Games Microsoft XBOX NFL 2003 User Manual
Sega Sports NFL2K3 Instruction Manual – Xbox
(Version 2.0)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Controller Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Advanced Gameplay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Main Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Quick Game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
On the Field - Kickoffs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
On The Field - Offense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
On the Field - Defense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
On the Field - Punts and Field Goals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Pause Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Franchise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Franchise - Offseason Tasks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Playoffs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Tournament . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Situation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Play Live . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Load / Save . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Roster Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .28
Sega Sports Challenge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
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WARNING: READ BEFORE USING YOUR XBOX™ VIDEO GAME ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM.
About Photosensitive Seizures
A very small percentage of people may experience a seizure when exposed to certain visual images, including
flashing lights or patterns that may appear in video games. Even people who have no history of seizures or
epilepsy may have an undiagnosed condition that can cause these "photosensitive epileptic seizures" while
watching video games.
These seizures may have a variety of symptoms including: lightheadedness, altered vision, eye or face twitching,
jerking or shaking of arms or legs, disorientation, confusion, or momentary loss of awareness. Seizures may also
cause loss of consciousness or convulsions that can lead to injury from falling down or striking nearby objects.
Immediately stop playing and consult a doctor if you experience any of these symptoms. Parents should watch
for or ask their children about the above symptoms—children and teenagers are more likely than adults to
experience these seizures.
The risk of photosensitive epileptic seizures may be reduced by sitting farther from the television screen, using a
smaller television screen, playing in a well-lit room, and not playing when you are drowsy or fatigued.
If you or any of your relatives have a history of seizures or epilepsy, consult a doctor before playing.
Other Important Health and Safety Information.
The Xbox Instruction Manual contains important safety and health information that you should read and
understand before using this software
Avoid Damage to Your Television
Do not use with certain televisions. Some televisions, especially front- or rear-projection types, can be damaged
if any video games, including Xbox games, are played on them. Static images presented during the normal
course of game play may “burn in” to the screen, causing a permanent shadow of the static image to appear at all
times, even when video games are not being played. Similar damage may occur from static images created when
placing a video game on hold or pause. Consult your television owner’s manual to determine if video games can
be safely played safely on your set. If you are unable to find this information in the owner’s manual, contact your
television dealer or the manufacturer to determine if video games can be played safely on your set.
Unauthorized copying, reverse engineering, transmission, public performance, rental, pay for play, or
circumvention of copy protection is strictly prohibited.
Using the Xbox Video Game System
1. Set up your Xbox™ video game system by following the instructions in the Xbox Instruction Manual.
2. Press the power button and the status indicator light will light up.
3. Press the eject button and the disc tray will open.
4. Place the NFL2K3 disc on the disc tray with the label facing up and close the disc tray.
5. Follow on-screen instructions and refer to this manual for more information about playing NFL2K3.
Note: For an official diagram of the Xbox video game system, consult page 2 of the NFL2K3 Manual
included with your game.
Avoiding Damage to Discs or the Disc Drive
To avoid damage to discs or the disc drive
• Insert only Xbox-compatible discs into the disc drive.
• Never use oddly shaped discs, such as star-shaped or heart-shaped discs.
• Do not leave a disc in the Xbox console for extended periods when not in use.
• Do not move the Xbox console while the power is on and a disc is inserted.
• Do not apply labels, stickers, or other foreign objects to discs.
2
Using the Xbox Controller
1. Connect the Xbox Controller to any controller port on the front of the Xbox console. For multiple players,
connect additional controllers to available controller ports.
2. Insert any expansion devices (for example, Xbox Memory Units) into controller expansion slots as
appropriate.
3. Follow on-screen instructions and refer to this manual for more information about using the Xbox
Controller to play NFL2K3.
Note: For an official diagram of the Xbox Controller, including button assignments, consult page 2 of the
NFL2K3 Manual included with your game.
