Tecmo Bowl Strategy:
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With 20 years experience playing Tecmo Bowl, I can assure you this is a very complex game. The 5 basic strategies outlined below are just the tip of the iceberg, but these will give you a tactical advantage over many opponents.
Tecmo Bowl strategy #1
-Strong side defensive run calls-
Nothing is more crucial than this strategy. We call it strong side because it involves the human controlled defender. The computer controlled defender for the most part only performs its assignment, and doesn't possess the added intelligence a human offers on defense. Thus the human controlled player acts like an extra defender.
The run game can be responsible for the biggest plays in Tecmo Bowl. The deep ball in the passing game can’t be relied upon for the big play. The human controlled defender can always cover that receiver when he leaves the screen and nullify that dimension of the offense.
What the defender can’t always account for is a run play in his direction. When this occurs, there’s a run blocking O-lineman with a full head of steam coming your way. His block will spring the running back for a likely 1st down virtually every time.
What you will need to know 1st and foremost is how the run blocking schemes in Tecmo Bowl operate in order to stop the run game. Think in terms of the field being cut in half. A top half and a bottom half. If you use a Defensive end, Outside Line-backer, or Defensive back from the top half of the field you will not be blocked on run plays that go to the bottom. The same is true in reverse. Use a book-end
defender from the bottom and you can make an easy tackle on a run play to the top.
The run game can be responsible for the biggest plays in Tecmo Bowl. The deep ball in the passing game can’t be relied upon for the big play. The human controlled defender can always cover that receiver when he leaves the screen and nullify that dimension of the offense.
What the defender can’t always account for is a run play in his direction. When this occurs, there’s a run blocking O-lineman with a full head of steam coming your way. His block will spring the running back for a likely 1st down virtually every time.
What you will need to know 1st and foremost is how the run blocking schemes in Tecmo Bowl operate in order to stop the run game. Think in terms of the field being cut in half. A top half and a bottom half. If you use a Defensive end, Outside Line-backer, or Defensive back from the top half of the field you will not be blocked on run plays that go to the bottom. The same is true in reverse. Use a book-end
defender from the bottom and you can make an easy tackle on a run play to the top.
Cutting the field in half
The screen shot here will portray how the book-end defenders can effectively stop the run. Eric Dickerson of Indianapolis is the focal point of a strong rushing attack. The arrow displays the path Dickerson will take with the ball. The 3 players with a box around them illustrate the 3 unblocked defenders that all have a clear path to the running back. The player with a #2 above him is the DE. The player above him in the box is the OLB, and the last boxed player is the DB. These 3 positions(top or bottom) are the main players you should use as much as possible.
Now that we've established where the key defenders line up for each team, lets look at the actual playbook and see how to play call for the defense.
Now that we've established where the key defenders line up for each team, lets look at the actual playbook and see how to play call for the defense.
Defeating the run game
Shown here is the Indianapolis playbook. “Run 1” depicts the play we've determined is the run play directed to the bottom of the screen. “Run 2” is directed to the top of screen and at the top book-end defenders I have placed boxes around.
To protect your controlled defender you simply need to select the run play that’s directed to his half of the field, whether its the top or bottom. You are protecting the "strong side". This eliminates the opponent running in your direction, and at the same time enables you to stop the RB for a short gain when he goes to the other side. So in summary, by choosing a top DE, OLB, or DB and selecting Run 2, Indianapolis will have little success running the ball. Selecting a bottom defender and choosing Run 1 will produce the same results.
To protect your controlled defender you simply need to select the run play that’s directed to his half of the field, whether its the top or bottom. You are protecting the "strong side". This eliminates the opponent running in your direction, and at the same time enables you to stop the RB for a short gain when he goes to the other side. So in summary, by choosing a top DE, OLB, or DB and selecting Run 2, Indianapolis will have little success running the ball. Selecting a bottom defender and choosing Run 1 will produce the same results.
Tecmo Bowl Strategy #2
-Cat and Mouse defense-
We’ve discussed the importance of stopping the run game, but it’s inevitable that you will need to call some pass plays. In doing so, you leave your defender vulnerable to the run. The cat and mouse defense is designed to offset this. The term "cat and mouse" represents a back and forth battle of mind games and defensive positioning that will dictate the success of the run game.
The cat and mouse theory centers on switching out which defender you use. The key to the switch is that it alternates from one half of the field to the other. This ultimately can disrupt which way the offense can successfully run the ball.
