AMERICAN FOOTBALL

American Football (or in America, known as simply Football) is a game that is can be played and enjoyed by many people from different perspectives. The game is a team sport competition, combining both physical play and strategy. In addition to the United States, the sport is played in the following countries: United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Finland, Sweden, Japan, Mexico, Israel, Spain, Austria, and throughout several Pacific Islands. In this lesson, you will experience the following:

REQUIREMENTS:

  • Learn about the basics of the game and some notable history, so that you’ll have an understanding of the game and how it is played.
  • Discover how to throw, catch, and hold a football during play.
  • Find important football terminology.
  • Learn about different ways the game can be played both officially and in

your backyard.

  • Play a game of touch football outside or go watch a local high school football game in your town.
  • Learn ways to be a great team player not only in football, but also in life.

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Date Completed Leader’s Signature

REQUIREMENT #1 - Learn about the basics of the game and some notable history, so that you will have a basic understanding of the game and how it is played.

The objective of the game is to score the most points by advancing the ball into the opposing team’s end zone. Advancing the ball can be done in the following ways: it can be carried (running play) or tossed in the air to a teammate (passing play). Points are scored by carrying the ball over the goal line (six points), catching a forward pass thrown over the goal line (six points), kicking the ball through the goal posts (three points), and by tackling an opposing player within his own end zone (two points). Following a run or pass play for a “touchdown”, the scoring team has one opportunity to score a PAT (point after touchdown). One point is scored by kicking the ball through the goal posts; two points are scored for a run or pass play over the goal line.

The game is always played with two teams in opposition. One is on the offensive side of the ball and the other defensive. The offensive side’s objective is to score points and the defensive side’s objective is to prevent the offense from scoring points. Football is typically played on a field that is 360 feet long by 160 feet wide. The field of play is 100 yards, with two additional 10 yard end zones on both ends. The field is numbered from Left to Right in the following manner: (Goal, 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 40, 30, 20, 10, Goal.)

There are 4 quarters of play per game. The total amount of time in each quarter varies depending upon the level of football being played. The more advanced the level of play, the more time per quarter. Two quarters are combined to make a half. There are two halves per game. During the intermission, or “halftime” as it is called, football teams are given fifteen minutes to rest and to game plan for the second half. “Overtime” may sometimes used to determine a winner if the score is tied and the end of the four quarters of play.

Football Level / Minutes Per Quarter of Play
Little League (Pop Warner, etc) / 8 Minutes per Quarter
High School Level / 12 Minutes per Quarter
College Level (NCAA, etc) / 15 Minutes per Quarter
Professional Level (NFL, CFL) / 15 Minutes per Quarter

Although possession of the ball is typically offensive, the defense can also score points sometimes by creating turnovers. A turnover is created by the offense losing possession of the ball either by dropping it (fumble), throwing a forward pass to an opposing player (interception), or failing to gain a (first down) by moving the football 10 yards in 4 downs. A “turnover on downs” can be prevented either by advancing forward the football the necessary 10 yards, scoring points, or by punting the football. A punt is a play when the offense kicks the ball and transfers possession of the football to the other team while putting it further away from their own goal line.

The game begins with a coin toss to determine which team will get the football first. The game is monitored and controlled by Referees. Their job is to make sure that the players abide by all the rules of play. This helps especially to keep players from getting hurt as football can be extremely physical.

There have been moments throughout the history of the game that can be helpful in understanding the game. It is widely believed that the game evolved from Rugby in England and Association Football in the mid-19th Century.

First Official Game Played on Record – Rutgers vs. Princeton (November 6, 1869)

First Professional Game on Record – Allegheny vs. Pittsburgh (1892)

Most NCAA Championships - University of Alabama (13), Notre Dame (11)

Most NFL Championships - Pittsburgh Steelers (6)

REQUIREMENT #2 – Discover how to throw, catch, and hold a football during play.

How to throw a football: Place four fingers across the seam of the football with your thumb underneath it. Plant your feet and face your target. Then draw your arm back by your ear and throw it like you would throw a baseball. Pay attention to your thumb as your release the ball. From your grip, throw the ball while pulling your thumb toward the opposite pocket and it will spin in a spiral. (Right thumb toward Left Pocket.)