BEGIN THE GAME
1. Turn OFF/ON the POWER Button on your Xbox™ video game system.
2. Make sure an Xbox Controller is plugged into the Xbox video game system.
• If you’re playing against friends, plug additional Xbox Controllers into the Xbox video game
system.
• Save your game progress, to the Xbox hard disk or Xbox memory unit inserted into Xbox
controller expansion slots A or B.
3. Insert the NFL 2K3 game disc into the optical disc drive.
4. Turn ON the POWER Button. The Xbox screen appears.
• If the Xbox screen does not appear, begin again at step 1.
Title Screen
Once you’re up and running, the NFL 2K3 Title screen appears.
• To go directly to the Main menu, press START (See Main Menu on Page 7).
CONTROLLER SETUP
In The Huddle: Offense or Defense
Left Thumbstick - Highlight package, formation, or play option
✡ Button - Choose package, formation, or play
Y Button - Reverse formation or play
B Button - Return to previous package or formation
L Trigger - Scroll multiple packages, formations, and plays
R Trigger - Scroll multiple packages, formations, and plays
OFFENSE
Prior to the Snap
✡ Button - Hustle to the line of scrimmage/Snap the ball
B Button - Hard count
Y Button - Access audible menu
R Trigger - Survey the field and button assignments
L Trigger (while holding R Trigger) - View routes
BACK Button - Timeout
Passing Plays
Left Thumbstick/D-Pad - Control QB
✡ Button - Throw to A receiver
X Button - Throw to X receiver
B Button - Throw to B receiver
Y Button - Throw to Y receiver
L Trigger - Throw to L Trigger receiver
R Trigger (hold) - Scramble with QB
WHITE Button - Pump fake
BLACK Button - Throws ball away
Note: Also, quickly tapping any receiver button twice will cause the QB to pump fake.
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Sega Sports Tip – Maximum Passing
With Maximum Passing enabled (Press the A Button on the Team Select or Choose Sides screens), you
can lead your receiver in any direction using the D-Pad or Left Thumbstick. For example, if you want to
throw the ball in front of a receiver running toward the left side of the screen, simply hold left while passing.
Be careful, Maximum Passing is pressure sensitive, and takes a little bit of getting used to. Try using
Practice mode to get more comfortable with it before jumping into a regular game situation, and experiment
with switching control to the receiver immediately after the pass is released, then using speed burst to catch
up to the ball.
Rushing Plays/Run after the Catch
Left Thumbstick/D-Pad - Run
✡ Button - Speed burst (Tap)
X Button - Dive/QB Hook slide
B Button - Stutter-Step/Spin (player will first stutter-step, then spin upon contact with a defender)
Y Button - Hurdle
L Trigger - Juke left
R Trigger - Juke right
WHITE Button – Stiff-arm left
BLACK Button – Stiff-arm right
BACK Button – Timeout (after the play has ended)
Note: To charge your player up for more effective special moves (like Juke, Dive, and Stiff Arm) press and
hold the A Button until the arrow underneath your player fills up.
DEFENSE
Prior to the Snap
Left Thumbstick/D-Pad - Reposition your player
✡ Button - Run up to the line
B Button - Switch defender
B Button (hold) + D-Pad - Cycle through defenders in direction pressed
Y Button - Access audible menu
R Trigger - Survey the field
WHITE Button - Shift linemen left
BLACK Button - Shift linemen right
BACK Button - Timeout
After the Snap
Left Thumbstick/D-Pad - Run
✡ Button - Speed burst (Tap)
X Button - Dive Tackle
B Button - Switch defender
Y Button - Jump and block ball
BACK Button - Timeout (after the play has ended)
Note: To charge your player up for more powerful dives and tackles, press and hold the A Button until the
arrow underneath your player fills up.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Kicking Team
✡ Button - Activate Kick Meter/Kick the ball
Y Button - Access audible menu
R Trigger - Survey the field
Left Thumbstick/D-Pad - Determine height of arc
Left Thumbstick/D-Pad - Aim kick left/right
Receiving Team
B Button - Switch player
R Trigger - Survey the field
Left Thumbstick/D-Pad - Move player
Y Button – Down the ball
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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
short yardage situations, like a crucial 3rd & 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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Nickel – 4 Linemen, 2 Linebackers, and 5 Defensive Backs. Now you’re leaning a bit more toward the pass,
with speedier players less adept at run-stopping but better prepared to guard against a throw.
