American Football

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American Football; Explain it to me
Tweet Topic Started: Feb 7 2010, 11:30 PM (466 Views)
+ Byakko	Feb 7 2010, 11:30 PM Post #1
I once gave a Kangaroo a heart-attack just by staring at it Posts: 10,219 Group: Legend Member #158 Joined: February 7, 2005 Gender Male Favourite Anime Naruto Shippuuden What Browser do you use? Google Chrome Favourite Manga Fullmetal Alchemist	I'm pretty interested in American Football. I just don't get it. Can somebody explain it to me? Pretty much from the start, I'm useless with Sports.
	GFX Portfolio Tumblr DeviantArt Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.'"


~~Dark~~	Feb 8 2010, 04:44 AM Post #2
Posts: 1,589 Group: GTFO Member #4,185 Joined: May 9, 2009 What Browser do you use? Flareon	Alrighty. I know this is going to take at least a half-hour, but what the hell. Read this at least twice, or you just won't get it. There's no simple path one can follow to understand this game. You have to piece many parts together in order to fully comprehend it. The objective of the game is to present the ball to the end side of the 100 yard field that your team is facing, while maintaining complete control and possession over it. The area you must be standing in is 10 yards in length, and 25 yards in width, and is officially known as the End Zone. One offense lineup and one defense lineup is required for play during most situations of the game. The other situation is known as Special Teams. An offense and a defense both consist of players with particular assignments and positions. These assignments and positions are both meshed appropriately in order to either effectively stop the opposing team, or manage a way into the End Zone with the ball in hand (to score). If the defense manages to gain possession of the ball, this is called a Turnover. The defensive player can make his way into the opposing teams End Zone in order to score just the same way as on offense. Whoever has the ball tries to go forward with it, at any time. When a defensive player manages to get the ball, but gets tackled, (any part of the body touches the ground besides the feet and hands) the defense will then leave the field, and the offense will take over for that team. From an offensive standpoint, there are two main ways of utilizing team methods to progress offensively. The ball can be passed by the Quarterback position to the Wide Receiver position, (or to any offensive player he chooses legally) or the ball can be handed off by the Quarterback to the Tailback position in order to move the ball's position forward. Let me go over the positions and formations, so I can make more sense of this. I'll use a standard formation that's commonly used amongst offenses and defenses. Defense Key: FS: Free Safety SS: Strong Safety MLB: Middle Linebacker OL: Outside Linebacker DE: Defensive End DT: Defensive Tackle CB: Cornerback Offensive Key WR: Wide Receiver TB: Tailback TE: Tight End QB: Quarterback OL: Offensive Lineman C: Center The line that divides the two formations (as shown) is known as the Line Of Scrimmage. This line regulates any and all positioning of the ball as the offense moves to (or even away from) its destination. The ball will lay in this area until the offense is ready to commence play. When the offense is prepared, the offensive formation shown will come into play. (though others can be used, they will look very similar) The Center position, (marked with "C") is the player who will actually be the first to put his hand on the ball. He will be the one who hands the ball behind him, through his legs, to the Quarterback position as he calls for it ("he" being the Quarterback). This action is known as Snapping the ball, or, the Snap. Before Snapping the ball, the offense will discuss their exact plans of execution. Once prepared, every position takes their mark, and waits until the Snap. When the ball is snapped, every position does what was previously spoken to be required of them. When the ball is snapped, the play is alive, and any player may move freely. During this time, the Quarterback will fulfill his position as the previously discussed play required of him comes into execution. He will either throw the ball to one of his teammates, hand the ball off to one of his teammates, or even pitch it behind him to one of his teammates. The objective in its entirety is to simply do whatever it takes to move forward, to the First Down Markers. To progress offensively, every offense will have a goal to meet, and that goal is 10 yards long consecutively. As soon as the offense begins to operate, they will have 4 chances to progress forward by 10 yards. If they are unsuccessful on the third attempt, they will have to make the decision to either punt the ball, giving the opponent the ball as far back as possible for the Punter's leg strength, (a Special Teams player that will be discussed later) or they can use one more attempt to progress as necessary. If they're unsuccessful in trying to get a First Down, (a successful attempt to gain 10 positive yards of offensive play) the opposing team's offense will take the ball from EXACTLY where it is left short. This can be devastating for a team's momentum, and can easily allow the opposition to score. If an offense does reach the requisite of gaining at least 10 yards, a new set of Downs will be granted to them. They get four more opportunities to do the same exact thing as before, thus, marching down the field to the destination. The defense's job is simple: STOP THEIR PROGRESS. Moving on. So we know just what the offenses and defenses are trying to do; but let's take a look into how they do it, Mr. Mike. I'm going to go over exactly what each position does. OFFENSE- Quarterback: A Quarterback can throw the ball, pitch the ball to a teammate, hand the ball off to a teammate, or even run to gain yardage himself. His main targets are