ZAN over at compete4ever.com has written an excellent article that really hit home for me. It’s about teaching the X’s and O’s of football correctly to the football video gaming community. He makes great points about using real terminology when referring to the players on the field and how they line up. I know I am guilty of not always using the proper terminology in breakdowns. It’s not because I don’t know what it is, but instead I try to keep it simple.
For example in Madden, if a linebacker is lined up across from the left tackle, then I refer to him as the right outside linebacker (ROLB), when really he should be referred to as the Will Linebacker (WB). The reason I use the right outside linebacker terminology instead of the will linebacker terminology is because I figured it’s easier for most Madden players to remember and understand. For example when Madden or NCAA players look at a team depth charts, it says ROLB and not WB.
When I do real football breakdowns, I do make an effort to use the correct terminology. For example, I don’t call a receiver a flanker or WR1, but instead would use a letter such as Z receiver. However, after reading his article, it made me open my eyes. For now I am going to try to make it a point to use the correct terminology when breaking down plays for Madden and NCAA. Zan, a big thanks to your article, and your point was well received.
The following is an excerpt from the post called “FORWARD PROGRESS #3: A CALL TO ACTION” that was posted on December 14, 2011 by ZAN.
“I just want to vent a little bit. I’m not going to name names, because EVERYONE has done it; something that REALLY irks me in the Madden tip community is when people think they have the knowledge, but don’t have the terminology down. Let’s get away from calling zones by color (I hate when I hear someone say “purple” or “yellow” zone!); instead, let’s start referring to our zones correctly: Hook, Buzz, Flat, Deep (either halves, thirds, or quarters).
Also, in the tips community, there’s an issue of defensive linemen being referred to based on the perspective of someone looking at their TV screen, or by the actual position name in real life, with the actual perspective being referred to by the author not being specified for the audience.
The same problem exists with linebackers; a player’s position will be referred to based off of looking at the TV screen, and it will confuse some people. Instead, linebackers should be referred to as Sam, Mike, or Will; meaning “strong side outside LB”, “middle linebacker”, or “weak side outside LB”. In a 3-4, the middle linebackers should be referred to as SMLB (for strong side MLB), or WMLB (for weak side MLB). -It’s not a hard concept.
In order to read the diagram above, it’s really pretty simple; all you need to do first is look at the particular space in which a defensive lineman lines up in. For instance, a nose tackle who lines up directly over the Center is said to be in a “0-technique”; a defensive lineman who lines up over either guard is said to be in a “2-technique”, -if that particular lineman lines up over the guard, but is shading into that particular A-gap, he’s said to be in a “1-technique”.”
To read the full article, please click on the following link – FORWARD PROGRESS #3: A CALL TO ACTION
Kobra, thanks so much for your approval. As a new strategy writer; and quite honestly, someone who got INTO Madden off of reading your writeups when you worked over with Bert and Ron at VG Sports, it’s quite the honor to see you link my writing. I truly mean that.
I’ve always followed your work closely and I really enjoy your approach to the game! You’re really teaching people football strategy…and truthfully, without you…I wouldn’t have been so into the game of Madden.
I thank you for that,
-ZAN
Zan, no problem. I thought it was real good article. I hope other sites take notice of it and the point you were making.
Kobra
ZAN, do you think the emergence of social media has had any effect in decrease of the quality of tips? It seems like everybody is trying their hand at selling “tips” and flooding the internet. I quoted tips because that is what they really are, gimmick plays to take advantage of the AI. Not real concepts that can be applied year after year (example: the flat route/stick route combo used last year).
Articles like this are what make the game enjoyable for me. Good work man. Looking forward to you writing more and sharing your knowledge. Thanks