Footballs 4 Family

 

Family football is not always played by experienced players. New and inexperienced players are added because they want to play the game. How do you train these new players? What are the most important points to cover? This article looks at the subject of new players and how best to train them to enjoy family football. It also describes the important role of football equipment.

New players need guidance in three important areas: (1) playing rules, (2) physical conditioning and (3) position play. Each of these key items will be reviewed in turn.

The first thing that any new family football player must learn is the rules of the game. Family football is a game played by the rules. So all new players must know and follow these rules. They cover such areas as the size and condition of the playing field, scoring, blocking, running, passing, kicking and penalties. By knowing the rules first new players learn the right way to play family football. So there can be no question about what is the right way to play. Older players tend to forget the rules. So having well taught new players on the teams will ensure the proper way to play.

Almost as important as game rules is personal physical conditioning. It makes no sense to play family (or any) football if the individual player is not properly conditioned. This circumstance can only lead to serious injury. The older family football players know the importance of conditioning and can assist the new players to achieve this. The basic exercises should include aerobics for pulmonary conditioning and strengthening for overall physical well being. Don’t play a high energy sport like family football unless the player’s body is properly prepared for this. The appropriate amount of physical conditioning will assure readiness to play.

Only after new players know the rules and are properly conditioned can they then begin to learn how to play their desired positions. Much of this training will come from experienced playmates and any coaching that can be made available. But in the final analysis, most new players will learn how to play their positions by game experience. In a regular game new players learn how best to play their positions and put into reality what they may have learned in practice. There is nothing like a game to teach a newcomer.

Proper equipment also helps. This is an official football, quality accessories and a proven tote bag. The best football is the official NFL football covered in top grain leather. This all leather ball can be a Rawlings football, a Spalding football or a Wilson football. The next best football is the leather and rubber composite football. It can be an Olympia football or a Rawlings football. The least playable and least expensive football is the rubber football. It is preferred by casual family players due to its low cost. It can be a Baden football, a Champion football, a Mikasa football or an Olympia football.

Quality accessories like a football pump, pressure gauge, inflating needles and a football repair kit are a must. The ball pump can be a hand operated air pump or the preferred foot pump. Don’t skimp on good accessories.

Another key accessory is the ball bag or ball tote. It is made of nylon mesh, comes in many colors and has a nylon draw string. This nylon ball bag or nylon ball tote can accommodate up to 10 footballs. It is used to carry football equipment to and from games and to protect unused equipment at the games.

Training new players means knowing the rules, getting in condition and playing their positions. But, there is no substitute for game experience for new players!

 

Family football, like any football game, needs rules to govern its play. However these rules in family football are not as onerous or as strict as in organized league football. This is not to say that there are no rules in family football because there are. This article reviews the rules used in family football and supports why they are needed. To play family football without rules is to invite chaos and this is not the intention of this game. Family football is meant to be a fun game for all participants. But it must be played by the rules. This also covers the equipment used in the family game.

The rules for family football cover a variety of topics. These include such items as the size and condition of the playing field, the number of players allowed on the field, the scoring and the when and how of blocking and tackling. There is usually no referee in a family football game so the rules must be understood and adhered to by all players. Under these conditions honest mistakes will be made. However, it is important to keep these faux pas as mistakes and not illegal actions. There is no room for illegal play in family football.

Before any family football game gets underway it is essential that both teams first agree on the basic rules. This covers such areas as where blocking can take place and if tackling is allowed. There should be no discussion on such items as scoring, yards required for a first down and kicking. For example, it may be decided to throw the football on fourth down instead of kicking it and dispensing with any yardsticks to measure first downs. Much of the play in family football depends on the integrity of the players involved since there is usually no referee. The game is meant to be fun and so that any cheating is just not an acceptable way to play. Mistakes can be made but obvious cheating is not tolerated.

This rigor is also applied to the football equipment. In family football there are three types of equipment: an official football, quality accessories and a sturdy tote bag. The best football is the official NFL football covered in top grain leather. This all leather football is preferred by the better family football teams and can be a Rawlings football, a Spalding football or a Wilson football. The next best football is the leather and rubber composite football. It plays quite well and can be an Olympia football or a Rawlings football. The least playable and least expensive football is the rubber football preferred by the many family footballers because of its low cost. It can be a Champion football, a Mikasa football, a Baden football or an Olympia football.

