Tournaments > Strategy

Strategy of the Players

Dennis' Tips
1. Pick a playbook and stick with that playbook: Try to find a team that does what you do best. If you like to pass the ball, the Rams can pass the ball. If you're like me and you want to pick a team with a more balanced attack, play with the Titans. Find a team's style that you like to play with, then stick with that playbook, even if you switch teams. That way, at least you know what plays you have and what plays will work the best. Know exactly what to call on third and long, third and short. Know what deep plays work the best, what screen passes work the best. The plays are the key to the game, not necessarily the players.

2. Create mismatches: One of the favorite formations is the Shotgun/2 Back set. What I do is put both of my tight ends in as the running backs. Then when I motion them out of the backfield, my tight end is going against a safety or a linebacker. For the running game, try going with two tight ends and a single back out of the Big or Single Back formation. Substitute your second tight end in the starting tight end's slot, then substitute your first tight end for the wide receiver on the side of the ball you're attempting to run. That way you have a big tight end blocking for you out on the corner, and that tight end will knock the corner down every play, clearing the sidelines for a big run.

If you want to pass out of that same formation, substitute your fastest wide receiver in the spot where you're second tight end was originally supposed to line up. That way, he'll have a linebacker trying to defend him down the field, and you can throw the ball deep to catch the defense by surprise.

3. Same formation, different play: I have a passing play and two running plays for every formation I like to use. That way, when I line up to hike the ball, people can't look at my formation and instantly know what play is coming. They can't crowd the line because one time I beat them deep with my running formation. But they can't play for the pass because I've been running on them all day. The minute the defense commits to stopping either the run or the pass, that's when I know I'm about to score. That's how I whip people. The defense will try to stop Eddie George because of my running game. I'll keep running him to the same side of the field, but when I see the defense start to load up on that side to stop him, I'll keep the ball with Steve McNair and run to the other side. McNair's like another tail back out there. Keep them guessing and the game is yours to win.

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