his Wide Receivers, who are specialties at catching. The Quarterback may hand the ball to his Tailback, allowing his Tailback to run for as much progress as possible. The Quarterback is arguably (though popularly) known as the field general; the guy calling the shots. Tailback: The Tailback is often a finesse player built for durability, speed, and balance. He's the guy that specializes in eluding defenders or just flat out breaking through their tackles in order to progress forward. He runs behind the Offensive Line, which is a term used to group all players on the field who are playing the Offensive Lineman position. Offensive Lineman: (Offensive Line, O-Line) The Offensive Line itself is a group of five men that form a wall-like protection to keep their offensive players carrying the ball safe from defenders. The Offensive Lineman position is split into three separate classes: Left Tackle and Right Tackle, (the O-Lineman guarding the edges) the Left Guard and Right Guard, (the O-Linemen guarding the left and right inside gap) and the Center. (an individual player in control of anyone trying to break through the line from a free area) The Offensive Line is also heavily responsible for giving the Tailback as much space as necessary for positive yard pickups. Center: The Center is part of the Offensive Line. He is the player that hands the ball off to the Quarterback to commence the offense's attempt at progressing forward. After Snapping the ball, he will take on an assignment that requires protecting his offensive players as the selected formation/assignment calls for. Wide Receiver: A position responsible for the success of passing plays. The Wide Receiver tries to maneuver his way through the defense, in order to find himself able to catch a ball thrown his way without any sort of defensive interference. Simply put, the Wide Receiver is trying to give his offense great progression through the air. Tight End: The Tight End position is unimportant right now. You will learn about this position over time, much as you will learn about another unmentioned position called Fullback. Both positions are optional, and do simple things like blocking and receiving in order to help the offense out. These positions aren't mandatory, but operating under the right offense can be down right deadly towards opposing defenses. Fullback: See above. DEFENSE- Defensive End: Two of four components that create the Defensive Line. The Defensive End operates on the outside, trying to get past the Offensive Tackle in order to make his way to the ball carrier; be it the Quarterback or the Tailback Defensive Tackle: The remaining components of the Defensive Line. Playing on the inside, they try to overpower the Offensive Guard position. The objective of the Defensive Line is to simply penetrate the offense head on. The Defensive Line may very well determine the time a Quarterback has to throw the ball, if they are the only players trying to get to him. If they are not, this is known as a Blitz- When extra defensive players are sent to penetrate the Offensive Line. Cornerback: This position of generally two players consists of one key assignment: Do NOT allow the receivers to get away from you, and do NOT allow them to catch the ball. The Safety positions may aid this position. Free Safety: A position with an appropriate name. This player tries to be the extra hand in stopping extremely threatening plays- For example, very long passes that stand a chance of being caught. This position is similar to the Tight End on offense, in that it may or may not be a huge help on defense. Either way, this position will always come into play during nervous situations. Strong Safety: Similar the the Free Safety, but moreso geared towards running plays rather than passing plays. However, this position is also a free player with versatile, flexible usages. Both, a Strong Safety and a Free Safety may be used to cover a Wide Receiver with the help of a Cornerback. This is known as Double Coverage. Middle Linebacker: "The heart of the defense." This position commands the Linebacking Corps of three, generally being most productive at run defense. The Middle Linebacker tries to fill the gaps that the Defensive Line leaves open. Outside Linebacker: Left Outside Linebacker, and Right Outside Linebacker. These Linebackers cover outside gaps, for instance, in order to prevent outside runs. A Linebacker of any sort may be used to cover other offensive targets. Often times, Linebackers will sprint towards the Offensive Line in order to disrupt any pattern the offense shows. SPECIAL TEAMS The third of three formations amongst the game. Special Teams occurs throughout the game during various instances. The game will always start out with a Special Teams play. When a team scores, Special Teams will come into play. The most frequent showing of Special Teams is when a team punts the ball away on Forth Down. (failure to reach the 10 yard requisite, and choice to punt away for safe purposes) When the decision to kick a Field Goal is made, (occurring most often on Forth Down, when the Goal Posts are in range) Special Teams come onto the field. The Kicker position then attempts to kick the ball into the posts past the End Zone, after the ball is snapped, caught, and held in place by the Holder. Scoring System A Field Goal is worth 3 points. A Touchdown is worth 6 points. An Extra Point kick (which occurs after a Touchdown, when the Kicker kicks a simple 10 yard Field Goal) is worth 1 point A Safety (when the Quarterback [or another offensive player] is tackled in his own End Zone [rare]) is worth 2 points. Following the Safety, Special Teams must appear to change possession of the ball to the scoring team. Well. I've done all I can. You need to re-read this, and also watch film to experience what you've learned for yourself. Um, yeah. That was a bit boring. Hope it helped though. Edited by Dark, Feb 8 2010, 05:02 AM.



