APBA FOOTBALL Conducting Season Replays Tips for

APBA FOOTBALL Conducting Season Replays & Tips for Solitaire Play

Introduction Having played the great game of APBA Football for several years, I wanted to share “Lessons Learned” from numerous replays. First, preparation is the key to conducting a replay and I wanted to reveal how I do it. Secondly, I wanted to identify a few individuals whose tremendous innovations have greatly increased the statistical accuracy of the game on both sides of the ball. Lastly, I wanted to communicate a “Method of Play” which renders outstanding results and can be completed in a 2 -hour period. Below are my documented replays: • 1967 AFL Season; 1968 AFL Season (twice); 1974 AFC Season; 2006 AFC Season; 2008 AFC Season; 1981 NFL Season • Mini-Replays: 1968 Jets-Colts; 2007 Patriots-Giants; 1997 Broncos-Packers; 1998 Jets-Vikings

Introduction • Preparation • Standardization • Setup • Method of Play (Neutral Downs) • Method of Play (Situational Downs)

Preparation • Recommend using Phil Milloy’s “Dice Range Calculator” as an alternative to Section III of the APBA rule book • • Determine Receiver, Sack, & Interception Allocations for every team Accurately reflects the substitutions within all personnel packages – Pro-Set, 2 TEs, 3 WR, Standard, Nickel & Dime Defenses Speeds up play – Only one dice roll required instead of rolling until a starter is selected – Eliminates having to “rotate” players Reserve players are active participants

Dice Range Calculator

Preparation • Optional Innovations – “Fletch 67” Defensive Ratings (S. Fletcher) – H. Ahlskog’s “Forced Fumble & Recovery” Charts – Sack Modification (Barath) • Upon sack, determine defender through “Allocation” system • Roll dice, if dice roll is between 11 – 51, award defender full sack. • If dice roll is 52 -66, roll dice again and check for new defender via “Allocation” system. • If same player, award defender full sack. If different defender, each player is awarded ½ a sack.

Proprietary to Mark Zarb • Optional Innovations – “Sack & Interception” Ratings • Based off each team’s sack & interception per attempt – "Yards Per Catch" Receiver Ratings • Distinguishes between deep threats, possession receivers and RBs catching out of backfield – “Penalty Tables” & Charts • Rates teams propensity for being penalized against a particular opponent – “Kick Coverage” Tables • Rates team’s ability to cover kickoffs & punts – “Kick Returns” Tables • Rates team’s ability to return a kick or punt

Preparation • Create team rosters using Jeff Hart’s 3. 2 Football Score sheet – Offensive & Defensive Platoons • Auto populates indexes & personnel groupings • Enter “allocation” dice ranges into PRR, WR, & QS columns (modification to original document ) • Modified to incorporate “YPC” ratings – Complete Special Team Rosters • Remove/separate players cards – Alphabetize & file by team

Modified Team Roster

Preparation • Create data collection Excel workbooks for each team – Capture team & individual stats – Comparison of Actual/Replay Stats • Create Master workbooks for each League (AFC & NFC) – Link Team workbooks to Master • Standings & points scored/allowed • Team Offense & Defensive Categories – Compare league average against replays • Individual Statistical Categories – Passing, Rushing, Receiving, Interceptions, Sacks, Field Goals, Punt & Kick Returns

Team Workbook

Master League Workbook

Standardization • “RP Plays” – Only allow one per team per game • Running Plays – Outside Run • Carded runners 5, 7, 9 (100%) • Carded runners 15, 16, 17 – Outside & Inside Runs (50/50) – Monitored in increments of 10 – Inside Run • Carded runners 4, 6, 8 (100%) • Carded runner 15, 16, 17 – Outside & Inside Runs (50/50) – Monitored in increments of 10

Standardization • Passing Plays – Short Pass & Screen Passes (60%) • Monitored in increments of 10 – Medium & Long Passes (40%) • Monitored in increments of 10 • Kickoff Returns – All kicks that land 4 yards into end zone must be returned – The return is optional if kick is 5 or more yards deep into end zone

Setup • Print J. Hart’s modified Detailed Score Card & Play-by-Play Sheet • Review actual box score (Pro. Football Reference. com) – Customize Detailed Score Card to reflect box score – Annotate QB, HB, FB, K, P, KR, & PR that participated in actual game – List all receivers on team roster – Annotate indexes, Fletch ratings, keying ratings, fumble ratings, etc. – Pre-position QB, RBs, K, P, KR & PR cards on playing surface