Quality accessories are very important in order to the game football playing properly. These include a football pump, a pressure gauge, inflating needles and a football repair kit. The ball pump can be a hand operated air pump or the more expensive foot pump. It is not wise to skimp on the accessories since they ensure the playability of the game football.

Another important accessory is the ball tote or ball bag. It made of nylon mesh and comes in a variety of colors with a nylon draw string. This nylon ball bag or nylon ball tote can hold up to 10 footballs and carry them to and from the game. It can also protect unused equipment from theft at the game.

Some basic rules are required in any game of family football. And while these rules are not onerous, they should never be ignored or the game will suffer! Play family football by the rules!

 

Are tie games acceptable in family football? The answer is no. There is no logical reason for a tie game in family football any more that there is in the NFL or any other organized league play. Tie games prove nothing except to show that neither team can be victorious. Tie games are not truly tolerated in any type of football and so should be accepted in family football. If two teams are tied at the end of regulation play then they can play “sudden death” football. In this way the first team to score wins! It is also important in these games to have good equipment.

Tie games are not popular in any type of football. So how should they be handled in a friendly family football game? There are two choices. First, both teams can agree to just stop play and just accept the tie. Or second, the two teams can play “sudden death” football. This means that the first team to score any points wins the game. Neither option is very attractive. Just quitting a tie game at regulation time leaves both players and spectators unsatisfied. While playing “sudden death” may get a winner or it may not. So neither suggested solution is all that satisfying. So what can be done?

Tie games leave a lot to be desired in family football. Everyone loves a winner in all sports. And to have no winner after two family teams play for over an hour is truly unsatisfactory. The two suggested solutions of: (1) stopping play and accepting the tie, or (2) playing “sudden death” are not too fulfilling. But, there is a third solution. Before play commences both teams can agree to a simple test of skills should they be tied after regulation time. This test of skills could be a passing or kicking contest. It would pit the best passer or kicker from each team to engage in man on man contest. The emerging better passer or kicker and his or her team would be declared the winner. A variation of this practice is used in soccer to settle games. Therefore, it can be used in family football too. It all depends on the competing teams.

As is any hard family football game good equipment like an official football, quality accessories and a proven tote bag helps the game. There is one supreme football. It is the official NFL football covered in top grain leather. It plays the best of all and can be a Rawlings football, a Spalding football or a Wilson football. The next most playable football is the leather and rubber composite football. It plays less well than the all leather football and can be an Olympia football or a Rawlings football. The least playable and least expensive football is the rubber football. It is preferred by casual family footballers because it is inexpensive. But is does not play well and can be a Champion football, an Olympia football, a Mikasa football or a Baden football.

Quality accessories are a must in any game. These include a football pump, pressure gauge, inflating needles and a football repair kit. The ball pump can be a hand operated air pump or a foot pump. Don’t overlook the accessories! They keep the game football always ready for play.

The ball bag or ball tote is another useful accessory. It is made of nylon mesh, comes in a variety of colors and has a nylon draw string. This nylon ball bag or nylon ball tote can accommodate up to 10 footballs. It is used to carry football equipment to and from games and to protect any unused equipment at the games.

Tie games prove nothing. So avoid them if at all possible by decisive play and tough rules!

Playing family football under adverse conditions is not much fun. Adverse conditions can include rain, snow and cold. It can even mean poor field conditions too. In any event family football was not meant to be played this way. The game is best played on a pleasant weekend afternoon on a grassy park field. But what happens if the day turns bad? Is the game cancelled or is it played anyway? This article looks at adverse conditions and suggests several courses of action. It also recommends the best adverse condition equipment.

If the weather for a family football game is bad there are truly only two courses of action. First, cancel (and postpone) the game or, second, play it. If the choice is to cancel the game and replay it later, all that needs to be done is to inform all the players. This can be done in advance of the game or at the game site depending on the weather. If the choice is to play the game under the existing conditions then there may be some temporary rule changes required. These will all be weather related and will likely depend on how the football is run or passed. It may also be necessary to modify some blocking rules as well.

Playing family football under adverse conditions should really only be attempted by the best players. These players are equipped physically and mentally to handle adversity. The normal family player is not. This is why it is best to cancel the casual family football game and replay it later. There is no sense to risk injury by playing under less than perfect conditions. Also, if the weather is bad enough, i.e. a snow storm, then no attempt should be made to play the game at all. Family footballers are not professionals and so there is no compelling reason to proceed with the game. It is best for all concerned to cancel the game and reschedule it at a future date. Family football is supposed to be fun and playing in bad weather is not fun!

