Quick jump:
* Mike Carlson cross-examines the Cincinnati Bengals in his latest Coast to Coast * Keith Webster provides a scheduling plan that would halve the length of the off-season * Neil Reynolds chastises the Baltimore Ravens for getting too intense too soon * Neil Reynolds takes Mike Carlson and Nick Halling Inside the Huddle to discuss the draft * The Washington Redskins are poked and prodded by Mike Carlson in his latest Coast to Coast column * Mike Carlson looks back over his 2008 mock draft on nflukTV
Grassroots
Frequently asked questions.
Welcome to the Grassroots FAQ section, which aims to answer all your questions about playing or taking part in the sport in the UK. If you have any other questions that have not been answered in this section please click on the 'Contact Us' link at the bottom of the page.
Welcome to the Grassroots FAQ section, which aims to answer all your questions about playing or taking part in the sport in the UK. If you have any other questions that have not been answered in this section please click on the 'Contact Us' link at the bottom of the page.
FAQ
Go here www.nfluk.com/grassroots and click on your area on our map. This will help you find the nearest team to your location.
Once you find a team's details call the head coach and ask about practice. How many days a week do they train, what days, times etc? Ask how many coaches they have on the team. Could you borrow the necessary equipment for a short period while you find your feet?
Equipment is expensive so this might be a good idea until you decide if you want to continue to play or not.
Before you go to the first session take it upon yourself to learn the rules of the game, the terminology and the different positions. This will greatly help your learning curve.
Decide what position you would like to try and explain this to the coach. However it is important to remember that you may not have the necessary physical skills to play that position so be prepared to change to another position. The coach will explain this to you and give you the reason why you are not suited to your original choice. If, however, you are suited to that position you are on your way.
No there is a place on the team for all shapes and sizes. All you need to do is find the one for you. Your coaches should be able to advise you which position suits you best. For an initial idea, try the Position Indicator on www.nfluk.com/grassroots.
Wrong. Every member of the team needs to be as fit and fast as possible, especially the linemen. They have to run as fast as the running back for certain plays and be just as conditioned to last the length of the game. Also being the biggest players on the team they need to be in great shape to remain healthy.
No, apart from the similar shape ball, American football is totally different. American football is a game of set moves and counter moves (similar to chess). Rugby is a more free flowing spontaneous game.
The rules of American Football dictate that the offense has 4 attempts to move the ball 10 yards or more. If the ball is moved the required 10 yards the offense has a further 4 downs to go another 10 yards. Once each down is over there is a break in the game for the coaches to send in there next play (or move) to their players on the field. They can also take this time to make any substitutions they need. These breaks make the game very exciting as each team tries to out guess the other with their next play.
Teams have so many players to help off set the rigours and physical demands placed on them during the course of a game. Each team has 11 starters on offense and 11 starters on defense. These 22 generally each have a least one back up and sometimes two. Add the kickers and you have a roster of 48.
American football is so specialized that players will only play one position on either offense or defense. Some of these players are so specialized that they only come onto the field on certain downs.
The coach can use all his players during the game as he is allowed unlimited substitutions at any time. This rule ensures that fatigue and injuries are not a factor in deciding the out come of games.
Under the BAFA umbrella, coaching is looked after by the British American Football Coaches Association (www.bafca.org). They look after a comprehensive Coach Education Policy for all levels and can take the uninitiated through the process of becoming a coach or leader
Most teams should have the necessary equipment to get you started. It is important to remember that the equipment is for safety and is there for a reason. Buying your own new is always preferable to wearing second hand, with helmets ranging from £80 to £150 depending on specification and your age. The shoulder pads can be around the £100 mark.
Flag football is non-contact and carries the risk of bruises and sprains. Tackle American football is all about high impact collisions and can carry the risk of injury like other contact sports. Your team should give you proper coaching on how to block and tackle safely to reduce any risks. All equipment is defensive and is never meant to be used as a weapon!
There has never been a more exciting time to be involved in the sport in this country. BAFA has official links with the Scottish Claymores , NFL Europe and the NFL and as such the development ladder has every rung from fun-based participation to elite athlete identification and development. Many ex-amateur players from the British league are now plying their trade on a semi-professional and even full professional level and more and more college and high school eligible players are crossing the Atlantic to gain an education and play the game at the highest standard.
