NCAA Football 09 Beginners' Tips

[MMChrisS]

Quote: Originally Posted by stoncold32

At 26, I can say I somewhat agree with this statement....lol I remember the days of going to class in college until noon, coming back home eating, then playing a game of NCAA '04, or taking a nap/go to the mall/or work out. College ='ed Freedom lol

I might cry at all this talk of getting old

[adembroski]

Cover 4 is the most underrated coverage in Madden, and that's why it's used far more in the NFL and NCAA than it is in video gaming.

Cover 4 is my primary coverage in the redzone (as it is for several NFL teams) because with such a short field, the guys deep are almost as effective as underneath.

[chapmanosu1]

Quote: Originally Posted by stoncold32

At 26, I can say I somewhat agree with this statement....lol I remember the days of going to class in college until noon, coming back home eating, then playing a game of NCAA '04, or taking a nap/go to the mall/or work out. College ='ed Freedom lol

Just entering the prime college years! I can't wait to do whatever, whenever...and play some NCAA 09.

[stoncold32]

Quote: Originally Posted by chapmanosu1

Just entering the prime college years! I can't wait to do whatever, whenever...and play some NCAA 09.

Yeah the only difference is, college football in real life was AWESOME at that time, especially being at a powerhouse school. Every year I was at OU, our team was awesome, although we never won the NC, we beat Texas every year which is right behind a natioal title in terms of bragging rights. Not only that, but there were great players that year, Cadillac Williams, Ell Roberson, Mike Williams, Bush, Leinart....the list goes on and on. It just seemed like everyone was so stacked. Then NCAA 2004 came out and did the best job EVER at recreating that, and making it fun. I think every male in the city of Norman owned that game. lol

Quote: Originally Posted by MMChrisS

I might cry at all this talk of getting old

Funny, I see you're from Norman....did you go to OU as well?

[texbuk84]

nice article, great way to star for beginners.

[Bizzy Da Kid]

And the most overlooked tip is:

Don't mash turbo UNTIL you're past the line of scrimmage.

[FredoXV]

Quote: Originally Posted by Mr. Moustafa

Great tips! I'd like to add a tip for the running gam. When I play with people I notice that a lot of people just hold the sprint button right when they get the ball. I think it's way more effective to sprint once you pick the hole. It makes the runner easier to control which really makes hitting the right hole a lot easier. And I'm sure it will be more important to do so in 09 with all the cutback opportunities.

This is a great point. Waiting to use the sprint button (or pull the sprint trigger, nowadays) until you are in the hole is paramount. Pulling it too soon decreases the control you have to cut back or evade tacklers. Punching the gas at just the right moment really will really help you break loose for some big runs. Excellent Tip.

[FredoXV]

Quote: Originally Posted by kalief24

cann we get some tips on shedding blocks. it seems really hard to do

Unfortunately, I think block shedding is more of a crap-shoot than anything else. Here's what I typically do:

When controlling D-Linemen at the snap, I generally use a the sprint button immediately, quickly followed by a finesse or power move, depending on that attirbute strength of the particular player I am using. Generally, it' is only moderately successful, but it does work well from time to time.

If you are speaking of shedding blocks in the open field (like chasing down the the ballcarrier with the middle linebacker), the only real piece of advice I can give is to play a good angle and try to reach the hole before a lineman reaches the second level to get a hat on on you. A combination of sprinting and strafing generally does the trick. (Just like they teach you in real football, try to keep your front shoudler even with the ballcarrier's back shoulder to reduce a cutback lane)

Once you reach the hole, shedding a lead blocker can be downright impossible, but if you have successfully reached the hole, chances are it'll be congested enough that another defender will be able to make the tackle, even if you're tied up with the fullback or a pulling guard.

Anybody else have something that works?

[mwjr]

Quote: Originally Posted by stoncold32

At 26, I can say I somewhat agree with this statement....lol I remember the days of going to class in college until noon, coming back home eating, then playing a game of NCAA '04, or taking a nap/go to the mall/or work out. College ='ed Freedom lol

Bingo. Try finding time for NCAA with a wife and 4 kids!! It's a scene, man.

(Damn, I sound like my grandfather - 'I used to walk 6 miles in the snow to school. Uphill. Both ways!)

[FredoXV]

Quote: Originally Posted by stoncold32

At 26, I can say I somewhat agree with this statement....lol I remember the days of going to class in college until noon, coming back home eating, then playing a game of NCAA '04, or taking a nap/go to the mall/or work out. College ='ed Freedom lol

You are a man after my own heart.

The amount of free time is something I truly took for granted. Even with a full class load and part-time job, the world was still my oyster both in undergrad and grad school. Now I'm lucky if I can get through a weekend without doing something work related. In fact, this past weekend, I worked 12 hour + days on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Ugh.....

Looking back, the absolute best feeling in the world was waking up on a Thursday, and realizing you only have a single 1-hour class beginning at 10:00, and then nothing until Monday. During football season, the grill would normally be going by 11:00 a.m., first brew in hand by 11:15.... God, I would go back to it in a split second.....