News Post

Formation Subs: Yay or Nay?

03:04 PM - June 11, 2008 by RaychelSnr

Wil McCombs checks in today with a look at formation subs, and why they should make it into NCAA Football 2010. Check out his article, Formation Subs: Yay or Nay?

Quote:


	"Picture this, along with assigning six audibles to each formation, you also have the ability to assign two custom personnel packages. You also have the ability to name them. Now, you can show your offensive genius by creating new and exciting personnel packages to accentuate certain plays, AND you can access them seamlessly through the normal playcalling screen."

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Member Comments

# 1 hustle55 @ 06/11/08 03:18 PM

Great write up!! I agree with all that you said

# 2 Solidice @ 06/11/08 03:28 PM

i agree about formation packages can help out on formation subs not being in, and custom packages would make it better, but for me at least, the big thing about formation subs was being able to set your special teams up. the depth chart only allows you to "assign" the Kicker/Punter/Kickoff guy, Long Snapper, and the KR/PR guys, but what about the rest of the special team guys?

I didn't use the formation packages that much in '08, mainly because is wasn't very quick to use, especially if you passed the one you wanted, so you had to cycle all the way through. for '09 though, it was changes to the R-thumb stick, so I'll probably use it alot more this year.

as for stopping "cheesing". they could have it to where you can only select "logical" people to put in a position(like OLB can be subed in for DEs, TEs for WRs, etc.). or make the ratings actually mean something.

# 3 jestr962 @ 06/11/08 04:48 PM

If Formation Subs are that much of a pain in *ss for EA, then just disable them for ranked online play. Don't punish all of us b/c a couple pricks don't want to learn how to play the game the right way. I personally like to have my fastest/ quickest guys in the slot, as I would expect most others to prefer as well. And formation subs are perhaps most effective on defense, especially with the new ratings Ea incorporated last year.

# 4 ODogg @ 06/11/08 04:53 PM

I'd really like it so that you could have just ONE guy back for kick returns and not two.

# 5 muggins @ 06/11/08 05:17 PM

I agree with jester962. There is no reason not to have formation subs in this game for my dynasty. It is lazy.

# 6 BezO @ 06/11/08 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solidice


	...but for me at least, the big thing about formation subs was being able to set your special teams up...

Quote:

Originally Posted by ODogg


	I'd really like it so that you could have just ONE guy back for kick returns and not two.

Quoted for cosignage.

# 7 FatJoe399 @ 06/11/08 05:49 PM

Just for accuracy, Mr. McCombs, there was a Wild Hog formation for Arkansas but you couldn't seamlessly put McFadden in at QB.

# 8 Russell_SCEA @ 06/11/08 06:06 PM

Quote:


	Just for accuracy, Mr. McCombs, there was a Wild Hog formation for Arkansas but you couldn't seamlessly put McFadden in at QB.

Yes you could all you had to do was hit the sub button from the play call screen.

# 9 janglar @ 06/11/08 06:48 PM

I'm all for the formation subs. If last gen could do it, why can't current gen?

# 10 Scott @ 06/11/08 07:14 PM

All I want to be able to change is my KO Return, KO team and the holder...

# 11 ac11367 @ 06/11/08 08:22 PM

I'm all for formation sub as long as the defense is correctly notified of the package. For example, if some cheeser wants to sub a WR for a TE on a pro set, the defense should be presented with a notification of 2 RB, 3 WR, not 2 RB, 1 TE, 2 WR.

# 12 ODogg @ 06/11/08 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ac11367


	I'm all for formation sub as long as the defense is correctly notified of the package. For example, if some cheeser wants to sub a WR for a TE on a pro set, the defense should be presented with a notification of 2 RB, 3 WR, not 2 RB, 1 TE, 2 WR.

Formation subs, when implemented, should still NOT allow those kinds of BS subs. Or if EA decides to allow it, the players should take a ratings hit that is significant.

# 13 FredoXV @ 06/11/08 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FatJoe399


	Just for accuracy, Mr. McCombs, there was a Wild Hog formation for Arkansas but you couldn't seamlessly put McFadden in at QB.

You sir, are correct, although it is called the Wildcat.

Although you can seamlessly place McFadden in the QB slot with package called HB QB Sub.

Apologies on this factual error.

# 14 ac11367 @ 06/12/08 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ODogg


	Formation subs, when implemented, should still NOT allow those kinds of BS subs. Or if EA decides to allow it, the players should take a ratings hit that is significant.

I don't think a ratings hit is warranted. If I'm notified of the correct offensive package, I'll have enough to make an informed decision about what defensive personnel/defensive play to put out there. If they decide to sub a WR in place of a QB, I'll definitely needed to be informed.

# 15 ODogg @ 06/12/08 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ac11367


	I don't think a ratings hit is warranted. If I'm notified of the correct offensive package, I'll have enough to make an informed decision about what defensive personnel/defensive play to put out there. If they decide to sub a WR in place of a QB, I'll definitely needed to be informed.

For each situational sub though there are aspects that need to reflect in the game accurately and right now for the most part does not. For example, the WR to QB sub. In the game there is really no risk of anything negative happening. In real life why don't teams do this all that often? Because WR's aren't used to taking snaps and there is a real high chance of a fumble on the exchange no matter if the guy is under center or in shotgun. You really can NOT allow subs of this nature until the game accurately models both the negative as well as the positive. Right now it's all positives and it's highly unrealistic.

# 16 jestr962 @ 06/13/08 02:15 AM

I'm cool with a ratings hit as long as it affects the appropriate skill set. I don't want any of my physical attributes touched, instead EA may want to "hit" the awareness rating and things like that. Like say I move a 6'6 220 lb receiver to TE. Either to make my team faster or replace an iinjured player, it really doesn't matter which. Under no circumstance should he be slower, weaker , have less acceleration, etc. due to the positoin change. Instead EA should hit his awareness rating, his route running rating, or any other rating that is position specific.
And on the opposite side of the ball, if i convert a Coverage LB to safety his main hits should be to play recognition ( b/c he has to read different keys), and also zone/man coverage (b/c the zones/ matchups are much different)

# 17 Dig Montana @ 06/16/08 08:39 PM

Hello,

I would like to mention the Wild Hog formation is in the Arkansas' playbook under the name Wildcat....Arkansas didnt decide to call this formation the Wild Hog until the 08 season....it was previously known as the Wildcat....the formation provides an opportunity for Mcfadden to line up at the quarterback position and provides the option to run or pass. Check it out.....NCAA Football 08.....Wildcat formation.....Arkansas playbook.....in the shotgun play section.

# 18 Dig Montana @ 06/16/08 08:45 PM

Also if you are interested in having your receiver in the backfield you can use Florida's playbook and run the gator heavy formation and use the x button to sub in the receiver.

# 19 mcarta @ 07/03/08 06:58 PM

I miss formations subs b/c it gave an oppurtunity for the young guys on your team that have already redshirted like mlbs, olbs, and safties to get some playing time on STs. And of course putting my speed rec that is not ready to start but ,I need to get on the field b/c of his speed. That is real life football. My starting 5th year corner does NOT need to be covering kicks when I have 4 other dbs doing nothing.

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Formation Subs: Yay or Nay?