Playbook Questions

[Cipher 8]

You may know everything they've run in the past, however, teams are always adding/creating plays now and then for a certain team, to take advantage of issues with that team's defense. Or a team will never use a certain formation for half the season, then bring it out for a big game against their rival or something to throw them off a bit and bring out something that they didn't prepare for during practice. I think the thing I wouldn't agree with is forcing people to list every single formation in their playbook, as at that point, you may as well force them to list their entire playbook, play for play. You're not going to go up to another team in real life the week you play them and say "I'd like to have a list of every single formation in your playbook". Maybe listing the base formations, but not every single one.

Well this is a easy fix... Instead of requiring them to post every formation BEFORE the game require they post every formation after the game, so then upcoming opponents can scout what formations they ran against teams earlier and get an idea for what type of offense to prepare for. The would be a sorta "game film" feature. It allows for teams to really scout upcoming opponents. Put in the work and you might be better prepared but it's totally optional and you can still go in blind if you just don't care to do it. Obviously listing the formation would require the members to be honest and actually type them all down and not leave any out though.

The good thing about this is the team could then add a small package for their rivals or tougher opponents that they don't face til later. That way they prepare it but are saving and haven't shown it yet which could help them out in those tougher games by the opponent not expecting it. Prime example of this is when the Dolphins brought in the Wildcat vs the Patriots. But then immediately afterwords all their future opponents would be aware of these wrinkles they added as they have to post those formations after each game...