Modified Detailed Score sheet

Completed Detailed Score sheet

Play-by-Play Sheet

Method of Play – Neutral Downs • Neutral Downs – Offensive Formation (Pro-Set) – Defensive Formation (Standard) • • • 1 st down unless greater than 15 yards 2 nd & 10 yards or less 3 rd & 2 to 4 yards 4 th and 2 yards Any two-point conversion attempt • Determine offensive index – Roll dice, check “APBA Football Floating Index Locator” • Use for duration of offensive series

APBA Football Floating Index Locator

APBA Football Floating Index Locator • A* rating – Run Plays - Always in “A” index – Pass Plays • All receivers in “A” regardless of rating • Remain in “A” against Nickel/Dime • “D” rating – Run Plays & Screen Pass • Always in “C” index • Remain in “C” against Nickel/Dime – Still add 1 -yard to any gain – Pass Plays • Always in “C” index

Method of Play – Neutral Downs • Run Play (2 dice rolls) & Screen Pass (3 dice rolls) – If run play, designate runner on play-by-play sheet – If screen pass, indicate “SCP” on play-by-play sheet – Roll dice, check “Fletch 67” • Repeat prior to every neutral play • If defense is in best alignment – Run (G) – Check if dice roll is within key rating – If screen pass, roll dice, check allocation ratings to determine receiver – Roll dice, check runners RPN for run or QB RPN for a screen pass • If pass complete, check receiver’s YPC rating and make yardage adjustment – Annotate Play-by-Play Sheet – Annotate Detailed Score Card

Method of Play – Neutral Downs • Pass Play – Minimum of 3 dice rolls • Roll dice, check Fletch 67 – Defense S or G • Roll dice, check allocation ratings to determine receiver • Roll dice to determine play result – If pass complete, check receiver’s YPC rating and make yardage adjustment – Annotate Play-by-Play Sheet – Annotate Detailed Score Card

Method of Play – Neutral Downs • Pass Play – Maximum of 4 dice rolls • Roll dice, check Fletch 67 – Defense D – Check if dice roll is within key rating – If not, roll one dice » 1 -5 no blitz, 6 is a blitz • Roll dice, check allocation ratings to determine receiver • Roll dice, check QBs RPN – If pass complete, check receiver’s YPC rating and make yardage adjustment – Annotate Play-by-Play Sheet – Annotate Detailed Score Card

Situational Down & Distance

Method of Play – Situational Downs • 1 st & > 15; 2 nd > 10 – Offensive Formation (Pro-Set) – Defensive Formation (Standard) • If Run play is called (2 dice rolls) – Roll dice, check “Situational Down & Distance” chart to determine defensive alignment – Roll dice, check runners RPN • Annotate Play-by-Play Sheet • Annotate Detailed Score Card

Method of Play – Situational Downs • 1 st & > 15; 2 nd & > 10 – Offensive Formation (Pro-Set) – Defensive Formation (Standard) • If Pass play is called (5 dice rolls) – Roll dice, check “Situational Down & Distance” chart to determine defensive alignment • If defense is in “D” alignment – Check if dice roll is within key rating – If not, roll one dice (1 -5 no blitz, 6 is a blitz)

Method of Play – Situational Downs • 1 st & > 15; 2 nd & > 10 • If defense is in “D” alignment – Roll dice, check for Audible » No Audible: Dice rolls 21 – 66 » Audible: Dice roll 11 -16 (1 per quarter) – Roll dice, to determine receiver – Roll dice, check QBs RPN – If pass complete, check receiver’s YPC rating and make yardage adjustment – Annotate Play-by-Play Sheet – Annotate Detailed Score Card

Method of Play – Situational Downs • 1 st & > 15; 2 nd & > 10 • If defense is in “S” or “G” (3 dice rolls) – Roll dice, check “Situational Down & Distance” chart to determine defensive alignment (“S” or “G”) – Roll dice, check allocation ratings to determine receiver – Roll dice, check QBs RPN – If pass complete, check receiver’s YPC rating and make yardage adjustment – Annotate Play-by-Play Sheet – Annotate Detailed Score Card

Personnel Groups • 3 rd & > 8 • Pre-1981 – Offensive Formation (Pro Set) • Exception: SD Chargers late 70 s – Defensive Alignment (Standard) • Post-1981 – Offensive Formation (3 WR set) – Defensive Alignment (Dime)

Method of Play – Situational Downs • 3 rd & > 8 • If Run play is called (3 dice rolls) – Roll dice, check “Situational Down & Distance” for defensive alignment – If defense is in “D” alignment – Roll one dice (1 -5 no blitz, 6 is a blitz) – Roll dice, check runners RPN • Raise index & add 1 yard to positive gain • Annotate Play-by-Play Sheet • Annotate Detailed Score Card

