American Football 101, Part 5: Putting it all together | Thebigtip

American Football 101, Part 5: Putting it all together

So here's a typical week on a football team, beginning with the start of the week to coaching and practice all the way up to and through the game.

Remember to do the research on the team you are going to follow - find out about some past history of the team and try to find out about championships if the team has won any. Try to look at past great coaches and players. Doing the research will make sure you are not lost in conversations. You will recognize who they are talking about and why.

Also, before the upcoming season do a little research on the coach and the best players on the current team. Again fans will talk about the players and coach throughout the season.  This will help you fit in and remember, you do not have to be an expert, just knowledgeable.

Coaches: Game plan by watching game film

The first thing a coach does before a game  is watch game film of the upcoming opponent. Watching film is how coaches develop a game plan.

They watch for tendencies (things they like to do or do in certain situations) by the offense and defense. The offensive coaches watch film of the defense, the defensive coaches watch the offense. The offensive line coaches watch the defensive line and so on and so forth.

Coaches Look for weakness and places to attack the other team on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball. They try to determine which match-ups on the field are best for their team and also ways to get the ball the hands of their best players.

The best player could be a quarterback, wide receiver, or running back on the offensive side of the ball. On the defensive side of the ball coaches hope to get their best player in the best position to make plays (tackles, interceptions, and QB sacks).

Practice: Meeting and on the field game planning through repetitions

After the coaches have determined their game plan the next step is to pass it along to the players. First the coaches have meetings with the players to discuss the game plan.

The players then have meeting according to positions with their position coach. The offensive and defensive coordinators have meetings with all the offensive and defensive players and then are free to float to where they are needed.

The head coach oversees the overall implementing of the game plan. He then handles media relations and helps make sure the game plan is being delivered and understood by the players.

After meetings, the players go out to practice. The main point of practice is to get a live action look at the game plan. Set plays are run so that the players know what they are doing and can see and react to what the other team is doing. 

No matter how many days before the game all practice time is spent working on the game plan.

Game day: The game and how it unfolds

Before the game the captains come out for the coin toss.

The winner of the coin toss can receive the ball or defer until the second half.  

Therefore, the kickoff team and kickoff return team start out on the field. After the kickoff one team’s offense will take the field while the other team’s defense takes the field.

The offense will do everything they can to gain first downs or score points either by passing or running the ball. If they cannot gain first downs or score points they have to punt the ball.

The defense will try to stop the offense from gaining first downs or scoring points. To do this they will try to cause turnovers (force fumbles or interceptions) or force the offensive team to punt.

This struggle goes on the entire game with the coaches each trying to get the upper hand for their team. After the first couple of series both teams will make adjustments to their game plan by what the other them is trying to do.

This can be done on white boards on the sidelines or in the locker room at half time. 

Remember, to enjoy watching you do not have be an expert on football in general. Just know the basics that we have taught you. Try to know some of the penalties, try to know the offensive and defensive positions and know the job of each part of the kicking game and you should be fine.

Story: Watch for the story to unfold

No matter what level of a fan you are there is enjoyment to be found in any game. To do this all you have to do is watch the story of the game unfold.

In every game there will be heros and villains. There will be drama at every turn of a game.

If you watch the game you can see the struggle that takes place as one team tries to impose their will on the other. Who will make the play that wins the game for his team?  Who will cost his team by not making a play or by making a mistake?

Will an unknown player come out of nowhere to bring victory for his team or will the bright lights be too much for him.

I hope every part of this series has helped you understand and enjoy American Football more. 

As always please feel free to ask me any questions you may have. If you are going to follow a team and want to know what kind of year they are going to have, feel free to drop us line about them.

I am always open to question and comments. I hope you have learned the game of football and I hope you become a fan.

If you're already a college football or NFL fan, I'm just starting my 2010 preview and predictions. They'll be posted here as well.