Footballs 4 Family

For family games football can be played any time. While a grassy field is preferred, family football is played on almost any surface, provided it’s reasonably level. Most times a rubber football is used but composites and leather balls are popular too. But during play, little thought is given to how footballs are made. So, to improve basic football knowledge, this article examines the football manufacturing process.

Footballs have one of three exterior covers – leather, composite or rubber. A leather football is required in professional and collegiate play. But in recreational games footballs with exteriors of rubber or composite are more common.

This article describes leather ball manufacture. But all footballs are made in much the same way. Four panels or pieces of leather or rubber are required for each football. In the less expensive rubber balls these panels are made in one piece. All coverings must be quality inspected for proper weight and blemish clarity. The coverings are usually stamped with a pebble-grain texture to improve a player’s grip of the ball.

Two panels are perforated along their adjoining edges so they can be laced together. One of these panels gets an additional perforation and reinforcement to hold the inflation valve. All four panels are attached to an interior lining and then stitched together in an “inside-out” pattern. However, the panel with the lacing holes is not stitched together. The ball is then turned right side out by pushing the panels through the lacing hole.

Next, a rubber or polyurethane lining called a “bladder” is inserted through the same lacing hole. Then, leather or polyvinyl chloride laces are inserted through the perforations to provide a solid grip for holding, passing or hiking the football. In a final action the football is inflated to a pressure of 12.5 to 13.5 PSI and check weighed at 14 to 15 ounces. It is now ready for play.

Having family football fun does not require knowing how footballs are made. But, as in all sports, the more that’s known about the basics of the game, like football manufacture, the better it’s played. Family football is no exception. 

We take football for granted. In the fall we watch it on TV or in person and play a family game with an official NFL football or in organized leagues. How did football get started? This article sheds some light on football’s history.

Football likely began in 19th century England as part of a soccer game. Some frustrated soccer player got tired of kicking the ball and picked it up and ran with it. His action sparked other soccer players to do the same and so rugby was born.

Rugby caught on quickly around the world. It came to the United States in the mid 1800’s and was played in America’s northeastern colleges. Harvard and Yale played a key match in 1876 and formalized the rules for rugby, similar to English rules. The key difference was the ball. The American ball was egg shaped and so the game name was changed to football. This action led to forming the Intercollegiate Football Association (IFA).

But football then was still American rugby and different than today’s game. So, in 1880, a Yale football player, named Walter Camp, convinced the IFA to change the rules of American rugby to the game we know today. Camp is popularly remembered as the father of modern football.

Football was an intercollegiate sport until the beginning of the 20th century when professional teams began to emerge. By then college sports fell under the NCAA (National College Athletic Association). The rules of professional football mirrored the collegiate game. By 1920 there were more than 10 professional teams. They met in Canton, Ohio to form what became the NFL (National Football League).

The rest is history. In the last 50 years TV has made football the fall sport. We watch and play football. What we see in the college and professional games we try to copy in our recreational games. We love football for its healthy outdoor recreation and play it for the fun and exercise it provides.

As we play family football, we don’t think about the game’s pioneers. We never consider the unknown English soccer player who began rugby. Little thought is given to old college teams or Walter Camp. Yes, we know about our favorite college and professional teams. But football only comes alive when we play it with family and friends for family football fun on a warm summer afternoon. That’s the way it’s meant to be!

Family football is normally played on a bright, sunny afternoon in a grassy park. Is this the best time and place to play? This article looks at various venues for family football. It then recommends the best combination of time and place to ensure the most enjoyable and healthful play. Let’s examine each aspect here – location, temperature, and timing.

A grassy location seems ideal for family football. It is superior to a street or asphalt playground. But a grassy field next to a busy street can be very dangerous to unwary players. How about a grassy location in a park? This is not normally too vehicle-traffic dangerous. But it can be people dangerous if the area is open to pedestrian traffic. Family football play cannot be continually interrupted by other park users unwarily crossing the playing field. So what is the best location? It is a level grassy site about 100 yards long and 50 yards wide. It can be in a park or playground. Select a grassy location free of people that can be used for family football play for about one hour. Also, if possible use an official football.

What is the right temperature to play family football? Ideally, the temperature should be in the mid 70’s. Any temperature much hotter increases the risk of heat stroke for unwary family football players. This is especially true for younger players and girls. It makes no sense to play family football in high temperatures. Not only are players more partial to heat stroke, they also tire easier and are more susceptible to injury. Avoid playing in high temperatures. It makes no sense.

