Strategy Session

***Now before you start reading this let me tell you one thing...many people have different thoughts and feelings on what SIM is. While the General Definition and feeling is the same, some take it to extremes in which it actually becomes "Un-Sim." Some on the other hand don't take it far enough. Below is a general feeling on what this league believes.

What Is SIM?

SIM Play is REAL FOOTBALL PLAY. It is playing in a style that emulates a "Real Life NFL Football Game."

How Do I Know If I'm Playing Sim?

Try to look at 3 different and specific areas of your game:

1.Playcalling

2.Gameplay

3.Strategy

***While a lot of people ONLY look at the "Playcalling aspect" when determining if somebody is SIM or not, that is not the correct way to analyze. Gameplay and Strategy are major aspects as well.

Playcalling: This is an obvious one, as MIXING UP YOUR PLAYCALLS is essential. Does this mean you MUST call a different play every play? No. But it doesn't mean you should only be calling 5 defensive plays all game. It is a must to "EXPAND" your playcalling each and every game by trying new plays/schemes.

***There is a Misconception that an Offense or Defense MUST call Drastically different plays every other play in order to be SIM. This is UNTRUE. However, because Defensive Playcalling is one of the most "Controversial" aspects of SIM play, we MUST put pressure on everyone to constantly mix up an EXPAND their Defensive Playcalling.

Example: If a Defense is rarely blitzing you and playing really soft coverage most of the time, this does NOT mean the Offense still must throw Deep because they feel like they have to mix it up in order to be SIM. That is incorrect.

Think about Football strategy for a second...What would Peyton Manning or Tom Brady do if a Defense is playing soft on them? Would they try to Jam a deep pass on it? No, instead they would "TAKE WHAT THE DEFENSE IS GIVING THEM." If the defense is doing this, it is NOT UN-SIM to throw short passes to make them change their strategy and soft playing so soft. It's a chess match, don't OVER-THINK SIM. NFL Teams DO have strategies that force the Opponents Hand in changing what they're doing.

Golden Rule of SIM: Never Abuse Any 1 Thing, whether it be Playcalling, Gameplay or Strategy. However taking what you're opponent is giving you is a part of Football.

Think about this....in the example mentioned above, if the Defense is playing a somewhat Soft Defense and rarely blitzing, then yes the Offense WOULD be crazy NOT to take those Short Passes and Run the Ball a lot. However this does not mean you should be calling the same Routes/Runs every play. There are a number of ways to accomplish one specific strategy. At that point in the game if the offense decides that taking those short routes and running the ball is necessary, then do it in a style that is not continually the same. You need to force the defense's hand in that situation and force them to come up and start pressing / playing more aggressive.

***PISTOL/SPREAD/READ OPTION OFFENSE: In many SIM Leagues they actually BAN Read Option plays. I say that is ridiculous. How is that SIM when the Read Option has come to the NFL? It is a perfectly legitimate scheme to run. HOWEVER, its comes back to the same thought as to NOT ABUSING THAT SCHEME. Just because you might have a MOBILE QB, does not mean he should be averaging close to 10 CARRIES PER GAME. 3 to 5 carries per game for a QB is still high, but acceptable.

Gameplay: This more relates to GAMEPLAY TENDENCIES. Do you bounce it outside on every run? Do you try to bounce it outside on every kickoff? Do you drop back with the QB way too far? Gameplay tendencies are just as important as playcalling is, or even more important.

***Gameplay ALSO relates to AI GLITCHES and NANO BLITZES. A famous "Un-Sim" Tactic are Nano blitzes and Rushing less than 3 players. When in the NFL do you ever see less than 3 guys rushing the QB? NEVER. Maybe once a season on a Hail Mary in which they'll rush 2 and contain 1. Nano's are famous to get pressure on a QB while maintaining good coverage. Not Acceptable and it is clear cut on what a Nano is and isn'tthese days. Any blitz that "GLITCHES THE AI" is now considered to be "Un-Sim" (most of the time includes manually putting a defensive player in a QB Spy or QB Contain.) QB Contains and QB Spy's should be used when playing a Mobile QB. There are a variety of ways to get pressure on the QB without having to "Glitch" the O-Line.

