+--- | | | RUNCH +-+- | EAGUE +--- FOOTBALL ----------------------------------------------------------------- VERSION 2.0 Introduction to Football ----------------------------------------------------------------- Brought to you by Crunchware! Copyright 1991 by Stephen David Introduction ~~~~~~~~~~~~ As you might have guessed, Crunch League Football is a game about football. Even if you know practically nothing about the game, however, it is possible to enjoy playing. If you'd like to learn a little more about the game, this file will help you play the Crunch League a little more competitively. The object of football is to outscore the opposing team. What may look on TV like a bunch of maniacs attempting to crush each other is actually the carrying out of detailed and complex strategies by both teams. While players may enjoy performing violence against each other as a sidelight, one team is actually arranging patterns of people on the field which allow one player to run as far as he can down the field or throw the ball to a player down the field while the opposing team tries to stop him. Teams of eleven players compete to score the most points and win the game. Points can be scored three different ways: Touchdown. Worth six points when a team carries the ball into the other team's endzone. An extra point can then be attempted by a kicker on that team. The scoring team kicks off to the other team. Field Goal. Worth three points when a player on a team kicks the ball between the goal posts in his endzone. His team then kicks off to the other. Safety. Worth two points for the defensive team when an offensive player is tackled in his own endzone. The offensive team kicks off to the defensive team. The game is divided into plays, which consist of an attempt by the offensive team to move the ball up the field. A team is allowed four plays, or downs, before it must give up the ball to the other team. The only way to possess the ball for more than four downs is to make a first down by gaining at least ten yards in the first four plays. When those ten yards have been gained, the first down is reset and the cycle starts over again. The defensive team can also gain possession of the ball if one of its players intercepts a pass or picks up a fumble. At this point the defensive team gets a first down and attempts to move the ball in the other direction. If, of course, a team scores any points, it must kick off the ball to the other team. The Positions ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The names and description of offensive positions are as follows: Backfield: Quarterback (QB). The most important player on the team, the quarterback receives the ball from the center at the beginning of each play. Either gives the ball to another player by a pass or a hand-off or attempts to run it himself. Running Back (RB). Often runs for small gains. Blocks when another running back runs or the quarterback passes. Wide Receiver (WR): Catches passes. Usually the fastest player on the offense and sometimes blocks. Linemen: Tight End (TE). More of a receiver/blocker. Usually receives short passes or blocks. Also runs sometimes. Offensive Tackle (OT). Blocks defensive tackles from the play. Offensive Guard (OG). Blocks linebackers or helps the tackles and center. Center (C). Snaps the ball to the quarterback at the beginning of a play. Blocks man across from him, usually the nose guard. Kicker (K). Usually only plays when needed to kick the ball, whether for an extra point, field goal, punt or kickoff. Following are the names and descriptions of defensive positions: Backfield: Linebacker (LB). Responsible for stopping runs and short and medium passes, usually located just behind the defensive line. Defensive Back (DB). Covers deep right or left backfield. Safety (S). Covers deep inside backfield. Does not allow anyone behind him. Linemen: End (DE). Outside contain; does not allow anyone to run around him past the defensive line. Tackle (DT). Gives pass pressure and looks for the quickest path to reach and tackle the quarterback. Nose Guard (NG). Guards gaps on each side of center. The Plays ~~~~~~~~~ The exact number of players and their starting positions in a play are flexible, but an example of a lineup would be as follows. Offense: RB RB QB WR TE OT OG C OG OT WR Defense: DE DT NG DT DE LB LB LB DB DB S As a coach, you may edit the three major offenses used by your team as well as defenses for different offenses and a kicking play. Crunch League Football provides some stock plays to get you started which can be copied over your plays: Offenses 1 & 2: Running plays in which receivers block while the quarterback hands the ball to a runner who runs according to a specific pattern. Running offenses work best with fast backs and strong blockers, and they usually only provide short gains. Offenses 3 & 4: Passing plays. Running backs block to allow receivers to evade the defensive line and receive a pass from the quarterback. When completed successfully, passes allow for large yard gains but are also accompanied by the danger of incompletion or even interception by the other team. Offense 5: Quarterback sneak. Other players block while the quarterback attempts to run the ball. Usually works at surprising the other team, but requires a swift quarterback and rarely gains too many yards. These stock plays can be copied and edited to fit your own ideas for game strategy. The stock defensive plays are as follows: 5-3-3: With a front line of five players, three linebackers, and three back fielders, 5-3-3 is most effective against running plays. 3-4-4: Effective against passing plays, 3-4-4 provides a strong backfield to hinder receivers. 4-3-4: A good conservative play, 4-3-4 has both a strong front line and also a strong backfield. Kick return: The default lineup for returning punts and kickoffs by the other team. The kicking play is the lineup used for field goal and extra point attempts, kickoffs, and punts. At the beginning of the game the teams flip a coin to see who will kick off. The other team then kicks off after half time. Whoever has managed to score the most points at the end of the game has won. That's basically how Crunch League is set up. For more information on setting up your team and playing Crunch League Football refer to the Crunch League Information section of the help menu. ...And have fun playing CRUNCH LEAGUE FOOTBALL!