Learn the Basics of Football Video Games
By Jason Rybka, About.com
Get the Most out of ANY Football Video Game You Play!
It is football season for the video game industry. Sports fans are drooling to get their hands on the latest copies of the NCAA and NFL games like Madden 2006 and NCAA 2006. Some gamers want to play them but are afraid the games will be too hard for them. Perhaps you're reading this right now and had a bad experience in the past either online or offline.
Well hopefully the basic tips and info below will get you back into the game and you will find that it's not that complicated as long as you learn the basics. The more advance tips all use these basic tips and strategies. Those that are not new to football may even find a few helpful tips in this article. So let's get ready for the kick off.
First and Ten to Your Football Games' Success
Just because sports titles are becoming more complex it doesn't mean you have to make it hard on yourself to gain the win!
Sports games are becoming more complex and now have more added features than ever before. While this is great, don't let the new features fool you. The basic game is still the same as it was from the very first football game ever made. You just need to know how to read the offense and defense. That's right, read them like a book. It may sound impossible, but there is a way to learn even the basic set plays and play like a pro with a little practice.
Disable that darn auto-pass feature!
The first thing most gamers try is the easy mode. It doesn't matter if the game is on PC, Xbox, PS2, GameCube, or a handheld; Madden, for example, has a help mode. Gamers get used to playing with this on and then get frustrated when playing against a friend or online. First tip turn off any auto passing mode. You won't learn how to do it if you can just snap the ball, wait and then have the AI throw the ball for you. Now that you are on your own in passing, let's look over the basics of the passing plays.
Use the basic plays!
Basic plays are sometimes more effective than the complicated ones. The reason is simple; nobody is expecting it. Use this to your advantage. While learning read the game manual cover to cover! Now let's get into the first few offensive plays and tips. Most games out there have the same plays to choose from. While it looks different, it's just fancy graphics and enhancements. The basic plays have never changed and this is one key to being able to compete and enjoy the game at the same time, no matter what year the game is released. You have short passing plays, normal, and long ones to choose from. Regardless what the X's and O's show these will never change in the basic plays. You need to be able to read your own players first.
Passing — Rookie Style
Using the short pass is an effective play once you master the timing!
The button layout is almost the same in any game or version. The "A", "X" or "Square" button hikes the ball. Then icons will show up above your receivers, each one will have a different button above them. This represents what button will pass the ball to them. Let's go over a short pass of 5-10 yards, a simple but effective play. You choose a passing play with short yardage. Now most mistakes are made not in the execution of the play but the timing. A great little tip is to snap the ball count to five and pass to the player on the right side of the field. Note that this will not guarantee a successful completion every time. It will teach anyone learning the game the right timing of the game and of the defense but more on that later on. Practice the same play a few times until you complete a few passes and it seems almost too easy.
Passing becomes so simple you will be 'reading' the defense subconsciously!
You're almost certain to see the defense tip the ball or miss your receiver by inches when trying this at first. Also know that the games now have pressure sensitive buttons. This simply means the longer you hold the passing button, the harder the throw will be, adding speed and distance. For now count to five and tap the button that fits the icon to the right side of the field. Sounds too simple right? The great part of doing this is that you will find yourself reading the defense without even knowing it. The next time you have the ball repeat everything exactly the same only this time pass to your receivers on the left side of the field. You will of course find yourself moving around and at first be quick to throw but in time you will learn how to use those moves to your advantage.