Is there a good time to play family football? If the temperature cooperates, any time is fine. As noted above family football is best played in the mid 70’s. During summer in many locations this temperature is never reached until it’s too dark to play. But, it may be possible to play family football in the late afternoon or early evening. This is when temperatures have decreased, yet there is still sufficient natural light to play safely. Family football is the most fun when played at the right time. This is normally in the afternoon but the temperature must be right.

Family football can provide healthy football fun. However it should be played in the proper location at the right temperature and time. An unimpeded grassy location used at the proper temperature and time is clearly best. Avoid playing in locations and under conditions that can cause injuries. It’s not worth it!

Family football is meant to provide football fun for all participants. And it can be if every player follows some simple rules for getting his or her body in the proper condition to play. This article reviews how best to have football fun and avoid serious injury. These guidelines are listed below.

1)    Don’t smoke. This is likely the most important body conditioning guideline. Smoking severely restricts breathing in a sport like family football where there is much running and maximum use of the lungs. Not smoking is good advice at any time. But it is especially relevant in family football where the key requirement is good lung capacity and endurance.

2)    Don’t eat for 2 hours before play. A good way to get sick and/or over work the heart is to eat anything within 2 hours of family football play. Playing family football requires good breathing and an unburdened digestive system. Eating right before a game loads the body with food thus making the player more susceptible to injury. Lay off food till after the game!

3)    Do advance exercise. In a running game like family football, doing aerobic exercise in advance of play is sound advice. It is good practice to condition the heart and body with aerobics before family football play. This ensures that the family football player will enjoy the game and emerge from it injury-free.

4)    Quit when tired or injured. Family football is a physical game that requires good body conditioning. When a family football player becomes overly tired or injured, this condition can lead to more serious health consequences. Never play tired or injured; the risk is not worth it. Family football is meant to be fun!

5)    Drink water liberally. Family football is played outdoors often with high temperatures and excessive sunshine. These two conditions increase the body’s need for liquid refreshment. The best liquid refreshment, despite contrary advertisements, is water. In a family football game ensure that water is readily available and drink it liberally, especially on hot dry days. Watch the water intake of younger players to keep them from over indulging and risking sickness. This is good advice for all players.

To fully enjoy a game of family football it is best if players are physically fit. There is no accurate way to judge fitness unless a player is obviously overweight. So before and during play follow these guidelines to ensure that  football is for family fun and does not produce serious injury.

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.

When playing family football the inevitable question arises: Do we play touch or tackle football? The answer here is not simple since there are variations in play between the strictly touch game and the complete tackle football. For example, where and how is blocking allowed?  Is the touch game one handed or two? These and related questions must be answered before play can begin. This article addresses the question of touch versus tackle football in the family game and offers some guidelines to follow in deciding how to select the right game to play.

The first question is straightforward: Do we play touch or tackle football? The answer here depends entirely on the players involved. In a true family game, where younger, less experienced male players and girls are involved and football fun is paramount, touch football is the obvious choice. If tackling and blocking is allowed, players should have comparable skill and size. In the touch game there are two questions: (1) Do we play two handed touch? (2) Is blocking permitted at the line of scrimmage or elsewhere? Here are the preferred answers. Two handed touch football is preferred since play is more intense and realistic, but still safe. Blocking anywhere should not be allowed when younger players and girls participate. This type of game invites injuries. Touch football with an official NFL football can be a lot of fun for everyone involved and is relatively injury free.

In the tackle game there are also some questions to answer: (1) Where is blocking permitted? (2) Is tackling allowed anywhere on the field? (3) How should tackling be done? For a true family football game any type of tackling and blocking should not be permitted. It is far too dangerous for unconditioned players and it excludes too many likely game participants. Tackle football should be limited to more experienced and older male players. As such, it has no place in a true family outing where enjoying the game by every one playing is a key requirement.

Playing family football in a good location on a warm summer day can be a lot of fun for all concerned. Therefore, every effort should be made to keep the game enjoyable and injury free. Playing touch football in this environment is the obvious choice. Do not play the tackle game when family fun is the key criterion. Keep the game simple and able to be enjoyed fully by any one who wants to play.

