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Box Description
Football fanatical or just football interested... youngster of adult... this game is for you!
After four years of extensive research and testing, the Strat-O-Matic Game Company developed a football game that is the answer to every fan's dream. It is actually two games in one: A basic version for 12 to 16 year olds and an advanced version for adults. Both versions may be played on a solitaire or head-to-head basis. The enclosed edition depicts unbelievably all the realistic aspects of football and gives complete control to you, the coach. The portrayal of the actual running, passing, kicking and defensive ability of 1,000 National and American Football Conference players is truly amazing!
Since the release of our first football edition in 1968, Strat-O-Matic Football has sold out each year. In fact, the older player card sets have become collector items and sell for a substantial premium over their original prices.
Strat-O-Matic Pro Football - Two Games in One!
Basic Version
Strat-O-Matic Pro Football is played according to Pro Football Rules. Each offensive backfield man and end is represented by a card, and each team's defense is also represented by three cards. Three dice, one white, and two colored activate play. When the dice are rolled, the white die is read separately from the colored dice total. If the white die yields a 1, 2 or 3 value, you refer to the offensive back's card involved in the play. If the white die's reading is 4, 5 or 6, you refer to the defensive card of the team presently playing defense. Thus, the white die has only one purpose: to determine whether you refer to the offensive or defensive playing card involved. The colored dice reading refers to the series of numbers found underneath the correct column of the play.
To illustrate, let us say the Pittsburgh Steelers are on offense and the Baltimore Colts on defense. The Steelers' coach would select an offensive play while the Colts' coach would select a pass or a run defense. Let us assume that the Steelers' coach calls an end run by Franco Harris and the Colts' coach calls a run. The play has been guessed right by the defense. The dice are then rolled by the Steelers' coach with a result of a white 3 and a colored dice total of 8. As the white die is a 3, you would refer on Harris' card to end run-right to the number 8 (colored dice total). The result is a +1 or a one yard gain. If the defense had guessed a pass instead of a run, the play would have been guessed wrong, instructing the Steelers' coach to look at the end run wrong. The result would be a +6 or six-yard gain. Under the same circumstances, if the dice has yielded a white 5, and a colored dice total of 6, you would refer to the Baltimore Colts defense card under END RUN, number 6, and the result would be a 5-yard gain.
A Pass play operates in the same manner as a running play with one exception - the offensive coach would refer to the quarterback's card if the white die's reading is 1, 2 or 3. If the white die's reading is 4, 5 or 6, the defensive coach would refer to his defensive card underneath the type of pass thrown. For example, let us say a Flat Pass is thrown by Bradshaw, and the defense has guessed a run; the play is guessed wrong by the defense. If a white 2 and a colored dice total of 5 is thrown, refer to Bradshaw's card underneath flat pass-wrong to the number 5. The result is a +8 or eight-yard gain. Assuming the same dice roll, if the defense had guessed a pass, you would refer to flat pass-right underneath number 5. As there is nothing in the proper space, the pass is incomplete.
There are many other rules regarding the Elementary set, however, these details describe the basic factors.
Advanced Version
For the most part, the basic rules of the Elementary set apply to the advanced game. However, in the advanced game, several additional rules and game parts are introduced.
Where in the Elementary set, the defense was represented by three elementary defensive cards, it is now represented by three Advanced Defense cards. Each defensive player is represented by an individual square on which is indicated his numerical ability rating. In addition, these defensive squares are positioned on a playing board as shown above. Four of these defensive squares may be moved by the defense: the linebackers and the free safety. These players can be moved after the offensive coach has indicated that he has made his play selections, but before he has revealed his decision. In the photograph you will note that all defensive players are defending specific zones or against certain types of plays. For example, the left linebacker (LLB) is located in the flat pass zone found on the left side. If the defensive coach decides to move his left linebacker into the End Run Zone found on the left side, he would increase his defensive strength in that zone to two men (left end plus the left linebacker). This maneuver would also greatly weaken the defense in the left flat pass zone (as no players would be defending this zone). Without involving you with a detailed explanation, it would now be more difficult for the offense to run around the defense's left end (2 men in zone) and much easier to pass against the left flat pass zone (no men in zone). The advance game takes into account the number of defensive players in a zone attacked by the offense.