Dime – 4 Linemen, 1 Linebackers, and 6 Defensive Backs. This defense is geared toward the pass, and is
best used in long yardage situations.
Prevent – 3 Linemen, 1 Linebacker, and 7 Defensive Backs. The Prevent defense is generally reserved for
extremely long yardage situations, as it essentially concedes the short gain to keep the other team from
breaking off a huge play.
Note: Some teams may have slightly different initial defensive packages such as the 3-4, the 46, or the
Bear. Take your favorite team into Practice mode to see what their defensive scheme includes.
#2 – Fronts
Once you’ve selected who will be out on in the field, it’s time to figure out what they’ll be doing, beginning
with the defensive line. Scroll through the various fronts to see your options. Think the other team will be
running it up the middle? Try “All In”, which brings all the linemen in and clogs up the middle. Want one of
your linebackers to blitz? Use “Fan” to open up the line a little bit and give him some space to get through.
There are several more available. It’s up to you to decide what to do based on the situation.
#3 – Coverages
Now that the linemen have jobs, it’s time to decide what everyone else will be doing. There are four basic
assignments you’ll see given to the linebackers and defensive backs, which are as follows:
Bump ‘n’ Run – Designated in the play diagram by a T or upside-down T. The defender will play close to the
receiver coming off the line and give him a little bump to try and throw off his timing.
Man – Designated in the play diagram by a short line. The defender will stick with his man regardless of
where he goes. Man coverages give your defense a little more freedom to be aggressive, but make sure
your backs are talented enough to cover their man one-on-one.
Zone – Designated in the play diagram by an orange circle. The defender will stay in his general zone rather
than stick with a specific man. Zone coverages are a bit safer than man coverages, as you’ve typically got
someone else to pick up the slack if one man gets beat.
Blitz – Designated in the play diagram by a longer line extending through the line of scrimmage. Blitz a
player or two if you really want to be aggressive and try to pressure the QB into making a bad decision. But
once again, be careful, because if he doesn’t get to the QB fast enough, the blitzer will be leaving either his
man or his zone potentially more open or vulnerable.
Choose wisely. Learn which types of plays are best suited for which types of situations. Figure out when it
pays to be aggressive and when it’s a good idea to play it safe. The better you know your defense, the better
chance you’ll have of shutting down the other team when it counts most.
Offense, Pre-Snap:
1. Choose a pass play, and wait until QB is under the Center.
2. Nudge the Right Thumbstick in any of 8 directions:
• Up is a Fly Route
• Down is a Screen Route
• Left/Right are In or Out Route*
• Up + Left/Right is either a Post or Corner Route*
• Down + Left/Right is either a Fade or Slant route*
• You can also click the Right Thumbstick to have a player stay back and block
3. Now press the button of the receiver to which you want to assign the chosen route.
4. After selecting a receiver, you should hear the QB bark out an audible.
5. The chosen receiver will now run the modified route (or stay back and block).
* Depends on what side of the field the receiver is on.
Advanced Line Moves:
1. In the Pause Menu, select Options and ensure that Advanced Line Moves are set to ON.
2. Get on Defense, and before the snap select a Defensive Lineman.
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3. Wait until ball is hiked.
4. Immediately pull and hold the L Trigger (to go left - R Trigger will go right).
5. Upon contact with a blocker, press a face button (X, A, B, Y).
6. If timed right, your lineman will execute a special move:
• The X Button performs a shove
• The A Button performs a bull rush
• The B Button performs a spin move
• The Y Button performs a swim move
For more information, also see On The Field on page 8.
