Football is a much-loved sport in this country despite its short history and, arguably because of, its rough-and-tumble nature. Devotion to the sport has been a hallmark of the United States at the high school, collegiate and professional levels.
In an attempt to provide a clearer account of this complicated sport, I first turned to Wikipedia, which quickly proved too convoluted to navigate. Next, my friends abandoned the hapless task of explaining it to me. As a last resort, after I had actually tried watching a game and couldn’t discern
the quarterback from the cheerleaders, I appealed to some great football movies — “Remember the Titans,” “The Replacements,” “The Blind Side,” “Invincible,” “Rudy,” “Waterboy” and “The
For anyone who struggles to under-stand this sport, I can’t promise these movies will explain much, but I guarantee that it will be an enjoyable time! And though I doubt that the players actually fall or tackle as glamorously in real games as in some of these movies, it just might be the starter you need to tempt you to tune in to the big game this Sunday.
Lesson No. 1: “Rudy”
Much like what we learned in “Ratatouille,” this feel-good film about Rudy’s triumphs on the field despite the odds serves to remind us that everyone can have a dream, and anyone can play football. Just don’t quit.
Lesson No. 2: “Remember the Titans”
A must-watch movie for all, football lovers or not, this is
one of the best on the list of top football films. Some takeaway lessons on football and life are the importance of teamwork and living out what you believe in, because you never know what an impact you can make.
Football is a team effort in which two teams of 11 people on each side try to score as many points as possible on a field that is 100 yards long with two 10- yard end zones. Teams alternate between playing offensively and defensively, but what coaches Boone (Denzel Washington) and Yoast (Will Patton) show us at the state championship game is that we all have something to learn from each other. That’s why football is more than just a game. As Boone puts it, the struggle on the field is filled with survival, victory and defeat. What the team displays in their shared commitment is the impact that a game like football can have off the field. It’s about more than just winning or losing a game.
A quick tutorial on the essen- tials of football: The fundamental idea is to score a touchdown
by getting the football through running or passing it to the end of the field known as the end zone. A touchdown gets the team six points, and after each touch- down, the team has the chance to kick the ball for an extra point or try for a two-point conversion by moving the ball into the end zone in one attempt.
The games are played in four quarters of 15 minutes for 60 minutes. This often runs much longer due to the play stoppages.
Lesson No. 3: “Waterboy”
Even if you’re not the bright- est bulb in the box, your mother will always love you. And Adam Sandler is funny.
More than just comedy, however, Waterboy gives us an idea for the positions that can be played in football. The quarter- back, who can alter plays and throws the ball, is arguably the most important player on the offense. The linebacker, Bouche’s position (played by Adam San- dler), tackles all over the field and is a key player on defense.
Here is some more on under- standing how the game is played: The game begins with a kickoff in which the receiving team catches and has to try to run back to the end zone. If the kickoff is not re- turned to the end zone, that team begins to play offense from where the ball was stopped.
The offensive team tries to get the ball as far as they can until they are tackled or step out of bounds. This is when the ball becomes dead and defines the line of scrimmage from which the next play begins. The play begins with the center in possession of the ball. He passes it backwards (called a snap), usually to the quarterback. The offensive team has four chances, known as plays or downs, to try to gain at least 10 yards. The attacking team gets a new try with a first down if they complete the 10 yards, but if they fail, the ball goes to the opposing team.
Lastly, remember to hydrate when playing sports.
Lesson No. 4: “The Replacements”
This is a great movie, particu- larly the scene in the jail where the team sings “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor; it cracks me up every time. But the movie provides a great background of information on the positions and players in football.
First and foremost, the quar- terback, Shane Falco (Keanu Reeves) should have leadership qualities, a good arm and be quick enough to run with the ball. For dramatic purposes, also it’s also preferable to start as the under- dog. Linebacker on the team, Daniel Bateman ( Jon Favreau), who was ex-SWAT and used to be in the military, typifies the de- sirable traits for such a position: aggression, leaning towards crazy. Wide receiver Clifford Franklin (Orlando Jones), must be fast and sure-handed enough to catch the passes from the quarterback. Other positions on the offense are the linemen or guards, offensive tackle and the running back.
But the most important lesson from this movie: play like there’s no tomorrow. This is also a great movie for inspirational quotes.
When trying to get Falco to play for him, Coach McGinty (played by Gene Hackman) asks, “You know what separates the winners from the losers?” To Which Falco’s response is, “the score.” But the coach says no, it’s getting back on the horse after being kicked in the teeth. He also has a great (albeit sexist) moment when Falco comments on sustaining three concussions in a game, Mc- Ginty replies, “That’s why girls don’t play the game.”
Lesson No. 5: “The Blind Side”
Let’s be honest, “The Blind Side” is a great movie. However, it doesn’t include many football rule references except for Mrs. Tuohy’s (Sandra Bullock) line in the beginning narration: “The left tackle’s job is to protect the quar- terback from what he can’t see coming, from his blind side.” A lot of significance is placed on the role of protection in this movie, which emphasizes the teamwork element of the sport. In one of the most violent, contact-inten- sive sports, a lot of hurt is placed on football players when they’re on the field. Even if they get knocked down, they keep trying. Why do such a silly thing? That’s why only boys play the game. Also, that yellow flag referees throw around in football games? This signifies a penalty. Don’t ask me why they didn’t just stick with cards like in soccer. I guess flags are flashier, and this is an American game, after all. Another fun fact: There are seven officials who referee a football game. Why that many? Like I said, this is an American game; make of that what you will.
Last lesson of the day:
Enjoy football in your own way. I recommend movies.
__________________________________________________________________
Follow the Graphic on Twitter: @PeppGraphic
