American Football Advice

[Obi Chris Kenobi 0]

Anyone here who plays American Football? I'm looking to join a team in the local area (Gateshead Senators) when the new season starts in January 09. Even though I've watched it for years, I've never really played it before, so I was hoping for some advice and suggestions on how to prepare and what position might be best for myself.

 

I'm 5'10" around 185lbs, stocky built, used to have a lot of pace (probably gone now), and I'd say I was sturdy (hard to knock off feet). I used to play football (socccer) and do ju-jitsu.

 

I cycle to and from work every day, which is about a 5 mile round trip (could always increase it if it'd help). And occassionally do weights at the gym (can increase that as well).

 

Thanks for any tips or advice!

[Jaxxson Mayhem 0]

It really depends on how big the guys are that you're playing with.

[Obi Chris Kenobi 0]

They're not totally jacked from what I've seen, most of them are around the same size as me, a little bigger, but no way near the standard of American College Football, let alone NFL.

[Guest Vitamin X]

Whatever position you plan on playing will end up becoming your life, and you exercise regime will probably revolve around that.

 

That said, at 5'10", 185 lbs., that's a good height for a receiver in the NFL/college, and with a little bit of bulk and speed, running back would work as well. Since you look like you're playing in an amateur league, a few things depend on it as well. How well can you catch? How fast is your acceleration? Football is an anaerobic spot, not an aerobic one like soccer, so don't expect that you need to have intense conditioning. Is your league 5-on-5, 7-on-7, or a full 11-on-11? If the guys you play with are around the same size, maybe a bit bigger, I would say you're a good height for being a linebacker.

 

I mean personally, I'm not a huge guy, I'm a few inches shorter actually at around 5'6", and I weigh currently 165-170. I play rugby at my school now (too old to go out for NCAA football and that's past my time, anyways) but I'm in great shape and I can run fast as hell. I alternate between inside/outside and hooker when I play rugby, so in football, I'm a hell of a natural running back since I'm quick and can block well and catch when needed. I'm nowhere near tall enough to be a quarterback or a good receiver (I would say for that, you'd need to be at the minimum 5'10", 5'11", but hey Wes Welker on the Pats is only 5'8" or 5'9", I think) and quarterbacks would have a field day with me if I player corner, so when I played defense in high school I did safety at time because you don't necessarily have to get involved in leaping contests with receivers, just hit the shit out of them.

 

You'd be really surprised at how big amateur players here are, it's really not much. It may seem a lot to you because of the NFL, but people of all shapes and sizes play it here recreationally and many times with aspirations of going pro.

[Obi Chris Kenobi 0]

That's an awesome reply, thanks V-X! I'd say my catching is ok at best, I used to play in goal (5-a-side soccer), so my reflexes are certainly up there. The league is an Amature league, but full 11 v 11. The Senators are pretty good team, make play offs every year (apart from last year and this) and have had some good players along the way from what I've read about them (some CFL players).

 

I've sent some emails to their coach, who said they have rookie try outs in November and Janurary (just before the season starts), so I sould go down to those. So that gives me a few months to prepare one way or another.

 

WR would be a cool place, I've got a leap on me - couldn't say how much of a leap, maybe a foot and a half or so feet from ground, not sure what that would be with arm stretched out.

My acceleration is probably average, its hard to tell without other people to bench mark myself aganist. At College I used to run 100m at around the 12.5-13 second mark. Not sure how that would relate to the 40.

 

QB is out of the question though, I don't trust my accuracy or range. I get pot lucky when throwing stuff, sometimes it'll go where I want, other times it'll go somewhere totally random - sometimes good, sometimes bad.

[Guest Tzar Lysergic]

I always played nose tackle or fullback. I'm slow in a race but strong as an ox and I like to hit.

 

Defense is waaaaaaaay more fun than playing offense. You get to initiate contact most of the time, go for the ball, and be more aggressive.

[Jaxxson Mayhem 0]

Also, how comfortable are you with hitting and getting hit.

 

 

Taking your first solid shot may change your opinion with what position you want to play.

 

The tryouts will definitely help you decide what position is best for you. I'd look into most of what you'll feel comfortable playing, but it seems like you might do well at linebacker.

[Obi Chris Kenobi 0]

Thanks for all the replies, really helps. Think I'd prefer a defense role - guess I'll see what happens come the November try outs. In terms of preparation and training, what do you guys do?

 

Weights? Running?

 

And is there anything out there to watch/read to learn the game, or am I better off just watching as many games as I can (as I do already)?

[BX 0]

You're not that familiar with the game, and you're trying out for a team?

