Playing family football often means just having fun. In this way no particular effort is ever made to play the game at anything else but “fun speed”. The key issue is to have fun and not worry too much about game intensity or quality of play. This is fine but it is not the way that some family footballers like to play the game. They believe that family football, like any competitive sport, should be played all out. This means that they “pull out all stops” and put all their full effort into playing the best they can. What does this kind of play require? This article examines “all out play” and the type of equipment that supports it.
Pulling out all stops means playing your best on every play – offense and defense. This kind of game does not necessarily advocate unlimited blocking and tackling. However, it does require all players to never “dog” it on plays and give the game their best effort at all times. Few family football teams play this way. It is too physically and mentally demanding. It allows no time during the game for rest or relaxation since very play is critical. The offense tries to score on every play and the defense tries equally hard to stop them. “Pulling out all stops” is a high energy way to play family football. It’s tough but it can be very physically satisfying. However, it is not for the faint hearted or under conditioned.
Just as important as the physical play is the type of football equipment used. In this “all out” game only the best equipment will suffice. For footballs, this means an official football and usually a leather football. Quite often an official NFL football is used. It is covered with top grain leather and is the most expensive football to use. But it plays best and therefore is a key piece of “all out” football equipment. It usually means a Spalding football or a Rawlings football.
You can be assured that the “no stops” game will never play a composite football or a rubber football. The composite football like the Olympia football or the Rawlings football is never used. Neither is the rubber football like the Champion football, the Olympia football, the Mikasa football or the Baden football. Only the best leather footballs (at least three for each game) will suffice in the “all stops” game.
This same “quality first” attitude is also true for accessory equipment like an air pump, pressure gauge, inflating needles or football repair kits. The “all stops” teams select a high quality football pump like a foot pump or the best available air pump. These teams know the value of the best accessory equipment in keeping a tough game underway.
These same teams always use a nylon ball bag to carry and store their football equipment. These tote bags (there may be several) are used to ensure that the game footballs and supporting equipment are always readily available.
Playing the “pull out all stops” family football game is an aggressive way to play. But the participants love this game because it is so realistic and so asks and gives no quarter. For some family footballers it’s the only way to play!
What is the “hard game”? It’s a game of family football that is played all out. Included is down field blocking and tackling. Also, it is played with as much realism as possible to go beyond a mere family football game. This game is not played with full personal equipment like pads and spiked shoes. However, it is a serious game and not played solely for fun.
What kind of football equipment is required in a “hard game”? It requires and uses only the best. For example, the football is a leather football only and the most used football is the official NFL football. This means a Spalding football or a Rawlings football. Also, there are at least three of these official footballs on hand. So this game is never interrupted for lack of a serviceable football. In the “hard game” a composite football like the Olympia football or the Rawlings football is never used. The same is true for a rubber football be it a Champion football, an Olympia football, a Mikasa football or a Baden football. Only the best leather football is ever used in a “hard game”.
This “best” philosophy also applies to accessory equipment. The “hard” game attracts only top quality ball pumps, pressure gauges, inflating needles and foot repair kits. This game has ample back up footballs but it also ensures that damaged or under inflated footballs are properly repaired for play. So the “hard” game normally has several air pumps. It will have a hand pump and a foot pump. But it is never without a football pump!
The “hard” game also makes good use of the ball bag. It uses one or more tote bags to carry and store all its football equipment. This means a nylon ball bag made of mesh with a nylon draw string. This nylon ball tote carries and stores all the “hard” game football equipment.
Family football is most often played for just plain fun. And this is fine. But periodically a “hard” game is played so that all participants can play the game all out. It is great fun to watch and be a part of.
Some teams just play at family football, while other teams win at family football. Why is this? What makes a winner in family football? This article explores this issue and identifies why some family football teams just play the game while others win!
Winning in any sport is truly a state of mind. Often with two equally matched teams one will clearly excel. Why is this? It is several key points. The winning team has: (1) a winning attitude, (2) totally committed players, and (3) properly used equipment. Let’s review each of these attributes in turn.
