Football: “America’s Passion” Special Thanks/Created by: Mr. Stone Westwind Elementary School

In this unit you will:  Review basic football skills (throwing, catching, kicking, etc...)  Work with your team to determine what positions best suit each member  Make a brochure about your favorite football team or coach  Practice with your team and design original plays  Put everything that you have learned together into a game setting  Keep stats from games and put them on a team web page

Terms

Basic Terms Blitz A defensive strategy in which a linebacker or a defensive back leaves his normal position to pressure the quarterback Down A period of play that starts when the ball is put into play and ends when the ball is ruled dead Extra Point A kick worth one point that is attempted after the touchdown (also called PAT) Formation A predetermined setup that the offense or defense uses Line of Scrimmage The imaginary line between the two teams prior to the snap of the ball

Basic Terms Man-to-Man Defense Pass coverage in which every potential receiver is assigned to a particular defender. Each defender must stick with their receiver and make sure they don’t catch a pass Zone Defense Coverage in which the secondary and linebackers drop away from the line of scrimmage into specific areas when defending a pass play Shotgun A passing formation in which the quarterback stands 5 to 7 yards behind the center before the snap Safety A two point score by the defense that occurs when one of its players tackles an opponent in his own end zone

Offense

Base Offense (8 Man) X T T C Z YA QB T = Tackle Member of the offensive line whose job it is to protect the quarterback from the defense C = Center The offensive lineman who lines up over the ball and hikes (or snaps) the ball to the quarterback X = Wide Receiver Receiver who generally lines up on the weak side of the formation. Weak side = the side of the offense opposite the side “Y” lines up on Z = Wide Receiver Receiver who lines up on the “strong side” of the offense Strong side = the side of the offense that “Y” lines up on Y = Slot Back Player who serves as a blocker, ball carrier, or as a third wide receiver on some passing plays A = Running Back The primary ball carrier on running plays QB = Quarterback The leader of the team. The quarterback informs the team what play is to be run, and hands the ball to a running back, or throws to a wide receiver

Passing Routes

IN X QB

OUT X QB

SLANT X QB

HOOK X QB

CURL X QB

POST X QB

FLAG X QB

POST CORNER X QB

DRAG X QB

GO X QB

SWING X QB

Offensive Plays

FloodX T CTZ Y A QB Offensive line protects the QB from the rush X runs a “post” Z runs a “go” Y runs a “drag” Both A and the QB run a “swing”

TripsX T C TZ Y A QB Offensive line and A protect the QB from the rush X runs a “flag” Y runs a “curl” Z runs a “slant”

Y Flag X TCT Z Y A QB Offensive line and A protect the QB from the rush X runs a “drag” Y runs a “flag” Z runs a “curl”

Off Tackle X TCT Z YA QB Offensive line blocks to create an opening off the right tackle Z moves in to help block the defensive backs X runs a “go” route to draw the secondary away from the play Y becomes the lead blocker for A A runs through the gap off the tackle created by the blockers

Defense

Base Defense (8 Man) CB E E N CB LB SS FS N = Nose Tackle Defensive player who lines up across from the ball whose job it is to defend the middle against the run or rush the quarterback E = Defensive Ends Defensive players who line up at the end of the defensive line and contain the run, or rush the QB on passing plays LB = Linebacker Defensive player who lines up behind the defensive line and has the role of defending the run and the pass CB = Cornerbacks A defensive player who lines up near the sideline - generally opposite a receiver SS = Strong Safety A defensive player who lines up deep in the secondary. In most defenses this player is responsible for defending the pass as well as supporting the run defense FS = Free Safety A defensive player who lines up deepest in the secondary. He defends the deep middle of the field

Defensive Plays

Zone Cover 2 CB E E N CB LB SS FS The defensive line rushes the QB Cornerbacks drop back and cover the flatsThe Linebacker covers the middle The SS and FS drop back and cover their two zones

Zone Cover 3 CB E E N CB LB SS FS The defensive line rushes the QB The Strong Safety and Linebacker step up to cover the flats The CB’s and the FS drop back and cover their zones

Zone Corner Blitz CB EN CB LB SS FS T C T E The defensive line and Corner Back blitz the QB The Line Backer covers the middle CB, SS, and FS drop back and defend their zones

Man Cover 1 CB E E NCB LBSS FS X Y TCT A Z QB Defensive line goes after the QBCB’s cover X and Z receivers SS covers Y receiver LB covers A (running back) The FS watches the QB and reacts accordingly

Rules

Rules  Offensive line must wear pinneys  Offensive line is not eligible to catch a pass or run with the ball  The center carries the line of scrimmage marker  Teams must have at least on girl at a skill position (QB, RB, WR)  Defense can blitz on any down  Fumbles are dead at the spot of the fumble  There is one first down marker at midfield  Any player without a flag is ineligible to carry the ball  Unnecessary roughness earns an automatic ejection from the game

Penalties 5 yard penalties:  Off-sides Player is across the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped  Encroachment Touching a player on the opposing team before the ball is snapped  Passing the ball beyond the line of scrimmage  Too many players on the field when the ball is snapped

Penalties 10 yard penalties:  Illegal flag pulling Pulling someone’s flag when they don’t have the ball  Flag guarding Holding or tying your flag so that the defense can’t pull it off  Holding When an offensive player uses any part of his body to hold the defense from getting to the ball carrier

Penalties 15 yard penalties:  Charging Running into ball carrier to stop forward progress  Unnecessary roughness Any intentionally rough play such as tackling, tripping, pushing a player out of bounds, stripping the ball  Unsportsmanlike conduct Any act that is contrary to the principles of good sportsmanship including abusive, threatening, or insulting language or gestures to opponents, or officials, as well as baiting or taunting acts.

Penalties Pass Interference Any contact from a defensive player with the purpose of keeping the receiver from catching the ball – this foul results in an automatic first down, and ball is placed at the spot of the foul

Scoring  Any touchdown scored by a girl is worth 6 points  Any touchdown scored by a boy is worth 3 points  An extra point attempt from the 5 yard line is worth 1 point  An extra point attempt from the 10 yard line is worth 2 points

"Football is a great deal like life in that it teaches that work, sacrifice, perseverance, competitive drive, selflessness and respect for authority is the price each and every one of us must pay to achieve any goal that is worthwhile." - Vince Lombardi - Vince Lombardi Final Thought: