This is a real simple one, and surprisingly only dawned on me this morning during a game I was playing between Philadelphia and Tampa Bay. Late in the game, leading 24-21, the Eagles’ Andrew Toney went off tackle for a 5-yard gain and a first down but went out of bounds to stop the clock. While, yes, this does happen, players are coached to stay in bounds to ensure the clock continues running. In this game, I allowed the OB run to stand, however moving forward I will be doing the following:
With four minutes left in the game, a RB who goes OB on a running play has the option of staying in bounds.
If the player chooses to stay inbounds subtract one from the indicated yardage and credit a full play
To simulate players occasionally mistakingly going OB, I will roll two die, and doubles (11,22,33….) would result in the play standing as an OB run with no deduction of yardage.
The rule is in the spirit of the APBA Football rule which allows short passes of 9 yards or less to be declared as OB in the last two-minutes (I allow this on Medium Passes as well). What I am going to do moving forward is re-roll and if the roll comes up doubles I will assume the defender makes a good play and keeps the receiver in bounds. the offensive team can then allow the full play or call timeout.
Excellent!
You are to APBA football what Jay Miner was to APBA baseball. All kinds of good innovations to make the game more fun and realistic. That is meant as a truly high compliment! Thank you!!
You are too kind.
Mark Z – you say you do the same thing on Medium passes (same as short passes 9 yards or less)…what yardage (instead of 9) do you use on Medium passes? Still 9 or something more? Thanks!
I use 9 yards or less as well
Starting at the 5:00 mark in 2nd and 4th quarters, I allow the offense to attempt to get OB on any short/medium pass and outside running plays (coach must declare before the play). I use the white die as the decider – an even # means the receiver/ball carrier got OB on the play (positive gains only).