Lot's of options in the 2009 IRC for wind bracing. There is now PFH (portal framing holdowns) PFG (portal framing garage) ABW (alternate braced wall). With continuous sheathing you can and use the PFG you can multiply the width of the panel X 1.5 to get the allowable amount counted towards wind bracing. On the PFH method you can count that section as four feet towards the amount of windbracing required.
The 2006 required that the bracing had to be a combination of 12.5 feet. If you were two feet from one end, you could be 10.5 feet from the other end. On CS you can start your required bracing at 12.5 feet from each end.
I honestly believe the IRC has too many options and that only makes it confusing. It's good as far as designing a residential structure but a pain for the plan reviewer.
Just a few of my thoughts!