People (well, probably just me) wonder how the ST lineups are set by default.

As you know, from depth chart, the Gunner, ST Blockers and ST Rushers lists can be set. The lineup for each ST set is as follows (ignore formatting, you get the drift...). The numbers refer to the position in the list you set - if you've not set, the assumption is the game auto-sorts and does this behind the scenes. Don't forget to use overrides!

KICKOFF - GUNNERS

10 7 6 3 2 1 4 5 8 9
K

FG - ST BLOCKERS
6 3 2 LS 1 4 5
7 8
KH
K


PUNT - ST BLOCKERS, GUNNERS
GUN2 BLK3 BLK2 LS BLK1 BLK4 GUN1
BLK6 BLK5



GUN3

P

ONSIDES KICK
K
WR1 WR2 RB1 WR3 WR4 CB1 CB2 CB3 SS1 FS1

KICK RETURN - GUNNERS
KR



4

3 2
1

9 8 5 6 7 10


PUNT RETURN - GUNNERS, ST RUSHERS
PR


GUN2 GUN3 GUN6 GUN5 GUN4 GUN1
RUSH3 RUSH2 RUSH1 RUSH4

FG BLOCK - ST RUSHERS
11
10
8 7 4 3 1 2 5 6 9


ONSIDES KICK RETURN
KR


CB1 RB1 SS2 SS1
WR1 WR2 WR3 WR4 CB2 WR5

https://nfl.myfootballnow.com/community/3/3560

Took a look at the gameplanning rules to change the max distance I take a FG from atm.

The gameplanning rules page states "70% = 43 yards".

So, did a little bit of mathematics (meaning Setherick will be along to correct at any moment).

I'll ignore kick accuracy because you be the most accurate kicker ever, but if your leg strength means you can only kick 30 yarders..... no point trying a 61 yarder.

Ok, so "70% = 43 yards".

x below is the maximum field goal distance.
70/100 x = 43
70x = 43 x 100
x = 4300/70
x = 61.428

So looks like the max field goal distance would be around 61 yards - can set to 65. The assumption is that this is linear.

Using this simplified formula then you can maybe calculate a decent max distance your kicker can kick a FG.

possible max distance = (kick strength / 100) * 61.428

So, for Kick Strength 86
possible max distance = (86/100) * 61.428
possible max distance = 0.86 * 61.428
possible max distance = 52.828

so a possible max of around 53 yards?

Onside Kick Returns

Having failed with two, Seahawks succeeding with 2 consecutive attempts, had a little look at my overrides.

Having viewed the plays, the onside attempt always goes to the right of the receiving teams formation, where you have the 4 in front followed by 2 behind. By default, seems to populate with WRs/CBs.

What I found watching the game plays ( https://nfl.myfootballnow.com/watch/12861#2263981[/url and [url]https://nfl.myfootballnow.com/watch/12861#2263995) it seems to me the ball gets beyond the front four.

What I'm therefore trying is having that front four being my best pass blockers - in theory, this should delay oncoming rushers. If they have good hands, even better - so looking at a mix of TE, FB, O line.

It's incredibly difficult to research this, but would pass catching be important here or kick catching?

I wouldn't assume it's linear. I would assume it's parabolic.

But the idea is right.

Yeah, let's be honest, I zoned out of maths once they started bringing letters into it... and imaginary numbers? "Oh, we can't make this work, let's make s*** up..."

I did figure it probably wasn't linear, given my back of napkin maths indicate max would be 65 rather than a 61. My maths is too bad to work it out, so will settle for a rough estimation.

Ok, used data points (0,0), (70,43) and (100,65) where the x value is the "percentage" ( as scales to 100, assuming is 1:1 mapping with a Kick Strength point ) and the y value is the distance.

Using standard y = ax^2 + bx + c formula, worked out c has to be zero - based upon using assumed data point of (0, 0) where a kicker with kick strength zero may as well be Charlie Brown.

At that point... I gave up and used an online calculator.

That gave the formula...

y = 0.0011904761904762x^2 + 0.53095238095238x

Or

distance = (0.0011904761904762*(kick strength ^ 2)) + (0.53095238095238 * kick strength)

Seems to be a tad more "accurate" than the linear version I suggested earlier.

Now that doesn't mean a kicker will automatically make kicks from suggested distances - snapping, holding both factors along with accuracy, just gives a ball park figure that you can set FG setting in rules on.

I wonder if crowd noise is a factor.

My games, the noise would be snoring.

But more seriously,. there are obviously other factors re distance - not guarantee he'll make a FG. The above formula only considers Kick Strength. The only reason I've looked at that is due to JDB explicitly putting "70% = 43 yards" on the gameplan misc page and the slider going to a max of 65 yards.

We know a kickers leg is greater than that, see kickoffs.