As we get ready to wrap up Season 1 and head into the heart of the playoffs, I wanted to post a quick refresher on pass route distribution, how to mix up your passes and why it is important. I'll start by posting the breakdown taken straight from the league rules and guidelines:
Why Do We Have Guidelines for Routes?
Partly because these are actual numbers from NFL league data and partly to limit the abuse of certain plays or routes that are potentially overpowered (OP). If you follow these guidelines when passing, your opponent will have little room to complain that you exploited anything or feel cheated in anyway. It will also mimic a real life NFL game closely and be great to both play in and watch on Twitch.
Doesn't This Limit Offensive Creativity?
Some could say that, sure. Some could also say that it limits the abuse of certain routes, receivers, etc. It is an imperfect video game and we have to be sure we are not exploiting flaws in it. There is also plenty of flexibility in these guidelines. Nobody is likely to complain if you hit the top end of any of these numbers even with only 20-25 completions.
One person could throw 6 drags and slants and 2 HB screens, 4 curls/hitches, 3 ins, 1 out, 3 flats and 1 post while another player completes 2 corners, 3 posts, 3 flys, 2 comebacks, 4 outs, 2 corners, a HB screen and 3 WR screens. One would be more of a short passing game and the other would be more vertical and spreading out the defense. Two completely different games but both completely within the rules.
Is There a Penalty for Going Over the Limit?
Depends on the situation. If you are losing and your passing game features your 3rd corner, 3rd HB screen, 4th post and 4th streak all on your final drive or two, potentially. Your opponent is probably going to feel like you tried to cheese them to win. If you have had the same issues in other game, you could be sanctioned by losing players, having games simmed to losses or being removed from the league. The best bet is to try and stay within these guidelines as best as possible and if you go over, only go over by one here and there, not repeatedly and consistently.
Is There Ever a Good Reason to Go Over the Guidelines?
Rarely but in unique situations, yes. If you are playing an opponent who is blitzing heavily, especially if they are more than 50%, you could go over by 1 or so on slants/drags and maybe even a HB screen or WR screen. If you have a stud and fast WR and your opponent is consistently leaving them in 1-on-1 coverage with no or little safety help over the top and pressing frequently, it could be conceivable to throw a 4th streak. Its kind of a feel thing. Do you feel the extra route is justified by an excessive use of certain defenses? Its possible but that shouldn't always be your explanation either. Frequently going over, again, is grounds for sanctions up to and including removal from the league.
If you have an questions, feel free to ask them in this thread. Just remember, our goal is to simulate the real life NFL as best as we can within the context of a video game. We also never want our opponents to feel cheated or like we had to resort to money plays or routes to win. Keep those ideals in mind when playing and you should be fine.
- Quick Outs/Flats: 2-3 per game
- Deep Outs: 2-4 per game
- Ins: 2-3 per game
- Slants/Drags/Crossers: 4-6 per game
- Curls/Hitches: 2-5 per game
- Comebacks: 0-2 per game
- Corner Routes: 0-2 per game
- Post Routes: 1-3 per game
- Go/Fly/Streaks: 1-3 per game
- WR Screens: 1-3 per game
- HB Screens: 0-2 per game
Why Do We Have Guidelines for Routes?
Partly because these are actual numbers from NFL league data and partly to limit the abuse of certain plays or routes that are potentially overpowered (OP). If you follow these guidelines when passing, your opponent will have little room to complain that you exploited anything or feel cheated in anyway. It will also mimic a real life NFL game closely and be great to both play in and watch on Twitch.
Doesn't This Limit Offensive Creativity?
Some could say that, sure. Some could also say that it limits the abuse of certain routes, receivers, etc. It is an imperfect video game and we have to be sure we are not exploiting flaws in it. There is also plenty of flexibility in these guidelines. Nobody is likely to complain if you hit the top end of any of these numbers even with only 20-25 completions.
One person could throw 6 drags and slants and 2 HB screens, 4 curls/hitches, 3 ins, 1 out, 3 flats and 1 post while another player completes 2 corners, 3 posts, 3 flys, 2 comebacks, 4 outs, 2 corners, a HB screen and 3 WR screens. One would be more of a short passing game and the other would be more vertical and spreading out the defense. Two completely different games but both completely within the rules.
Is There a Penalty for Going Over the Limit?
Depends on the situation. If you are losing and your passing game features your 3rd corner, 3rd HB screen, 4th post and 4th streak all on your final drive or two, potentially. Your opponent is probably going to feel like you tried to cheese them to win. If you have had the same issues in other game, you could be sanctioned by losing players, having games simmed to losses or being removed from the league. The best bet is to try and stay within these guidelines as best as possible and if you go over, only go over by one here and there, not repeatedly and consistently.
Is There Ever a Good Reason to Go Over the Guidelines?
Rarely but in unique situations, yes. If you are playing an opponent who is blitzing heavily, especially if they are more than 50%, you could go over by 1 or so on slants/drags and maybe even a HB screen or WR screen. If you have a stud and fast WR and your opponent is consistently leaving them in 1-on-1 coverage with no or little safety help over the top and pressing frequently, it could be conceivable to throw a 4th streak. Its kind of a feel thing. Do you feel the extra route is justified by an excessive use of certain defenses? Its possible but that shouldn't always be your explanation either. Frequently going over, again, is grounds for sanctions up to and including removal from the league.
If you have an questions, feel free to ask them in this thread. Just remember, our goal is to simulate the real life NFL as best as we can within the context of a video game. We also never want our opponents to feel cheated or like we had to resort to money plays or routes to win. Keep those ideals in mind when playing and you should be fine.
