I've decided to start watching American Football

mumra · Post by **mumra** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 12:10 am

As I spend 20 something euros a month on viasat just to watch my football team in the Champions league, and if they end up repeating last years dismal performance, I'm going to regret that 12 month contract, if I don't get my monies worth.

Any sceptic out there fancy giving me a whistle stop rendition of the rules?

6 points for a touchdown yes? 3 for a kick? 1 for a conversion? 2 for a different kind of conversion (or something)???

Are you limited to 53 players in a squad?

Oh yes and I need a team. I was thinking of the Raiders, are they any good?

**Sponsor:**

ScubaGirl · Post by **ScubaGirl** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 8:13 am

http://www.nfl.com/features/rulebook check this link for rules

forget the Raiders, the BEARS are where it's at

http://www.chicagobears.com/ This is their year, trust me!

Phil · Post by **Phil** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 8:27 am

American football is not complicated, but definitely is the deepest sport I know about. Many compare it to believe it or not, chess. The only people who make fun of the sport don't know a damn thing about it. Football/Soccer is more about "tactics" while American football is more about "strategy".

A great way to learn the game is to pick up a 5e football video game from the discount bin. I always see copies of "John Madden 2003" in those things.

raamv · Post by **raamv** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 8:51 am

Hey,
I got hooked onto it once I knew the how the game of Am. Football is played. Phil is absolutely correct in saying that it is about strategy, this goes beyond strategy, Its also about Really "Split Second timing".
A game could be overturned in just a few minutes of gametime.
The same looks to run slow, but actually, once you understand whats happening in the game, its very exciting..
Once I get time, I will write some more about the rules of the game.
Till then, Think about America's Favorite team: The Boys..
I meant the Dallas Cowboys. not just a team..but a team with the best cheerleaders too

kultary · Post by **kultary** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 9:32 am

Personally, I prefer college football (GO HUSKERS!!!!). With a satellite dish pointed to 15 W, you can currently get feeds of US football on Saturdays.

If you insist that we choose a professional team, it would have to be the 49ers.

-Ry

eric71 · Post by **eric71** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 9:52 am

Being a Chicagoan, I'll second the recommendation of the Bears. Finally have some offense to go with there defense. And a coach named Lovey Smith.

enk · Post by **enk** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 9:55 am

eric71 wrote:Being a Chicagoan, I'll second the recommendation of the Bears. Finally have some offense to go with there defense. And a coach named Lovey Smith.

Yeah! More Chicagoans

And btw if the only exposure someone has to American football is the way that it's played in the leagues here, they'll fail to realize that has anything
whatsoever to do with strategy and tactics as the games are so lopsided.

-enk

mumra · Post by **mumra** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 9:57 am

ScubaGirl wrote:http://www.nfl.com/features/rulebook check this link for rules

Thanks that seems to be the ticket:

http://www.nfl.com/fans/rules/basics

I watched Kansas against Pittsburgh last night.

mumra · Post by **mumra** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 10:04 am

Not sure I can support the bears, I associate Chicago only with Oprah.

mumra · Post by **mumra** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 10:06 am

kultary wrote:Personally, I prefer college football (GO HUSKERS!!!!). With a satellite dish pointed to 15 W, you can currently get feeds of US football on Saturdays.

Christ I'm not that keen. Lets see how it goes eh?

Phil · Post by **Phil** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 10:08 am

mumra wrote:Not sure I can support the bears, I associate Chicago only with Oprah.

And Donahue!

mumra · Post by **mumra** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 10:10 am

raamv wrote:Till then, Think about America's Favorite team: The Boys..
I meant the Dallas Cowboys. not just a team..but a team with the best cheerleaders too

Oh man, Dallas = J.R Ewing to me, and cowboys are kind of homo erotic, I don't think thats my team

mumra · Post by **mumra** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 10:37 am

How can you steal possesion? Within those 4 goes the other teams having?

customs_official · Post by **customs_official** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 10:46 am

mumra wrote:How can you steal possesion? Within those 4 goes the other teams having?

You intercept a pass or force and recover a fumble.

Or... the other team has 4 downs to make it ten+ yards. If they don't then it's a turnover on downs. (Of course, most teams punt on 4th down, unless you're Bill Parcels and you wildly overestimate your running backs).

mumra · Post by **mumra** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 10:52 am

Alright thanks. I think I have the basics now. Here's my day mapped out:

13:00 Amerikkalaista jalkapalloa: Philadelphia Eagles-New Orleans Saints
15:30 Amerikkalaista jalkapalloa: Kansas City Chiefs-Pittsburgh Steeler
18:00 Amerikkalaista jalkapalloa: Oakland Raiders-Denver Broncos
03:30 Amerikkalaista jalkapalloa: Chicago Bears-Arizona Cardinals

Paternity leave rocks

Finland Forum

Find information about moving to, living in and life in Finland