Method of Play – Situational Downs • 3 rd & > 8 • If Run play is called (2 dice rolls) – Roll dice, check “Situational Down & Distance” for defensive alignment • If defense is in “S” or “G” alignment – Roll dice, check runners RPN • Raise index & add 1 yard to positive gain • Annotate Play-by-Play Sheet • Annotate Detailed Score Card

Method of Play – Situational Downs • 3 rd & > 8 • If Screen Pass is called (4 dice rolls) – Roll dice, check “Situational Down & Distance” for defensive alignment – If defense is in “D” alignment – Roll one dice (1 -5 no blitz, 6 is a blitz) – Roll dice, to determine receiver – Roll dice, check QB RPN for a screen pass • Raise index & add 1 yard to positive gain • Screen pass check receiver’s YPC • Annotate Play-by-Play Sheet • Annotate Detailed Score Card

Method of Play – Situational Downs • 3 rd & > 8 • If Screen Pass is called (3 dice rolls) – Roll dice, check “Situational Down & Distance” for defensive alignment • If defense is in “S” or “G” alignment – Roll dice, to determine receiver – Roll dice, check QB RPN for a screen pass • Raise index & add 1 yard to positive gain • Screen pass check receiver’s YPC • Annotate Play-by-Play Sheet • Annotate Detailed Score Card

Method of Play – Situational Downs • 3 rd & > 8 • If Pass play is called (5 dice rolls) – Roll dice, check “Situational Down & Distance” for defensive alignment – If defense is in “D” alignment • Check if dice roll is within key rating • If not, roll one dice (1 -5 no blitz, 6 is a blitz) • Roll dice, check for Audible – No Audible: Dice rolls 21 – 66 – Audible: Dice roll 11 -16 (1 per quarter)

Method of Play – Situational Downs • 3 rd & > 8 • If Pass play is called – Roll dice, to determine receiver • Reduce index by one (i. e. A to B) • Don’t reduce if receiver has a * or in A* index – Roll dice, check QBs RPN – If pass complete, check receiver’s YPC rating and make yardage adjustment • Annotate Play-by-Play Sheet • Annotate Detailed Score Card

Personnel Groups • 3 rd & 5 to 7 yards • Pre-1981 – Offensive Formation (Pro Set) – Defensive Alignment (Standard) • Post-1981 – Offensive Formation (Pro Set) – Defensive Alignment (Nickel)

Method of Play – Situational Downs • 3 rd & 5 to 7 • Run Play or Screen Pass (2/3 rolls) – Designate runner or roll dice to determine receiver – Roll dice, check “Fletch 67” against defense’s run rating – Roll dice, check runners RPN for run or QB RPN for a screen pass • Raise index and add 1 yard to any gain • Screen pass check receiver’s YPC – Annotate Play-by-Play Sheet – Annotate Detailed Score Card

Method of Play – Situational Downs • 3 rd & 5 to 7 • If Pass play is called (5 dice rolls) – Roll dice, check “Situational Down & Distance” for defensive alignment – If defense is in “D” alignment • Check if dice roll is within key rating • If not, roll one dice (1 -5 no blitz, 6 is a blitz) • Roll dice, check for Audible – No Audible: Dice rolls 21 – 66 – Audible: Dice roll 11 -16 (1 per quarter)

Method of Play – Situational Downs • 3 rd & 5 to 7 yards • If Pass play is called – Roll dice, to determine receiver • Reduce index by one (i. e. A to B) • Don’t if receiver has a * or in A* index – Roll dice, check QBs RPN – If pass complete, check receiver’s YPC rating and make yardage adjustment • Annotate Play-by-Play Sheet • Annotate Detailed Score Card

Personnel Groups • 3 rd or 4 th & 1 • Pre-1981 – Pro Set vs Standard – Full House vs Goal Line • Post-1981 – Pro Set vs Standard – 2 TE vs Goal Line – Full House vs Goal Line • Recent seasons teams have implemented this formation

Method of Play – Situational Downs • 3 rd or 4 th & 1 • If Run play is called (3 dice rolls) – Roll dice, check “Situational Down & Distance” for defensive alignment – If defense is in “G” alignment – Check if dice roll is with Key Rating – Roll dice, check for Audible – No Audible: Dice rolls 21 – 66 – Audible: Dice roll 11 -16 (1 per quarter) – Roll dice, check runners RPN

Method of Play – Situational Downs • 3 rd or 4 th & 1(2 dice rolls) • If Run play is called – Roll dice, check “Situational Down & Distance” for defensive alignment – If defense is in “S” or “D” alignment – Roll dice, check runners RPN • Annotate Play-by-Play Sheet • Annotate Detailed Score Card

Conclusion I hope that these tips are useful, however, there is no “right” or “wrong” to play this game. For any questions regarding this presentation, I can be contacted at Oguard 62@yahoo. com. Greg “Oguard 62” Barath