Winning in family football is not the prime objective. Playing football for family fun is! But winning the game does make the whole outing a lot more fun. So this article suggests five key points to follow to produce a winning contest.
1-Prepare Well. Proper preparation wins games. What preparation is required? It covers all aspects of the game. But here are the key points. Know your opponent and assess what he is likely to do. In the family game, when teams are just picked up, assessing the opposing team’s leaders speaks volumes about their game strategy. For example, a leader who is a strong passer will likely favor passing over running. Don’t just play. Observe, too!
2 – Condition Thoroughly. Don’t play the game in poor condition or without a proper warm-up. Family football involves a lot of running and some rough play. Therefore, it pays off with fewer injuries if all players are in good physical condition and warm up thoroughly before playing. Don’t let someone play who is clearly out of shape or refuses to warm up.
3 – Use Available Talent. Not all family football players are talented. There is a mixed collection of experience and sexes on each team. Therefore, the team leader must make the best use possible of all available talent. But this does not mean excluding anyone from play. Everyone has a talent, be it passing, running, kicking or blocking. Only by making the best use of all available talent can any football team win!
4 – Employ Simple Plays. There is no reason in family foot ball to use elaborate plays. The most effective plays are the simple ones. For example, why risk a long pass when short passes are working well? It is the task of the quarterback to call plays that work. This means mixing passes and runs and using deception when possible. The team that wins family football games is the one who executes simple plays very well.
5 – Have the Will to Win. A team without the will to win is a born loser. Winning requires that all players demonstrate a strong desire to be winners. This means working well together and being continually optimistic. The play glass is always “half full” and never “half empty”. Make no mistake! A positive will to win attitude by all players will often produce victory.
Winning is not why family football is played. It is meant to be a game of football fun and enjoyment for all. But it is a fact that winning makes any contest much more fun. So do play to win in family football. But don’t play to win at any cost! It’s not worth it.
Week after week in the fall professional football teams strive to win games on the road to the Super Bowl. But only one team can be the winner. How about all the rest? What can these teams and players teach family footballers about winning and losing football games. This article reviews five important characteristics that all professional players have, regardless of skill. These characteristics are valuable for family players to emulate.
1 – Be In Condition. Professional football players work hard at getting in condition to play and staying that way. Beginning in July and, even earlier, they train their bodies to withstand the rigors of a hard football season that lasts for six months. All players know that being in top condition allows them to play their very best. This is true in every foot ball game – family included.
2 – Prepare Well. Every professional player takes pride in preparing well for each upcoming game. This preparation includes hours of attending team meetings, watching game films and perfecting new plays. None of this is done lightly. As professionals they know that careful advance preparation wins football games. This message should not be ignored by family players.
3 – Play Hard. Regardless of physical ailments, all professional players play hard in every game. They know that letting up gives their opponents an edge that can win games. As professionals, they give the game their very best week after week. They know no other way to play. This is good advice for the family football player.
4 – Respect Opponents . Professional players never take their opponents for granted. There are no “giveaway” games in the NFL. In any given week, any team can beat any other team in the league. The players know this and so prepare thoroughly for all opponents. This should also be true in family football. Never underestimate an opponent and play for football fun.
5 –Don’t Ignore Injuries. There are no heroes in professional football. Players and coaches know that playing hurt accomplishes little. Yes, minor injuries tend to be ignored. But at no time do professional players continue to play with serious injuries. They leave the game and are benched for their own well being. So there is clearly no reason for any family footballer to play hurt.
Family football is meant to be fun. But it is also meant to be played well. Imitating the professional players adds value to the football for family fun game. But remember to imitate the professionals completely and follow these five key characteristics.
It’s that time again - football! All teams from the pros to high schools are heavily committed to weekly games to determine who will emerge as the best team. In the NFL this means the winner of the Super Bowl! We won’t know who this will be till next year. But rest assured football fans will follow their chosen team(s) religiously to see who emerges victorious.
What does all this fervor have to do with family football? Much can be learned from the established teams on how best to enjoy family football fun. This is especially true in three areas – defense, blocking and deception.