[naiwf 0]

If you've never played WR before, I wouldn't recommend it because you'll have to learn how to run routes properly and there's really nothing that can prepare you for the first time you take a hit coming across the middle. If you don't mind hitting guys your best bet might be Strong Safety. They basically don't do anything but hit people if it's a running play and occasionally you may have to cover a TE or a FB, but those guys tend to be fairly slow so it's not that bad.

 

You need to get your cardio up to play football because it's a completely different feeling running around in pads, with a helmet and a mouthpiece than it is jogging in shorts and a t-shirt. If you're the kind of player who gets tired frequently you're not of much use to a team since you're not big enough to play on the line.

[Obi Chris Kenobi 0]

You're not that familiar with the game, and you're trying out for a team?

 

Trying out for the team, just never played the game before so was looking for some advice on how to prepare. I've watched it for about 15 years now, so I know the rules and that, just not the ins and outs of playing what position outside of the basic armchair fan.

 

If you've never played WR before, I wouldn't recommend it because you'll have to learn how to run routes properly and there's really nothing that can prepare you for the first time you take a hit coming across the middle. If you don't mind hitting guys your best bet might be Strong Safety. They basically don't do anything but hit people if it's a running play and occasionally you may have to cover a TE or a FB, but those guys tend to be fairly slow so it's not that bad.

 

You need to get your cardio up to play football because it's a completely different feeling running around in pads, with a helmet and a mouthpiece than it is jogging in shorts and a t-shirt. If you're the kind of player who gets tired frequently you're not of much use to a team since you're not big enough to play on the line.

 

Cheers, I was wondering about this. I'd say my fitness was below average at the moment. I used to play a large amount of Football (soccer) but stopped, so I'm a bit behind in terms of stamina and conditioning. Good call on the WR routes too, that would be a bit daunting to have to learn all the different plays, calls and routes to run AND get the timing down.

[Jaxxson Mayhem 0]

I typed this up for someone who said that football was dumb and doesn't require thinking. It explains most positions on the field.

 

 

Every position plays different roles.

 

Lets take defense for example. D line trys to collapse the lanes on runs or sack the QB on passes. CB's are there to make sure the O doesnt complete pass plays. The linebackers can either drop into coverage or blitz the QB and get a sack or they can take out the RB for a loss. The safeties can either protect the long ball or they can drop into coverage or they can blitz the QB. All of these things depend on what the offense runs and the D players need to recognize the play and what they need to do to stop the offense.

 

Now lets take a look at the offense. The QB is the leader. He gets plays in from the sidelines and either runs them or takes a look at the D and calls an audible for a more suitable play that will gain yardage. He can either pass the ball, hand it off for a run, or run it himself. All depending on the play and what he sees downfield. Now for the RB's. Their job is to either run the ball, block for the QB, receive a toss, or go out for a pass. Also depending on the play. Now for the O line. Their job is to protect the QB 1st and foremost. On pass plays they drop back and protect the QB. On run plays, they push forward and create lanes for the RB's to run through. These guys are VERY important to the offense. Just ask David Carr. Now onto the tight ends. They are usually big guys who take punishment over the middle. They can either block for the RB's or go out for passes. If they go out for passes, they usually run up the middle for a pass over the middle and take the hit for a gain. Now onto the receivers. These are the guys that catch the passes from the QB. There are MANY different routes that these guys run in order to maximize the effectiveness of a pass play. Their job is to get yardage hopefully for 1st downs and the best option of a TD. They need to be fast, tough (for those passes over the middle) and smart to avoid hits and find seams to reach the endzone.

 

Now on to special teams. Their job is to either kick a FG, kick a kickoff, return a kickoff, punt, and return a punt. If the offense is unable to get a 1st down after 3 downs, they usually punt. A kicking team comes onto the field and punts the ball as far as they can to pin the other team as close to their own endzone as possible. Punters like to get it as close to the goal line as possible. Sometimes they "coffin corner" kick it and kick it out of bounds as close to the goal line as possible. Sometimes, if the D isnt paying attention, the offensive special teams is able to either run the ball or pass for a 1st down. The return team receives the punt and trys to take it as far downfield as possible. The punt return teams trys to create seams for the returner to run through in order to get as far as possible. For kick returns, they do much of the same. They create gaps for the returner to run through. As for the kicking team, the kicker kicks it as far as possible without kicking it out of bounds. If he kicks it out of bounds, they automatically take it up to the 40 yard line. The guys that are trying to stop the return man try to close gaps and get to the returner. The 1st guys downfield throw their bodies at the guys protecting the returner. These guys are called "Wedge Busters" because they try to disrupt the wedge that return teams may form. Watch closely because the hits that the wedge busters lay are some of the most violent you'll ever see.

[Guest Cal Moriarty]

You're from Europe. Even on a team where everyone is European, your future is as a placekicker.