If you are about to start playing American Football for the first time there are a few of questions you need to ask your self first.
Where can I go to learn to play football?
Go here www.nfluk.com/grassroots and click on your area on our map. This will help you find the nearest team to your location.
Once you find a team's details call the head coach and ask about practice. How many days a week do they train, what days, times etc? Ask how many coaches they have on the team. Could you borrow the necessary equipment for a short period while you find your feet?
Equipment is expensive so this might be a good idea until you decide if you want to continue to play or not.
Before you go to the first session take it upon yourself to learn the rules of the game, the terminology and the different positions. This will greatly help your learning curve.
Decide what position you would like to try and explain this to the coach. However it is important to remember that you may not have the necessary physical skills to play that position so be prepared to change to another position. The coach will explain this to you and give you the reason why you are not suited to your original choice. If, however, you are suited to that position you are on your way.
Don't you have to be big to play American Football?
No there is a place on the team for all shapes and sizes. All you need to do is find the one for you. Your coaches should be able to advise you which position suits you best. For an initial idea, try the Position Indicator on www.nfluk.com/grassroots.
The big linemen types do not have to be a fit and fast as the rest of the team?
Wrong. Every member of the team needs to be as fit and fast as possible, especially the linemen. They have to run as fast as the running back for certain plays and be just as conditioned to last the length of the game. Also being the biggest players on the team they need to be in great shape to remain healthy.
Is American football like rugby?
No, apart from the similar shape ball, American football is totally different. American football is a game of set moves and counter moves (similar to chess). Rugby is a more free flowing spontaneous game.
Why does the game keep stopping and starting?
The rules of American Football dictate that the offense has 4 attempts to move the ball 10 yards or more. If the ball is moved the required 10 yards the offense has a further 4 downs to go another 10 yards. Once each down is over there is a break in the game for the coaches to send in there next play (or move) to their players on the field. They can also take this time to make any substitutions they need. These breaks make the game very exciting as each team tries to out guess the other with their next play.
Why are there so many players on a team?
Teams have so many players to help off set the rigours and physical demands placed on them during the course of a game. Each team has 11 starters on offense and 11 starters on defense. These 22 generally each have a least one back up and sometimes two. Add the kickers and you have a roster of 48.
American football is so specialized that players will only play one position on either offense or defense. Some of these players are so specialized that they only come onto the field on certain downs.
The coach can use all his players during the game as he is allowed unlimited substitutions at any time. This rule ensures that fatigue and injuries are not a factor in deciding the out come of games.
How can I get involved in coaching in my area?
Under the BAFA umbrella, coaching is looked after by the British American Football Coaches Association (www.bafca.org). They look after a comprehensive Coach Education Policy for all levels and can take the uninitiated through the process of becoming a coach or leader
Is the equipment expensive?
Most teams should have the necessary equipment to get you started. It is important to remember that the equipment is for safety and is there for a reason. Buying your own new is always preferable to wearing second hand, with helmets ranging from £80 to £150 depending on specification and your age. The shoulder pads can be around the £100 mark.
Will I get hurt?
Flag football is non-contact and carries the risk of bruises and sprains. Tackle American football is all about high impact collisions and can carry the risk of injury like other contact sports. Your team should give you proper coaching on how to block and tackle safely to reduce any risks. All equipment is defensive and is never meant to be used as a weapon!
How far can I go in the game?
There has never been a more exciting time to be involved in the sport in this country. BAFA has official links with the Scottish Claymores , NFL Europe and the NFL and as such the development ladder has every rung from fun-based participation to elite athlete identification and development. Many ex-amateur players from the British league are now plying their trade on a semi-professional and even full professional level and more and more college and high school eligible players are crossing the Atlantic to gain an education and play the game at the highest standard.
Playing football
If you are about to start playing American Football for the first time there are a few of questions you need to ask your self first.
- Are you physically ready to play the game?
- Do you know and understand the rules and different positions on the playing field?
- How far do you want to progress along the football ladder?