I'm from a country that has zero football and soccer is the king of everything. Some time ago I started watching football and really enjoyed both the physical tactical aspects of it. Been very busy though (had kids!), and never got to really study and learn more about the game (read a for dummies book and that was it - still have last year's superbowl game on media player to be watched). What would be a good, practical way (book/video/documentary) to learn about the game? Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!
I really like rugby union but saying it is similar to football is really not true.
Many of the things that are bemoaned about gridiron football are what most of us have come to love. The play stoppage, the start/stop nature, specialization of players etc. are what make gridiron football the most strategic of ball games. Continuous play games like rugby and soccer are much more tactical less strategic. Neither is better or worse, but I enjoy the strategy of gridiron & enjoy the tactics of rugby (& aussie rules for that matter).
Getting rid of those elements of gridiron football would be a bit like letting football (soccer) players use their hands. Sure it might make for an interesting new game, but it would destroy what we love about the old.
Except the commercials. God the NFL has to get a handle on that.
The play stops a lot less often and for a lot less time, and there are no ad breaks aside from at half-time. So you get a whole lot more action per hour.
The 15 players stay on the field for the whole game, although 5 (about) can be subbed out (and can't come back).
There are four ways to restart: kick-off, Scrum (big men push), line out (thrown in from the side), penalty, (kick for goal, kick for touch or chase or tap and go), and free kick (same as penalty but no shot for goal).
The players run a lot - it's an aerobic and power game combined, which also means there is a role for players of all shapes and sizes.
The cost of playing is a ball - no pads required. It's also a lot safer as there are a lot less head injuries, as the protective gear in American Football just makes players feel safe, while increasing the impacts to the head..
The coach does not dictate plays - the players decide what to do when on the ground. It's a lot more fluid.
You can see the players' faces and bodies as they play, rather than just the coach.
It's played between countries at the top level. We have a world cup that's a genuine world cup.
> It's also a lot safer as there are a lot less head injuries...
There's a bit of debate about that point, there isn't enough data on concussions in rugby as the professional era of massive rugby players isn't as established as the NFL. Great article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/24765650
For newcomers interested in rugby union, there's a fantastic subreddit of dedicated fans, really friendly to newcomers too: http://www.reddit.com/r/rugbyunion
Check out the sidebar in that subreddit, it's excellent.
Rugby to Watch
Highlights of the Rugby Championship between South africa v All Blacks (one of the best games in recent memory - it's got power, speed, skill and massive hits in abundance) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2B0EviQDB0
Keep reading Grantland. They have great weekly columns, particularly for the NFL and NBA, that have broadened my understanding for and appreciation of the sports I thought I knew. Honestly, they're the best.
You could also try fantasy sports, but they don't teach you much about the game - they just encourage the sort of singleminded obsession that makes learning any subject easier.
I was in a similar position - couldn't even watch football games on TV (there were none where I lived). However I learned the rules by playing a video game (Madden, if I remember correctly). Became a big Green Bay Packers fan, too, just by playing the game :)
Definitely playing video games and fantasy (both already mentioned). Games will teach you about the language and forms of the offensive and defensive schemes as well as the basic rules (why a penalty is awarded and what its repercussions are) and fantasy will keep you up to date with the the current players, which is nice because players rise, peak and fall very quickly in the NFL (for very sad reasons, but while it's here and on TV, I'll be watching it).
I recommend that everyone, not just new fans, read 2 books: Keep Your Eyes Off the Ball by Pat Kirwan & The Essential Smart Football by Chris Brown. Both changed the way I watch the sport for the better.
