Under Center POWER Offense

[awill25]

Is it just me… or is nearly impossible to run an effective under center power game?

Trying to replicate the late 90’s early 2000’s Nebraska teams. It’s hard to operate vs the computer and vs the user. The 3-3 front is so overpowered and just completely stymies my Maryland I or power I run game.

The option game under center isn’t much better either imo. Anyone have much success with this?

On top of this, passing from under center is just a nightmare. What gives?

[pietasterp]

I'm with you somewhat. The under-center option game is really tough in this game, and I think it's because the controls aren't responsive enough to allow you to make the quick decisions needed to effectively run under-center options.

Let's take a midline read option as an example (run out of the flexbone or some variation of that formation). Post-handoff, you're reading the DT on the side the play is going toward (or whoever the first defender on the line is to the right/left of the nose tackle or center), who will be unblocked. If he crashes to the middle, you should keep with your QB and run at the space he vacates. If he stays or goes outside, you hand off to the FB and he goes straight up the gut.

Simple play, simple 1-player read (just the way I like it!). However, as the decision to handoff/keep happens in a split second, I'd say that 50% of the time when I try to run this play, even if I hold the button correctly (or let the button go at the last second to hand off), the game doesn't register my button input fast enough and the opposite of whatever I want to happen occurs. It requires split second timing and the window to make the decision is very small.

I accept that sometimes I'm probably deciding too slowly or taking too long to make the read, and that's why the auto-handoff or whatever occurs. But I know that there are times where I clearly make the read in time and press/release the button in time (during the mesh point animation), and the input just doesn't register quickly enough. It's infuriating, and makes the play basically a coin-flip instead of the read that it's supposed to be.

If it's a matter of button inputs not registering fast enough, they need to increase the 'window' in which you can input the command. As it is, you basically have to pre-determine what you're going to do, which eliminates the entire point of the play...

Anyway, that's at least my take on why the under-center options don't work all that well in this game.

[GOIRISH65]

Finally a thread I can relate too. I too want to recreate the power and option information offenses of Lou Holtz Tom osbourne and Dan McCartney.

I have a few thoughts for you but first:

1- agreed the undercenter triple option reads happen to fast compared to the responsiveness of the buttons. I’m no better than 50/50 on the give or keep read even w practice.

2- the computer makes me have a random bad pitch once a game. Not my error (I can accept those). This is even w option king. Doesn’t seem to matter if I tap or hold either

3- most frustrating is how empty the I formation sets are. No double tight I or I twins triple. Ditto for stack. No power options from I? Frustrating

Ok - to answer your question I’m doing my best to recreate this offense. So I’ll start with good power runs from I and then get into how I’m addressing option.

First I noticed in my dynasty my linemen weren’t suited to pulling and doubling. Power counter. So I recruit power linemen almost exclusively although I often look for agile guards. Then I change everyone’s position to put fast guys with good lead block and impact block at guard. Makes a HUGE difference when they get there before the back. My stretch play isn’t as good but toss is fine and I can now hammer power and counter. So recruit for it. I also like a power back but you can do either

The plays - power counter iso toss (I do keep stretch for certain situations) but I’m not running zone otherwise. Don’t be afraid to flip power to the weak side and counter sometimes to the strong side. Use the button to look at the blocking and find your double teams. DUO - out of pro and tight and duo rpo from twins. GREAT play - basically power no pull with two doubles. I LOVE it to the weak side vs a 1 tech. Add in some quick outs corners and a slant plus PA boot. Keep blockers in so you don’t get sacked. I love the comeback off PA boot

For option I do have I pro veer. But I’ve incorporated pistol strong and its variations bc they have power counter but triple and power option and you have a bit more time to make the reads. Not perfect but gets me closer to the offense I want to run.

[GOIRISH65]

PS - I seem to have less bad pitches when I pitch really early and hold the pitch button. Even my option kings seem to have the horrible fumble scoop and score once a game though even if I read correctly. Someone did say not to sprint w the qb until you decide not to pitch. Seems to help a little I think. I can say my option kings seem. That much better at pitching but I think my guy is bronze level so idk.

[sluggbugg]

I run an entirely “I” formation offense. All “I” subsets, Strong “I”, Weak “I”, Power “I” and Maryland “I”. The run game works really well with the right personnel. Power back, blocking FB, blocking TE, and i prefer power OL. You absolutely have to commit to the run and not expect to break big runs all the time, you can’t give up on it, you have to find out what works best against the defense is giving you.

[Hooe]

Quote: Originally Posted by awill25

What gives?

College football by and large is no longer played from under center and hasn't been for years. An offense needs to have to have a dominant offensive line to consistently run an under-center pro-style offense in college. Often it is more valuable for an offense to use the threat of a running quarterback as a +1 in the run game via shotgun zone read or inverted veer because college offensive lines are so inconsistent.

Generally speaking, it is difficult at any level of football for an offense to just line up and impose its will on a defense anymore. Successful modern rushing attacks must read defensive fronts presnap, get into the correct run blocking concept to effectively attack the front, and use motion to slow down defenders pre-snap add blockers into the play post-snap. The resurgent under-center rushing offenses in the NFL such as those run by the Dolphins, Lions, and 49ers all implement these ideas into their run game. Offenses which just line up and call Power without any shifts, motions, or any regard for the opposing defensive configuration are lazy and easier for a defense to key in upon and stuff.

[GOIRISH65]

Different strokes for different folks I guess. I don’t want to run modern stuff. I enjoy doing the old undercenter stuff. And I’d like to recreate the option offenses from my youth. It’s just more fun for me.

[georgiafan]

This is the offense I'm using with Army and I have zero shotguns in my playbook. I do have some Pistol which are the heavy ones.

I'm in the start of year 3 now so I'll know more in the next week. This is the first year of getting the specific players I want to run it. The key I see is definitely the OL and I saw a big difference just in the 1 game this year. I rushed for 5 yards a carry vs a similar rated team. All of my training / skill points have been used around the OL and HB's. I will know even more in the years ahead as 4 of my 5 OL are sophomore's.

You really need to know your personal and ignore the overall rating. This is not only their specific skills and what fits your scheme its also their potential. You also don't want to be super predictable. It's gutsy to call a pass on 3rd and 1, but when they are loading the box you need to occasional do that.

I've got the lowest overall WR starting because he can block and has 92 speed. I thought someone else in the class would start since he had a dev trait, but still had low potential. I've got the 4th best TE starting because he can block. Even though he isn't the best blocker he is just a sophomore, so he has some upside. I have my FB that doubles as a power HB in the #2 spot on the depth chart. I officially start my blocking FB as that's just easier for him to block