Welcome to the ZX Spectrum Next version of ENDZONE.

The 48k and 128k Spectrum versions of the game were published under the SPORT-SIM label in 1987 and 1991 respectively, and sold by mail order.

It is not to be confused with the management strategy game launched by Alternative Software in 1987 (just months after the SPORT-SIM game).

Quick start : copy all the files (keeping the subfolders) into the folder of your choice and select run.bas.

Instructions

ENDZONE is a single game NFL simulation that follows current NFL rules and uses team rosters and statistics for an authentic recreation of an NFL game.

It can be played as a two player, player vs computer, or  computer vs computer game.

When you load up the game you will be asked which year you want to choose your teams from (currently 1991, 2019 and 2020earlyseason). 

Then you will be asked to choose the home team and the away team.

Then you will be asked if you want a 1 player, 2 player or player vs computer game.

After the opening kickoff (you can choose onside kicks on kickoffs) you will then enter the regular game play routine which follos 
   
1 The offense chooses which offensive players to have on the  field. The screen will show 12 offensive players on the roster - two quarterbacks and typically four RBs, two TEs and four WRs.

You can toggle between viewing their regular season statistics and the statistics for the game in progress. Those on the field have an asterisk * against their name.

(Note : if you are running a hurry-up offense you don't get to change the players on the field.)

The season statistics will show passing stats for QBs(comp%, interception% and touchdown%), rushing stats (average gain, touchdown rating, average runs per  game), blocking rating, and receiving stats (average gain, touchdown ratingand receptions per game)

Swap players in and out based on the game situation. For example on short yardage plays where you intend to run, get the RBs and TEs on the field who have the best running and blocking ratings. On 3rd and long get the best pass receiving backs and TEs and WRs on the field.  
   
2 The offense chooses it's play. AT THIS POINT IF YOU ARE PLAYING A TWO PLAYER GAME THE PLAYER ON DEFENSE HAS TO LOOK AWAY FROM THE SCREEN! 

The offense has a range of rushing and passing plays, as well as havig the option of punting and attempting a field goal.

The rush and pass plays are in increasing risk/reward order - ie a sweep run might gain more yards on a rush, but it might also lose more yards than an inside run and whilst a quick pass is more likely to be caught but with fewer yards than a riskier long pass. 

The offense can also choose to go for a draw play run or a play action pass, to try and outfox the defense (ie if you think the defense are going to play a run defense then a play action pass has a greater chance of success than a normal pass, but if they are expecting a pass you will have a lower chance of a          completion - and if the defense opts for a pass defense a draw  play rush will gain more yards on the ground than a normal rush,but if they expect a rush you will not gain as much as a normal rush) .
                                                                          
3 The defense chooses it's play, based on who is on the field and their guess as to what the offense is planning to do. Guess correctly to reduce the effectiveness of the play.

Short yardage and rush defenses have the option of 'keying' in on a specific player, which can result in reduced yards gained. Pass and Prevent defenses allow you to double cover receivers, to reduce their likelihood of completing a pass. 

A blitz is an  all out attempt to get to the quarterback.

Once the defense has finished choosing its play, then the down is in progress and you will move to another screen.

4 The top banner of the screen shows the teams and the scores, the quarter and the clock, the down and distance, and also the number of timeouts each team has left (the  bars to the right of the team's scores). You will see the play resolve - watch out for broken tackles, interceptions, fumbles, sacks and of course touchdowns!

5 After the play is over, if the clock hasn't stopped (ie for an incomplete pass) then both offense and defense have the option to take a timeout. The offense can also choose a 'hurry up' offense which means that no substitutions are allowed, but much less time is taken off the clock before the next play.

Once the timeouts/hurryup options are taken or refused then you are returned to the team roster screen to choose players and offensive and defensive plays for the next down.

Punts and field goals and kickoffs (including onside kicks) are all handled as you would expect. Two-minute warnings happen at the end of the second and fourth quarters. Sudden death overtime is played in the case of a tied game at the end of minutes (this will be updated to the new OT rules shortly).

At the end of the game you are returned to the roster screen to view the game statistics.

I hope you enjoy the game. Feedback and comments to me - mark.watson@bestsf.net