There are two ways to employ the cat and mouse. The traditional way is to use it sparingly. In essence you show the opponent one defensive look most all game. By using the same defender over and over and locked in with a lot of run calls you give the opponent a false sense of security. Then in a crucial situation, you switch out unexpectedly to a defender on the other side and call a pass play.
In this case, the opponent has become accustomed to your game-long scheme. He knows that if you relent on the run call and select pass, he will have success running at the side the controlled defender is on. However, the switch breaks your tendency. If the opponent runs in the direction you had previously occupied, the gain is minimal. Furthermore you are free'd up to call a pass play and have a 50/50 chance of stoping that as well.
Overall the traditional cat and mouse style is fairly conservative, but can offer huge dividends in pressure situations. It’s best used in 3rd down situations when a stop is necessary.
Moving along from tradition, cat and mouse also comes in a much more unrelenting manner. The aggressive cat and mouse premise is to spend most all game jumping around the defense. This gives the opponent little confidence in the run game and which way it will be effective. As you switch around frequently, you call a majority of pass plays and render the run into nothing more than a guessing game.
The cat and mouse theory centers on switching out which defender you use. The key to the switch is that it alternates from one half of the field to the other. This ultimately can disrupt which way the offense can successfully run the ball.
There are two ways to employ the cat and mouse. The traditional way is to use it sparingly. In essence you show the opponent one defensive look most all game. By using the same defender over and over and locked in with a lot of run calls you give the opponent a false sense of security. Then in a crucial situation, you switch out unexpectedly to a defender on the other side and call a pass play.
In this case, the opponent has become accustomed to your game-long scheme. He knows that if you relent on the run call and select pass, he will have success running at the side the controlled defender is on. However, the switch breaks your tendency. If the opponent runs in the direction you had previously occupied, the gain is minimal. Furthermore you are free'd up to call a pass play and have a 50/50 chance of stoping that as well.
Overall the traditional cat and mouse style is fairly conservative, but can offer huge dividends in pressure situations. It’s best used in 3rd down situations when a stop is necessary.
Moving along from tradition, cat and mouse also comes in a much more unrelenting manner. The aggressive cat and mouse premise is to spend most all game jumping around the defense. This gives the opponent little confidence in the run game and which way it will be effective. As you switch around frequently, you call a majority of pass plays and render the run into nothing more than a guessing game.
Cat and mouse options
Somewhat deemed as high risk/high reward, the aggressive version of cat and mouse will cause headaches for the opponent. The downside occurs when you get caught with multiple run plays in your direction. If you decide to use the aggressive style its best suited for only a few possessions during the game. Mixing it in with the traditional style can go a long ways towards keeping the opponent confused about what defense you’re playing.
With this picture, we break down how the cat and mouse is set up regardless of the variation you use. For example, the player inside the box signifies the top DE that you could use for the majority of the game. The 3 players with a line underneath them represent the viable options available for you to choose in the switch.
With this picture, we break down how the cat and mouse is set up regardless of the variation you use. For example, the player inside the box signifies the top DE that you could use for the majority of the game. The 3 players with a line underneath them represent the viable options available for you to choose in the switch.
Tecmo Bowl Strategy #3
-Utilize the underneath passing game-
As described earlier, the deep routes in the passing game are virtually rendered useless on account of human coverage. While that is taken away, the underneath routes can easily exploit the defense for big yards. There are several keys to turning the short routes into big gains, and each one must be executed properly.
First, you must exert patience. The key is to let the WR running a deep route take the human controlled defender as far downfield as possible. In doing so, you will need to be mobile in the pocket. In most cases when the RB stays in to block, your QB won’t face a blitz. Eventually a D-lineman will break free and create pressure. It’s best to roll out of the pocket so you’re not near the linemen.
In most cases you can grapple with, and eventually throw aside a D-lineman that breaks through. Occasionally the defender will dive, so be wary of that as a sack will occur.
First, you must exert patience. The key is to let the WR running a deep route take the human controlled defender as far downfield as possible. In doing so, you will need to be mobile in the pocket. In most cases when the RB stays in to block, your QB won’t face a blitz. Eventually a D-lineman will break free and create pressure. It’s best to roll out of the pocket so you’re not near the linemen.
In most cases you can grapple with, and eventually throw aside a D-lineman that breaks through. Occasionally the defender will dive, so be wary of that as a sack will occur.
Pass routes and target order
Second, you’ll need to know where the pass routes go. Which WR goes deep, and which one stops his route just off screen? Just as important, you’ll need to know the “cycle order” that the game uses to scroll through the receivers. It’s not always top to bottom order. Sometimes there is a variation involved. Not knowing the cycle order can cause a mistake when you become hurried by a D-lineman running full speed at your QB. Throw to the wrong receiver and an interception possibly awaits.