If a family football team does play the adverse game then the best equipment is essential. This includes an official football, quality accessories and a sturdy tote bag. The best (and likely the only) football that should be used is the official NFL football covered in top grain leather. It is designed to play well under all conditions and can be Rawlings football, a Spalding football or a Wilson football. The next most playable football is the composite football made of leather and rubber. The composite does not play as well as the all leather football and may be unsuitable under some weather conditions. It can be an Olympia football or a Rawlings football. The least expensive football is the rubber football. It is not recommended for play under adverse conditions. The rubber football can be a Champion football, Mikasa football, Olympia football or a Baden football.

Good accessories are essential in bad weather. These include a football pump, pressure gauge, inflating needles and a football repair kit. The ball pump can be a hand operated air pump or a foot pump. Keep good accessories readily available when playing conditions are not ideal.

Adverse conditions require a sturdy ball bag or ball tote. It is made of nylon mesh and comes in a variety of colors with a nylon draw string. This nylon ball bag or nylon ball tote can accommodate up to 10 footballs and can carry them to and from the games. It will also protect unused equipment from theft at the games.

Playing family football games under adverse conditions is not recommended. Only play if the game is crucial and all players are experienced. The preferred action is to postpone a normal family football game and play it later under much better conditions.

 

There is only one way to play family football and that is fairly! It is too easy to play unfairly in family football since there is usually no referee. So the key to successful family football play is to be fair at all times and discourage any kind of cheating. What does it mean to play fair and how is it accomplished? This article looks at fair play and describes how to play fair. It also shows how good football equipment can help.

Playing family football (or any competitive game) fairly is basic. If a player wants to cheat he or she can. So fair play all depends on the individual player. Either they are honest and play this way or they are not. Honesty is an attitude of truth. When an honest person plays family football he or she does not expect any kind of illegal play. Some players do and they should be warned of this or even banned from the game. Playing family football honestly means just that. You do nothing that jeopardizes the game. Some illegalities are simple mistakes and can be forgiven. But if the same “mistakes” happen repeatedly they are not mistakes. They are illegal actions!

Any action that goes counter to the rules of play is illegal and not allowed. For example, most family games stress two hand touch football. Therefore, touching an opposing player who has the football with only one hand and saying he’s tagged is illegal. This is a favorite way that players can cheat in the game if they wish. But cheating in family football benefits no one. The game is best played when all players observe the rules and play by them. Yes honest mistakes can be made. But anyone who consistently makes “mistakes” is not an honest player. And this player is certainly not playing fair. There is no place in an honest game of family football for anyone who cheats.

Quality football equipment also helps. This is an official football, good accessories and a proven tote bag. The best football is the official NFL football covered in top grain leather. It is expensive but it plays very well under all conditions. It can be a Spalding football, a Rawlings football or a Wilson football. The next most playable football is the composite football. This leather and rubber football plays reasonably well and can be a Rawlings football or an Olympia football. The least playable and least expensive football is the rubber football. It is typically favored by the casual family footballer because of its low cost. It can be a Champion football, a Mikasa football, an Olympia football or a Baden football.Quality accessories like a football pump, pressure gauge, inflating needles or a football repair kit should not ignored. The ball pump can be a hand operated air pump or a foot pump. These accessories assure a playable football for the game at all times.

Another key accessory is the ball bag or ball tote. It is made of nylon mesh, comes in a variety of colors and has a nylon draw string. This nylon ball bag or ball tote can accommodate up to 10 footballs and is used to carry football equipment to and from games. It is also used to safeguard unused equipment at the games.

Fair play is fundamental in family football. So it’s incumbent on all players to do their best to play this game fairly and according to the rules at all times!

 

Family football is a first and foremost a game of football. As such it needs proper rules to govern its play. The rules in family football are not as extensive as those in professional or college football but a solid set of rules is important. Otherwise family football becomes nothing more than an idiotic game of touch football. The rules required govern such things as field size, scoring, blocking, tackling, kicking and illegal play. This article will review why rules are important in family football and describe what they are. It will also review equipment requirements.

