THE SUCCESSFUL INTERNET FOOTBALL LEAGUE COACH/GM

 

ARTICLE 1b, Expanded help for Trainning Camp

1. ITC (Individual Training Camp)- Steps to using and getting the most out of your Training Camp. ITC is strictly a function of math. An owner can forecast the amount a player will go up in a given category by either referencing a table (If you have one) or by using a calculator. This is done by taking the (Potential number - Base number) X ITC%= Change in Category

EXAMPLE: SP AC AG ST HA EN IN DI

John, Doe 80 70 80 90 40 70 85 90 Base Numbers

90 99 85 99 75 83 99 95 Potentials

10 29 5 9 35 13 14 5 Difference

X 20 30 5 5 25 5 5 5 ITC % (100% TOTAL)

2 9 0 0 9 1 1 0 Amount of change to numbers

There is a small variable that is factored in to some players that will cause this number to be less. In most cases though this will work out exactly every time.

2. A suggested way to get organized is to put your roster with potentials in a spread sheet. The Program "Roster" can be downloaded from a Utilities Link on the IWFL. This program will create a roster for your team with the Base numbers and Potentials. The Same Roster can be copied of the Eurasian Page for your team. Once you have downloaded it into a Spread Sheet, add an extra row below each potential row for each player. Insert the subtraction formula (Potential-Base number). This will give you a total for each Attribute. With this information you can quickly see where your player can improve the most.

3. Go to the ITC program. Using the spread sheet as a reference insert the % amount in the categories you want to work on. Remember that the potential determines how high a player can improve to, not your desire to have him improve in that attribute. Spend your percentage allotment wisely so that you get the most bang for the buck. Use the information about each position to determine which categories are most important for you to distribute your percentages to. SAVE YOUR WORK!!!

4. Push the "Begin Training Camp" button on the Commissioner side. You will now be able to look at the improvements you made to your players by looking at each one's individual Attributes in ITC. If you see an area that you want to change the percentage on, change it. SAVE YOUR CHANGE IF YOU MAKE ANY!!! Now leave ITC and reload a fresh set of League files (Note: If you don’t you will have made double changes to the same set of numbers if you run another "Begin Training Camp"). Go back into ITC and PUSH YES when it asks you if you want to load the saved file for your team. If you are happy with the percentages you have set up, then you can Run the Begin Training Camp and view your numbers again.

5. Once you are happy with the decisions you have made, put the file that ITC created for your team in a .Zip and send it to the Commissioner.

BELOW IS A BREAKDOWN OF POSITIONS AND HOW ATTRIBUTES EFFECT EACH POSITON

1. Position Analysis- There are 8 different categories that make up the current skill level of a player. Although the categories are the same regardless of the position a player plays, they are not weighted the same for every position. Sierra states in the FBPRO97 Manual, that the Strength of a Linebacker is not the same as a Defensive back or a Defensive lineman. With this in mind remember that you will have to evaluate each positions numbers differently. The categories are SP- Speed, AC-Acceleration, AG-Agility, ST-Strength, HA-Hands, EN-Endurance, IN-Intelligence and DI-Dependability.

A. Individual numbers vs. Total numbers for a player- the highest total rating in any category is 99. The highest total points rating for a player would be 792. Generally your Super Star players are over 600 points. The majority of the players are in the 500's and your developmental players and space eaters below 500.

B. For most positions though the total points due not truly indicate the true value of a player. Below is a breakdown on each position and what the numbers mean to that position.

CATEGORY NOTES: Endurance in one way is the most important category. It is the only category that effects all the others. A player with high endurance will maintain all of his other numbers for a longer period of time. A player with poor endurance will deteriorate quickly and will be substituted for quickly until his numbers come back above the substitution figure set in the Profile. Intelligence and dependability have a direct bearing on penalties(Specially by offensive and defensive linemen) and the ability of your player to follow instructions given by the play type. The Intelligence also determines how quickly the player recognizes the play type and weather he falls for fakes.