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

You're from Europe. Even on a team where everyone is European, your future is as a placekicker.

 

Or punter, but that's more for Aussies.

[Maztinho 0]

If the team is using a 3-4 you could play the other inside linebacker.

[Guest Vitamin X]

I think from the sounds of it, Chris would be best off playing either fullback, linebacker, or safety. He's out of shape, but not heavy, yet stocky. If he can get his cardio up and learn how to block and hit well, and maybe catch, then any or all of those positions would work.

 

But, you can't necessarily tell him that playing WR would be hard because of the routes.. EVERY position has to learn plays, blocking schemes, where people are on the field, and of course be aware of the other team all at the same time. When rugby players talk about how "wussy" football players are because of all the pads, all I can do is seriously just sit back and laugh.. I know rugby players take hits and give out hits since I play it myself, but you will almost always get hit at full speed in football and since it's all anaerobic (meaning short bursts at full speed rather than running around with slight bursts of speed) it can be far more vicious.

 

In fact, for training advice, I would suggest getting involved in some rugby matches, since you live in the UK and all. You'll get your cardio up which you'll need for staying strong late in the game, and you'll learn good tackling form, and maybe even get used to catching a bit better as well (the balls are sort of shaped similarly). I remember one of my colleagues telling me (who is also a bigger football fan than rugby, but still plays the latter primarily like me) that rugby players transition to football better than the other way around, I suppose because of all the structure involved around the plays and the way the game is played, as opposed to rugby which is a little bit more "freeform". Football habits are hard to break, whereas rugby habits are easy to work into football, in other words.

[At Home 0]

Go to the local pharmacy, and just look at the clerk directly in the face and whisper, "Horse tranqs."

[Matt Young 0]

Why would tranquilizers help him?

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

I'd say be a safety. You get to hit, you get to catch errant/bad passes, and you are charged the responsibility for being the last line of defense before a score occurs.

[Obi Chris Kenobi 0]

Thanks for all the advice, I've actually lost a bit of weight over the last few months and feel in better shape. Tomorrow (Sunday) is the Rookie Open Day for the Gateshead Senators. I'm looking forward to it, and for some reason in my mind I'm thinking of it something similar to the Combine with lots of little athletic style courses to workout what I'd be best for.

 

[Guest Tzar Lysergic]

How well do you know the rules?

[Obi Chris Kenobi 0]

Well enough, I've watched it plenty, and played a bit of Madden. I know what you can't do and why, so hopefully that'll help, but I'm guessing they'll go through that anyway.

[Maztinho 0]

Well enough, I've watched it plenty, and played a bit of Madden. I know what you can't do and why, so hopefully that'll help, but I'm guessing they'll go through that anyway.

 

Ninja kick someone in the back, pick up the ball run it in and yell, HOME RUN!

[Damaramu 0]

You're not that familiar with the game, and you're trying out for a team?

 

I'd never seen a game of rugby in my life when I started with my team, now I'm doing just fine. I another country where it isn't a predominant sport I think most people understand those coming out probably haven't seen a lot of the game.

 

And VX, you play hooker? I didn't know that. That's like the meanest dirtiest position on the field. And the guy that always yells at me if I don't lock out correctly.

[Obi Chris Kenobi 0]

Had a good day today, I mean going obviously I had never played before, but the coaches know this and start you from the beginning with the basics. I was aware of the different rules (false start, off side, holding, pass interference, face masking) as I've watched plenty of games, so I wouldn't say I was totally green.

 

The only thing I really need to learn is the different play callings, which I felt I picked up fast, I can tell the difference between an Out, Flat, Fly, etc now.

 

They had us trying all the different positions and teamed us up with the Vets, so it was a good day, totally enjoyed it - way more then I thought. Definatly going to continue this. As the day went on I sort of found myself drifting in the WR role - bugger.

[Slayer 0]

Are you ready to become your team's resident prima donna?

[Obi Chris Kenobi 0]

Now you mention it, I think they should be subsidizing me, rather then the other way around £2 a training session!

[Damaramu 0]

Is this like a club sport?

 

I had missed a few practices because of work and I mentioned to the team president that it sucked to have to balance fun with work. I said "Too bad we're not getting paid for this." and he said "If I was paying you guys I'd expect you all to be in better shape."

Well that shut me up!

[Obi Chris Kenobi 0]

Yeah, its not Pro Leagues, but the team I'm trying out for is in the best league available in BritBowl. But like most things in the UK, you pay a Sub Fee so the club can exist - don't mind it, used to it from years of playing football (soccer). They also provided the gear too, so that's canny.

[Guest Tzar Lysergic]

Oh, that's a great deal if they're providing the gear.

 

If you're going to be a wide out, learn to block downfield, and catch the ball with your hands.