Need basic NFL2K5 help: I suck!

[Birbo]

Ok, so I'm only a casual football fan who just started getting into the game over the past couple of years. I've enjoyed football videogames for awhile now but, honestly, I suck at them. Half the time I just use the "manager's choice" play and go from there.

Playing a game online last night against a friend (BIG football fan) and was holding my own...only down by 7 with about 3 minutes left in the game. I was marching down the field when it happened...I had a huge pass for much yardage, but there was a flag on the play against my friend. For a second, I froze! Do I accept the penalty? Do I decline it? Why does God the bad things happen to good people?!! Time was ticking away and I was lost! There was a long pause as I was panicing when I hear my friend say matter of factly "You want to accept that." So I accept it, only to hear the announcers say "What are they thinking?!" My friend, who knows I'm not that skilled at football, laughs and says "Just kidding!"

I was PISSED! I accept the fact that I suck and should've know what the hell to do, but none the less, I was pissed. The game just fell apart from there. My friend got the ball back with about a minute to go. Adding insult to injury, he goes for another score instead of just letting the clock run out and winning anyway. Still fuming, I was unable to stop him and he ends up winning 28-14.

So here I am, in dire need of some football lessons. I know the basics like what a touchdown is and all that rudimentary stuff, but things like what kind of defense to call against a run vs a pass or how to read what the offense will do by their formation...the details. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

[eshbums]

The best way to learn the fundamentals of the game is just watch it. After a few games, you'll get a feel for what the offense and defense do in certain situations, and the commentators usually do a good job of spelling out the action (depending on who's calling the game).

One other route may be a "football for dummies" book. A friend of mine got married a few years back, and his new wife was a HUGE football fan. He said the book really helped him understand what was going on during the game, and he was able to enjoy it more.

[guessed]

I usually let the game pick the play also, although I don't always go with the first choice (you can keep pressing to get alternate choices). The penalties aren't too hard to figure out, as it tells you what the result of accepting or declining will be. Just stay calm and read what it tells you.

Edit: I also suck, btw. I often feel that, as in real life, my fictional team would do better if I sat on the sidelines. But, after playing a few games on 'Rookie' setting (which I highly recommend for a nice ego boost. 104-0 with 5 minute quarters), I am now able to win 'Pro' games against the computer (not with a 104 point spread, though). I haven't tried playing against another person, though.

Another tip, don't try to overcontrol your player. generally, they know where they are supposed to move. Once they are where they need to be, take over, but don't feel you need to control them every step of the way.

[The Successful Dropout]

Believe it or not, I learned how to play football through videogames......ready for the shocker?....last year. LoL Growing up, I had to either look up to my oldest brother who was a crazy, drug-filled, workout manic...or my other older brother and older sister who both played soccer. So I played soccer and baseball. I never really knew jack about football. I remember playing a neighborhood game of football (with my older brother) when I was like 8...and when I had the ball, he told me to "kneel it," I thought he said "nail it,"....so I threw the ball as far as I could, lol...needless to say, I got yelled at and laughed at. Now, after learning how to finally play football, im starting to get into more and more each day. See, videogames teach stuff!

[lyric706]

On 2K5, whenever there's a penalty, the game shows you your options if you accept it or decline it. Pay attention to those options to decide which decision benefits you the most. As for other advice, when you're playing a human opponent, make sure you take note of your opponent's tendencies. Does he or she run on first down? Throw? Are there any plays you see him or her running multiple times and in certain situations? On offense, try to find out what works against a particular opponent. Some may have a great secondary, and you may need to change your offense and run more. Or vice versa. See where your open receivers are and take note of that. If you want some pointers, I'd be willing to work with you. My gamertag is Lyric706.

[lordxixor101]

The best tip I can give you when playng is to mix up your plays. Don't always run on first down, don't always pass on third and 3. If playing against a player, try to pick plays where there are running and passing plays on the screen at the same time, so you friend can't "cheat" and know your passing or running.

Nickle and Dime defenses are also the best if your opponent is in a passing siuation, I like a 4-3 or a 3-4 or Bear in running situations.

[manofpeace20]

Never trust a human player during a game, no matter who they are. If I were you, I would play offline and learn the basics of the game.

[Squirms]

Many times the best option for the penalty is highlighted in 2K5. If you should accept, then it's highlighted, if you should decline, then that is highlighted

[KingDox]

A great way to learn how to play the game is to make a team of kickers then play against that team. Any other team will have a very easy time beating them. A few games like that and you should be much more familiar with how to play the game. Also you'll rack up crib points like crazy.