A winning attitude is not easy to formulate. It must come from each player on a team. It is a clear feeling that nothing can beat the team. It is based on a combination of talent and history. Winning teams know they can win and prove it consistently by their individual record. They never let up and keep trying to win regardless of the score. Winning teams play to win and do all they can to win. They do not play unfairly but play very hard. They are tough to beat and they show this attitude in every team position and on every play. Know that winning teams always play to win.
A team’s winning attitude is reflected in the commitment of its players. They train hard and prepare well for their games. They are fully committed to play their best on every play. This does not mean that they are not prepared to lose; they are. But they do not go into a game expecting to lose. It’s quite the contrary. They expect to win and do most of the time. It’s all in their attitude. With their winning ways they often defeat “better” teams. They are not impressed by statistics; only the will to win. They play to win!
Part of their winning attitude is attributed to their equipment. They play the best because they use the best! In footballs they play only with official footballs; often an official NFL football in top grain leather. They play with only a leather football like a Spalding football or a Rawlings football. They typically shun the composite football like the Olympia football or the Rawlings football. And they never play with a rubber football like a Champion football, an Olympia football, a Mikasa football or a Baden football. Further, they have ample numbers of backup footballs and never stop a game because of a bad football.
This strong respect for top equipment extends also to accessories. Winning teams carry one or more reliable air pumps, a good pressure gauge, top performing inflating needles and a quality football repair kit. Their games are never stopped because of a damaged or underinflated football. Their ball pumps are top quality as is all their equipment.
Winning teams carry several tote bags. They use the nylon ball bag to carry and store all their equipment. They know the importance of a ball tote and use it effectively. As a result their equipment is always available and ready for play.
You can play family football just for fun. Or you can play family football to win. The choice is yours but winning is much more fun than just playing!
Family football is primarily a game of skill. The teams who win are those who have and use the best talent. This talent comes in a variety of ways. It includes excellent passing, running and kicking; superb blocking and tackling; and unrelenting defensive and imaginative offensive plays. In short, the best family football teams know how to attract and develop football talent. This article explores the subject of talent. It describes how to attract talent to a family football team and then make the best use of it.
Attracting excellent football talent to a family football team depends on two things. First, the team must be well known for its outstanding play. And second, the team must give all players an equal opportunity to play. These two aspects are interconnected. Outstanding play results from having outstanding players who will play for a team where they can play. In an outstanding team there are no “prima donnas”. All team members know that some players are especially good but no one tries to “hog” the play. It’s “all for one and one for all”. This credo wins games and keeps talent.
There are a number of other important factors too. But nothing is more important for an effective family football team than good equipment. Typically, the best teams have the best equipment. This includes footballs, accessory equipment like an ball pump and a nylon ball bag. Here is the detail.
For footballs there is only one choice. It should be an official football; preferably an official NFL football made of top grain leather. The leather football can be a Rawlings football or a Spalding football. If it’s a composite (rubber and leather) football it may be an Olympia football or a Rawlings football. In a rubber football there are four choices. It can be a Champion football, an Olympia football, a Mikasa football or a Baden football. The most talented teams use at least three footballs and invariably select a leather football. It is most authentic and so it plays best.
For accessory equipment talented teams select an air pump or a foot pump for keeping footballs properly inflated. They will also have a pressure gauge, inflating needles and a football repair kit. Even the most talented teams have a full compliment of accessory equipment. Their games will not be interrupted because of football repair.
Talented family football teams use tote bags. These are typically a nylon ball tote made of nylon mesh with a nylon draw string. They can store and carry up to 10 footballs and all other accessory equipment. Many talented teams have two or more ball totes.
The most accomplished family football teams attract and use top talent. They also have the best football equipment. So it’s no surprise why they win games consistently.