MAIN MENU
To access the Help menu from any game menu screen, press the Y Button.
Quick Game
Play a quick preseason game between any two teams. This is the fastest way to suit up and lead your team
on to the field. See Quick Game below.
Game Modes
Choose from one of eight unique, in-depth game modes including Franchise, Situation, Season, Playoffs,
Practice, Tournament, Exhibition, and Online.
Options
Multiple categories of options give you the power to customize your game at all levels, from the broadcast
booth to the coach’s desk. See Options on page 25.
Load / Save
Everything you can customize in NFL 2K3 can be saved and accessed later via the Xbox Hard Disk or a
memory unit, if you have one inserted in your Xbox controller. See Load / Save on page 27.
Roster Manager
Use the Roster Manager to make personnel decisions such as releasing free agents, adjusting the depth
chart, and editing player ratings and appearances. See Roster Manager on page 28.
Sega Sports Challenge
The Sega Sports Challenge lets you prove how good a sports-gamer you are and take on challengers from
around the world. See Sega Sports Challenge on page 30.
QUICK GAME
To begin a Quick Game, from the Main Menu, choose QUICK GAME. The Team Select screen will appear.
Selecting Teams
Choose from more than 100 teams including all 32 NFL teams, college alumni squads, NFL past teams, and
NFL all-stars. If you created any custom NFL2K3 teams, they’re here too.
To select teams:
1. Use the Left Thumbstick or D-Pad to move your icon to the side you wish to control during the game.
2. Pull the L Trigger/R Trigger to cycle through the teams.
• To assign a user name to your control pad, press the WHITE/BLACK Buttons to toggle through
those available. If you want to create a new user name, see Sega Sports Challenge on page 30.
• To enable Maximum Passing, press the A button.
• To set your team options, press the Y button. Here you can choose from a variety of uniforms, or
load any team’s playbook, including custom playbooks. Also, you are able to select the game
venue from more than 45 locations, which include every NFL stadium and some fantasy fields.
3. Press START to begin. ESPN’s Clark Dishman will introduce the game, then turn it over to Dan Stevens
and Peter O’Keefe to set things up before the team captains gather at midfield for the coin toss.
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ON THE FIELD
Note: The controls described in this section are defaults. For information on alternate configurations, see
Controller Setup on page 27.
The Coin Toss
The visiting team has the honor of calling heads or tails before the coin toss. The winner of the coin toss
chooses whether they want to kick or receive the opening kickoff. The loser chooses which goal they will
defend.
• To make a choice, move the Left Thumbstick or D-Pad to highlight your choice, then press the A
Button to select.
• When both teams have made their decisions, the players will run out to the field and line up for
the opening kickoff.
Kickoffs
Kicking Team
• In the huddle before the kickoff, Move the Left Thumbstick to choose KICKOFF or ONSIDE KICK, then
press the A Button to select.
• If you chose KICKOFF, Move the Left Thumbstick to choose the section of the field you plan to kick to.
• When the Kick Meter appears, check the arrow to determine which direction the wind is blowing.
• Move the Left Thumbstick to aim your kick, and press the A Button to start the Kick Meter. Press the A
Button again to stop the meter and kick the ball. (The higher the meter when you kick the ball, the more
power you put behind the kick.)
• To survey the field before the kickoff, pull the R Trigger.
• To call an audible, press the Y Button to access the audible menu, and then press the button that
corresponds to the audible you want to call.
• When the kick is underway, move the Left Thumbstick to run toward the recipient and go for the tackle.
• To switch to the member of your team closest to the ball carrier, press the B Button.
• To get a burst of speed, repeatedly press the A Button.
• To dive at the ball carrier and attempt a tackle, press the X Button.
Receiving Team
• In the huddle before the kickoff, move the Left Thumbstick to choose KICK RETURN or ONSIDE KICK
RETURN, then press the A Button to select.
