playing Cover 2, 3, or even 4? I didn't know, so I picked up Football for Dummies and literally taught myself football. I figured out how to read defenses pre-play, and then after the ball was snapped. I knew to read the secondary first and fast, then see what the LBers were doing so I knew if I was throwing to my first, second, or third choice. I suddenly knew when to audible to a run, and how to follow my blocks.
Combine that with the fact that I was watching coaches on youtube, and getting on OperationSports.com anytime I struggled defending a set of plays, or having trouble moving the ball. I was literally prepared for anything, and it showed on the field. There are guys I play with that have literally played football, and a guy that's been playing football games longer than me, and I can spank them both. Funny enough this year we played 3 straight seasons and I never lost a game between 4-6 guys over those season for all 3 years.
The future is scary though. The games are going to be a lot tougher with the PS4, and I'm looking at my defenses and offenses even more. At the end of the day though, I don't feel like I know an extraordinary amount about the game, but when I talk about it I have people tell me I should be in sports media somehow.
What's next? How do I use the screen better? When do I call the draw?
Really cool thing I learned this pass year was the read-option. It sounds complicated, but here is the basics. The QB and HB are both involved in a run play. Normally all of your blockers block a guy, but on the read-option they don't block one defender. He's always the guy that is going to run after the RB if you hand it off to him on a designed run play. So if you're running left to right, he's coming left to right. Now the key to the read-option is the QB. He's going to "read" what the unblocked player does. If he takes off after the RB then the QB fakes the handoff to the HB and keeps the ball. By doing this he takes the defender out of the equation, since he's after the HB, and the free blocker blocks the next guy for the QB. If the defender had stayed home and waited for the QB then he would have handed if off and the RB would have one less defender he had to worry about as he headed up field. This is an awesome play if it's ran effectively because it can result in major yards in a single play. It basically takes a defender off the field for the defense and puts a lot more pressure on the remaining 10. They first have to realize who the ball was handed off too, and then avoid the blocks to make the play before the ball carrier can get major yards. This can result in a ton of yards and is really fun to watch offensively.
That's the lesson from coach Mathew for today. ;) My next project is to learn more about hockey. I know the basics of the game, but I struggle to understand the spacing, the screens, and how they're setup. It makes general sense, but that's not enough for me. What are the basics of the game, from an on-ice perspective that translates into wins and losses, goals and saves? When you're making a shot on goal where should it be placed. Where is the goalie vulnerable, and how do I increase his vulnerability? Should be lots of fun.
Fall is almost here and I'm stoked! Hockey, Football, Basketball, what's not to love?
My teams for those who don't know
The University of Louisville Cardinals - College basketball, and football - We have side-shoot hockey program too!
The University of Louisville Cardinals - College basketball, and football - We have side-shoot hockey program too!
The Minnesota Timberwolves - Since the days of Kevin Garnet ruling the courts, to the new 'Wolves and my main man Gorgui Dieng, from Louisville Cardinal fame. We're proud of your Gorgui, good luck you're rookie year!
The Carolina Panthers - Became a football fan again because of Jake Delhomme! Not a story most could tell you! I sure miss 'ol Jake, but that guy Cam Newton is pretty damn good.
The Vancouver Canucks - I was kind of a Sharks guy during the 2011 playoffs, but after taking a trip to Vancouver I was sold. Had a blast watching them, even if I annoyed my friend with my hooping and hollering (THEY CAN HEAR ME THROUGH THE TV DAMNIT! IT MAKES THEM PLAY BETTER!!). How can you argue against two twin Swedish redheads with smashing goatees? This guy can't! Brave new world this year with a new coach, I'm hella-nervous.
