I have just started after being away for a while, and I have seen something new on version 2.3 that I don't remember from before. Before, man assignments were just single or double coverage with shading. Now I see man, double coverage, then four position assignments (WR, HB, TE, FB) and also a '+'. These aren't explained in the helpfile of the program. One thing I have noticed, however, is that assigning a DB a position player somehow keeps them from lining up in front of them. they keep the position they were dragged to in the editor. Am I missing something with this?
Secondly, my friends and I could never figure out with just plain man assignments what player would cover who. I know DBs take WRs and LBs take RBs, but if I have 4 DBs all on man, how does the computer decide who takes a WR, a TE, or a RB?
According to the help file:
The man in Double coverage doubles the closest guy, if that isn't possible then goes to regular m2m. The man in WR, HB, TE, or FB lines up on that particular position first then goes to the next best option. The man in + covers the player that is "hot".
To lineup the defender across from the player you must use shading with the m2m command. This will line the player left, middle, or right of his coverage player. If no shading is present then the player stands where he is if within 7 yards of his m2m player or if not then he will move across from them.
The m2m defender first looks to cover the nearest open receiver on the LOS, off the LOS, then in their priority order.
CBs look to cover in order: WRs, TEs, RBs
SSs look to cover in order: TEs, WRs, RBs
FSs look to cover in order: WRs, TEs, RBs
LBs look to cover in order: RBs, TEs, WRs
Thanks for the help with the + assignment. What happens with the DB with that assignment if there is no hot receiver yet? I assume they would just go to take their assignment as if assigned regular man coverage.
The big question for me is why does my DB not line up across from a player when I set their assignment to a certain position. They try to pick up man coverage on the assigned player once the play starts, but everyone starts off bunched up in the center of the field, then sprints out toward where the receiver started. Maybe it was just a glitch in the one play I designed.
Try making an offensive play with all of the eligible receivers out at the sidelines (so you KNOW they are more than 7 yds from the defender in man coverage) and see if the defenders line up properly then.