This picture illustrates where Cleveland's routes go and also breaks down the order that the cycle goes in as you select a target to throw to.
This picture illustrates where Cleveland's routes go and also breaks down the order that the cycle goes in as you select a target to throw to.
Prepare for the blitz
Third, be prepared for the blitz when the playbook calls for the RB to go out in a route. When the RB leaves the backfield, a defender has a straight path to your QB. This pressure usually occurs from a bottom defender. You can roll out to the top to avoid him, but that doesn’t afford you much time to let the routes develop. Your best bet is to slide down and grapple with and toss him aside. This should buy you a few extra seconds.
With pass 1, both the TE and RB go out in route which allows for the bottom DE to have an open lane to the QB. This is a great example of needing to throw the defender aside before focusing on the pass game.
With pass 1, both the TE and RB go out in route which allows for the bottom DE to have an open lane to the QB. This is a great example of needing to throw the defender aside before focusing on the pass game.
With some patience the short passing game will become deadly. It takes a while for the human defender to come back downfield to make the tackle. Beware that the defender can choose to lurk just off screen and try to sneak up for a quick tackle or even an INT. This calls for the "wait and bait" strategy. You try to lure a potential cheating defender on screen, and if that should occur, you’re free to hit the deep man for a huge gain.
Tecmo Bowl strategy #4
-The prevent defense, late game strategies, and clock management-
With limited time remaining in the half or the game, Tecmo is set up for the prevent defense to work at a high percentage in terms of keeping opponents out of the endzone. With proper use of the prevent defense you can force an opponent to slowly move down field without risk of giving up the big play. With this strategy in place, it’s very difficult for the opponent to move the ball much more than 65-70 yards in the final 30 seconds. Based on the time remaining, you will have to adjust your scheme accordingly if you want to prevent a TD or a field goal.
The premise to prevent a touchdown is simple. Strong side run calls and nothing but strong side run calls. In normal situations you obviously have to mix in pass calls when on defense. However in a prevent situation, you can’t afford to give up a big play on the ground so you have to sit on the run calls. Observe the routes the WR’s run in order to determine which bookend defender is best to use. In most cases its best to be a top DE to defend against the quick pass to the top WR.
On a side note, NOT scoring late in a game can act as a prevent defense as well. Take this situation into consideration. The kick-off return is responsible for the biggest play in Tecmo Bowl. Anytime you have a lead exceedingly late in the game and a field goal will put you up by anything less than 8 points, its a good idea to not attempt the kick. Should you make it, you run the risk of a late kick return TD beating you. Ive had it happen to me before. I've seen it happen to others. DO NOT ATTEMPT THE FIELD GOAL if its not necessary.
If your offense is inside the opponents 20 yardline, consider going for it on 4th down. Moving the chains is the best thing you can do. If it’s a 4th and long situation then consider a play that can eat up the most time, such as a pass play and using your QB to run around in the pocket for a while before throwing a pass. If you don't want to go for the 4th down conversion, punting while deep in the opponents territory is a good idea as well.
Punting is a good way to burn off some clock. The key is to let the power meter cycle through more than once before kicking to knock off a few extra seconds. On a rare occasion the O-line will block exceptionally well, and you can use up 5 seconds or more before having to punt. Unlike kick returns, punt returns are a non factor and the longest return you will ever see is about 20-25 yards.
The premise to prevent a touchdown is simple. Strong side run calls and nothing but strong side run calls. In normal situations you obviously have to mix in pass calls when on defense. However in a prevent situation, you can’t afford to give up a big play on the ground so you have to sit on the run calls. Observe the routes the WR’s run in order to determine which bookend defender is best to use. In most cases its best to be a top DE to defend against the quick pass to the top WR.
On a side note, NOT scoring late in a game can act as a prevent defense as well. Take this situation into consideration. The kick-off return is responsible for the biggest play in Tecmo Bowl. Anytime you have a lead exceedingly late in the game and a field goal will put you up by anything less than 8 points, its a good idea to not attempt the kick. Should you make it, you run the risk of a late kick return TD beating you. Ive had it happen to me before. I've seen it happen to others. DO NOT ATTEMPT THE FIELD GOAL if its not necessary.