Mike2	Feb 8 2010, 05:21 AM Post #3
Posts: 2,700 Group: Member Member #957 Joined: December 17, 2005 What Browser do you use? Safari and Explorer Favourite Manga FMA I guess, not that i read it anymore	I saw the title, i KNEW it was you namebro 8) and well..wow..ok no one needs to post after brian, i think its pretty clear now :P Even though it wasnt for me, thank you Brian for taking the time to explain everything



*DSXIII*	Feb 8 2010, 06:21 AM Post #4
Posts: 1,947 Group: Guardian Member #2,240 Joined: April 3, 2007 Gender Male Country United States	I didn't realize how confusing it really is until I see it all written out. I guess being exposed to it since I was younger makes it seem natural. I can see now why other countries might be hesitant in taking up this sport. Imagine making a write-up of all the rules/regulations. Would be a nightmare. Good post Brian you basically answered his question. Though I'm curious to see whether or not he'd still be interested to learn about it at this point. I'll rep for the time and effort.



+ Byakko	Feb 8 2010, 10:20 AM Post #5
I once gave a Kangaroo a heart-attack just by staring at it Posts: 10,219 Group: Legend Member #158 Joined: February 7, 2005 Gender Male Favourite Anime Naruto Shippuuden What Browser do you use? Google Chrome Favourite Manga Fullmetal Alchemist	That's awesome dude, thanks man! It doesn't actually seem that bad, but something that you'd learn by watching it happen or playing it.
	GFX Portfolio Tumblr DeviantArt Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.'"


* Mitas	Feb 8 2010, 11:54 AM Post #6
It truly was a Shawshank redemption Posts: 12,129 Group: Retired Staff Member #2,993 Joined: December 16, 2007 Gender Male Favourite Anime DBZ What Browser do you use? Google Chrome Favourite Manga DBZ, Full Metal Alchemist	Brilliant job Brian. I didn't read it because I'm not interested in American Football, but I skimmed over it and it looks like you put a lot of time and effort into it so well done. And yeah Mike, with new sports the best thing to do is just watch a couple games and piece things together which is what I did when I started watching basketball. The main thing is that you enjoy watching it or reading about it and eventually you'll start learning the rules/phrases etc.
	"Then you've got the chance to do better next time." "Next time?" "Course. Doing better next time. That's what life is."


*DSXIII*	Feb 8 2010, 04:05 PM Post #7
Posts: 1,947 Group: Guardian Member #2,240 Joined: April 3, 2007 Gender Male Country United States	Or buy a game of Madden NFL. There's a Madden 101 mode in most of them and he basically teaches you everything about football, while teaching you the basics of plays and positions.



Joshua	Mar 15 2010, 10:52 PM Post #8
Posts: 241 Group: Member Member #4,767 Joined: February 20, 2010 Favourite Anime Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball GT, Dragon Ball AF, DC/Marvel Comics, Justice Leauge What Browser do you use? Firefox 4 Favourite Manga Dragonball, One Piece	Well said Brian. Very good. That's near exactly what American Football is about. Now put yourself in a coaches position. Can you lead a football team to victory? ~Xicor



+ Pelador	Apr 11 2010, 11:42 PM Post #9
Crazy Awesome Legend Posts: 25,663 Group: Legend Member #4,634 Joined: December 12, 2009 Gender Not Specified Country None Favourite Anime HunterxHunter What Browser do you use? Firefox Favourite Manga Dragonball	I thought I learnt pretty much everything from playing Madden but now I also understand some of the terminology. Thanks. Not nearly as complicated as cricket though.
	http://www.youtube.com/user/jonjits


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