This unique feature provides you with an incomparable visual dimension that allows you unbelievable freedom of defense movement. Your formation's strengths and weaknesses are in full view of your opposing coach and yourself! This creates a true battle of wits between your opponent and yourself!
Offensive linemen also have numerical ability ratings assigned them. In many instances, it is the ability of an offensive lineman or defensive player that will determine the number of yards gained on a play. These ratings are found on a team's offensive and defensive rating card. Also provisions are made for double teaming pass receivers, keying on running backs, and blitzing. Another outstanding feature of Strat-O-Matic is the increased degree of difficulty an offensive team will encounter in penetrating the defense when nearing his opponent's goal line. For the football purist, Super Advanced Rules are included and may be used if so desired. These rules provide for additional offensive and defensive formations and strategies including 3-4 defense, nickel defense, full-house backfield offense and 3 wide receiver offense.
As each player is a unique chart in himself, it is seldom necessary to refer to outside charts, whereas, in other football games, it is always necessary to refer from the player's card to several cumbersome charts. As a result of the complete nature of each player's card, the Elementary version of Strat-O-Matic Pro Football is played in 45 minutes, and the advanced version in 75 minutes.
Letters from fans of Strat-O-Matic Pro Football tell it all!
I ordered your American League Baseball game while in Germany last spring and was quite happy with it. But I find that your football is even better. It goes so far beyond any other game that there is just no comparison. The game can be won or lost because of an injury to an offensive guard, or by picking on the weak individual in the pass defense, factors which are glossed over in other games, but play such a vital part in real NFL games. - CPT REW, Alexandria, Va.
I would like to commend you on your super-duper sizzling, true to life Strat-O-Matic Pro Football! The records are true to life. Although, I'm only 14, I have more knowledge about football than any one in our school thanks to your great game. I have no complaints about your game's cost or quality. I hope you continue to make good games and I hope you prosper from them. Thanks again for the greatest football game ever invented, except Football itself. - J.L., Lodi, Calif.
My Grandson, 10 years of age, has tried for a few months to purchase a Strat-O-Matic Football Game but no one in the Scranton area seems to have it in stock. A friend of his has the game and my grandson spends three fourths of his time at his friend's home playing the game. Being a grandmother, it is surprising to me the strong desire this child has for the game. - J.M., Scranton, Pa.
I really enjoy playing your game. I'm 13, and every Saturday and Sunday five of my friends come over and we play the Advanced version. It's really realistic and even my mom plays with me each night. - M.C., Detroit, Michigan
I have just finished playing your Strat-O-Matic Pro Football game and want to say that it is without doubt the most realistic football game I have ever seen, one which makes the paper lion in all of us growl for joy, one which makes the quarterback in all of us happy. Congratulations. - N.F., Brandeis Univ., Waltham, Mass.
My fraternity has enjoyed your football game very much; I think our professors will attest to this as I'm sure some grades have been influenced because of the temptation your game provides. Honestly though, it's a fantastic game. - P.K., New Canaan, Conn.
Dear Sirs:
Initially, let me congratulate your firm for producing the finest sports game I have had the pleasure of participating in with other people. I have been involved with sport games of all types since I was old enough to throw a ball, and your game is more like real football than I would have imagined possible. Myself, and 7 other businessmen in the Bend area have begun an official NFL league - complete with divisional playoffs - super bowl - and even an all star game. We play every Sunday evening and it has become more addictive than any bridge or pinochle game in the history of recreation. By next year (from present requests) our league will expand to approximately 24 players and, unless I miss my prediction, Strat-O-Matic Football will become as popular as monopoly or scrabble (as a household word in America). - M.F., Bend, Ore.
Dear Sir:
I am introducing a new member to your games. He is: J.A., Secaucus, New Jersey 07094.
My son, who enjoyed your games while growing up, is now in the Navy. I dare say your games helped him to develop a better personality, a sense of fair play and extensive knowledge of sports.
Enclosed is a check for the football game set. - Mrs. M., Secaucus, N.J. 07091
I recently purchased your Gift Special Set and as far as I'm concerned, it's the greatest game on the market. The advanced version does just about everything but sell Popcorn. For an avid football fan, your game introduces a new dimension that makes watching the Pros that much more enjoyable. - R.G., Brooklyn, N.Y.
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