Family football is a game meant to be played on a warm day on a level grassy field. A single football is all that’s ever needed for play and the game can proceed smoothly with no interruptions at all. But this is mythical. There are any number of problems that can occur to interrupt the game. The foremost of these is the loss of a football due to its under-inflation. In many cases there is no backup football. So unless an air pump is readily available to re-inflate the football, play stops! This article addresses this issue. It looks at air pumps and discusses why they are essential accessory equipment for every family football game.
No one will argue that an official football, be it a rubber football, a composite football or a leather football, is essential in a family football game. Many teams select an official NFL football made of top grain leather. Here they will select a Rawlings football or a Spalding football. If they use a composite football it could be an Olympia football or a Rawlings football. In rubber the selection is the Champion football, the Olympia football, the Mikasa football or the Baden football. Provided that the football is official it can be used in any family football game.
But what happens if the game football is damaged or becomes under-inflated? Many teams do not have the two suggested back up footballs. And even if they do these too can be under-inflated. Herein is the place for an air pump. It can be a hand pump or a foot pump but it must be a football pump. Coupled with a pressure gauge and inflating needle the ball pump will soon inflate the game football correctly to 13PSI. So the football game can then proceed with only a short interruption.
It is obvious that an air pump is a valuable piece of football equipment. Also it is inexpensive and unobtrusive when it’s not needed. Playing any family football game without an air pump is truly trusting to luck. And family football games are too much fun and often too important to just trust to luck. So to be sure of uninterrupted play make a serviceable ball pump an important omnipresent part of all family football equipment.
Family football relies on only a limited number of playing items. The most important is a football that may be accompanied by a select group of accessory items. These may be carried to and from the game in a nylon tote bag. The key question that always rises in family football is the need for a tote bag. Some family football teams get along without one. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to answer the question on the need for a tote bag.
To better understand its overall purpose it’s useful to look at what’s expected of a tote bag. It must store and carry all the football equipment used in a family game. This consists of several items – football, accessories like an air pump, pressure gauge, inflating needles and a foot ball repair kit. In all there are a total of at least nine items. This consists of three footballs, a ball pump, a pressure gauge, three inflating needles and one repair kit. Many teams carry more footballs and several ball pumps.
Let’s look first at footballs. These should be official footballs at 11 inches long and inflated to 13 PSI. The football can be a rubber football, a composite (rubber and leather) football or a leather football. The preferred football is an official NFL football made of top grain leather. It plays best in all kinds of weather. This football may be a Rawlings football or a Spalding football. The composite football can be an Olympia football or a Rawlings football. The rubber football can be a Champion football, an Olympia football, a Mikasa football or a Baden football. While leather plays best it is also the most expensive at about four times the cost of a rubber ball. And when three footballs are recommended for family football, having three leather footballs on hand can be quite expensive. So many teams use a leather football for primary play and keep two composite or two rubber footballs as backup.
Accessory equipment is quite specific. Each family football team needs at least one air pump or foot pump, one pressure gauge, at least four inflating needles and a reliable football repair kit. With these any game eventuality can be handled so that the football game is not stopped because of a damaged football.
The final issue is the need for a tote bag. It is a ball bag made of nylon mesh with a nylon draw string. One nylon ball tote can hold up to 10 footballs and accessory equipment. They are particularly useful for carrying all football equipment to and from games. But ballbags have another important use. Tote bags serve as a secure place to keep extra football equipment during a game. With a working tote bag standby equipment at a game will never be lost or stolen.
There is no question. Tote bags are an important asset for any family football team. Not only do they store and carry footballs they also keep football equipment safe at games. So “don’t leave for the game without one!”
Family football is basically a passing game. By passing a family football team can gain the most yards on each successful play. Also, by passing effectively the team can not only gain yards but score consistently. This article describes effective passing in family football. It outlines how to win consistently with an effective passing attack.
Effective passing in family (or any) football depends on five basic requirements: (1) excellent skills, (2) good protection, (3) solid plays, (4) consistent deception and (5) quality equipment. Each of these basic needs will be reviewed in turn.
