Advanced Gameplay - Sega NFL 2003 Manual

Note: If you receive the ball deep in the endzone, the CPU will automatically down the ball if you do not take
control of the player and run it out. If you are near the goal line, the CPU WILL automatically run it out, so
make sure to take control and down it yourself if you don't want to make a return.

ADVANCED GAMEPLAY

Use these special techniques to advance to the next level.
On-The-Fly Audible System:
1. Your team can be on either Offense or Defense.
2. At the play-calling screen, press and hold the BLACK Button.
3a. Highlight Play #1 and press the A Button.
3b. Highlight Play #2 and press the X Button.
3c. Highlight Play #3 and press the B Button.
4. Now release the BLACK Button, find the play you want to run, and press the A Button to select it.
5. At the Line of Scrimmage, press the Y Button.
6. You'll see that Play #1, #2, and #3 are listed in the offensive audible overlay.
On-The-Fly Play Flipping:
1. Your team can be on either Offense or Defense.
2. Prior to the snap, press the Y Button to bring up the audible overlay.
3. While the audible overlay is onscreen, click the Right Thumbstick.
4. The whole team will flip their assignments, and the play will go in other direction.
On-The-Fly Hot Routes:
Defense, Pre-Snap:
1. When on defense, wait until offense breaks huddle.
2. Highlight the desired player, then click the Right Thumbstick. The selected player will now blitz on the
play.
3. Highlight a defensive back, then press up or down on the Right Thumbstick. All defensive backs
assigned to a specific receiver will tighten up their coverage and move closer to the LOS, or play off of the
receiver and move back from the LOS. (This is dependent on the coverage picked – See note below)
4. Highlight a defensive back, then press left or right on the Right Thumbstick. Now all defensive backs
assigned to a specific receiver will shift to cover the inside or outside of his man. (This is dependent on the
coverage picked – See note below)
5. The third and fourth directions above also apply to linebackers, although to a slightly different degree, as
they aren't in coverage as often, and usually will just shift in the desired direction.
Note: Remember that the ability to shift players is entirely dependent on what type of coverage has been
selected. Certain coverages will not allow for players to shift in certain directions. Also, shifting one type of
player will generally shift the others in his group (shifting a linebacker will shift all linebackers, shifting a
cornerback will shift all cornerbacks) in order to maximize defensive efficiency. Bring your favorite team into
Practice mode and experiment with different types of defenses and different hot routes to get a feel for what
works where.
Sega Sports Tip – Know Your Defense
When choosing a defensive play, it's extremely important to understand the situation and know which
players and which coverages are appropriate for that play. There are three choices that need to be made
before your team sets up on the field. Here's a quick breakdown:
#1 - Personnel
Your first choice will be selecting what types of players to put out on the field. Here's a quick rundown of
your basic packages:
Goalline – 5 Linemen, 3 Linebackers, and 3 Defensive Backs. The Goalline defense is best used in stopping
rd
short yardage situations, like a crucial 3 & Inches play. Be careful though, because if the offense crosses
you up and decides to pass, there's a good chance you'll get burned.
4-3 – Your base defense. 4 Linemen, 3 Linebackers, and 4 Defensive Backs. Your LBs will be better at
stopping the run, so choose a 4-3 on plays where the other team is more likely to be running the ball.
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