How to catch a football: Extend your hands outward toward the ball as it is coming in your direction, grab it with your hands, and pull it in toward your chest to secure it.

How to hold the football: Hold the ball along your forearm with your hand firmly around the forward tip of the football. Then, hold it strongly again your chest. This grip will make it virtually impossible to be taken from you during play. For holding the ball while running forward through the defense; hold the ball with both hands against your belly – gripping the opposing the corners of the ball.

REQUIREMENT #3 – Find important football terminology.

Below find words that are used in the game of football. Ask your leader of friends if they know what they mean or look them up in a dictionary. In order to play the game, these are essential words to know.

When you find the word, circle it!

A / M / M / Y / T / E / F / A / S / F / I / L / R
F / U / Q / U / A / R / T / E / R / B / A / C / K
S / I / T / U / R / N / O / V / E / R / S / A / R
R / D / E / N / S / I / U / I / Y / C / F / T / E
E / A / U / L / W / L / C / M / A / E / T / O / F
H / T / F / P / D / O / H / T / L / Y / R / I / E
C / S / A / E / A / G / D / Y / P / Q / O / E / R
A / R / Y / C / F / O / O / T / B / A / L / L / E
E / R / H / A / K / A / W / A / S / D / L / A / E
L / E / T / O / L / L / N / O / L / R / T / R / S
B / R / L / I / A / P / E / E / K / L / I / A / L
D / W / O / R / C / O / I / T / S / R / D / F / O
D / A / E / S / R / F / L / F / T / E / E / R / R

REQUIREMENT #4 - Learn about different ways the game can be played both officially and in yourbackyard.

American Football is typically played the way it was described in requirement #1. In some parts of the country and around the world, especially in sparsely populated places, it is not uncommon to find teams with only nine, eight, or six-man teams. FACT: The newest mode of American football is called “Arena Football.” It is played on a fifty-yard field inside an arena, with six-man teams and players playing both offense and defense the ENTIRE game. The rules have been altered slightly to allow a much more offensive game. (Lots of points = Lots of fun to watch!)

But that’s not the only way the game can be played. It can even be played in your own backyard. With a few rule changes – you will be on your way to a good time playing the game of football in a completely different way.

Necessary Rule Changes to Play Football in your backyard (Back-Yard Football)

  1. To get a first down: Complete two forward passes. You will have four tries to earn a first down or score a touchdown. Failure to do so is a turnover on downs.
  2. Points can only be scored by crossing the goal line. A touchdown is automatically seven points.
  3. To tackle a player: simply remove their flag or touch (tag) the opposing player with two hands.
  4. The only positions in the game are: quarterback, blocker, receiver, and defender.
  5. Game can be played with a minimum of three players with one rotating as “all-time quarterback” on both teams’ offensive side of play.

REQUIREMENT #5 – Play a Game of Touch Football Outside or Go Watch a Local High School Football Game in your local town.

Play a Game of Touch Football using the knowledge learned in this lesson with the group in attendance. Use the rules in the requirement #4 section, and have lots of fun!

Or

Go with your SAAC Group, or Church Friends to watch a game, live in person! Use what you learned to follow the action. You will have lots of fun.

REQUIREMENT #6 - Ways to be a great team player not only in football, but in life.

In order to be successful in the game of football, all of the players on the team must come together and play well. In other words, to win a game, each individual on the team must do their part to win. The quarterback has to make good decisions with the football in whom to hand it to or throw it to, the receiver must catch the ball when it comes his way, and the player on the line must block well to allow the offense to advance the football down the field and score points. If they do that well enough, while the defense keeps the other team from scoring as many points as they do, their team, working together, will win the game. If they do not do what they’re supposed to do, they will not succeed, or win the game.

In the same way, God wants us to work together to do his good work. He sent his “team” to go and to win the “game of life.” In the Bible’s book of Matthew, chapter 28, Jesus sent his “team” to (v.19) “Go and make disciples of all nations…, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Although, Jesus’ team only had 11 players at that time, he invites you to join his team and be a great team player for Him.

What is the prize for victory and playing the game of life to win? Eternal Life and Happiness in Him!

Captain Richard A. New

Annapolis, MD Corps

Maryland & West Virginia Division

Southern Territory