 

POSITION NOTES:

QB: ST-Determines how far he can throw the ball and Intelligence determines his ability to make reads and to call audibles. DI-Helps determine his accuracy. ST- becomes his running strength when he runs the ball (This makes QB's dangerous runners but it is risky to do.) Acceleration and speed can be important on rollouts while agility many times allows the QB to elude the oncoming rushers. IMPORTANT ATTRIBUTES IN ORDER OF IMPORTANCE: ST/IN/DI, ALL THE REST

RB/FB: Running backs use all their numbers. They require better hands though if you plan on passing to them down field, otherwise they will still do well with average hands on swing passes. Hands also play into the fumble factors. So you can see that even hands become important to the back. While the HB needs acceleration and speed to get outside, good strength will allow him to break that first tackle which could be the difference between a 4th down and a 1st down. The fullback may not need as much speed as the HB, but does need very good agility and strength to run inside. Good acceleration is a big asset for any running back. IMPORTANT ATTRIBUTES IN ORDER OF IMPORTANCE: SP,ST,AG/AC,EN,HA,IN,DI

WR: Wide receivers use all their numbers. Receivers with good strength are very valuable in the Running game. Having a different mix of speed numbers (SP,AC,AG) will effect which routes they excel at. Especially with timed plays the endurance can be a very large factor (If your receiver slows down to much he wont get to the spot of the pass), so if you plan on using any of the very effective timed plays make sure that it is with a receiver that is reliable with good endurance or you will be throwing to the wrong team. IMPORTANT ATTRIBUTES IN ORDER OF IMPORTANCE: HA,SP/AG/AC,EN,DI,IN

 

C/G/T: The center needs to have better hands than the others in order to cut down on fumbles when snapping the ball. You might also notice that the center on pass plays will back up and look for someone to help block or a blitzing back. Don’t underestimate the value of mobility and intelligence at this spot. Guards need to have the running skills if you plan on pulling them although agility and strength should be there primary asset to defend against the stronger DT's that will be trying to bust through. Your Tackles should be your most well rounded lineman as they will most likely be playing against a quick and fast DE. The ability to get into a good blocking stance before they are hit should not be underestimated (AC). IMPORTANT ATTRIBUTES IN ORDER OF IMPORTANCE: ST/AG,AC,EN,SP,IN,DI,HA

 

DB's: Defensive backs use all of their numbers more than any other position. Strength has a lot to do with a DB’s ability to support on the run along with the fact that many times they are the only player between the receiver or tight end and the end zone. Acceleration, Agility, and hands play a big part in getting interceptions. Intelligence is often overlooked at this spot but when a defensive back bites on a fake the other team is usually very happy. IMPORTANT ATTRIBUTES IN ORDER OF IMPORTANCE: SP/AC,HA,AG,EN,ST,IN,DI

 

LB's: Probably represent the most important defensive position. LB's with high numbers are very rare. Their impact on the defense forces their numbers to be overall lower than the other positions. LB's with numbers in the 80's are equivalent in most cases to 90's at other positions. LB's are what keeps the other team from marching up the field on you. The speed to get to the outside runner or cover a TE are very important, along with good hands for the occasional tipped or poorly thrown ball from the other team. The LB must have the strength and agility to break the block by a lineman and make the tackle on the big fullback running inside. The intelligence of the designated LB (This is preset by a box around one of your defensive players, Usually the MLB) is used to make defensive audible calls that we all cringe at. The smarter the LB the better the call. You can not change the defensive position that makes these calls but you can see which player it will be by looking at the play in the Play Editor where you design your play books. This is not a real problem unless you are getting burned on audibles allot. IMPORTANT ATTRIBUTES IN ORDER OF IMPORTANCE:SP/AC/AG,ST,EN,HA,IN,DI

DE/DT: Strength and Agility form the core for defensive lineman. But a DE with good Acceleration and Speed is a dangerous pass rushing weapon and helps to cut down on the outside runs. Strength is not as important to a DE as a DT, but very important overall. A defensive Lineman’s hands are usually ignored, but play a big part in their ability to tip passes and recover fumbles. This is a nice luxury to have. Once again it is difficult to find Defensive linemen with high numbers. So like LB’s, defensive linemen that have good numbers are extremely valuable. IMPORTANT ATTRIBUTES IN ORDER OF IMPORTANCE: ST/AG,AC/SP,EN,HA,IN,DI

K: The kicking position is about strength for distance, and Dependability for accuracy. Having better speed and acceleration will effect his ability to be blocked. IMPORTANT ATTRIBUTES IN ORDER OF IMPORTANCE:ST/DI/IN

P: The Punter's strength affects distance and dependability affects accuracy and shanks. The speed and acceleration play a big part in avoiding blocked punts. Intelligence I hope will effect what type of punt (coffin corner) the punter try’s. IMPORTANT ATTRIBUTES IN ORDER OF IMPORTANCE: ST/DI/IN

FINALE NOTE:

The above article is based on my experience, the FBPRO97 manual, readings of other help articles on the Internet and from input from fellow members of the IWFL. These articles are meant to help and will hopefully have information for the beginning league member and the more experienced members. I would appreciate any comments or information that would add to the quality of these Articles. Please send your input to David Johnson daytona3@airmail.net