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Thursday, August 3
WHAT IS AMERICAN FOOTBALL
Just To Help
American Football is a game played between two teams on a pitch 100 yards long. At each end of the pitch is an endzone. Points are scored by getting the ball into the oppositions endzone.
Each team can only have 11 players on the field at any time, although squad sizes can be up to 45.
The game is 1 hour long, split into four quarters where the teams change ends, although the clock can be stopped in many diffrenet ways. The game is played in three parts:
- offense
- defense
- special teams
When one team's offense is on then the other teams defense is on and vice-versa. Special teams are used at the same time and cover kick-offs, field goals and punting.
A team moves towards the opposition goal line in a stop start manner by a series of downs. The team in possession is allowed four downs to take the ball 10 yards. If they succeed they get another four attempts to travel the next ten yards. If they fail, the other team gets possession.
So the phrase "Second down and seven" means the team has moved the ball three yards forward and is making its second attempt with seven yards to go. N.B. If a team fails to make the ten yards on the first three downs then they will usually opt to "punt" - kick the ball from your hands - the ball down the field as far as possible, leaving the opposition with further to score.
Points are scored in four ways.A touch down is worth six points when the ball is taken over the opponents' goal line into the Endzone. The ball DOESN'T have to be touched down by a player as in rugby, but he must be in control of the ball. A player can catch the ball in the endzone or run the ball over the goal line.
After a touch down a team can gain an extra point with a conversion kick taken in front of the goals or as in NCAA (college) can opt to run or pass the ball over the goal line for two points.
Field goals are worth three points and are taken from in front of the posts at the point that the team has advanced to on the field.
A saftey, worth two points is scored when an opposition player is trapped in his own endzone with the ball.
Offensive Skills
STANCE
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN:
Place the feet shoulder-width apart,in a heel-instep relationship, with the dominant foot back.
Put very little weight on the down hand to allow for quick forward, backward, and lateral movement.
Place your left arm loosely across your left thigh.
Keep your back straight, with your head up to see defenders across the line of scrimmage. This position is the strongest and safest for the back and neck.
RECEIVERS:
Place the feet shoulder-width apart, in a heel-toe relationship, with the foot closest to the football back slightly more than the other.
Bend knees in a comfortable position.
Keep weight on the balls of your feet.
Square your shoulders to the line of scrimmage.
Hold your arms in a comfortable position.
QUARTERBACK:
Feet should be comfortably spread, approximately shoulder width apart, and as close to the centers feet as possible.
Knees should be bent slightly.
Square your shoulders to the line of scrimmage.
RUNNING BACKS:
Place the feet shoulder-width apart with your weight on the balls of your feet.
Keep your feet near parallel for a quick burst in any direction.
Bend your knees slightly, with your hands on your knees.
Place very little weight on the hands.
Keep your head up and your eyes looking ahead.
Never lean towards to direction of the play.
Running backs use the same three point stance as the offensive linemen.
Offensive Skills
BLOCKING
DRIVE BLOCK:
Explode from your stance with the foot closest to the opponent and drive your hips forward on the third and fourth steps, through the block.
Start with short, choppy steps, and keep your feet moving.
Deliver the block from a wide base, and keep your head up and shoulders square.
Punch hands or forearms into the opponent to establish momentum, and deliver the blow on impact with the forearms, not the Keep your head on the side of the opponent toward the hole, and follow through with short, choppy steps, turning the opponent away from the hole.
PASS BLOCKING:
Keep your head up and your rear end down.
Keep your back straight.
Place your feet shoulder-width apart, keep them moving, and flex your knees.
Keep the weight of your body and head over your feet, never in front of them.
Hold your elbows in with the hands, ready to ward off the challenge of the defensive linemen.
CRAB BLOCKING:
Drop down on your hands and feet.
Keep your head up and your rear end and shoulders level to the ground.
Crawl into the defensive player blocking his pursuit with your arm and leg.
Crawl until the whistle blows.
Defensive Skills
STANCE
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN:
Placing more weight on the hands enables you to move forward.
A stance that is a little wider allows for better balance when you're being blocked.
Keep your outside hand (away from the blocker) free to try pass rush techniques and to keep from getting hooked.
Keep your body low to the ground, and control the line of scrimmage from underneath the opponent's shoulder pads.
LINEBACKERS:
Bend your knees slightly to insure low body position.
Poise the arms in front of the body as you get ready to take on a blocker.
Focus your eyes on the man you are to get the key from.
One foot is slightly forward; step with this foot first as you react to the key and find the football.
DEFENSIVE BACKS:
Keep your feet slightly staggered, with the outside foot back.
Point the toes straight ahead.
Focus eyes on the main you are to key.
Assume a slightly crouching position with your knees bent a little.
Take a short read step on the snap, and then react to the play.
Defensive Skills
TACKLING
HEAD-ON TACKLE:
Make sure that you are under control so as not to overrun the ballcarrier or dive and miss a tackle.
Maintain a wide, balanced stance, keep the feet moving with choppy steps.
Extend your arms and head in front of your body.
Keep your head up, your back arched and your knees slightly bent.
Slide your head to the outside just before making contact.
With your arms, grasp behind the legs of the ballcarrier and pull him toward you.
Lift and pull the ballcarrier toward you as you take him off his feet.
ANGLE TACKLE:
Keep under control and be ready to move in any direction.
It's important to maintain a good balanced stance in a good hitting position.
Drive your head in front of the ballcarrier's number, across the line of his run.
Drive your shoulder upward on the runner at about waist level.
With your arms, grasp the runner behind the legs and lift him off the ground.
Arch your back to lift and drive through the ballcarrier.
Keep the feet moving with short choppy steps as you finish the tackle.
OPEN-FIELD TACKLE:
Keep under control with your legs bent.
Use the sideline to your advantage, penning in or getting an angle on the runner.
Your number one priority is to grasp the runner.
Once you have a hold on the runner, help should be soon to arrive. But, if possible, try to drive him out of bounds or pull him to the turf.
Don't worry about driving through the man or delivering a hard blow. Your sole responsibility is to get a hold of the player and prevent the score.
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