Football 101 for Women

When most women hear the word football, they instinctively roll their eyes suggesting general disgust. However, before making a snap judgment, women need to consider how exhilarating and enjoyable watching the game can be when you understand the basics.

The Season

This is perhaps the most exciting part of the football season because teams are determining whether they will be securing their spot in the playoffs. After each team in each conference is solidified, the wild card games will determine additional teams who will get to participate. When the playoffs begin, it becomes an edge of your seat suspenseful time where one by one the AFC and NFC teams decide who will go on to the ever coveted Superbowl. Now I know most of you are familiar with the Superbowl if for no other reason for the parties, the food, the half time show and the famed commercials. I submit to you there is so much more to the big game than these things. Especially when you consider the lame commercials they have been coming out with over the last couple of years, the accidental wardrobe malfunctions and subsequent lame-o halftime shows. Give it a try and you may find that football isn't just a sport but an action packed suspense thriller that will keep you biting your nails and begging for more.

Fundamentals

Choose a team that you can support. I don't care what your reasons are; it could be the color of the uniforms, the cute quarterback, or if you are really serious, the actual quality of the team.

Learn the NFL numbering system. 1-9 Quarterbacks and Kickers, 10-19 Quarterbacks, Receivers, and Kickers, 20-49 Running Backs and Defensive Backs, 50-59 Centers and Linebackers, 60-79 Defensive Linemen and Offensive Linemen, 80-89 Receivers and Tight Ends, 90-99 Defensive Linemen and Linebackers

Learn the basics of the game. Each team has a goal to defend and one where they score points. They have to get at least 10 yards in four downs to advance down the field toward the other team's goal. If they cannot obtain the 10 yards in 3 tries, they must either try one more play or punt the ball to the other team and then they must defend their goal. There are four quarters in each game lasting 15 minutes. Scores are obtained either by making a touchdown with an extra point or a two-point conversion for a TD (6 + 1 or 2), a field goal (3), and a safety (2 - where the opposing team tackles you in your own end zone - the points go to them).

The Offense - The Very Basics

The Offense consists of the linemen, running back, receivers, tight end, and the quarterback. There are two basic types of plays: the run and the pass. There are two terms that are commonly used when discussing the running play. The Draw where the quarterback drops back like he is going to pass and instead hands the ball off to the running back. The other term is called the Quarterback Sneak where the quarterback fakes a play then falls forward to obtain a small amount of yardage. Terms often mentioned when discussing passing are the slant pass where a receiver takes two steps forward then cuts across the field. The other is the play action pass where the quarterback fakes a handoff to a running back and then passes the ball instead.

The Defense - The Basics

There are two basic schemes for defense which are 3-4 Scheme - 3 down linemen and 4 linebackers on the line with 2 cornerbacks on each side of the field to cover wide receivers and there are 2 safeties and their position depends on the pass they are covering . The 4-3 Scheme - Involves 4 down lineman and 3 linebackers in the front, behind the line there are 2 corner backs to cover wide receivers and 2 safeties whose position depends on the pass coverage. A team will either be a 3-4 or a 4-3 defense.

There are four main types of defensive plays. The rush is where the defense reads the play and pushes pass the line to stop or sack the quarterback to stop the pass or the run. The Blitz is where a specific defensive player will head for a quarterback sack to disrupt the play and rhythm. Man-to-man defense is where when every receiver is covered. Finally, Zone defense is where defensive players are responsible for a specific area of the field for pass coverage.

Special Teams - In A Nutshell
Special teams are the part of the team that returns kick offs and punts. Some players on special teams will also play on the defense or the offense.

Penalties - The Most Common

Holding- when a player keeps another from advancing by holding on to him.
Personal Foul - usually fighting
False Start- (offensive call) someone on the line moves before the ball is snapped or in motion /Encroachment (same but for the defense).
Roughing the kicker or Quarterback
Unnecessary Roughness- called for late hits, flying elbows,
Delay of Game- the quarterback does not start the play before the play clock runs out
Face Mask or hands to the face - a player is not allowed to touch the face or pull on the facemask
Horse Collar - a defensive player cannot pull another player down by the collar of his pads.
Pass Interference - offense or defense cannot touch or push off each other prior to the ball being caught
Illegal block to the back - a player cannot be blocked from behind

If you have made it this far through the article, I am so proud! It may all seem a bit overwhelming at first but if you watch the game with someone who already knows it they can explain as you watch. It's a great way for husbands and wives to spend a Sunday afternoon together . It will also give you more to do at the Superbowl party than eating fattening foods ,watching less than good commercials and risqué half time shows. Check out this cool site for a glossary of football terms http://football.about.com/od/football101/l/bl_glossary.htm. Now what I want to know is, are you ready for some football!