• To call an audible before the kickoff, press the Y Button to access the audible menu, and then press the
button that corresponds to the new play you want to call.
• The kickoff recipient will automatically run to the spot where the ball is heading and make the reception if
the user does not.
• Once the ball is caught, press the Y Button to down the ball if you are in the endzone. If you receive the
ball deep in the endzone, the CPU will down the ball automatically for you if you do not take control of the
player. If you are near the goalline, the CPU will automatically run it out, so make sure to take control and
down it yourself if desired.
• To run upfield, move the Left Thumbstick in the direction you want to run.
• To get a speed burst, repeatedly press the A Button.
• To dive forward, press the X Button.
• To perform a spin move, press the B Button. The ball carrier will do a stutter-step, then spin upon making
contact with the defender.
• To hurdle a downed man, press the Y Button.
• To throw a stiff-arm with the left or right arm, press the WHITE or BLACK Buttons.
• To juke to the left or right, pull the L Trigger/R Trigger.
• To charge your player up for more effective special moves (like Juke, Dive, and Stiff Arm) press and hold
the A Button until the arrow underneath your player fills up.
In the Huddle: Offense or Defense
To call a play:
1. Move the Left Thumbstick to highlight the package you want to use (if the Play Calling option is set to By
Package), then press the A Button to select.
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2. Move the Left Thumbstick again to highlight the formation you want to set, then press the A Button to
select.
3. Move the Left Thumbstick a third time to highlight the play you want to run, then press the A Button to
select and break the huddle.
• To reverse the direction in which the play is run, press the Y Button (this can also be done while
viewing packages and formations).
• To cancel a selection and return to the previous formation or package, press the B Button.
• To scroll through multiple packages, formations, and plays, pull the L Trigger/R Trigger. Note the
page number near the bottom left corner of the screen (Example: 1/6) to see how many more
pages of plays are available in the section currently being viewed.
Sega Sports Tip – Coach’s Pick
For smart, fast play calling, press the A Button to view a suggested formation and play for your situation.
Press the A Button again to select the play.
Sega Sports Tip – Bluff Mode
In multiplayer games, keep the other player guessing by disguising which play you call. To activate bluff
mode, highlight the play you want to run and press and hold the A Button. Then, while continuing to hold A,
you can scroll through as many plays as you want to throw your opponent off. Once the A Button is
released, you’ll head to the line of scrimmage, and your team will run the play originally selected.
OFFENSE
Prior to the Snap
• If you want to switch control to another player (multiplayer only), press the B Button. The player that picked
the play will control the QB, and someone will always automatically be given control of the player with the
ball once the play is run.
• To switch control of players in any direction, press and hold the B Button and move the D-Pad in the
desired direction.
• To hustle your team to the line of scrimmage after selecting your play, press the A Button.
• To bark out a hard count and try to get the defense to jump offside, press the B Button after the QB is
under center.
• To survey the field to check defensive parings, review receiver button assignments, and assess player
status, pull the R Trigger.
• To view receivers‘ routes before the snap, pull and hold the R Trigger to survey the field, then the L
Trigger to bring up the routes.
• To call an audible, press the Y Button to access the offensive audible menu, and then press the button that
corresponds to the audible you want to call.
• To snap the ball, press the A Button.
Passing Plays
• To take control of the QB after the snap, move the Left Thumbstick to step back or scramble out of the
pocket.
• To throw to a receiver, press the button that corresponds to the receiver you want to throw to. Keep in mind
that the harder you push the button, the harder the pass will be thrown. A quick tap will throw up more of a
lob, while a hard press will throw more of a bullet.
• To scramble with the QB, pull and hold R Trigger.
• To pump fake a pass, press the WHITE Button, or quickly tap any receiver button twice to get the QB to
fake in that receiver’s direction.
• To throw the ball away, press the BLACK Button. Make sure you’re outside of either of the two offensive
tackles, or you’ll be called for Intentional Grounding.
