...with mixed results (W1-0, L0-1), but both were hugely entertaining.

I came here to have fun and learn more about the game and I've made a promising start.

Take home messages (tldr):

1. Make use of all the skills, all the time
   
2. Don't forget to mark opposition players before running for the end zone
   
3. Know the skills of the opposition players
   
4. Always give FFB a few seconds to register a click

I joined fumbbl (and the NAF) after hearing about SteelBowl 2021 on a podcast. I used the tournament as a push (more like defender stumbles) to get me into playing online after having loads of TT BB models lying around with no realistic prospect of a game anytime soon. I spent Saturday learning how to use FFB using a couple of teams and the test mode (once I figured out how to launch it). On Sunday I joined the 145 Club and had my first game against a patient and helpful coach and a bunch of Lizardmen. Today I played my first SteelBowl 2021 and it was more relaxed and enjoyable than I had anticipated.

In the short time I've joined the community I've had nothing but support and encouragement, which is greatly appreciated.

Here's looking forward to many more fun games to come.

papa_laza_rou

Chaos Dwarves vs Lizards (League: 145 Shoots of Spring)
I managed to win this game 1-0 and saved the replay (I think) so that I could review what was good and bad about it.

At the start of H1 I elected to receive the ball. The Blitz on the kick-off took me by surprised and the ball proved slippery at first. Eventually I managed to get into a good position. I sent one of my hobgobbos on a daring run, resulting in a T5 TD. After the restart I kept a bunch of skinks at bay for a few turns and realised that I needed to make more use of Tackle against those sneaky dodgers.

In the second half, my good positioning of Tackle pieces resulted in a number of turnovers due to failed dodges. As the skinks were slowly removed from the pitch I managed to snatch the ball. Unfortunately, despite being up on players, I ran forward without marking all of the open players. Subsequently my hobgobbo ball carrier got knocked to the turf. There was a slim chance I could recover the ball and consolidate a 2-0 victory but it wasn't to be. I had won my first game and learned my first lessons.

Chaos Dwarves vs Amazons (Tournament: SteelBowl 2021)
I lost this game 1-0 but I'm not too disappointed with the result.

Once again I started with an offensive drive, a high kick went straight to my Sure Hands hobgobbo who promptly caught it (no need to worry about picking up the ball). My first block on the LOS resulted in a death (both coaches stunned for a turn). My ball carrier stalled in the back field until mid-half when he was forced forward by some tricky positioning. I thought I had broke through with a slight risk (medium-to-high in hindsight). The ball carrier was sacked and Roxanna ran off with the ball. Despite my best defensive efforts, Roxanna managed to sneak through a gap (making four successive dodges I think). Initially this was surprising until I remembered she has Ag5. Still, there is a always chance of a one.

The second half was pretty brutal. I didn't have the ball and was spending all my efforts moving players back and forth across the pitch as Roxanna kept switching and feinting. The casualties started to mount up, and after a brutal blitz with one of my bulls I was looking to be in a good position. Could I steal the ball and rescue a draw? In short, no. A misclick after the blitz led to my bull running back and forth through three successive GFIs. Despite his Sure Feet he went crashing down, hard. During his frenzied celebration dance he must've slipped in all the blood and nearly broke his own neck! After that I scrambled back into a defensive position and optimistically sent a hobgobbo up the pitch on T7 (just in case). Needless to say he was no longer a scoring threat once it got to my T8. A thoroughly enjoyable game, and my opponent even commented on my strong defence.