As goes professional and college football so goes the family game. So where is football going in America? Is it growing? Are there many changes contemplated? Will it remain an American game played only by Americans? These and other questions are continually being raised by football fans who love football for family fun in America and elsewhere. This article considers these questions and then forecasts where football could be headed.
1 – Key Questions. Two questions dominate the future of American football. What game changes are contemplated? Will football remain American? Here are the likely answers.
Football is evolving all the time. On the plus side every effort is made, by rule and equipment improvements, to make football safer. On the negative side, however, bigger, faster and tougher players are even more committed to very destructive play. Football is no game for the faint hearted. At the professional level the game resembles an all-out war when teams meet. There are now more serious injuries due to increased player size and a strong commitment to injure opponents. These trends will surely continue, thus making football even more destructive and yet more family football fun in the future.
Football is no longer a purely American game. Each fall two NFL teams pack Wembley Stadium in London. English people love American NFL-type football. Also, there is a semi-professional American football league on the European Continent. Further, Canada has a well established NFL-type league that features excellent American players. So American football with its football fans is flourishing and will continue to expand its borders.
2 – Forecast. The future for football looks bright. In the NFL there are already 32 teams vying for the Super Bowl. More NFL teams are contemplated. College football is enjoying untold popularity. And high school football is very much alive!
Football will try to be safer with improved equipment like the official NFL football and strict rule modifications. But nature is getting in the way. All players now are bigger, faster and tougher in every league. This means that the average football game will have more injured players. Football is a physical contact game and so injuries cannot be avoided. Everything possible will be done to mitigate football injuries but they are bound to happen. As time goes on perhaps improved equipment can reverse the injury trend. Till then it will continue.
Football is a very popular game that’s here to stay. It is enjoyed immensely by players and spectators alike who enjoy football for family fun. As a hard and brutal game it has no rivals. This is why its popularity continues to increase. There is no real relief in sight for the many football injuries. Hopefully, they can be mitigated. Meanwhile, football will continue as the number one spectator sport for family football fun in America!
Family football seems like a game without strategy. This may be true in some family games, but it is not universal. Many successfully played football for family fun games follow a definitive strategy. This game strategy is developed from two sources: (1) known abilities of your team, and (2) perceived abilities of your opponents. This article explores game strategy by looking first at how best to assess your team’s abilities and then those of your opponents.
1 – Your Team. Every football team has strengths and weaknesses. Your family team is no exception. In preparing to play, even a pickup game, assess your team’s skills to determine inherent strengths and weaknesses. Very few teams are weak in every position. So it is best to know what your team does best. For example, does it have a good passer and no reliable receivers? Then the best strategy is to pass with an official football but keep the passes short and easy to catch. A team with a good runner can stress running and make its yardage by aggressive running plays. Tailor the offense and defense to the skill sets of your players.
On defense, it you have a good rusher then use a strong quarterback rush. Reliable pass defense depends on the coverage capability of your defensive backs. If these are not available then stress a hard pass rush and strict man to man pass coverage. As with your offense build your defense around your most capable players.
2 – Your Opponents. It is unlikely that you will know your opponents’ abilities. So observe the opponent’s team as they warm up. How competent is their passer? Do they seem to have good runners? Are many passes dropped? These observations can provide some clues about your opponents’ possible strengths and weaknesses.
Regardless of warm-ups, there are several basic defensive strategies. For example, rush hard and hurry the quarterback on every play. This can stymie many pass and run plays. Also, rush the quarterback hard on both the left and right side simultaneously on every play. This makes executing any running play more difficult. On every defensive play rush the quarterback aggressively to prevent any plays from developing. The best offense is a strong defense.
Family football is not replete with game strategies. After all, it’s supposed to be played for family football fun. Regardless, as a competitive sport, it encourages winners. Therefore, having a plausible game strategy can help a family team emerge victorious. So don’t play without one!
In family football the equipment emphasis is on the football often to the detriment of the accessories. Yet, no football game can proceed without the key accessories on hand and ready to use. What are these accessories and why are they important? This article answers these questions for the three most important accessories – air pumps, ball repair kits and inflating needles.
1 – Air Pumps
The air pump is indispensable. No family football game should proceed without one. The air pump, whether hand or foot operated, is needed to inflate the game football before play begins and to keep it properly inflated as play proceeds. When no air pump is available and the game football needs to be inflated, play stops. No air pump means no football means no game.
