quick ?

3 people I have played have been upset when I've tried to go for it on 4th down. One of the times I actually decided not to because the player convinced me over AIM, and it cost me.

Just to verify, these are the rules:
You can go for it on 4th down when:
A) The use of 1 coaches discretion per game. But,
-You must be outside of your own 40 yard line

All 3 times I went, it was 4th and less than 2, and I was inside my opponents 40, and trailing. My kicker isn't the best, so I decide to go for it in those situations, and use my discretion. Some of the time it was late 2nd qtr, sometimes 3rd & 4th (never 1st qtr). I was just wondering, is it my fault if they come out in punt, or fg formations, when I decide to use my discretion?


I hate to take advantage when they are lined up like that, but I'm just following the rules, and it seems like others didn't like it when I did that...


I just don't want someone to feel like I'm playing unfair, when really I'm actually a strict rule following player. The post 4th down to 1st down pause and chat is very akward.

PS - I don't abuse this rule either. These are the only 3 games I've used my discretion option. And I only went for 4th this one time in each game. (including Goal line/inches)

This is an over used/abused rule. 4th and inches does not mean go for it. Just because you have passed the 40 yard line, which the rule states, it is not a free reign to automatically go for it everytime you get to 4th and inches. The rule is designed to set limitations, but they are not absolute - ultimately, since this is a SIM style league, you must make your decision based on realistic situations. Real NFL teams do not go for it every time they get to 4th and inches. In Madden, it is all to easy to convert 4th and inches, so perameters must be set.

The coaches discretion is allowed so you can use a 4th down conversion to help you win a game - most good strategists would save it to use in a dire situation late in a game to come from behind or to seal a game while protecting a lead.

I know 1st hand that you do not always use it in that manner - It was in our game that you tried to do it in the 1st quarter and I AIMed you and talked you out of it. It didn't cost you anything. But I sure do remember the situation. It was your 1st drive of the game, in the 1st qtr, and you had 4th and inches and you just crossed the 40. I convinced you because it was not right for you to go for it at that point in the game. You also went for it 2 more times later in the game and converted.

The question you should be asking your self isn't - what does the specific rule say? - it should be - is this realistic in the NFL? Would this really happen? Is this a realistic scenario in the NFL? Most teams do not attempt 3 4th downs a game. Hardly any in the 1st quarter and nobody would ever do in their own territory. The rules of the league are guidelines for the gameplay - but included in the rules is that we are an NFL Simulation league and we try to make it as close to the NFL as we can. (And do not bring up the crap about the all-star teams either, I am talking about gameplay.)

The reason the conversation awkward is because you know you are getting ready to go for it in unrealistic situations - if you are limiting your attempts to realitic situations and only doing it when you are behind, then you can avoid these awkward chats.