Rules are important in family football for one good reason. They give a structure to the game that is needed if it is to be played in a civilized way. To play any other way makes no sense. Even in the early days of football play it became obvious that some rules were required so that opposing teams did no just kill each other. As football has matured more rules have been added primarily to protect players from serious injury. The teams playing the game now are bigger, faster and tougher. So more rules of protection were needed. And more will be added as time goes on.

Family football needs rules for the same reason. This game can be played in a variety of ways and so rules are needed to govern its play. For example, a family football game that allows down field blocking and tackling needs different rules than a game that allows only limited line blocking. There are many similarities in such items as field size, scoring and number of players. Only in kicking and blocking are there any significant differences. In any event family football must be played by the rules.

An important part of family football is the equipment used. This does not vary significantly regardless of play. The game requires three basic types of equipment: an official football, quality accessories and a proven tote bag. The best playing football is an official NFL football covered in top grain leather. It is also the most expensive but this is the leather football most preferred by the best teams. It can be a Spalding football or a Rawlings football. The next most preferred football is the leather and rubber composite football. It can be an Olympia football or a Rawlings football. The least playable football but the least expensive one is the rubber football. It is the choice of casual players and can be a Champion football, an Olympia football, a Mikasa football or a Baden football.

Regardless of the football used quality accessories are required. They are a football pump, pressure gauge, inflating needles and a football repair kit. The ball pump can be a hand operated air pump or a foot pump. It is unwise to ever skimp on football accessories. They keep the game playable by ensuring the game football is kept in good condition.

Another key accessory is the ball tote or ball bag. It is made of nylon mesh and comes in a variety of colors. This nylon ball tote or nylon ball bag is used to carry football equipment to and from games and protect this equipment from theft at the games.

Without rules, family (or any) football would be chaos. So be sure that all appropriate rules are strictly followed whenever family football is played.

 

Family football is played best when there is no rough play or “rough house”. The game is meant to be played hard but fair. There is no place for overly aggressive or even illegal play. When such play is evident it is best to: (1) warn the offending players, (2) eject these rough players from the game, or (3) quit play all together. This article examines “rough house” play by first defining it and suggesting how such play can be avoided. The role of equipment is also reviewed here.

“Rough house” play is any kind of play in a family football game that goes beyond the accepted standard of aggressive play. It is easy to recognize. Players who use excessive tactics in blocking and tackling are committed to hurting opponents by playing way too roughly. Also rough play is characterized as illegal since these rough house players often break the rules of accepted play.

When rough house play occurs in a game the opposing players have a basic choice to make: to continue or quit play. Often the offending player can be warned about overly aggressive actions and the rough house will stop. This is likely the best course of action. But if rough play continues then the offending player should be asked to leave the game. However, should this action prove unsuccessful then the only remaining choice is to quit play all together. Too often a whole team will play roughly and do everything possible to win. In this case it is best to quit and not replay that team unless and until their rough tactics stop.

Equipment also plays a role here. Any team who plays properly will have top quality equipment since they are dedicated to the best possible play. This means an official football, good accessories and a reliable ball tote. The best football is an official NFL football. It is covered in top grain leather and is expensive. But it plays best and can be a Spalding football or a Rawlings football. The next most acceptable football is a leather and rubber composite football. It does not play as well as a leather football but is acceptable. It can be an Olympia football or a Rawlings football. The least acceptable football, and the one most preferred by rough house players, is a rubber football. It does no play as well as the other two coverings but it is quite inexpensive. A rubber football can be a Champion football, a Mikasa football, a Baden football or an Olympia football.

Serious playing teams also have quality accessories. These are the ball pump, pressure gauge, inflating needles and the football repair kit. The football pump can be an air pump or a foot pump.

Another key accessory is the ball bag or ball tote. Serious teams use this item made of nylon mesh in many colors to carry football equipment to and from games. This nylon ball tote or nylon ball bag can accommodate up to 10 footballs and is also used to safeguard this equipment at the games.

There is no place in family football for overly aggressive play. If and when it happens, stop it at once or stop play! All players will benefit!

Family football is a paradox! It can be played by any group of players in almost any place, any time and in any conditions. So why does it need any rules? Isn’t it played just for fun? So it should be allowed to proceed with the minimum of rules and focus on enjoyment. But is this really true? This article looks at the rules in family football and identifies where and how they do improve the game. It also looks at the role of equipment.