One of the most explosive sports in existence is football. When people say that it is a collision sport, they sure mean it. The arrangement of players at the start of the match is a good indication of its collision element. Both offense and defense are arranged in a tight gridlock on both sides forming two lines like an old war scene.

From there strategy and brute force determine which side will advance in yards and eventually score a touch down. Official NFL footballs are now available so that you can bring the excitement of professional football into your home. In this way you can play family football and experience your own football fun.

Playing family football with family and friends is meant for football fun. So, there is no room for rough play or overly aggressive tactics. This kind of play produces injuries and bad feelings. It has no place in what should be a fun game with family and friends. Even more important is the selection of the right equipment for a family game. While there is no need for football pads or even cleated shoes, playing family football with the right equipment can greatly enhance the play and the fun received by all players. This article lists the minimum equipment required to ensure an enjoyable family game.

The foremost piece of required equipment is the football. It can have any one of three coverings – rubber, composite or leather. Any covering works well. The football should be official size and properly inflated to 15 PSI. It should be in good condition and not badly scarred. Having a backup ball or two on hand is a good idea in case the original game ball is lost or damaged. Stopping play because no backup ball is available can ruin a fun afternoon.

Another important piece of equipment is shoes. These should be comfortable and well fitted tennis shoes. Cleated football shoes are only acceptable if every player has them and all players are about the same size and skill level. Using football shoes with cleats helps footing but they can also cause injuries, especially when all players are not of equal skill level. A good rule for family football is to ban any type of cleated football shoes. Tennis shoes work well and are much safer.

To ensure a fully enjoyable football game it is wise to have an air pump on hand to inflate the game ball to the proper pressure. In addition, a pressure gauge is also a useful accessory. Balls can lose pressure during play and should be kept properly inflated. Playing with a poorly inflated ball is no fun. So before play begins inflate the ball to the proper pressure, normally 15 PSI. And keep it properly inflated during play. This will insure a good day of football for all players.

The only other piece of useful equipment is a tote bag to carry the footballs and accessories. This tote bag need not be expensive. A 24” x 36” nylon tote bag with a drawstring top is perfectly suitable. It costs less than $10.00 and can carry all the equipment needed for a friendly family football game.

Family football is mean to be fun. But it does require some equipment to be enjoyed fully. Listed here is all that’s needed for a good afternoon of football family fun!

Football is a great American tradition. It’s a game that mixes strategy, physical contact, and raw ability. Families have been playing family football since its conception. Football has its roots in early forms of rugby football and soccer. The original form of football consisted of a soccer net on either side of the field and much fewer players.

Official NFL Football has since refined itself with several rules and regulations that were not a part of the original design. Now, although it is connected with the processor sports through the kicker and its use of opposing goal lines, American football is truly a unique sport that amazes and inspires today’s youth by providing football fun.

The primary purpose for playing family football is to have football fun. This fun can be maximized by following a few simple steps. This article discusses each of these steps in turn.

1 - Choose a good day. This is usually a sunny weekend afternoon when many family and friends can participate. The football game needs to have a true family outing flavor like a picnic. This will heighten the excitement and get all participants in a “have fun” spirit. If the game is a key part of the outing everyone will anticipate its happening.

2 - Select a good location. The ideal place for the football game (and family outing) is a grassy park or playground with good picnic facilities. The football game will be an important part of the outing but so will the camaraderie of family and friends. It’s a time for family fun together.

3 - Choose two well balanced teams. Be sure that there are young inexperienced players on both sides as well as older more seasoned ones. This will ensure the proper standard of play and give everyone an opportunity to participate. A family football game must not be dominated by older, better players.

4 - Discourage all rough play. For example, there should be very limited blocking and no tackling. With players of all skill levels on both sides there could be some rough play. Caution all players about rough play and stop it as soon as it occurs. In a friendly family game of football there is never any need for rough play.

5 - Play by the rules. Even in a friendly, family football game there must be rules to guide the action. The rules can be simple and cover such areas as field dimensions, blocking, scoring, kicking and penalties. Take a few minutes at the start of the game to review the rules and answer any questions. There is not likely to be a referee for the game. Therefore, it’s important that all players understand the rules in advance of any play and abide by them during play.

Family football can be great fun and good exercise when playing with an official football. But it can also be a disaster if a few simple play guidelines are ignored. Listed here are the basics for a successful and fun-filled day of family football. Follow these and you will have a lot of family fun and exercise with no problems.