No team can field an effective passing attack without basic passing skill. The individual passing the football must be talented and able to throw the football accurately for at least 40 yards. The passer should also be an effective ball handler and able to avoid excessive interceptions. The best passers are those who can “scramble” in the backfield and avoid being tackle before they successfully unleash the football.
But no passer can ever be effective without proper pass protection. This means a good offensive line who can keep out an aggressive defensive rusher for about 3 to 4 seconds. This allows the passer ample time to execute a successful pass play. Effective offensive lines know how to work together as a unit to protect the passer and minimize “sacks”.
A good passer and effective offensive line will only go so far. What truly makes a superb passing offensive is the quality of the passing plays. These should be designed so that at least one receiver can get “open” on every play. Consistent practice can accomplish this even though all defenses are working just as hard to stop all passing plays.
No pass play ever works without deception. Few pass plays are “telegraphed” as such before they begin. So the role of the quarterback/passer must be to fool the defense. They must believe that a pass play is not a pass play or that it is not going where it ends up. This takes a lot of practice and talent to execute properly. This is why play practice is so important in family (or any) football.
Quality equipment is basic to effective passing. Only an official football should be used. It can be a rubber football, a composite football or a leather football. But a top grain leather official NFL football is preferred. These can be a Rawlings football or a Spalding football. In composites there is an Olympia football and a Rawlings football. Rubber footballs feature the Champion football, the Olympia football, the Mikasa football and the Baden football.
Accessory equipment is also vital. It includes the air pump, pressure gauge, inflating needles and football repair kit. Also, tote bags should not be forgotten to store and carry football equipment.
As long as family football is played passing will be featured. To do it right have the proper skills, provide excellent protection, offer solid plays, be deceptive and use quality equipment.
Family football is focused mostly on player quality. Winning in this game depends largely on the performance of the team and its outstanding players. Little attention is ever paid to the support required for the football equipment used by the team! This article looks at this support and describes why it is important.
There are three types of equipment in family football. These are: (1) footballs, (2) accessories, and (3) tote bags. Nothing else is needed to play the game. Each item will be reviewed in turn.
There is only type of football used and three coverings. The football should be the official football measuring 11 inches long and inflated to 13PSI. The three coverings are the leather football, the composite (rubber and leather) and rubber football. Of these only the leather football is the official NFL football in top grain leather. There are two excellent leather manufacturers – one for the Rawlings football and the other for the Spalding football. The composite football also has two manufacturers – one for the Olympia football and one for the Rawlings football. There are four rubber football manufacturers – one each for the Champion football, the Olympia football, the Mikasa football and the Baden football.
Regardless of covering or make, every football needs the same type of care. It should be kept properly inflated, free of scuffs and tears and lightly oiled. When not in use it should be stored in a clean and dry place. Also, it is very handy to have three footballs ready for use in all games so that play never stops for lack of a football.
Football accessories consist of a reliable air pump, a quality pressure gauge, workable inflating needles and a good football repair kit. The ball pump can be a hand pump or a foot pump. But a foot pump is preferred since it is of better quality. All accessories should be kept clean and well lubricated. They too should be stored in a clean and dry place. Reliable accessories mean reliable play!
Tote bags are made of nylon mesh with nylon draw strings. They each can hold up to 10 footballs and the accompanying accessory equipment. The nylon ball bag should be kept tear free and it too should be stored in a clean and dry environment. Any abuse here could lose a ball.
Properly supported, all football equipment used in family games lasts indefinitely. By following the maintenance guidelines listed here all family football equipment will enjoy a long and useful life.
What does it take to field the best team in family football? It takes at least five key actions. These are: (1) be in condition, (2) demonstrate imaginative plays, (3) have the proper skills, (4) show consistent commitment, and (5) use proper equipment. These will be described here in turn.
First and foremost, all family football players must be in proper playing condition. This means that they eat properly, avoid tobacco, alcohol and drugs and keep their bodies fit. Fitness in family football is tied to two things. First, the player must be able to run and not tire easily. Second, he or she must be able to take the physical abuses of the game. If players are not physically fit they should not play.