Sega Sports Tip – Understanding Play Names
When throwing the ball, make sure you understand how the play is designed to work. The number at the
beginning of each play generally indicates how many steps the QB is supposed to drop back before
throwing the ball. Here is a quick rundown:
50 – The QB will take a 5-step drop. (Example: “50 T Zone Out”)
90 – The QB will take a 3-step drop. (Example: “90 T Hitch”)
1XX – A play action play. The QB will fake a handoff to the RB before passing. “PA” will sometimes also
indicate these plays. (Example: “PA 152 Z Stop -n- Go”)
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2XX – The QB will roll out before passing. These plays will sometimes also be indicated by “RO”. (Example:
“RO 210 H Flare”)
It is a good idea to let the CPU perform the drop back or roll out for you while you make your reads. Then,
when the QB has finished, make your throw quickly, as this is the time when the receivers will be expecting
the ball. Of course, you can always manually break out of any drop back or roll out animation at any time,
but keeping in line with the play specs can be crucial to running an effective offense.
Rushing Plays / Run After the Catch
• The handoff from QB to a running back is automatic after you take the snap. As soon as the ball carrier
takes the football, you take control of him.
• To run, move the Left Thumbstick in the direction you want to go.
• For a speed burst, repeatedly press the A Button and explode through holes.
• To charge your player up for more effective special moves (like Juke, Dive, and Stiff Arm), press and hold
the A Button until the arrow underneath your player fills up.
• To cover up the ball and get an extra quick (but short) burst of speed, press the A Button again when you
have full power.
• To dive forward, press the X Button. If you are running a QB sneak or controlling the QB across the line of
scrimmage, he will perform a hook slide.
• To perform a spin move, press the B Button. If there is no contact with a defender, your player will simply
stutter-step, but upon contact, he will spin off of the other player.
• To hurdle over a downed man or over a potential tackler, press the Y Button.
• To throw a stiff-arm with your left or right arm, pull the L Trigger/R Trigger.
• To juke to the left or right, press the WHITE or BLACK Buttons.
• To lower your head and perform a shoulder charge, pull the L Trigger and R Trigger simultaneously.
• After the play, press the Y Button to induce the no-huddle offense and quickly run the previous play over
again. Press the X Button to quickly spike the ball, which stops the game clock and can be used in lieu of a
timeout. Be careful though, you will lose a down.
Sega Sports Tip – Using the Speed Burst Wisely
Use the extra speed burst (Press the A Button again when your player’s arrow is completely filled up)
carefully, as this technique can cause a player to fatigue more quickly than normal. It is best saved for
extreme cases when a quick burst is needed over a short distance. Tapping the A Button is more effective
when covering long distances.
Also, be wary of resorting to the regular speed burst right away on rushing plays. Take your time coming out
of the backfield, and let your fullback and offensive line create holes for you to run through. Once you get to
a hole, speed burst coming out of it, and then as you get into a potential breakaway situation, go all out.
Sega Sports Tip – The Icing on the Cake
If you’ve made a great play and are about to score after breaking away from the defense, ease up on the
Left Thumbstick to have your player saunter into the endzone. There are several different versions of this
depending on which direction your player is oriented. Nothing like a victory dance or a little taunting to make
a great play feel that much better.
DEFENSE
Prior to the Snap
• To reposition your defender, push the Left Thumbstick in the direction you want to move him.
• If you want to switch control to another player, press the B Button.
• To switch control of players in any direction, press and hold the B Button and move the D-Pad in the
desired direction.
• To call an audible, press the Y Button to access the defensive audible menu, and then press the button
that corresponds to the new play you want to call.
• To survey the field to check receiver positioning and assess player status, pull the R Trigger.
• To shift your linemen left or right to take advantage of gaps in the offensive line, press the WHITE or
BLACK Buttons.
After the Snap
• To pursue the ball carrier, move the Left Thumbstick in his direction.
• To get a speed burst, repeatedly press the A Button.
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