To have no rules at all in family football is to invite chaos. This no one wants. Therefore, the game needs to be played by a set of rules. These cover such items as field size, scoring, blocking, tackling, kicking and equipment. In the more advanced games down field blocking, aggressive tackling and kicking are all encouraged. For example, this type of play dictates a field with goal posts so that field goals and points after touchdown (PAT) can be counted. In the less aggressive game kicking is not needed for players to have fun. With a reliable set of rules play can continue without interruption since each player understands the game’s parameters.

This is most obvious in equipment. In the more advanced game the best possible football equipment is used. This means an official NFL football which can be a Rawlings football or a Spalding football. This is a top grain leather football. Accessory equipment is also top quality. This normally means a foot pump and an air pump along with pressure gauges, inflating needles and a quality football repair kit. All this equipment is stored and carried in at least one nylon ball bag.

In lesser games the football equipment also tends to be downgraded. This means a rubber football like a Champion football, an Olympia football, a Mikasa football or a Baden football. The football here can also be a composite football like an Olympia football or a Rawlings football. Accessory equipment too is not the highest quality. But it should include a good ball pump, a reliable pressure gauge, inflating needles and a football repair kit. Tote bags are also a necessity here.

The best family football games are governed by rules. Playing the game according to established rules makes it much more fun for all concerned.

No one knows how to play family football right away. So everyone who plays needs to learn to play the game. Yes, natural ability helps but it cannot substitute for the skill that is developed by diligent training. We look here at the three things required to teach family football.

The first things that new players should know about family football are the rules. Like any competitive game, there are specific rules governing all aspects of family football. This covers such areas as field size, scoring, blocking, tackling and running. By ensuring that new players know the rules the coach starts them off properly to play family football.Next, a new player needs to be introduced to the football equipment used. This first covers the football. It can be a rubber football, a composite football or a leather football. But it must be an official football at 11 inches long and inflated to 13 to 14 PSI. Many experienced family football players prefer an official NFL football. This can be a Spalding football or a Rawlings football. A well equipped family football team also needs an air pump, a pressure gauge, inflating needles and a football repair kit. Further, no properly equipped family football team is without a nylon ball bag to store and carry this equipment.The third key requirement for a new player is practice. This is one aspect of football that never goes out of fashion. The most seasoned professional players practice their skills consistently as any new player must do too. But practice must focus on doing things right. Practicing the wrong skills or the wrong way to execute a play is worse than no practice at all. Therefore, it’s important to learn family football from a coach who knows the right way to play the game!

Family football can be played by any group of players at almost any time on virtually any surface. What makes the family football fun is to play according to basic rules and to use an official football. A family game played without rules has no value. It is merely “uncontrolled chaos”. So what rules should prevail in the family football game? There should be sufficient rules to govern play without making the game too burdensome. This article reviews the minimum rules for a properly played family football game.

Family football game rules cover the following areas: field boundaries, scoring, possession, blocking, touching, blocking, kicking, and timing.

 1 - Field Boundaries – The playing field should be flat and grassy (if possible), 100 yards long and 50 yards wide. Goal lines should be clearly marked.

 2 -  Scoring – Touchdowns count for 6 points. Unless there are goal posts, there are no field goals or points after touchdowns. For most family play keeping track of touchdowns is the simplest means of scoring.

 3 -  Possession – An offensive team maintains ball possession as long as it gains 10 yards in 4 downs. This team may choose to kick the ball on fourth down but it is not required. Possession changes if the offensive team does not gain 10 yards.

 4 – Touching – In touch football it is more realistic and challenging when an offensive player must be touched with two hands to be stopped. One handed touching works too but it is not nearly as demanding for the defensive team.

 5 – Blocking – Blocking is not normally permitted in a touch football game with players of differing sizes, skills and sexes. When blocking is allowed, it can be limited to the line of scrimmage or may be permitted anywhere on the field.

 6 - Kicking – After three downs of unsuccessfully moving the ball forward the required 10 yards, kicking on fourth down is an offensive option. In much family play kicking is not allowed. So possession changes, without a kick, when the offensive team fails to gain 10 yards in four downs.

 7 – Timing – In a family football game normal timing is 10 minutes a quarter. It is unnecessary to play for a full 60 minutes given the age, sex and skill levels of the players involved. However, game timing can be adjusted to suit the playing desires of all participants.

This list represents the minimum rule requirements for an enjoyable family football game. More rules may be needed depending entirely on the players involved. To enjoy the game fully, however, ensure that these basic rules are promulgated and followed.