Second, a winning family football team executes imaginative plays. This means that they don’t simply pass the ball downfield on every play. No, it means that they demonstrate a mix of plays – passing, running and kicking. Also, they are deceptive in their choice of plays and keep the defense guessing. Playing family football well is knowing how to select and run plays well, too.
Third, a fine family football team has a good mix of talented players. This means that this team has effective passers, runners and kickers. It can field a team that beats its opponents in overall play. While it may not have the best players in every position its overall strength is how well its players function together. They play as a team and win as a team.
Fourth, outstanding family football teams all have one thing in common – the will and commitment to win. They all play their best and never put individuals ahead of the team. Committed teams have good players, of course, but none of these are ever considered better than the team. Their commitment to win games stems from their desire to do the best the team can on every play!
And fifth, winning family football teams play with proper equipment. For footballs, they select only official footballs. These can be the rubber football, the composite football or the leather football. Often, it is an official NFL football. These are top grain leather footballs such as the Rawlings foot ball or the Spalding football. Composite footballs are the Rawlings football and the Olympia football. Rubber footballs (when sparingly used) are the Champion football, the Olympia football, the Mikasa football or the Baden football.
For accessory equipment, superior family football teams routinely get the best. They select a top quality air pump or foot pump, reliable pressure gauges, workable inflating needles and good football repair kits. For tote bags they get several ball tote bags made of nylon mesh with sturdy nylon draw strings. These can hold and carry all their football equipment.
Fielding the best team in family football is no surprise. Invariably the best teams are in good physical condition, have creative plays, field talented players, show a consistent commitment to win and have proper, well maintained equipment. So winning for them is no surprise!
Family football is much more fun if all players are in good physical condition. This means that each player has conditioned his or her body to withstand the rigors of family play. Playing football any time is no joke. If your body is not properly conditioned it is more susceptible to injury. This article looks at physical conditioning in family football and examines the role that equipment plays in keeping players in the best playing condition.
To play properly and enjoy the game family footballers must be in good physical condition. This means that they must be able to run and not get overly tired and also to withstand the abuse of a hard physical game. This requires several actions. First, all family footballers should not smoke, consume alcohol or take recreational drugs. Second, they should undertake regular aerobic exercise and work hard to improve their breathing and personal stamina. Third, they should follow a regular program of strength exercises and ensure that their bodies can take the stress of tough football play. And fourth, they must eat properly. This means no junk food and a regular diet of fresh fruits and vegetables.
In addition to proper exercise and diet, a dedicated family footballer also benefits from having and using the best possible equipment. In family football this means the football, accessory equipment and a tote bag. For the football there is only one choice – the official football that is 11 inches long and inflated to 13PSI. It can have one of three coverings - a rubber football, a composite football or a leather football. Many family football teams prefer to use the official NFL football. It is expensive since it is made of top grain leather. But it has ideal “tackiness” and plays best. The best ones here are the Spalding football and the Rawlings football.
The least expensive football is a rubber football. Good makes here are the Champion football, the Olympia football, the Mikasa football and the Baden football. Rubber footballs play well under most conditions but lack the overall playability of the leather football. A reasonable compromise is the composite football. It is made of rubber and leather and approaches the playability of the leather football. Good composite footballs are the Olympia football and the Rawlings football.
No properly equipped family football team should be without accessory equipment. This includes an air pump or a foot pump, a pressure gauge, inflating needles and a football repair kit. This equipment keeps the footballs ready to play under all conditions.
Tote bags too should not be forgotten. The best one is are nylon ball bag with nylon draw strings that can hold upwards of 10 footballs and all the other football equipment. No well equipped family football team should be without a nylon ball tote.
Being in the best playing condition for family football requires two actions by the players involved. First, get the physical body in good condition by exercising it properly and feeding it well. And second use the best possible equipment.
