Category Archives: Informative

Oguard62’s Tabletop

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Going down memory lane, my first replay was the 1968 AFL season using a card set that I purchased on EBAY from some stranger named, Mark Zarb. I followed that up with a replays of the 2006 AFC, 1967 AFL, 1974 AFC, 1968 AFL (again), 1997 Green Bay Packers – Denver Broncos (mini replay), 1968 NY Jets – Baltimore Colts (mini-replay), 2007 New England Patriots – NY Giants (mini-replay), 2008 AFC, and finally 1981 NFL replay. During this time period I was fortunate enough to stumble upon a thread by a fellow named, Jim Fraasch, who was selling customized APBA envelopes. Needless to say, Jim’s envelopes have been gracing my table top for the last 10 years and I’m proud to call Jim a friend. It was during my 2011 NFL replay that I came across a two different threads that completely changed the appearance of my tabletop. The first thread was by a gentleman named, Grant Baker, who created all the modern NFL fields. The second thread was pure gold, Art Hall did the graphic design of fields ranging from the 1960s to late 1990s in all different weather conditions. Art and I routinely email and I consider him a friend. I was determined to transform these images into an APBA style football field. Well after several failed attempts and multiple print and sign shops later, I finally had a prototype. From that moment on my tabletop never was the same. Oh, and that stranger I mentioned earlier, has become family and is the beneficiary in my will for all my fields and NY Jets memorabilia (no joke).

On the sidebar directly under the search field, is a new widget titled “Oguard62’s Tabletop”. I’ve posted images of the envelopes and fields that have been used during the following replays: 2011 NFL, 1967 AFL/NFL, 1985 NFL, 1969 AFL/NFL, 1999 NFL, 1998 NFL and vintage fields from yesteryear.

“QB Sneak” Chart

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I want to share this neat “qb-sneak” chart created by Mark Zarb. This chart incorporates fumbles, first down measurements, penalties and lost yardage versus all three defensive alignments. For example, it’s third and one and offense is in A index against G defensive alignment and the play result off the QB’s card is 11. Refer to the chart and you will see (1-4)* indicating a measurement is required. Roll single die and if within 1-4 range it’s a 1-yard gain and a first down. If it was outside the range (5 or 6) there is no gain.

Mark and I incorporated this chart into our audible system. The QB comes to the line and “A” gap is not covered by a defender, the QB has the option to audible to a QB sneak or you can use this chart purely as a “standalone” feature. Either way it offers another alternative to playing this great game without slowing down play.

APBA Football Tutorial 3.1

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“In Search of the Perfect Replay” is my motto. Now, my interpretation of a perfect replay has evolved over the years but the one constant is statistical accuracy. I’ve found to achieve the best possible results the cards must be used correctly and player usage should be math-based.  Now, this methodology only applies to replays, not face-to-face play or solitaire tournament play.  In these situations, I’ve always believed the coach should select the player and call the plays.

I’ve revamped the APBA Football tutorial to reflect how I currently play the game. My current methodology ensures the best possible results in the least amount of playing time because I’ve eliminated unnecessary dice rolls. I’ve streamlined this presentation to eliminate duplication, posted updated visual images and created new video demonstrations to coincide with the “new-look” Locator spreadsheet.   The “meat and potatoes” of the presentation are explaining the usage of the Locator spreadsheet during neutral/ situational downs.

In addition, there are several minor changes throughout the presentation. For example, I’ve eliminated the “Two-Minute” section because it was slanted too much in favor of the defense and took a lot of the excitement away from the last two-minutes of a game.

In closing, I just want to reiterate there is no “right or wrong” way to play the game. This is what is best for me and I hope it’s another “tool in your toolbox”.

apba-football-tutorial-3.1

 

Master Game Addition

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If you ever made a trip to APBA’s Stadium Shop to purchase card sets, game booklets, etc you would immediately see the following advertisement for the APBA Football Master Game Addition:

If you want even more strategy and control than APBA Pro Football offers, the Master Addition is for you! With its myriad of offensive formations and plays (including several trick plays), more defensive options and a wagonload of weird plays, it’s custom-made for experienced APBA Football fans who are looking for a really serious coaching challenge.. If the Master Addition were any more realistic, you’d have to wear a helmet!

This video clip is a perfect illustration of “wagonload of weird plays”.

