Pro Elf offense without Catchers, how?

Mootaz · Post by **Mootaz** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 3:33 pm

I'm trying to improve my play with Pro Elfs. I have massive problems to score without Catchers. I know, Catchers are the key to Pro Elfs, why would I play without it? Because at the beginning of a league I don't necessarily have a Catcher. And in tourneys, my opponents concentrate on my Catchers and it is not uncommon to play the last quarter of a match without catchers.

So how do you score with Pro Elfs if you don't have Catchers? Let's say it is low TR and I either have a full team (beginning of a league), or I have about 8 players (end of a tourney match).

Caging is not a fun thing with AV 7 and almost no Block skill. And my elves are too slow to play their 2-turn TD game without catchers. I can't hold on to the ball with my catcher in my own half for 2 turns, because the opponents will then have sacked him. But if I pass forward and don't score in the same turn, I get beaten to pulp.

Any good input?

crazylegs · Post by **crazylegs** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 4:46 pm

Okay, since I'm currently playing pro Elves in our league, I think I have some insight (especially since my only catcher got badly hurt in the first half of the last game, and I still score 2 more TD's)...

First a question: Do you have blitzers? if so, you can still two turn score without going for it.

Even without Blitzers you should still be able to take 4 line elves put them on the outsides on the line, and have them move as far down the field as possible. Then have 2 other elves nearby them (for a turn 2 blitz/tackle zone help). That leaves you with the 3 elves on the line, and 1 or 2 others which may/may not be throwers. With those other two not on the line, get the ball, and run backwards (out of blitz distance of the opponents fastest player) and have the other set up around max distance from the thrower (a hand-off possibility). Then take the 3 elves on the line, and move 1 into a handoff position, and set the other two up so as to create tackle zone problems so that your opponent can't "mark" all your possible scorers. This entire move will require 4 2+ rolls, so shouldn't be too difficult (and maybe a 2-die blitz).

Second turn will depend on how your opponent attacks your setup, but you should be able to use a blitz to free up a catcher with 1 or less tackle zones, then a hand-off/pass to get him the ball, and then run for the endzone needing to make 1 go for it... definitely more of a team effort than just sending 2 nerves of steel catcher deep, but still very do-able.

falconeyed · Post by **falconeyed** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 9:02 pm

I more or less did exactly what Moo is describing. I started my league Pro Elves with two blitzers and no catchers. I let the blitzers do most of the heavy lifting with regards to running with the ball, while keeping a lineman or two open and nearby. Assuming it wasn't insanely risky, I would hand off / quick pass to a nearby lineman and score. Alternatively, use the blitzers to either open up holes for the lineman to do all the ball handling themselves, or just score with the blitzers. By the time catchers started showing up, I had lineman with a bevy of skills and two +ST blodging blitzers.

Don't cage ... AV 7 is not to be played with in that way. You're basically playing a short passing game until you get all four catchers and then the largely unnecessary thrower. Short passing game would you have you put as many players out into passing patterns as possible.

skatingtortoise · Post by **skatingtortoise** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 10:55 pm

if youre playing a passing game you should cover any potential 'sackers' 3-4 linemen, possibly some backup from LOS.. just move thrower back into a safer position, surround him with linos, and break forward. you have enough combined movement to either start a run or do a handoff pass combo

its easy with elves!

wesleytj · Post by **wesleytj** » Sat Apr 08, 2006 2:17 pm

essentially pro elves without catchers are like playing rookie dark elf teams, of course you're only av7 instead of 8 but that shouldn't affect the strategy that much. as said, it's mostly a running game with some short, fluid passing as necessary.

mlindsay2706 · Post by **mlindsay2706** » Sat Apr 08, 2006 5:15 pm

Thats how the pro elf player in our league plays it. Pretty much uses the linemen to hold off the other team, and just makes a run for the TD when a hole opens - from a pushback, turnover... but the ag 4 players means she will pass without catchers. Dont be too worried, ag is good to pass and catch even if you dont have a catcher.

but what ever you do DONT CAGE!!! She caged twice last tournament (in two serperate games) one agaisnt my Chaos Dwarves and the other against a good Necro player. I beat her 3-0 and she lost out 9 out of 12 players (4 dead 5 knocked out) Agianst the Necro player, lost 8 players. She did ok in the other games, but AV 7 is not meant to cage. It will be your downfall.

Hope i helped lol

crazylegs · Post by **crazylegs** » Sun Apr 09, 2006 3:32 am

Yeah, with the pro elves moreso than any elf team, even the woodies (hey they get a friggin tree!), you've got to play "chase the elf"... my goal when playing a bashy team is that they get to him my linemen when I kick to them, and other than that they get their blitz... otherwise it can get ugly fast.

rodders · Post by **rodders** » Sun Apr 09, 2006 2:23 pm

NO CATCHERS!!!

are you mad??

i start a season with 2 but should i lose them i tend to have my blitzers stand in and still play the running game or the occasional line man can do the same trick.the main thing to remember is to utilize the space to make sure you are not in anyones tz and the opponent hs to make some serious dodge rolls to reach you ball carrier.

caging is out of the question utilize your agility and move - hand of - pass your way around the opposition

Rev · Post by **Rev** » Tue May 16, 2006 3:08 pm

where do i find the pro elf roster?

i cant see it in the PBBL rules, and a forum search hasnt turned it up for me.

thanks!

mlindsay2706 · Post by **mlindsay2706** » Tue May 16, 2006 7:55 pm

its there mate. seriously it is.

Blackear · Post by **Blackear** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 10:59 am

I'm currently in to game two of a shortish league and I'm brgining to wish that I 'd not bothered with catchers or a thrower. The extra cash would have been helpful to get a reserve player or two as the elfs fragility is causing me problems.

I've so far played two orcs teams. One I beat 3-1 (All 3 TD's scored by Blitzers) and the other I loat 2-0 and took a hefty number of casualties as well. The second Orc team had a full compliment of black orcs and blitzers. This game was also in a blizzard which didn't exactly help.

I think I'm having trouble breaking holes in their defense to get a player through I just can't sem to get in to any space and then have to start protecting the ball carrier before they get scragged.

Digger Goreman · Post by **Digger Goreman** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 11:21 am

Rev wrote:where do i find the pro elf roster?

i cant see it in the PBBL rules, and a forum search hasnt turned it up for me.

thanks!

It's the straight, unadorned "Elf" list. People call it "Pro" because of the fluff attached to the roster, iirc.

Post by **voyagers_uk** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 1:19 pm

I just won the last league trophy with Elves and when I had my catchers I tended to use them as backfield and LOS support due to their movement.

I had 3 of them roll a double for first skill and gave them guard. which made them a valid weapon to run 8 squares across the pitch, leaping in to give multiple assists.

caught a few coaches by surprise, and after they saw that the linemen were able to sneak upfield and score.

Mootaz · Post by **Mootaz** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 1:25 pm

voyagers_uk wrote:I just won the last league trophy with Elves and when I had my catchers I tended to use them as backfield and LOS support due to their movement.

I had 3 of them roll a double for first skill and gave them guard. which made them a valid weapon to run 8 squares across the pitch, leaping in to give multiple assists.

caught a few coaches by surprise, and after they saw that the linemen were able to sneak upfield and score.

Was this with the old list where catchers had leap?

Post by **voyagers_uk** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 2:56 pm

yes, although we switched as the league went on so in the end i have 2 with Leap and 2 with Nos.

One of the NOS catchers also now has guard