Naming Standards/Conventions for FBPRO Plays
To help with reclaiming some of that wasted time, I tried different things. One that really makes my life easier is using a standard way of naming plays
Using a standard (regardless of the one you chose) will also provide a consistency which will allow you to compare or catalog files through the seasons.
Offense |
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Defense |
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Running Back= |
A |
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Strong Side Safety= |
J |
Blocking Back= |
B |
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Weak Side (Free) Safety |
K |
Second Blocking Back= |
C |
|
Cover Cornerback (Primary) |
L |
Quarterback= |
D |
|
Weak Side Cornerback |
M |
|
|
|
|
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Split Receiver (not on TE Side or right side if no TE)= |
X |
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Middle Linebacker |
N |
Tight End= |
Y |
|
Primary Inside Linebacker |
O |
Split Receiver (on TE Side or left side if no TE)= |
Z |
|
Second Inside Linebacker |
P |
Second Tight End= |
U |
|
Primary Outside Linebacker |
Q |
Second Split Receiver (not on TE Side or right side if no TE)= |
V |
|
Second Outside Linebacker |
R |
Second Split Receiver (on TE Side or left side if no TE)= |
W |
|
Nickel Back |
S |
|
|
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Dime Back |
T |
Now that I have these designations, what’s next? – Well, you’ve already done most of the hard work. What you need to ask yourself now is: “what information about a play do I want to get from its name?”. Keep in mind that you are only going to be working with eight characters, so be reasonable here. Here are some of the possibilities:
Is this an Offensive or Defensive play?
Is it a pass, a run, or a special play?
What part of the opponent do we attack (right side, middle, or left side)?
What is the depth of our attack (short, medium, or long)?
Who is the primary receiver (if it is a pass play)?
Who is going to carry the ball (if it is a running play)?
Is there a blitz on this play (defense naturally)?
What hole is the running play designed to use (off tackle, off guard, etc.)?
Who is the secondary receiver (if it is a pass play)?
We can’t find out ALL of these things for every play, but we can determine most of it if we plan our naming conventions, and then stick to them! Below is but one example:
From this example, this play would be an OFFENSIVE PASS play attacking the LEFT and LONG areas of the field. It is the first (01) of this sequence. The “X” receiver (Wide out on the side opposite from the tight end) is the primary receiver, and the “Z” receiver (Wide out on the same side as the tight end) is the secondary receiver.
That’s a good deal of information from just eight characters!
Variations – When you choose a scheme, remember that the order of the characters used in the play name will affect the ordering (alphabetical) of the plays when viewed in the play/plan editor and when manipulated in the Windows Explorer or what ever file utility you use.
And……. Remember to be consistent in your naming conventions!
I hope this was of some benefit to at least some of you FBPro coaches (both new and old). Again, I am no expert, and this system hasn’t won a game for me….yet. It has helped me with the amount of time I need working with plays outside of the play/plan editor. Enjoy your FBPro seasons!
Frenchy LeFavor
lefavorg@ix.netcom.com