[Advocatus]

I'm going to guess at the play penalty.

So you had the ball and went for a long pass completion. If the penalty occured before the snap of the ball, then accepting the penalty would void the result of the play. for Example:

John vs. Sam
John's team has possession of the ball. John does a few 'fake snaps' and one of Sam's players crosses the scrimmage line before the hike of the ball. That player is offsides (penalty) if the he is still across the line, while the ball is hiked. John's QB throws the ball to his secondary receiver and the receiver catches it, runs for 3 yards before being tackled (gain of 33 yards). There was a flag on the play. The penalty is offside's on Sam's team. If john accepts the penalty, the result of the play (the long pass completion) is void, and the penalty yards are added onto the line of scrimmage. I think offsides is a 5 yard penalty, repeat of down... so if it was first down, it would now be 1st and 5 (gain of 5 yards). If John would decline the penalty, it would be 1st and 10 at the spot of the ball, however many yards down field (gain of 33 yards).

That's the only time I can think of, when a penalty your opposition was flagged for, where you would lose yards. If a penalty occured during the play, meaning after the snap of the ball, then the penalty yards should be added to the end of the play ex. (gain of 33 yards+10 yards for facemask).

I hope that helps.

[Birbo]

Thanks for all of your input. And thanks epecially for not making me feel like a complete dumbass.

Lyric~ Adding you to my friends list. My gamertag is Birbo. Maybe you could tutor me in a game if we see each other online.

Advocatus~Were you watching my game last night? Think that's exactly what happened.

ManofPeace~Usually I don't trust my opponents, but this is one of my best friends. Talked to him today and he was rubbing his victory in. I want to throttle him sooo badly. ;)

[liquidsnake]

learn how to read defenses , that will help. pm me or im me and ill tell you all you want to know about football

[Birbo]

Just played my friend again and lost again, but this time by only one touchdown.

How can I double or triple team some of his receivers? He plays as the Vikings and I can usually tell when he's going to throw to Moss and can never seam to do anything about it.

[paz9x]

just a tip for you if youre playing with someone on the same console.
when you select yoru play hold the button down, you can keep moving through the playbook like you didnt select anything, when you release the button it acts like you selected a play from the current screen.

that game is very very fun. I started on pro and I may need to move up the difficulty, i havent been scored on the last 3 games ive played.

are you able to play with custom rosters on live? if so does everybody have ridiculous teams?

[manofpeace20]

Just played my friend again and lost again, but this time by only one touchdown.

How can I double or triple team some of his receivers? He plays as the Vikings and I can usually tell when he's going to throw to Moss and can never seam to do anything about it.

Unless you get Madden 2005, there is no way to assign double and triple teams. The best you can do is to play in the Nickel and Dime formations and put several defensive backs on the field.

[mmn]

Just played my friend again and lost again, but this time by only one touchdown.

How can I double or triple team some of his receivers? He plays as the Vikings and I can usually tell when he's going to throw to Moss and can never seam to do anything about it.

Unless you get Madden 2005, there is no way to assign double and triple teams. The best you can do is to play in the Nickel and Dime formations and put several defensive backs on the field.

Wow you couldn't be more wrong if you tried.

To assign double teams or triple teams, pull the left or right trigger. I believe the left trigger is your linebackers and the right trigger is your cornerbacks and safeties.

When you see the icon come up over their heads (X, Y, A, B, etc) hit the button of the guy you want. Then the icons will change to the opponents receivers. Simply hit the icon of the receiver you want to double and your cornerback, linebacker, or safety will go cover that player.

So for example you are the Ravens and you're playing the Vikings. You have Gary Baxter on Randy Moss and know you're going to need to double team him. Hold the right trigger, wait for the "X" to appear over Ed Reed's (safety) head, then push X. Wait for the icon to appear over Randy Moss's head (let's say it's A), hit "A", and now Ed Reed will go cover Randy Moss.

You can also assign the player to blitz or delay blitz instead. Instead of hitting an icon of the opponents receiver, hit the black or white button - black for immediate blitz and white for delayed blitz.

[manofpeace20]

Oh

[liquidsnake]

a good thing to do against a dominant reciever (like moss) is to call a Cover 2 Man and take the safety that is on his side and play with him yourself. also pressing will help throw off the timing when you do this.

[lyric706]

You can also assign double teams in the gameplan menu.