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Scoring
Scoring in Football
Touchdown: 6 points-
Running the ball or completing a pass to a player who carries the ball into the opponent's end zone.
Extra Point: 1 or 2 points-
An effort to score points after a touchdown by either:
Kicking the ball through the uprights (two point in youth football).
Running or completing a pass to a player who carries the ball into the end zone from two yards away (one point in youth football).
In either case, the offensive team gets only one try to get a point after a touchdown, unless there is a penalty on the defense.
Field Goal: 3 points-
Field goals usually are attempted in 4th down situations (last attempt or try in a series of downs). Special teams will attempt a field goal if it feels the kicker is close enough to the end zone to kick the ball through the uprights. A field goal attempt must clear the crossbar and go between the uprights.
Safeties: 2 points-
Safeties are the rarest of all the scoring opportunities. The defensive team is credited with two points if it tackles an offensive player in his own end zone or forces the offense to fumble the ball out of its own end zone. Don't confuse the term "safety" with the defensive position.
Sunday, May 7
FOOTBALL CLEATS - 5 THINGS TO KNOW
Sometimes, picking out the right footwear for a particular sport can be tricky. Here are five things to remember when purchasing your next pair of football cleats.
1. How Are Football Cleats Different From Other Cleats?
Cleats are athletic shoes that have spikes or studs attached to the sole. They help your feet get a good grip on the playing surface. Cleats made for different sports emphasize support in different areas based on the playing style of the sport.
"Football cleats give you more support in the midsole than soccer or baseball cleats," says Joseph Skiba, equipment manager for the New York Giants. "This helps with lateral movement and with things like taking hits or making tackles."
With a sturdier feel than a soccer cleat, football cleats keep your feet and ankles from turning. This allows for quick movements and helps keep your feet under you when tackling, blocking or taking hits.
2. Types Of Cleats: By Position
There are three main styles of cleats: high-tops, mid-cuts and low-cuts. Different position players tend to favor different styles.
High-tops extend above your ankle to provide extra support. Many linemen wear high-tops because the extra ankle support helps them with their lateral movement and keeps their feet steady when they are taking on the weight of a block.
Mid-cuts offer more support than low-cut models, but allow more ability to maneuver than high-top cleats. Mid-cuts are the most common cleats, and are especially popular with "skill positions," like quarterbacks and running backs. It is the right choice for a youth player looking for a good all-around shoe.
Low-cuts are lightweight cleats that sacrifice support for a lighter feel. They are favored by wide receivers and defensive backs, positions that benefit from being able to run fast without the feet being weighted down.
3. Check Your League Rules
Most youth football leagues have rules regulating what cleats can be worn. For instance, Pop Warner football prohibits the use of metal cleats (only molded or detachable rubber cleats are allowed) and limits the length of cleats to a 1/2 inch or less in length. Make sure you know what your league allows before you buy your cleats.
4. Studs/Spikes
There are two main types of studs or spikes that can go on the sole of your cleat. Most are designed for a specific purpose, like playing on grass or turf, or a combination of both. The type of field you will usually be playing on may influence what type of cleat you choose.
Molded cleats are permanently attached to the shoe's bottom. They are usually made of rubber and are generally less expensive than detachable (removable) cleats. Many youth football leagues require players to wear molded cleats, an all-around cleat suitable for most grass fields.
Detachable cleats use studs that can be removed and replaced, allowing you to change the studs based on the field conditions. Detachable cleats often require a wrench for removing and adding the studs, which can be made out of rubber, hard plastic or metal. On a hard, dry field you might add shorter cleats. On a wet field, you might add longer cleats. Detachable cleats require more maintenance, and it takes experience to know which type of studs you should wear on different playing surfaces. For that reason, they are usually recommended for older, more experienced players.
5. Care And Maintenance
Cleats, like other shoes, need to be broken in. "Cleats feel better the more they are worn," says Joseph Skiba, the New York Giants' equipment manager. "We get a lot of [pro players] complaining about their shoes, and often the problem is that they just keep on wearing new pairs. The more you break it in, the better it will feel."
Skiba also recommends keeping an eye on the condition of your spikes. "With both molded and detachable cleats, make sure to check them frequently to see how much they are wearing down and if they are wearing in an even way. If any spike is wobbly, or very worn down, you need a replacement." Do not practice or play on wobbly or worn-down spikes.
With proper care, your cleats can last a long time. Avoid walking on concrete or asphalt to keep your cleats from grinding down or eating away at the plastic coating on some screw-in cleats. Remember to buy an extra set of laces when you buy your cleats and have them with you at games and practices. If your cleats are made of leather, use mink oil or another waterproofing product to help protect the cleats from rain and snow. Use a specialized cleat cleaner or a brush to remove mud and dirt from your cleats.
Sunday, May 7
TERMINOLOGY
Some basic football terminology will help those new to football, get up to speed on the rules of the game.
Chucking: Warding off an opponent who is in front of a defender by contacting him with a quick extension of arm or arms, followed by the return of arm(s) to a flexed position, thereby breaking the original contact.
Clipping: Throwing the body across the back of an opponent's leg or hitting him from the back below the waist while moving up from behind unless the opponent is a runner or the action is in close line play.
Close Line Play: The area between the positions normally occupied by the offensive tackles, extending three yards on each side of the line of scrimmage. It is legal to clip above the knee.
Crackback: Eligible receivers who take or move to a position more than two yards outside the tackle may not block an opponent below the waist if they then move back inside to block.
Dead Ball: Ball not in play.
Double Foul: A foul by each team during the same down.
Down: The period of action that starts when the ball is put in play and ends when it is dead.