Air pumps can be hand or foot operated. Either type does the job. Have a good air pump handy and ready to operate. The accessories section of football4family.com has a good selection of air pumps. These can all do the job. So be sure to have one on hand for the next family football game.
2 – Ball Repair Kits
Why is a ball repair kit an essential accessory? During any family game the football can be damaged and with no replacement ball or ball repair kit, play must stop. Ball repair kits ensure that all needed repairs can be done right away. This allows play to continue.
Ball repair kits came in two basic types – single and multiple use. Single use is a one time repair kit and, as such, does not ensure uninterrupted play if multiple repairs are required. As with air pumps, the accessories section of footballs4family.com features both single and multiple use ball repair kits. No responsible family football team should be without at least one of these.
3 – Inflating Needles
The inflating needle is a key part of the air pump. Without an inflating needle the air pump is useless. One end of the needle attaches to the air pump and the other end is inserted into the appropriate orifice on the football. The air pump is then ready to inflate the football.
Inflating needles are not expensive. Yet without one, the air pump cannot be used and a deflated football results. Keep several inflating needles on hand and located close to the air pump. Inflating needles can be found in the accessories section of footballs4family.com. Be sure that they are always on hand.
Key accessories like air pumps, ball repair kit and inflating needles are often overlooked in family football. Players tend to focus on the football and frequently forget the accessories that keep the football and the game going. Don’t be caught short. Properly equip your team with the accessories that can handle any football emergency.
A very interesting professional football offense is called “run and shoot”. It was initiated several years ago and features a running quarterback who is mobile enough to move out of the “pocket” and run or pass as required. Thus, the name of the offense is “run and shoot”. It is highly mobile and depends on the quarterback to run or pass his official NFL football as he sees an opening in the defense.
“Run and shoot” is an ideal offense for family football. It is highly effective and builds on the inherent mobility of the family football offense. This article describes the “run and shoot” offense and shows how it can be used effectively in family football.
1 – Run and Shoot Overall
Don’t be mistaken. The “run and shoot” offense is not undisciplined. It is based on the sound principle that a mobile quarterback will open up the defense and thus create successful play opportunities. This offense does not just pass. The quarterback also has the option to run the ball alone or hand it off to another offensive back. It is highly mobile and can produce successful plays and substantial gains.
However, it has drawbacks. It depends for its success on a mobile running quarterback. Many NFL or other league quarterbacks do not have this talent. They prefer the “drop back” stance. “Run and shoot” can be physically hard on a quarterback since he is running on every play. Therefore, he is subject to some very aggressive and potentially injurious tackling by the defense. As a result, the “run and shoot” offense does not enjoy universal acceptance in league play.
2 – Run and Shoot in Family Football
For family football the “run and shoot” offense is tailor-made. Many plays in family football are passes. A “drop back” quarterback is easier to defend since there is a limited chance of a fake. But with “run and shoot” this is not true. In this offense the quarterback can pass, run or hand off to another running back. Therefore, the defense has little advance warning about the play. So “run and shoot” can be a very successful offense.
In addition, the criticism about “run and shoot” being quarterback dangerous does not happen in family football where tackling is normally banned. So, if the family football quarterback has the needed running and passing skills the “run and shoot” offense is ideal. It spreads the defense and allows the quarterback to run, pass or hand off as the field situation dictates.
The “run and shoot” offense did not become standard in league play because it requires a unique and very hardy quarterback. However, in family football it can be a lot of football fun and the norm if the quarterback there has the needed running and passing skills.
Family football seems like a simple game. It stresses football fun and apparently offers limited offensive play options . The game seems restricted to a few passes, the odd run and no kicking. Is this perception valid? Let’s look at family football offense and see how it’s varied by a team that uses offensive deception. This article examines each offense weapon – pass, run and kick - and suggests how each can be used to confound the defense and score.
1 – Pass. Passing in family football is not just heaving a leather, rubber or composite football arbitrarily and hoping for a reception. The pass should be used with finesse to gain yardage. A family team quarterback should mix pass plays as long and short to every part of the playing field. Passing also includes deception by inserting draw plays into the pass offense and frequently faking passes to run the ball.
