Sitting on the Goal Line, Stalling Tactics. Opinions Wanted.

[fatfinley]

Listen I know that standing on the goal line surrounded by your fellow players for the whole half is a valid "Win at all costs" tactic. When people play like this against me I can play the same game back, I hate doing it, but I can and have before. But it makes for some of the most boring BB games ever.

In our league we have a gentlemen’s agreement not to play this way. And yes I have scored on my turn 6 before against an Elf or Skaven teams to go ahead in the game, knowing full well that if I broke that gentlemen’s agreement and just stalled out for one turn I would almost guarantee a victory. But I and luckily we (people in our league) can't bring ourselves to play this way.

This is not a gripe thread about the people that play the game that way. I just was curious are we abnormal players because we don't play that way? Are me and my friends alone in hating the game being played this way?

Thanks for your time and thoughts.

-Scott

[Lictor]

Kudos to you.

I personally don't like the stall tactic, but in saying that, when it comes to league play off's I find myself thinking about it often. (When playing coaches who are better then me and are using Skaven: 2TTD machines and Dwarfs: Granted it takes them 6 turns, panting to get to the end zone but all the same...)

But for an agreement against it I am impressed.

I just hope it doesn't create a bad habit in tournaments where you don't expect it, or when you need to do it you forget to.

But I be impressed.

[TuernRedvenom]

Do a post search on "stalling", that should return you enough results to be busy for the weekend.

[mattgslater]

See, I have no problem with stalling on turn 6 or 7 in order to keep your opponent from having a two-turner option. My rule with slow, bashy teams is "score by four or wait for eight," though I have made exceptions (usually under duress). I do think it's really annoying to race a guy downfield and sit on the ball, but frankly, the way around that is to pressure the player to score. If you can't pressure the opponent effectively, consider any significant stall to be a compliment! It means that, battered though you are, he doesn't think he can take away and score in the remaining time.

[DoubleSkulls]

Stalling for tactical advantage (aka Clock control) is fine.

Stalling when you've already won the game (e.g. you'd go 2-0 up) seems pointless to me since you are probably more likely to get a 3rd than give up 2 TDs.

[Skarsnikk]

Dont forget all teams can effectively stall in one form or another, including the hanging around in your own backfield with the ball against slow opponents waiting til the time runs out before passing it for the score. All stalling techniques have their weaknesses however and you have to just try to force the score.

I agree with Ian though, stalling with the game already won is insulting.

[swntzu]

It's all part of the game and just like fouling I have no problem with it. Refusing to do it with 2 turns remaining for a fast opponent is just throwing games away.

[Grumbledook]

teams can only stall against you for a lot of turns if you defended really badly in the first place

there may be times when you have a fair few players taken off the pitch, but take stock in your skill choices and how many blocks you let him have and see if different tactics may have prevented this

If my opponent was by the endzone able to score and losing 1-0 (or whatever) I'd expect them to stall out for a draw (without extenuating circumstances), even more so if I'm an elf team who can score in 2 turns.

would be a hollow win if he just scored and gave me 2 turns to go in the lead again instead of just protecting the ball and holding out for a few turns

so imo yes it is weird to have that agreement, but if it works for you (though it isn't something I would agree to)

better defending prevents teams from stalling and it is a skill that can be learnt, though you never will if you don't have to ;]

[cyagen]

Stalling sucks but is part of the game.

So is heckling and calling the other coach a chicken.

I usually try to be as annoiying as possible to stalling coaches to ruin their game experience too.

[Digger Goreman]

I take it in stride.... Yeah, sucks not to be able to do anything, but that's my/your curse for failure this time....

It's the antithesis to OTS/TTS....

My response is to take what forces I have left and start stomping down and fouling your players... if I cannot pressure the ball carrier/cage....

Even though I violate this maxim: Measured responses are better than whining....

[fatfinley]

Kudos to you.

I personally don't like the stall tactic, but in saying that, when it comes to league play off's I find myself thinking about it often. (When playing coaches who are better then me and are using Skaven: 2TTD machines and Dwarfs: Granted it takes them 6 turns, panting to get to the end zone but all the same...)

But for an agreement against it I am impressed.

I just hope it doesn't create a bad habit in tournaments where you don't expect it, or when you need to do it you forget to.

But I be impressed.

I get too scared we will also get into a bad habit when it comes to this.

[fatfinley]

Do a post search on "stalling", that should return you enough results to be busy for the weekend.

LOL I bet. The point was not to say it is right or wrong, just curious as to see if we are alone in the way we play and how we enjoy the game, and to find out if people really like it and use it as a tactic or if they except it and use it as a tactic.

If going to a Bloodbowl Tournament or game outside our league. I would expect the game to be played different. I know online over at FUMBBL almost everyone plays that way, and I have to accept it whether I enjoy that play tactic or not.

Speaking of, alot of people agree that its just a part of the game and no question its a very useful tactic. How many of you that have responded are table top Bloodbowl Players and how many are online players, just curious to see if there is a majority difference.

[fatfinley]

I guess we are even more unique, than I thought. Thanks for the responses/opinion thus far guys.

[Digger Goreman]

Tabletop only....

[mattgslater]

Ditto. If you play it on a screen, it's some other game.