How to Play NCAA Football 08
EA Sports' NCAA Football 08 gives players the ability to take control of college football teams from around the country. The game immerses players in the college football experience, putting them in charge of the players and the game plan. The game gives players a plethora of options and commands to choose from. The game play is so intricate, in fact, that some casual gamers may be intimidated by the learning curve. The basic game mechanics are relatively easy to learn, however.
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Instructions
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Playing Offense
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Select your desired play from the Play Selection Screen. The colored arrows on the play pictures indicate what routes your runners or receivers will run.
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Press "A" at the line of scrimmage to snap the ball or press "RB" to fake a snap. Pull the right trigger to enter the Coach Cam and view a wider part of the field. Press the back button to call a timeout.
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Press "X" to bring up the Audible menu. Select a call from the list to call an audible. Use audibles to change your play or respond to your opponent's defensive formation.
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Press "Y" at the line of scrimmage to bring up the Hot Route menu. Select a player and select a hot route from the list to call a hot route. Use hot routes to send receivers to weak areas in your opponent's defense.
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Move your player around the field with the left analog stick when the play begins. Pull the right trigger to sprint, or pull the left trigger to strafe. You will automatically be controlling the quarterback when the play begins. Press the "B" button to switch to a different player.
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Press "Y" while running with the ball to hurdle over another player. Press "B" to do a spin move, and press "A" to do a stiff arm. Move the right analog stick to juke left, right or backwards. Press "X" to dive. Press "RB" to protect the ball.
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Select a passing play and snap the ball if you want to pass. Your receivers will run their routs and each will have a button symbol over his head. Press the button corresponding to an open receiver to pass the ball to him. Press "LB" to pump-fake or click the right analog stick to throw the ball away if none of your receivers are open.
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Press "Y" to catch a ball in the air when playing as a receiver.
Playing Defense
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Select a defensive play from the Play Selection Screen. The colored bubbles indicate each defender's coverage area and the orange arrows indicate players who will blitz. Players with no colored bubbles attached to them will play man-to-man coverage with one of your opponent's players.
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Press the back button at the line of scrimmage to call a timeout.
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Press "Y" before the snap to bring up the Secondary Coverage menu. Select a call from the list to call a secondary coverage audible. Use secondary coverage audibles to tweak your coverage tactics and respond to your opponent's offensive formation.
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Press "LB" before the snap to bring up the Defensive Line menu. Select a call from the list to call a defensive line audible. Shift your defensive line to plug up holes on a running play or spread the line out to make room for blitzers.
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Press "RB" before the snap to open the Linebacker menu. Select a call from the list to call an audible to your linebackers. Use linebacker audibles to alter their coverage or order them to blitz.
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Press "A" to open the Hot Route menu for the player you are currently controlling. Choose a hot route from the menu. Use hot routes to give more specific coverage instructions to a player.
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Move your player around the field with the left analog stick when the play begins. Pull the right trigger to sprint, or pull the left trigger to strafe. Switch players with the "B" button.
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Move your player close to the ball carrier to tackle him. The player will tackle automatically when you are close enough. For more control, push the right analog stick up or down just as you are about to tackle the ball carrier to tackle him high or low. Press "X" to make a diving tackle.
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Press "A" to attempt to strip the ball from a player you are tackling.
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Press "Y" to attempt to intercept a ball in the air.
Playing Special Teams
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Select a kicking play, such as a field goal or punt, from the Play Selection Screen.
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Use the left analog stick to change the height or direction of the kick.
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Pull the right analog stick down to begin the kick. A red meter on the screen will start to fill. The fuller the meter, the stronger your kick will be. When the meter is at your desired strength, push the right analog stick up to kick the ball.
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Pull the left trigger if you wish to abandon the kick after the ball has been snapped.
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Receive a punt or kickoff by moving your player into the yellow circle indicating where the ball will land. Press "Y" to call a fair catch.
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Tips & Warnings
Mix up your play calling to confuse your opponent. On offense, mix running plays with passing ones, and call plays that use different formations. On defense, mix zone coverage plays with man-to-man ones, and call blitzes to pressure your opponent. Do not use too many jukes or spin moves while running the ball, as this can increase your chance of fumbling. Use the moves sparingly, and protect the ball when you are about to be hit. Analyze your opponent's formation before the ball is snapped. Call audibles to respond to opportunities you see. For example, if you're on offense and the defense comes out in a dime formation, you could audible to a running play to take advantage of this. Consult the game's instruction manual for a detailed explanation of the more advanced moves.
