FOOTBALL
History and Purpose:
The game of football originated from the game of soccer. Touch football grew out of interest in the exciting game of American football developed in the late 19th century. Touch football is most commonly played on playgrounds, in intramural leagues, and in community recreation leagues. The introduction of FLAG FOOTBALL helped remove the uncertainty surrounding touch football. When an opponent is able to snatch the flag from the belt of a ball carrier, a successful tackle or touch in completed. Flag football yields more coeducation play and “flag snatching” agility skills are definitely needed to succeed.
Touch and flag football have become lifetime sports. Football helps develop skills such an eye-foot coordination, running speed, strength, good body control, agility, and cardiovascular conditioning.
The Game:
The objective is to carry or pass the ball into the opponents’ end zone for a touchdown while preventing the opponents from taking the ball into the end zone your team defends. The ball may be advanced by running or passing. Being touched by an opponent or when their flag is snatched stops the ball carrier. The team scoring the most points wins.
*Play begins with a kickoff from the 20-yard line.
*The team receiving the ball is offensive and the team kicking goes on defense.
*After each score, play is restarted with a kickoff by the team that scored.
*Each team gets 4 chances or DOWNS to move the ball 10 yards.
If they are successful they get a FIRST DOWN.
*If a team doesn’t think they can get a FIRST DOWN on the 4th Down, the team
punts the ball to the other team or they may attempt kicking a field goal.
TOUCHDOWN is worth 6 points
AFTER POINT KICK is worth 1 point
FIELD GOALS are worth 3 points.
**11 players per team and two 20-minute halves (youths) or 4 quarters of 15 minutes each (professional)**
Vocabulary:
Hike: a term frequently used by the quarterback to indicate that the ball should be
snapped and the play started
Huddle: a team conference to determine what offensive pattern or a strategy to use
on the next down
Interception: interfering with or catching a pass intended for an opponent
Kickoff: the kick used to start each half and to restart the game after a score
Lateral Pass: a pass thrown to the side of or behind the thrower
Off Sides: penalty that occurs when a player on either line of scrimmage moves
forward before the ball is snapped
Place Kick: a ball that is kicked off a tee or from a stationary position where it is
being held by another player
Point-After-Touchdown: 1 point scored by kicking the ball through the “uprights”
or goal posts
Punt: a ball kicked in the air after having been dripped from the kicker’s hands
Scrimmage Line: an imaginary line across the width of the field that marks where a
play must start (where the previous play ended)
Touchdown: a score counting 6 points made by carrying the ball over the goal line or
throwing the ball to a teammate in the end zone
Football Skills
Passing:
* Spread fingers on laces on back1/3 of the ball
* Hold the ball on your fingers, not your palm
* Turn sideways towards your target
* Step forward with the foot opposite of your throwing arm
* Bring ball behind your ear
* Lead with your throwing elbow and extend arm fully toward target
* Snap wrist on release
* Point fingers towards your target
Receiving:
* Keep your eyes on the ball until it is caught
* If ball is above waist, make a ‘W’ with thumbs and index fingers
* If ball is below waist, make a ‘M’ with pinkies
* ‘cushion’ the ball by bringing it to your body
Punting:
* Hold ball at waist level with 2 hands
* Drop ball on your foot, do not toss it in the air.
* Contact the ball with your shoelaces (top of foot)
* Step once with non-kicking foot
* Kicking foot follows through to sky
Passing Routes:
IN/OUT BUTTON HOOK POST
INOUT
QBQB QB