If your offense is inside the opponents 20 yardline, consider going for it on 4th down. Moving the chains is the best thing you can do. If it’s a 4th and long situation then consider a play that can eat up the most time, such as a pass play and using your QB to run around in the pocket for a while before throwing a pass. If you don't want to go for the 4th down conversion, punting while deep in the opponents territory is a good idea as well.
Punting is a good way to burn off some clock. The key is to let the power meter cycle through more than once before kicking to knock off a few extra seconds. On a rare occasion the O-line will block exceptionally well, and you can use up 5 seconds or more before having to punt. Unlike kick returns, punt returns are a non factor and the longest return you will ever see is about 20-25 yards.
Tecmo Bowl strategy #5
-Exploit the playbook glitches-
Here we'll discuss some programming errors that in turn becomes a fatal playbook flaw for 3 teams. With some study and a little first hand experience, you should be able to defeat these 3 on a regular basis. These 3 teams are Minnesota, Washington, and LA.
As you know Minnesota and Washington both have a WR run play. The programmers blocking error resides in this play for both teams, and the defense can use this to it's advantage to stone wall both teams. LA's problem occurs with the split backfield of Allen and Jackson. Allen takes the place of the top WR, but is not programmed to handle that WR's blocking duty. When you utilize the scheme I outline, you'll find LA still has some fight left in the offense, but their production will drop immensely as you adhere to this guide.
As you know Minnesota and Washington both have a WR run play. The programmers blocking error resides in this play for both teams, and the defense can use this to it's advantage to stone wall both teams. LA's problem occurs with the split backfield of Allen and Jackson. Allen takes the place of the top WR, but is not programmed to handle that WR's blocking duty. When you utilize the scheme I outline, you'll find LA still has some fight left in the offense, but their production will drop immensely as you adhere to this guide.
Minnesota
The base defense you want to use against Minnesota is to repeatedly call PASS 2. This accomplishes 2 different things. It nullifies pass 2, which as you can see has the RB go out in route and offers an extra passing target for your opponent. Now lets discuss the pass 2 play-call and how it relates to hindering pass 1.
I placed a box around the WR that runs the deep route. That player is Anthony Carter who is the fastest Minnesota WR. When you call Pass 2, it gives you computer controlled coverage on a WR when pass 1 is called by the offense. The computer just so happens to cover Anthony Carter...who is the fast deep route receiver.
When this occurs you merely need to cover the TE and bottom WR...and by looking at the routes, it shows that they both stop roughly in the same area. One defender can effectively cover both, and the QB has a small window to try and force a pass into. Calling pass 2 has effectively shut down Minnesota's pass game.
I placed a box around the WR that runs the deep route. That player is Anthony Carter who is the fastest Minnesota WR. When you call Pass 2, it gives you computer controlled coverage on a WR when pass 1 is called by the offense. The computer just so happens to cover Anthony Carter...who is the fast deep route receiver.
When this occurs you merely need to cover the TE and bottom WR...and by looking at the routes, it shows that they both stop roughly in the same area. One defender can effectively cover both, and the QB has a small window to try and force a pass into. Calling pass 2 has effectively shut down Minnesota's pass game.
Putting it all together
To make this work, there is one catch. You need to be the bottom defensive back which I've placed a box around. He's in perfect position to defend the TE/Bottom WR routes of pass 1 which I've drawn, and he's not blocked on either run play. The reason he's not blocked on the WR run in his direction is based off the programmers blocking error. Typically on a run play in his direction the WR blocks him. But on account that the WR has the ball, no one blocks him and he has a free shot to make the tackle on the WR and also will not be blocked on the run to the other half of the field.
In summary by calling pass 2 and being the bottom DB, Minnesota can only run for small gains, and the pass attack is a non-factor. Occasionally you might face 3rd and short and need to deviate from the base defense to get a stop. Its a game long scheme that you don't get away from.
In summary by calling pass 2 and being the bottom DB, Minnesota can only run for small gains, and the pass attack is a non-factor. Occasionally you might face 3rd and short and need to deviate from the base defense to get a stop. Its a game long scheme that you don't get away from.
Washington
Stopping Washington is very similar to Minnesota.
Calling PASS 2 is the base defense when facing Washington. Pass 2 has the top WR go deep, and the bottom WR goes a few yards off screen. Pass 2 isn't that great of a play, but when you consider it has a couple targets leaving the screen, it's obviously the play that needs to be stopped. Call pass 2, and whats left to defend in pass 1 is the top WR and TE running curl routes. The computer controlled defender will cover the bottom WR (that has a box around him) leaving 2 players bunched together to cover.