1 – Defense. No team can win in the established leagues without a solid defense. Yes, an exciting offense attracts attention. But a good defense wins games. This is also true in family football. Every effort should be made in the family game to field a solid defense. This consists of two key activities: (1) rushing the passer, and (2) covering the offense man to man. A consistent pass rush keeps the offensive quarterback with his official NFL football hurried and uncertain. Dedicated man to man coverage ensures that no offensive player can easily get in the clear. By doing these two actions well the defense keeps the offense from dominating the game.
2 – Blocking. Normally only line blocking is allowed in family football. But it should be reliable and consistent. A defensive player should never have a clear shot at the quarterback and force a sack. Every player on the offensive team should consider blocking as essential, regardless of the play. The purpose of blocking is to protect the offensive players, especially the quarterback, from an overly aggressive defense. Whether the offensive play is a pass or a run it can only be truly successful if there is solid blocking to support it.
3 – Deception. Family football is an open game. But there is still ample room for deception. This can occur in the play of the quarterback as he fakes a pass and executes a draw play. There are also other deception opportunities. These include: (1) fake runs that are really long passes, (2) fake kicks that are really runs and (3) fake passes that are really kicks.
It is clear that deception plays a key role in the established leagues. Therefore, it should not be absent in the family game. A good family foot ball team keeps its opponent guessing on every play.
The fall is the best time for all football games – both league and family. But don’t just go through the motions in the family game. Learn how best to play by studying the established teams, be they pro, college or high school. This makes family football a more exciting game to play and to watch.
The least important offense play in family football is kicking. Many family football fun games don’t permit kicking since there are few good kickers and kicking slows down the game. But when kicking is allowed it adds realism to the game and can be an effective offensive play. This article looks at kicking by asking three questions: (1) When? (2) Where? and (3) How?
1 – When to Kick? In family football there is only one real opportunity to kick the ball. This is on fourth down if the offensive team has been unsuccessful at gaining 10 yards in the previous three plays. The designated kicker should be someone who can kick the ball. If no kicker is available, an offensive player can simulate a kick by throwing the ball downfield, if this is permitted.
It is also possible to fake a kick on fourth down and substitute a running or passing play. This is the most likely fourth down strategy since kicking the ball gives up possession.
2 – Where to Kick? On fourth down it makes good game sense to kick the ball as far downfield as possible and out of bounds. This ploy negates any runback by the defending team. This is the same action that organized teams take when they must kick on fourth down. The key action here is to nullify any receiving team runback.
As mentioned above a fake kick on fourth down is possible. However, the defense is wary of this type of play and so is doubly cautious. If they stop a fake kick they get possession at the line of scrimmage. So the offense must complete the run or pass play or lose possession.
3 – How to Kick? There is no substitute for skill when kicking the ball. It is too easy to have a poor kick and then turn the ball over to the defense with little or no gain by the offensive team. If there is not a good kicker on the offensive team, consider throwing the ball on fourth down and avoid a poor kick. If throwing is not permitted, then the best possible kicking effort should be made by the offense. Also, this could be a fake kick. But every effort should be made to move the ball, by whatever means, downfield or out of bounds.
Kicking is not a key part of a football for family fun game and so is often excluded. If kicking is allowed it should focus on not being fancy or deceptive and lofting the ball as far downfield as possible or out of bounds. Kicking adds realism to the family game and so should not be casually excluded
On offense, family football is a passing game. So does this mean that there is no place for a well executed running play? Not so. Running plays have their place in family football. This article explains the what, where and how of running in football for family fun.
1 – What? Due to the nature of family football, with limited blocking and the preeminence of passing, running plays are few. But there are at least four running plays that work well. These are: (1) sweep runs to the left and right and (2) draw plays to the left and right.
Sweep runs normally begin with a quarterback pitch-out left or right to a half back. This player is standing 8 to10 yards to the left or right of center and 3 to 4 yards behind the line of scrimmage. The quarterback takes the ball from center and immediately pitches it out left or right to the halfback standing here. Upon receiving the ball the half back runs up the field. This play can often gain many yards.