Offensive deception is the key in family football. The defense should never know what the offensive will do. Deception is best accomplished by deftly mixing offensive plays and keeping the defense guessing. The offense should look like it’s going to pass on every down. This is expected in family football. But an alert family football quarterback fakes passes and runs as the defense permits.
2 – Run. In family football the run is often forgotten since passing seems easier and gains can be longer. This is not consistently true. No effective family football team passes on every down. This strategy is easily deciphered. It can be stopped by a determined defensive rush that makes the pass ineffective
A well balanced family team runs to gain yardage and keep the offense “honest”. With running plays in the offense, a defense cannot “second guess” and must guard against pass and run on every play. Running plays can gain long yardage if the offense has a good running back and the quarterback uses deception effectively.
3 – Kick. Kicking in family football is rare since kickers are not usually available and there are few opportunities to kick. Where kicking is allowed, it is an excellent offensive weapon. It can score points on field goals and after touchdowns. Kicking can fool the defense and set up a deceptive pass or run play.
Blocking makes the kick effective. With good line blocking a true kick can happen and fake kicks are more likely. A well balanced family football offense uses the kick to gain yards and even score points. So it should not be arbitrarily set aside.
A good family football offense uses every means to gain yards and score points. This includes passing, running and kicking! Don’t neglect these offensive weapons. Each can score points and make the family game more interesting to play and watch.
Family football offers many choices. These include: (1) where and how to play, (2) who to include in the game, and (3) the type and use of equipment. But one item routinely overlooked is food. It is an integral part of family football just as an official football or air pump is. However, food’s overall value and contribution is often forgotten. This article examines the food typically served at family football outings and comments critically on the food choices and contribution each makes to physical well being.
1 – What Choice of Food Should Be Served?
In the typical family football outing food plays a key role. It can be prepared before the game or afterward. There are many choices. Unfortunately, the food generally served runs heavily toward fatty meats and other high fat foods like chips and dips. There is also an emphasis on high fat appetizers and heavy desserts. On the whole, typical football food looks and smells good, but is routinely unhealthy.
So how to avoid the obvious trap of football food loaded with artery clogging fat? The answer is obvious but not well followed. The health-conscious chef serves football food that is good looking, quite tasty and very healthy. This includes chicken, fish and all types of vegetables. It is easy to grill these items and produce attractive and delicious entrees. If absolutely necessary, meat can also be served. But it must be very lean, grilled only, and served in small quantities.
2 – What is Food’s Contribution?
Healthy food produces healthy bodies. When football food focuses on high fat meats like brisket and sausage it damages the body by ingesting too much fat. The human body was not intended to subsist on high fat meats that contribute to heart disease and cancer. Without question, low fat foods are much healthier and help the body resist disease. A piece of grilled fish or lean chicken is much healthier than a piece of fried meat or sausage.
This same advice holds true for salads, beverages and desserts. Too often, healthy salads are made unhealthy by dousing them with high fat dressings. It’s the same for beverages where sugary high caffeine drinks dominate. As for heavy, high fat desserts they are best forgotten since they have limited food value. Concentrate on serving: (1) healthy salads with low fat dressings, (2) water or iced tea, and (3) nutritious desserts that emphasize fresh fruit.
There are many food choices, both healthy and unhealthy. Keep family football a healthy sport by serving only healthy food to players and spectators. Their bodies will thank you.
What equipment is required to have a good game of family football? The right amount of the proper equipment ensures full enjoyment of a family football game by players and spectators. If the equipment is inadequate then play can be the same way. Consider, for example, the disappointment if play is halted because of a deflated football with no air pump to re-inflate it. This article reviews family football equipment and recommends the minimum requirement for footballs, accessories and tote bags.
1 – Footballs. Past articles here have emphasized the need for upgraded footballs. Continuing a family game with only one rubber football jeopardizes play. A rubber ball can become unfit for play or even be lost or stolen. Therefore, it is best to have three good quality leather or composite footballs on hand. In this way, a reliable football is always ready for play.
Leather and composite footballs are superior to rubber balls. They last longer, play better and are more authentic. But in a family game use whatever footballs can be afforded. Rubber balls are less expensive than composite or leather footballs. So it is preferable to have three rubber footballs on hand rather than just one leather or composite football.