When facing pass 1, all you need to do is sit in a zone in between the 2 receivers and dare the QB to try and force a pass in there.
Calling PASS 2 is the base defense when facing Washington. Pass 2 has the top WR go deep, and the bottom WR goes a few yards off screen. Pass 2 isn't that great of a play, but when you consider it has a couple targets leaving the screen, it's obviously the play that needs to be stopped. Call pass 2, and whats left to defend in pass 1 is the top WR and TE running curl routes. The computer controlled defender will cover the bottom WR (that has a box around him) leaving 2 players bunched together to cover.
When facing pass 1, all you need to do is sit in a zone in between the 2 receivers and dare the QB to try and force a pass in there.
Putting it together
Again, similar to Minnesota this scheme hinges on using the right defensive player. All the same rules apply here, but in reverse as Washington's WR run goes to the top.
I put a box around the top outside line-backer. He is unabated to the RB on run 1, and is unblocked on run 2 when the WR gets the ball. From there you merely need to call a lot of pass 2. The screenshot here shows the routes your defender will be responsible for when Washington calls pass 1.
Keep in mind you may need to switch up an occasional play-call on 3rd or 4th and short. By calling pass 1, Washington will have the TE and bottom WR open when they call pass 2. The problem with this scenario is that the bottom WR is too far away from your defender to make a stop before a decent gain occurs.
I put a box around the top outside line-backer. He is unabated to the RB on run 1, and is unblocked on run 2 when the WR gets the ball. From there you merely need to call a lot of pass 2. The screenshot here shows the routes your defender will be responsible for when Washington calls pass 1.
Keep in mind you may need to switch up an occasional play-call on 3rd or 4th and short. By calling pass 1, Washington will have the TE and bottom WR open when they call pass 2. The problem with this scenario is that the bottom WR is too far away from your defender to make a stop before a decent gain occurs.
L.A.
For years and years, Tecmo Bowl's Bo Jackson has remained firmly on a pedestal in the hearts and minds of millions of Tecmo Bowl loving Americans. That is about to change! The base defense you will use against the Raiders is calling Pass 1. The reasoning behind this strategy is simple...a programming error in the blocking scheme has left the Top Outside Line-backer unblocked on Bo Jackson's Run 1. Normally the top WR blocks the top OLB. With this playbook LA doesn't have one due to the 2-running back set. That means the top OLB can stuff both run plays without much effort.
Bo Jackson can still rattle off 4-6 yards if he runs to the bottom to avoid the top OLB. Occasionally if he puts a nasty cutback move on the defender he can break off a longer run, but the days of Bo Jackson out in the open field for 20 or 30 yards is over with. Typically against a top OLB, Allen is only good for a short gain as well.
Bo Jackson can still rattle off 4-6 yards if he runs to the bottom to avoid the top OLB. Occasionally if he puts a nasty cutback move on the defender he can break off a longer run, but the days of Bo Jackson out in the open field for 20 or 30 yards is over with. Typically against a top OLB, Allen is only good for a short gain as well.
Putting it all together
We've gone over what to call and why, and now we'll illustrate the defensive responsibility of who you need to cover to stop the passing game. As directed above, you call Pass 1. This shows the pass 2 routes you will face. I've placed a box around the Top Outside Line-Backer that you will use.
With Pass 2, Allen runs a wheel route and parks up near the top OLB. The TE Todd Christensen runs a slant that parks him up near the top hash-mark. Those 2 targets are close together and easily covered by 1 defender. If you carry out your assignment the QB has a small window to throw into. Tim Brown(who's route I placed a box around in the picture above) is covered by the computer, so you don't have to account for him. The only thing the QB can do is to run with the ball for a short gain.
The pass is shut down and both run plays are going for minimal gains. The QB will have to run quite a bit for small gains. LA can still crawl down the field, but the days of that offense busting heads are dead and gone.
With Pass 2, Allen runs a wheel route and parks up near the top OLB. The TE Todd Christensen runs a slant that parks him up near the top hash-mark. Those 2 targets are close together and easily covered by 1 defender. If you carry out your assignment the QB has a small window to throw into. Tim Brown(who's route I placed a box around in the picture above) is covered by the computer, so you don't have to account for him. The only thing the QB can do is to run with the ball for a short gain.
The pass is shut down and both run plays are going for minimal gains. The QB will have to run quite a bit for small gains. LA can still crawl down the field, but the days of that offense busting heads are dead and gone.
Tecmo Bowl strategy #6
-spell it right!-
It's "Tecmo Bowl".....NOT Techmo Bowl
Come back often!
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