WR based runs out of FLEXBONE...

[baileymc7]

I switched to the FLEXBONE after reading DRM's post a few weeks ago. It is awesome!! Not only am I able to consistently run the ball, but the passing game has opened up tremendously and perhaps most importantly it allows you to eat clock. My only frustration comes for my inability to successfully use the WR based runs (except option). I understand they runs need to be utilized if nothing else than to keep the Defense honest. Sometimes you have to take one step back in order to take two steps forward, but any advise you experienced FLEXBONE'rs could offer would be greatly appreciated.

Any new FLEXBONE wrinkles would appreciated as well.

[Fluff E Bunny]

I have never gotten the WR runs to work at all. And, with flexbone normal, I rarely ever get the wingback runs to work.

I am in the process of labbing out flexbone slot to see if I can get that single wing guy some run yards, and if not some pass yards.

I'm basically obsessed right now with getting my top two RB's as much yardage as possible since they are far and away my best two players on offense.

[mad_bomber]

The best way to get the wingbacks running yardaga is on the option. The predetermined wingback runs usually result in minimal yardage whenever I try and use them.

[Fluff E Bunny]

The best way to get the wingbacks running yardaga is on the option. The predetermined wingback runs usually result in minimal yardage whenever I try and use them.

I haven't had any luck with that either. Usually they get stuffed in the backfield, and that's if my QB even makes it out from under center. It seems like the OL blocking for the flex doesn't work right most of the time...and I've got a fairly big OL.

I did have moderate success out of the flexbone slot with the wingback motioned outside. He'd circle back in a bit to get into pitch relation with the QB and I could hit that about 50% of the time for a decent gain, but the other 50% of the time seemed to be the QB getting squished.

[mad_bomber]

There are quite a few issues with the run blocking schemes in both Madden and NCAA.

[Fluff E Bunny]

There are quite a few issues with the run blocking schemes in both Madden and NCAA.

Ya...it makes me sad :(

[Air Raid]

There are quite a few issues with the run blocking schemes in both Madden and NCAA.

...Boy...you can say that again!!...especially with the Flexbone.....

...the only wingback plays I can get to work are some of the sweep plays from Flexbone Split and Twins....but it's once in a blue moon!!...If I run the Flexbone it's FB Dives/Traps and Option....

[DRM]

When I was running it I was having alot of success with the WB runs, you just have to set it up properly. The FB must be established as a threat and you can't be afraid to call those plays at any point in the game, the last game I used the flexbone in I ran a 'WB Around' on 4th and 6 inside my own 20 and it turned into an 80+ yard game winning TD.

One thing to remember is if they blitz the backside the play is dead so if you think they are blitzing audible to a FB run or option, or if they are in a zone audible to 'All Go' and burn them with the pass. If they are in Cover 2 just drop the ball in the hole between the corner and saftey, against Cover 3/4 look for the WB's in the seams or if you have time hit the FB on the underneath route.

[canerraid72]

I use the Buffalo playbook and I have the offense more as a decoy. I think that when you put that offense on the field, your opponent will think run and pretty much call run stopping plays. You can motion the rb's out as recievers and get good match ups on the lb's trying to cover them ala Reggie Bush and USC's current gameplan. As well if they manually control the safeties for run support you can attack the one on one coverage of the CB's.

[CrazyOldGuy]

The higher the difficulty the less success these plays have and I don't think they would work great against a human opponent.

At the jv level they work well for the most part although like everything sometimes the defense just is ready for it.It used to be in the older versions of NCAA you could motion the slot back into the back field then call the play getting an almost Wing-T like look to the play.. now you can't do that. I think (although this is impossible to tell) that EA is trying somehow to replicate the Fly or Jet Sweep that you see many teams like Boise State,Fresno State and Texas Tech use, but that play involves the ball carrier being in motion BEFORE the snap.

So if you are like me and playing against the cpu at the lower levels all I can suggest is don't give up on the play if it gets hit for a loss and in those formations where I can motion a slot to the side that the Sweeping WR/SB is coming from I like to try to take any defenders in man coverage with him so I can get a bigger hole.

Another thing I try to do is run it like some of the real Fly Sweep and Jet Sweep teams do the sweeper/ball carrier gets the handoff and cuts laterally backward so that he can cut upfield if the hole opens up.. in otherwords for them its not just a straight path they bend or bubble it

I like the WR Option plays and I've almost been able to kind of replicate the Fly offense like they have a D3 Willamette, by getting my qb to pitch it quickly.