2 – Accessories. When playing family football do not ignore two key accessories – an air pump and a ball repair kit. The air pump is required to keep the footballs properly inflated. The ball repair kit is needed to complete needed repairs if a ball is damaged. Too often, family football games are halted because there is no air pump or ball repair kit. These two accessories should always be on hand when family football games are played.
3 – Tote Bags. A tote bag is another required piece of support equipment. With three footballs, an air pump and a ball repair kit as standard family football equipment a suitable tote bag is also needed. The best tote bags are made of tough nylon mesh and can accommodate up to 10 footballs. Each tote bag is easy to handle and use. Its rugged mesh construction assures good ventilation and ready expansiveness.
Tote bags are not luxury items. They provide a ready place to store and carry all required family football equipment. Also, tote bags are inexpensive and ruggedly durable. No properly equipped family football team should be without one.
Isn’t a single rubber football the only piece of equipment needed for a successful family football game? This is untrue. One rubber football can be easily damaged or lose inflation permanently. It is important for an enjoyable game of family football to be properly equipped. Described here is the minimum equipment requirement for a successful family foot ball game. Don’t ignore it.
Does the final score in a family football game determine the true winner? The answer varies depending on the play that produced the final score. If the winning team played football for family fun in a sportsmanlike manner then they deserve to win. But too often in family football the desire to win overshadows the need to have fun. This “winning at all cost” attitude should not be allowed in any family game. Family football is meant to be football fun. When winning dominates, football fun leaves the family game. This article reviews family football play and recommends how it should be played to maximize fun.
1 – What is Family Football?
Without question family football is a fun game. Yes, winning supplements the fun. But winning is not the sole reason for playing. In every family football contest all participants are informed that they are playing to have fun. This means that botched plays and fumbles will be accepted. No one in a family game should ever feel like a “goat” because of a poorly executed play.
For the talented player this acceptance can be difficult to tolerate. Talented players feel that they must do their best all the time. They do not accept bad play personally and so are intolerant of it in others. But this attitude, while acceptable in league play, is not in the family game. Any one who continually criticizes less than stellar play by team mates should be asked to leave a family football game. Family football should be fun and too much criticism spoils fun.
2 – How Should Family Football Be Played?
Fun should be the watchword in a family football game. During the game of family football everyone should focus on player fun. This means that all players, regardless of skill, are welcome. It also means that less that perfect play is accepted. Further, any one playing just to win should be asked to leave the game. No one should feel that winning has replaced fun as the reason to play family football.
Too many sports in the lives of young people put extraordinary emphasis on winning. Sadly, this “win at all cost” attitude begins early. Also, many parents embrace this “win” attitude and so no one has real fun in playing a sport. In family football, we must maintain the “Have fun” focus. Winning is not the main reason for playing family football. Participants in and spectators of family football need only dwell on its fun.
It’s refreshing to see a family sport like football that can be played purely for fun. With other pressures on young and old alike to win at any cost, playing family football for fun is a welcome change. Let’s keep it this way!
It was a beautiful summer weekend. It was perfect for football and a great time to spend a day at the park. My friends and I packed some barbecue supplies, a cooler of drinks and a football. The park where we were headed for football fun had some open grassy spaces and we had wanted to get a football game going.
Upon arriving at the park we unpacked our gear and set up our lawn chairs. It was perfect; we found a grassy place to play. After we had a few hot dogs on the grill we grabbed the football and begin to toss it around. But, we were sickened to find that it was flat. Fortunately I was carrying a sports air pump in my trunk. It worked like a charm to inflate the football and we got our game going. We were then able to enjoy football for family fun!
Many parents hope their sons will play official football as teenagers. But, before the dreams of a fan-filled high school football stadium come to fruition, there must be some practice beforehand. Because high school football is such a challenging sport and riddled with injury, it’s important that players get their starts young by playing intermediate or junior football.
Playing intermediate football allows young boys’ bodies to gradually acclimate themselves to the sport and starting young enables the boys’ muscles to slowly increase in mass. Kids that begin playing young will also become familiar with the rules and regulations surrounding the sport, and are less likely to hurt themselves or others.
Further, they can see that playing the game for football fun is both satisfying and rewarding.
It was a beautiful summer weekend. It was perfect for football and a great time to spend a day at the park. My friends and I packed some barbecue supplies, a cooler of drinks and a football. The park where we were headed for football fun had some open grassy spaces and we had wanted to get a football game going.