Encroachment: When a player enters the neutral zone and makes contact with an opponent before the ball is snapped.
Fair Catch: An unhindered catch of a kick by a member of the receiving team who must raise one arm a full length above his head and wave his arm from side to side while the kick is in flight.
Foul: Any violation of a playing rule.
Free Kick: A kickoff or safety kick. It may be a placekick, dropkick, or punt, except a punt may not be used on a kickoff following a touchdown, successful field goal, or to begin each half or overtime period. A tee cannot be used on a fair-catch or safety kick.
Fumble: A ball that is dropped while in play.
Game Clock: Scoreboard game clock.
Impetus: The action of a player that gives momentum to the ball.
Live Ball: A ball legally free kicked or snapped. It continues in play until the down ends.
Loose Ball: A live ball not in possession of any player.
Muff: The touching of a loose ball by a player in an unsuccessful attempt to obtain possession.
Neutral Zone: The space the length of a ball between the two scrimmage lines. The offensive team and defensive team must remain behind their end of the ball.
Exception: The offensive player who snaps the ball.
Offside: A player is offside when any part of his body is beyond his scrimmage or free kick line when the ball is snapped or kicked.
Own Goal: The goal a team is guarding.
Play Clock: 40/25 second clock.
Pocket Area: Applies from a point two yards outside of either offensive tackle and includes the tight end if he drops off the line of scrimmage to pass protect. Pocket extends longitudinally behind the line back to offensive team's own end line.
Possession: When a player controls the ball throughout the act of clearly touching both feet, or any other part of his body other than his hand(s), to the ground inbounds.
Post-Possession Foul: A foul by the receiving team that occurs after a ball is legally kicked from scrimmage prior to possession changing. The ball must cross the line of scrimmage and the receiving team must retain possession of the kicked ball.
Punt: A kick made when a player drops the ball and kicks it while it is in flight.
Safety: The situation in which the ball is dead on or behind a team's own goal if the impetus comes from a player on that team. Two points are scored for the opposing team.
Shift: The movement of two or more offensive players at the same time before the snap.
Striking: The act of swinging, clubbing, or propelling the arm or forearm in contacting an opponent.
Sudden Death: The continuation of a tied game into sudden death overtime in which the team scoring first (by safety, field goal, or touchdown) wins.
Touchback: When a ball is dead on or behind a team's own goal line, provided the impetus came from an opponent and provided it is not a touchdown or a missed field goal.
Touchdown: When any part of the ball, legally in possession of a player inbounds, breaks the plane of the opponent's goal line, provided it is not a touchback.
Unsportsmanlike Conduct: Any act contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship.
Sunday, May 7
FOOTBALL EQUIPMENT
The sport of tackle football has always been unique to most fans. One of football's most interesting aspects is the equipment that each player wears on the field. This gear is worn specifically to protect the player while participating in the game.
In addition to buying the correct types of equipment, it is important to ensure that the equipment itself fits properly.
Football Helmet - The helmet is typically the most recognizable piece of all sport's equipment. It protects various parts of the head from collisions with other players and the ground. There are different types of helmets including their padding structure. One must follow the manufacturer's guidelines to ensure proper fitting.
Face Mask - Shields the face from contact and collisions. Most importantly, it protects the nose. Broken noses were quite common among the gridironers back in the early days of the game. There are various styles of the face mask, depending on position, which provides the player with several options.
Mouth Piece - The mouth piece is fitted and should be inserted into the mouth prior to any live play in practice and a game. The mouth piece does protect players teeth but even more importantly, it protects from concussions resulting from blows to the head. It can be either attached or unattached to the helmet.
Jaw Pads - These are designed to protect the jaw and are snapped to the bottom of the helmet. It is all part of the system designed to absorb the force of contact to the head, and protect them from sustaining a concussion.
Chin Strap - The sole purpose of the strap is to fasten the helmet securely on the players head.
Shoulder Pads - These pads tend to take the most abuse during the course of the game. Shoulder pads are extremely important because they cushion the impact a player makes with other players and the ground. They protects the shoulders, chest, and back.
Sizing Info
There are two types of shoulder pads: flat and cantilevered. The position that the player regularly plays and the tasks involved with each position determine the type of pads needed. Players who do more blocking and tackling require the bulkier, cantilevered type whereas receivers and quarterbacks use the flat type that allows for more mobility.
Thigh Pads - The thigh pads are the biggest leg pads and are worn underneath the pants. They protect the quadricep muscles from collisions with other players and the ground. There are many different sizes for players at different positions. Kickers and punters generally wear the smallest size pads because those positions receive the least amount of contact.
Hip & Tailbone Pads - These pads are probably the smallest pads required for competition. The hip and tailbone pad protect both respective areas. They are made of foam and are held in check by the girdle.
Knee Pads - Protecting the knees, these pads fit inside the lower part of the pants.
Shock Pads - Worn often by running backs, linebackers, and receivers, shock pads are designed to absorb impact and provide additional support to the shoulders, chest, and back. These lightweight pads are worn underneath the shoulder pads.
Rib Pads - A lot of quarterbacks wear rib pads. These specialty-type pads are often worn by older, more experienced athletes, to protect their ribs and lower back from blind hits.
Receiver Gloves - Worn by almost every specialty position, (Receivers, Running backs, Defensive Backs), these gloves can provide an advantage for catching the football. They can be especially helpful when playing in cold weather.
Linemen Gloves - These gloves are worn by both offensive and defensive linemen. They protect the hands, knuckles, and fingers of both positions. You will find that they have much more padding than the receiver gloves.
Neck Roll - Worn primarily by linebackers and defensive linemen, the neck roll is used to protect the head from whiplash during straight ahead contact.
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