Hmmm...so you want some tips about the 5200 Football game, eh? Well, okay. I have some sneaky plays and valuable strategies that you might consider to use in the future.
SHORT DISTANCE AND FOURTH DOWN SITUATIONS (OFFENSE):
1. If the opponent is in the long pass defense, and you need some short yardage or just want to catch them off guard, use a 3-series short pass play.
2. If the opponent cheats a man towards the side where the short pass will be thrown, switch to a play where the short pass will be on the other side. Ex: If you choose 3-3, and he cheats to the short pass side, switch your play to 3-5 or 3-6.
3. If they attempt to switch into a different defense, hike the ball immediately!
4. Another good way of picking up some yardage is by using the screen pass plays. Be ready or throw to the other receiver or run if the opponent covers that receiver.
5. If you are in field goal range, and it's fourth and long, you should probably kick the field goal. It's saved me in a few games. Don't always take a chance in going for the first down.
6. If it's fourth and short, and you're in field goal range, you can use the fake field goal. This is good for the opponent that rushes in on any 3-series play on fourth down (thinking that you're kicking a field goal). This is risky, though. The opponent can get in and sack you right away. If he gets blocked by the linemen, it's going to work. If he doesn't rush, you'll probably have to run.
OTHER OFFENSIVE TIPS AND TRICKS:
1. Have you ever tried to throw to a receiver when he comes back to the LOS after running it's pass route? There's a pretty safe bet that it's going to be intercepted (unless it's a screen pass receiver). Here's a sneaky trick that your opponent will never see coming (hopefully). First, make sure your quarterback has enough time to throw and is far enough from the defense. Second, wait until the receiver runs his route and then comes back. Third, make sure that your opponent's player is nowhere near the receiver. Fourth, throw immediately when the receiver just starts coming back. Then press that button again to get control of the receiver. Move him out away from the defender (if there is one). The only way this works is if he's at least 4-5 yards away from the defender. This play usually results in 30-50 yard gains!
2. Make sure that you have the right angle to pass to a receiver. In the plays like 1-1, 1-5, 2-5 and 2-3, you should go towards the sideline where the receiver making the 90 degree angle is. That way, you have a better angle for that receiver, and the one making the 45 degree angle. For long passes, try to go on the opposite half of the field where the receiver is running. And you have to time your pass just right, or it can be picked off easily.
3. Throw a screen pass early. Throw it when he's still behind the LOS. This may surprise the defense, and you can get 10+ yards on it! Then again, you can get sacked, too. This is a very risky play. Your quarterback must be in the right place to throw or i could get intercepted. Be careful.
4. This is my brother's trick. If the defense is in a long pass formation, you can throw any pass early and most likely get about 5+ yards out of it. Series 2 works well with this strategy (2-2, 2-3, 2-5, 2-6). This is another good way of getting a first down.
5. The punt play (2-1) can be a good run play if you use it sparingly. Eventually, your opponent will catch on to this (a defender starts going back to receive the punt) and sack you.
6. Read the opponent's defender always. You cannot screw up if you throw to the open receiver and throw him the ball at the right angle at the right time. That is the most important thing to remember on offense.
DEFENSIVE STRATEGIES:
1. Run/medium pass defense (1) is my second favorite defense. It covers what it says. Short passes will only make about 2-3 yards. Screen passes will be able to be thrown, though, so you have to cover that yourself. There is a chance of a long pass getting through the defense.
2. Rush/medium pass defense (2) is an okay defense, but the quarterback has more room to run compared to defense #1. It also makes the short passes just a little easier for the offense. They'll get a 3-4 yard gain every time if they run it right. Screen passes won't be covered. There is a chance of a long pass getting through. This is almost identical to the first defense.
3. Long pass defense (3) is the best all-round defense, in my opinion. This is the defense that I use most of the time. If the opponent doesn't throw short passes or run much, this is the defense for you. Usually, this defense will pick up the screen pass receiver. In this defense, you will want your player to stay in the middle and cover any short passes. If they throw a short pass, switch your player immediately, and the opponent will get a 4-5 yard gain.
4. Blitz/field goal/goal line defense (4) is good on short yardage/fourth down situations and people that like to run every play. The short pass will be intercepted. This puts some pressure on the quarterback, but a good runner will be able to get through the blitz. Don't use this too much. This is a good defense for the possible fourth down screen pass (which my brother is known for). You have to cover the screen pass receiver yourself. A long pass is unstoppable if the quarterback gets the right angle on the pass. Be aware of that.
5. Short pass/goal line defense (5) is another good defense for the above situations (4), but it puts a little less pressure on the quarterback, and covers the medium and long passes better. Better isn't much better, though. It's still very easy to get the long pass through. The screen pass isn't covered.
6. Punt defense (6) should never be used unless the opponent is in a fourth and 7+ situation. You should move your player to where the empty spot is (where the other defender would be in a long pass). If the opponent is not in the 2 series formation, you know that they're not punting. You should wait to see what the offense comes out in first before you select the punt defense. This defense will shut down the long and screen passes usually.
That's all I have for you. Hopefully I gave you some ideas. Don't show this to your opponent! Keep this to yourself! Practice this stuff, then challenge them and smoke 'em! 5200 RealSports Football rules!!! If anyone around the Somers, IA area sees this and dares to challenge me, e-mail me (niceswangera@gowrie.k12.ia.us) and I might just come over there and put you to shame! Trust me, you don't want me to play me in football! You don't even want to meet me, okay?
"I'm a bad man!!!" - Johnny B. Badd, professional wrestler.