6. Basics Concepts - Entering Plays
This guide will step you through the basics of scoring plays in StatInput Football.
All fields with bolded type are required to advance to the next step/complete a play. Any fields that are not bolded should be considered optional.
Input can be done by mouse, touch, keyboard or any combination of those methods.
Fields that show a gray box with a letter or symbol inside can be selected by pressing the corresponding key on the keyboard; combinations of keys shown with the ↑ symbol need to be paired with the SHIFT key.
The Number pad window (which is displayed for player selection, yardlines and clock adjustments) can also be controlled using the number keys on the keyboard.
Throughout the input screens, you will need to specify players that record stats.
To enter a player who recorded a stat, click into the corresponding text box or button to bring up the Uniform Number entry window.
The Player Select window shows the current team at the top.
Click or type a player's uniform number.
As you type, potential uniform matches are shown below the keypad. You can either continue to type the full uniform number or select one of the players from the search results.
Once a single match is found on a one- or two-digit uniform number, the player will be automatically selected.
If you enter a number that has a Double Uniform number match (two players wearing the same number), you will be prompted to choose which of the players you intended to select.
If no single player is credited with a stat, or the player is unknown, use the Team button (or T key) to credit the stat to the team; this can be edited later once the player is determined.
To find a player using their name rather than uniform number, select the Search button at the bottom of the keypad
Start typing a player's first or last name into the box. As you type two or more characters, potential matches will be found and displayed.
Once you have found your player match, click their name in the search results to select them.
You will also need to record yard lines where the ball is spotted or action takes place.
To enter a yardline, click on a corresponding textbox or button (usually labeled 'Spot').
Select the side of the field the spot is on by selecting the team's yard line (you can also key it in with H for home or V for visitor).
Enter or key in the yardline
Once a two-digit yardline has been keyed in, the numpad will automatically hide.
To enter a yardline less than 10, enter a leading zero or click enter after one digit.
This view is the basic Play from Scrimmage screen. It will display anytime the ball is spotted at the line of scrimmage for a play.
To advance to the next screen, select the Play Type at the bottom.
Any fields throughout the play entry screen that are shown in bold are required. Non-bolded fields are optional.
Select Rush as the play type.
Select the ball carrier and any other optional fields. Then click Next.
To finish entering a play, select the basic outcome of the play (tackle, out of bounds, etc.)
You will then be prompted to fill in any additional required fields based on the outcome, including the spot of the ball where the play ended.
Once all fields have been filled in, click Next
Note that the outcomes that depend on a specific spot (Touchdown, Safety, Touchback), you will not be prompted for the ball spot.
All scoring plays and changes of possession require a clock time set on the play.
Review the play narrative text to confirm that your play has been entered correctly and that the context (down/distance/spot) for the next play is correct.
To finalize and save your play, you must click Enter on the Confirm Play screen.
Select the passer and the result of the pass.
Set the receiver and any other optional fields on the play.
Different options are displayed based on the result of the pass
Select the outcome of how the play ended, click Next and confirm to save.
When a flag has been thrown or a penalty has been assessed on a play, there are a few different ways to record it depending on the situation (whether play continues or is immediately blown dead).
If a presnap penalty is called (where the whistle is blown and action is dead), you immediately select Penalty as play type to advance to the penalty screen.
Clicking the flag button will indicate a flag has been thrown.
You can also proceed directly to the Penalty screen if action does not continue by clicking 'Play blown dead' at the bottom.
If play continues, click the Flag button (the yellow penalty footer will display) and continue entering the play to its completion. You will be taken to the penalty screen at the conclusion of the play.
To enter a penalty, begin by selecting the Penalized team (note: you will not be able to select any other options until the team has been selected)
Then select the penalized player. If no player or multiple players are penalized, you can select 'Team' or use scorer's discretion.
Click on the textbox or button for Penalty to select the specific foul.
Most common fouls are shown by default. To display all fouls, click the blue button.
Select the foul that has been called.
Note: fouls are listed in alphabetical order
Select the penalty enforcement spot.
Previous spot automatically selects the spot of the ball where the play began.
Succeeding spot automatically selects the spot of the ball where the play ended.
For Other spot, you must specify where the foul is enforced from/occurred (for instance, a holding call in front of the line of scrimmage).
Note: if the penalty is not considered a spot foul (for instance, collegiate pass interference, the enforcement should be set to Previous Spot).
Confirm that the new spot of the ball is calculated correctly. The spot is calculated based on the penalty's standard enforcement, but may need to be adjusted at the referee's discretion.
Click Next to advance to the Penalty Enforcement Screen.
Note: for half the distance or endzone fouls, use the toggles above the Enforcement type.
To remove all penalties (such as a picked up flag), click the orange Cancel button at the bottom to cancel and remove all penalties from the play entirely.
If multiple fouls have occured on the play, click the Add Penalty button to create an additional penalty frame.
Fill in the details of any other penalties and select whether they are declined or offset.
For offsetting penalties, click Offset. Note: in an offset situation, any penalty that is not marked as 'Deadball' will be and must be also set to Offset
For a declined penalty, select Dec under the Decision tab.
To enforce multiple penalties on the same play, all additional fouls must be marked as deadball. Succeeding spot will automatically be selected for deadball penalties.
To remove additional penalties, use the red trash button (or the remove penalty button at the bottom) to delete it.
After entering the penalty (or penalties), the enforcement of the penalty must be entered.
If the entire down will be replayed, select No Play to ensure no stats are recorded for the play.
If the play stands in entirety or partially, select Stats Count. If a spot foul occurred (such as a hold during a return), stats will automatically be calculated based on the enforcement spot for the penalty
Select whether the down will repeat or an Automatic First Down is awarded on the penalty.For fouls resulting in loss of down, select Loss of Down.
Note: if the offense gained a first down regardless of the penalty result, a first down will be awarded regardless of what is selected.
Select next to advance to the Play Confirmation screen and finalize/save the play.
To add a fumble or lateral to the play, advance to the End of Play screen and click the corresponding button at the top of the tab.
Fumbles and laterals can be stacked as needed on a play, however you cannot add another fumble or lateral until the possession and spot of any previous fumbles/laterals are set.
In the Fumble pane, the fumbling team and player should automatically be set. Set the spot of the fumble, the force (if any), the recovering team and player and the spot of the recovery.
Then, finish the play as it resolves.
For example, this play ends with a return of 0 yards and no tackle on the 20 yard-line.
The team and player lateraling the football are automatically set.
Set the spot where the lateral is credited and the player that received the football. Then, finish the play as it resolves.