 

 

Intro to Oguard62’s “Locator”

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Oguard62 Locators

For those of you who enjoy using the “offensive index finder system” at the back of the Master game booklet and “Fletch67” to determine the defensive alignment for each play when playing solo this spreadsheet might be of interest to you. It also incorporates the “situational down and distance” chart from my “Method of Play” presentation for use during situational downs. The only preparation required, is entering each team’s “Fletch67” rating in “Input” tab. At the beginning of each series, just type in the offensive index point differential in appropriate cells and with one click you will instantly have this information. I have created several additional dice rolls to prevent having to reroll for identifying runner or intended receiver, blitzes, audibles, interceptions, fumbles or when used with innovations that require additional dice rolls. Now the only time you have to actually roll the dice is to determine the play result.

For additional information regarding this spreadsheet, please, refer to my “Visual Tutorial” presentation. In addition, this video addresses a common error committed by solo players in the passing game.

As I mention in the video, this spreadsheet was created by my close friend, Mark Zarb.

 

Super Bowl 50

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Super Bowl 50

                                  Sunday, February7, 2016, at Santa Clara
                                          Levi Stadium.     Att: Capacity Crowd

 It was over when…Fozzy Whittaker caught a 34-yard touchdown pass from Cam Newton late in the third quarter to increase Carolina’s lead to 17 points.

Game Ball

Cam Newton posted a 103.8 quarterback rating with two touchdown passes and ran for 58 yards on one touchdown.

Cam Newton

Key Stat     

Peyton Manning was intercepted three times.

Noteworthy

Von Miller logged three sacks…DeMarcus Ware had two and half sacks…Denver blocked a field goal and extra point attempt.

Carolina                                  7          17        7          9          – 40

Denver                                    0          7          7          0          – 14

Car – Newton 4 run (Gano kick)

Car – FG Gano 41

Den – Hillman 4 pass from Manning (McManus kick)

Car – Bersin 51 pass from Newton (Gano kick)

Car – Stewart 2 run (Gano kick)

Den – Trevathan 41 interception return (McManus kick)

Car – Whittaker 34 pass from Newton (Gano kick)

Car – Artis-Payne 1 run (kick blocked), 9:30

Car – FG Gano 44, 5:06

First Quarter (Super Bowl 50)

Second Quarter (Super Bowl 50)

Third Quarter (Super Bowl 50)

Fourth Quarter (Super Bowl 50)

Super Bowl 50

 

 

 

 

Oguard62’s Visual Tutorial

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Oguard62’s Visual Tutorial (Method of Play)

During one of my daily visits to the APBA “Between the Lines” forum, I noticed an interesting thread titled “Game Play Video”. It was created by my good friend and renowned APBA gamer, David Taitano –a.k.a RogueBorg1. It was a very well done and interesting pictorial of “How to Play APBA Hockey”. This is where I got the inspiration to create “Oguard62s Visual Tutorial”.

The purpose of this latest presentation is two-fold. First, I wanted a visual document to aid in the understanding of my “Method of Play” presentation. What’s the old adage, “A picture is worth a thousand words”. Secondly, I wanted to introduce “Oguard62 Locators”. Mark Zarb created a very comprehensive “Locator System” and I customized it to meet my needs. With one keystroke, I’m able to determine offensive indexes and defensive alignments for both neutral and situational downs, intended receiver, blitzing, keying, audibles, etc. Now, the only time I actually roll the dice is to determine the play result. This time saving feature allows me to easily complete a game in 1:40.

The “Oguard62 Locators” incorporate the “Offensive Index Finder System” from the Master game with a couple of tweaks. First, once an Offense is 17 points better than the opponent’s defense, their automatically in A index. Reversely, if the offense is 17 points worse than the opponent’s defense, their automatically in C index. The offense has a remote chance to be in A* if they are better than the opponents defense by 18 or more points. The offense also has a slim chance to be in D index if they are 18 or more points below the opponent’s defense. While in A*, the play result is always read from A index and one-yard is added to all positive gains. While in D, the play result is always read from “C” index and one-yard is subtracted from all positive gains.

This presentation was not designed to address each and every aspect of my “Method of Play”, only to augment it. If this visual presentation increases one person’s understanding of my methodology than it was well worth the effort to me.