Draw plays are fake pass plays. The quarterback fades back as if to pass and then hands the ball off to the halfback who then runs directly up the field. Draw plays can be very effective if there has been a lot of offensive passing.
2 – Where? Sweeps and draw plays can be called at any time or place on the field. But they are particularly effective when the defense has become accustomed to a lot of offensive passing. The sweep is a true running play and depends heavily on the pitch-out of the quarterback and the running ability of the halfback carrying the ball. Effective line blocking can also help to make this play successful.
Draw plays should be used sparingly. They can be very effective if the defense expects a pass. Again, effective line blocking can help the deception on this play and its ultimate running success.
3 – How? As noted above, there are a limited number of running plays in family football. Making them successful requires deception and good line blocking. But they can be employed anywhere on the field and will typically be used if the defense expects a pass.
Running a sweep or draw play successfully depends on three elements: (1) the skillful deception of the quarterback, (2) the aggressive running of the halfback, and (3) the effectiveness of line blocking. When these elements are working well together running plays in family football can gain excellent yardage and even score touchdowns.
Running the football is not the norm for family football fun. However, well executed running plays can fool the defense, gain extensive yardage and keep the game balanced and interesting. It’s sound play tactics when playing football for family fun to use running as a powerful offensive weapon!
Family football is a game where all players should have football fun. Anyone who wishes to play, regardless of skill, should be welcome. So the more experienced players should make the new comers feel welcome in the game. This article suggests five ways to ensure that all players in a family football game enjoy it.
1 – Size Them Up. Ensure that all who want to play can. This means having an equal number of known and unknown skill level players on each team. Often the only way to assess players’ skill levels is to test them in a game. With few exceptions, it is likely that very young players and girls will lack good skills. So give every aspirant a chance to play football for family fun and see how they make out.
2 – Try Them Out. A try out is fundamental. Only in a game can a player’s true ability be properly tested. Don’t assume anything. Also, don’t write off anyone because they are female or young. Often female or young players perform well. So give anyone who wishes a chance to play and have football fun.
3 – Give Them Plays. In a family game it is often easiest to use only a few known players. But in this way, some less talented players are ignored. So mix up offensive plays and give all players the opportunity to do well. It is often surprising to see who will perform in the clutch and score. Give every player the chance to play family football and excel. The results will prove that decision to be right.
4 – Encourage Everyone. A good family football leader knows his or her players and gives them all an opportunity to excel. Not all players have the skill to score but no one should be ignored. This may mean just having them catch the ball or run with it. Make all players feel that they are contributing to the successful outcome of the game.
5 – Don’t Ignore Anyone. Everyone on the family football field wants to play. And individual skills do not matter. It’s incumbent on the game leaders to let everyone play. Ignoring anyone takes the fun out of the game for everyone. First and foremost, family football must be fun.
It’s a forgone conclusion. Family football should be fun for all players, regardless of individual skills. So keep the game fun by ensuring that all who wish to play do play. No one should ever be ignored.
Playing the game well in sports is important. But the driving purpose for all play is winning. This is especially true in football. Week after week, all organized teams strive to win. This is also true in family football. While it is family football fun to play, it is more fun to win. This article reviews five key aspects of winning family football.
1 – Mix the Plays. Family football is a passing game. This does not mean that every play must be a pass or that only one type of pass play will work. Winning in family football requires that an official football is used and offensive plays are mixed. Interchange short and long pass plays with runs and draw plays. The secret to winning is to keep your opponent guessing about your offense.
2 – Use Deception. Family foot ball is open. So there is limited opportunity for deception. But deception does play a key role in the family game too. For example, the family game quarterback can “hide” the ball and then run a fake pass play that is really a run. Deception is possible in the family game and should be used to confuse opponents.
3 – Capitalize on Weaknesses. Every family football team has weaknesses. These can be weak player ability, poor execution or obvious play inconsistencies. Keep alert to any clear weaknesses in an opponent’s offense and defense. These can then be exploited to the advantage of the winning team.
