Help, I Need To Know Football
Superbowl Sunday, February 6, 2011
So everyone you know is busy that day, watching the game. You want to watch the Superbowl with that special someone or a group of friends, but you do not like football and you do not understand it. Well you may like it if you understand some of it, having some knowledge will help you fit in and recognize what others may even be talking about during the game. If all else fails there is always the halftime show.
A Bit of Football History:
Earlier versions of American Football Date back to the mid-19th century, based upon similar games played in the United Kingdom (UK). These games included a ball that was kicked at a goal, as in rugby football or soccer. The game included 22 players on the playing field with “halfbacks” and “fullbacks”. However, Walter Camp, also known as the “Father of American Football” pioneered major changes from the UK football versions, in that he presented the “line of scrimmage” and “down-and-distance rules”.
In the late 19th century and early 20th century, the “forward pass” developed thanks to many college coaches. College football became a big event, as colleges rivaled against one another.
Professional football, players under contract receiving pay, dates back as far back as 1892 with a guy named William “Pudge” Heffelfinger to play a game for $500.00. Very unlike today wherein, Dwight Freeney’s contract is for 6 years that will pay him $12 million a year for a total of $72 million by its’ end.
The American Football Association was formed in 1920. Two years later changed its’ name to the name that is still known as today the NFL (National Football League), also referred to as the major league of football. The National Championship games were created with the 1958 NFL Championship Game. The American Football League (AFL), a rival league originated in 1960, thus the merger between the two league crated the Super Bowl.
The Basics of Football, a Simply Explanation:
The game consists of two teams of 45 players; however, only 11 players from each team are on the playing field at a time. The game has four 15-minute quarters and each team has three time-outs per half of game (two quarters). Half time occurs after the 2nd quarter and lasts for 12-minutes. Overtime can occur at the end of 4th quarter if the score between the teams is tied and the a 15-minute Sudden-death is played. The object of the game is for a team to move the ball towards and into the opposing teams end zone, by running with the ball until tackled or throwing the ball to a team player down field and scoring (points).
Team player positions
The offense is the teams attacking players who attempt to move the ball forward and score touchdowns. The quarterback is the key man, he calls the plays whether pre-arranged or of his own decision. The quarterback signals the center who snaps the back to him and he can either run with the ball, hand it to a running back or pass it downfield to a receiver (there are 2 wide receivers on the field). Also on the offense are 2 tackles, 2 guards, a tight end and a fullback.
The defense are the players who try to stop the opposing team from scoring by tackling the ball-carrier preventing him from running the ball, preventing the quarterbacks passes from getting to his receivers by intercepting or causing a fumble, by tackling or sacking the quarterback before he throws the ball. The defense includes: 2 Cornerbacks; a Free safety; 4 Linebackers; a Strong safety; 2 Defensive ends; and a nose, or defensive tackle.
Special teams come onto the field to execute a field goal or extra point attempts and to punt the ball downfield on the fourth. Also they come out to block the opposing team’s kicks and punts and attempts to return them as far as they can in the other direction.
The Game
Downs. The offense must try to move the ball forward in the direction of the opposing team’s end zone in blocks of 10 yards, thus the reason for yardage markings. They have 4 downs, opportunities, to gain 10 yards. Each time they gain 10 yards they earn another “first” down with four downs to go another 10 yards. If the offense does not move 10 yards in 4 downs they lose possession of the ball to the opposing team. However, most of the time on the 4th down the ball is kicked or punted to the defending team.
Plays. Calculated movements of strategy involving the teams 11 players on the field to move the ball downfield, called by either the quarterback or head coach. Plays are not only used by the offense but by the defense as well. The offense has 30 seconds to get the ball in play or kick a field goal.
Scoring. A teams goal is to score points. A touchdown earns 6 points to a team when the team crosses the opposing team’s goal line with the ball, or collects or catches the ball in the end zone, however it can be scored from anywhere on the field and on any down. A field goal earns a team 3 points and is usually attempted on a 4th down provided the kicker is close enough to the end zone to kick the ball through the posts. Extra points: one point can be earned by kicking the ball through the post after a touchdown; and two points can be earned for taking the ball into the end zone again. Safety earns two points to the defense team when the offense team on the field is tackled with the ball in their end zone.
Football has been around for many decades. Through these decades it has been fined tuned to be the sensation it is today, even for those who are not big on football. What would Thanksgiving Day be without a turkey, mashed potatoes with gravy and a football game? No Super Bowl -that would be absurd, it would be like omitting a season. So even if one did not know what was going on in the world of football, when simply explained it can be enjoyable to watch the big games with friends and family.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
“American football.” Wikipedia Encyclopedia Online.
04 November 2008. “American Football.” BBC Sport.com. 04 Nov. 2008. Online