***Another Gameplay example of ABUSING THE AI would be throwing to a receiver on the "First Move" of a "DOUBLE MOVE ROUTE." Meaning if a "Post Corner or POCO" Route is called, instead of the QB throwing to the WR on the 2nd move (the Corner), the QB would throw to the WR on the 1st move (the Post). This famously "Glitches" the AI and the CPU defender is dumbfounded. Is this SIM? No probably not, but with PS4 allowing CPU players to be much smarter it will be less of a problem.

Now with the 2 above examples of "Glitching the AI," will guys still do these things from time to time? Yes as there is very little to do with catching it.....BUT the GOLDEN RULE, IF FOLLOWED, will and should ALWAYS prevent these things or anything else from being over abused.

Strategy: When entering a game, you can and should have a specific strategy. If you think your opponent is vulnerable to the run and you'd like to run the ball a lot and effectively, then you can and should.

Example: Is it UN-SIM for a player to call 15 Run plays out of 20 plays? The answer is it depends on many factors. What kind of Defense is being played against that? Are the Safeties both high leaving 7 in the box every play? Does this owner ALWAYS run the ball this much every game?....or is this just a "Game Specific" Strategy? There are many many factors that go into the answer of that question.

Example: If your opponent is coming out in a BASE offense on 3rd and longs, why in the world would you EVER come out in a BASE Defense? You wouldn't. If it is 3rd and 12 and the offense comes out in a 2 WR set, would an NFL team come out in their BASE Package? Hell no, they would go at least with a Nickel look factoring in the "SITUATION" and not ONLY Personnel. This would be an example of guys "Over Thinking" SIM IF THEY BELIEVE that the Defense MUST match personnel on every play. SITUATIONS determine this just as much as personnel does.

Strategy also is configured into "TIME MANAGEMENT." You must think and act like a real NFL Coach as far as time management goes, as well as displaying GREAT SPORTSMANSHIP. Being a Gracious Winner AND a Gracious Loser is part of being a great owner in a great league.

I will end by saying this...we have an open Forum to post "Gameplay or Un-Sim Complaints" about one another. If this is done in a constructive, civil manner, then we can ALL LEARN how to improve from the notes of one another. ALWAYS BE RECEPTIVE if somebody is calling you out for something, even if you think they are dead wrong. Always be receptive and try to get better.

Question: I like to play a very "Safe Defense" and never blitz, but I do mix up my coverages all game long. Is this SIM?

Answer: NO. It is completely fine to have that type of defense and play that type of strategy, BUT you STILL MUST mix in some Blitzes during the game. No defense ever goes an entire game without Blitzing. Furthermore, to ever rush LESS THAN 3 PLAYERS is "Un-Sim." RARELY, should that ever happen.

Question: Because the Defense I'm playing IS playing it very safe and not blitzing, is it OK for me to throw a ton of short passes to make them adjust?

Answer: YES. You can throw a ton of short passes to make the defense ADJUST TO YOU, as you will then dictate the terms of strategy at that point once it's working. However, make sure you do that in a way that is still "Mixing it up" and not abusing any 1 play or 1 route.

Question: My opponent is running it to the OUTSIDE EVERY time he runs the ball. Is it OK that I play a very "WIDE" defense more than I think I should?.....to stop that?

Answer: YES. You need to adjust to this. The offense should not be running to the outside on every run. But just like in the NFL, if an Offense becomes very predictable, the Defense needs to do what it has to in order to stop it.

Question: I'm up 21 points in the 4th Quarter....is it OK to play more of a safe defense and not mix it up as much?

Answer: YES. Situations determine SIM football as well. It would be silly to Blitz or play Press Coverage as much as you normally would with a 21 point lead in the 4th Quarter. That does NOT mean to call the same play every down though. There are a number of different ways to Mix up defensive playcalling while "CONCEDING YARDS FOR TIME."

Question: I have heard many times that SIM Madden Play means "No Creativity." Does this mean I cannot be creative and come up with unique defensive coverages or pass plays by hot routing?

Answer: NO. Creativity and being Unique is ENCOURAGED. Again though, never abuse any 1 thing that you have come up with....such as a Hybrid Pass Coverage or Unique Pass Play with manual hot routes.

Question: On Defense, do I have to "MATCH" personnel on every play in order to play a SIM game?

Answer: NO. While on most occasions, especially 1st down, you SHOULD be matching, you must remember that SITUATIONS also determine what a defense can and should do. It would be silly for a defense to put out their BASE Defense on a 3rd and 15 if the Offense puts out their BASE Offense. Remember Situational football is a huge factor in the NFL.

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