4 – Keep Play Simple. The best teams in family football execute well. They don’t spend time or effort to develop elaborate plays or exotic strategies. Simple is best. Execute a few plays very well. Don’t use plays that are difficult to understand. The teams who win family games execute a limited number of simple plays very well.
5 – Use All Players. A mistake often made in family football is to rely heavily on a few good players. Good, but over extended, players get injured or tire easily. It is much better to rely on all players, regardless of skill level. Often a less skilled player will make a winning play. Use all players to the best of their ability and the reward will be a winning contest.
Vince Lombardi, the great Green Bay Packer coach, said, “Winning is everything!” Everyone likes to win. By adopting the points listed above, winning in family football can be more likely.
Whether you’re a coach or just a family who has football fun with lots of sports balls lying around, a nylon ball bag is a convenient and easy way to store all your sports equipment.
First and foremost, nylon is the ideal material for a bag that will see a lot of outdoor use, because it’s durable and won’t get ruined in the rain or mud. Other fabrics are liable to tear or be destroyed in these types of conditions, but nylon will hold up over time.
Also, footballs are bulky to store, and keeping them all contained in one bag means you save space. And your whole family knows where to find the family stash of balls for family football fun.
And don’t think a nylon ball bag is only for the avid sports family. A nylon ball bag can also be great for storing extra sheets or linens in the closet. You could even just use it as a makeshift laundry hamper.
If you’ve ever wanted to get out in the backyard to toss around an official football only to find it was too flat to use, you can appreciate how useful a football pump can be. But before you rush out and purchase just any old pump, consider some of the following factors.
- When you purchase a pump, it should be more than just a football pump. Make sure it is adjustable so it can accommodate multiple uses. If your pump works for multiple inflatable balls, you won’t have to clutter your garage with a hodgepodge of pumps.
- A football pump should always be “double action.” That is to say, the pump should pump out air on the up stroke and the down stroke. It cuts the amount of work you need to do in half, and it can make even large projects seem quick and manageable.
- Shop around for a pump that can also act as a deflator. It makes storing all your inflatable balls that much easier and space-friendly.
For football fun be sure your football is properly inflated. This is the only way to have a football for familyfun.
In family football the main offensive weapon is the pass. Yes, there are some running plays and, even kicking, may be allowed. But without well developed pass plays the offensive team has little to offer in the way of scoring punch. So this article examines the passing offense required in family football by exploring three critical offense items: (1) the passer, (2) the pass, and (3) the feint.
1 – Passer. The most important player on offense in family football is the quarterback who must be a good passer. Since passing is the key offensive weapon in family football, having a quarterback who can pass successfully is a must. The passer can be male or female. But who ever it is they should be able to handle an official football and pass accurately for at least 20 yards. This is the area in which most family football pass plays are completed. Long passes rarely work in family football. So it is unimportant if the passer/quarterback cannot throw a long ball. But passers must be able to pass capably up to 20 yards from the line of scrimmage.
2 – Pass. There seven basic pass plays in the family football game. There are three short range passes – left, right and center – up to 10 yards from the line of scrimmage. There are three medium range passes – left, right and center – at 10 to 20 yards from the line of scrimmage. In addition, there is one long pass – over 20 yards from the line of scrimmage. This is thrown to who ever may be open regardless of their field position. But the long pass is used infrequently since it is difficult to complete and relatively easy to defend against. Most passes in family foot ball tend to be short because they are easiest to execute successfully.
3 – Feint. In the play arsenal for family football there are normally two feint passes. These are draw plays to the left and right. Draw plays look like pass plays but they are really running plays. The defense is fooled by what appears at first to be a pass play and drops back to protect against it. The quarterback fakes a pass and hands off to a halfback who then runs the ball up field. What also adds deception to the draw play is line blocking. At first it resembles pass blocking but becomes run blocking as the draw play unfolds. Draw plays must be used sparingly though because they are relatively easy to defend against.
Passing is the name of the game in family football. So having a good passer is important. However, a passer, however good, is only one player. Success in football for family fun requires that all players, regardless of position, have football fun and contribute fully to playing the football game.
