Introduction to Gridiron DAN LEVIN PRESIDENT GRIDIRON VICTORIA

Transcription

1 Introduction to Gridiron DAN LEVIN PRESIDENT GRIDIRON VICTORIA

2 Overview What is Gridiron? General rules & tactics Positions & requirements Why Gridiron? Basics of a Flag game

3 About the Presenter Started playing Gridiron in year 7 in St. Louis, MO, USA. Moved to Australia in 2005, took up playing again and coaching shortly thereafter Qualified Level 2 coach under ASC Coached Australian National Team, Victorian State Team, Local club teams

4 What is Gridiron?

5 What is Gridiron? Game of acquiring & possessing territory Points generally scored by: Possessing the football in the end zone (6 points) Kicking the ball through uprights (3 points) Teams made up of 11 players per side, with offensive and defensive units. Gridiron is characterized by complicated set plays requiring each player to work as a team

6 Sample Play

7 The Basics A typical game is divided into 4 quarters, between minutes per quarter. The field is roughly 50 yards wide by 100 yards long, plus two endzones of 10 yards each. The offense has 4 plays (called downs) to advance the ball 10 yards. If the ball does not advance at least 10 yards in 4 downs, the defensive team earns possession. Usually, the offensive team punts (kicks) the ball to the defense on 4 th down if it looks unlikely they ll gain the necessary 10 yards.

8 Basics Continued The ball is advanced by running it along the ground or by successfully throwing it and catching it in the air. A play starts then the ball is snapped and ends when a player scores, is tackled, goes out of bounds, or a pass is incomplete Defense can earn possession typically 4 ways: Recovering a fumble Intercepting a pass Holding the offense to less than 10 yards in 4 downs Forcing the offense to punt the ball away

9 Penalties There s a lot of them! Depending on severity, the team is punished 5, 10, or 15 yards per penalty Players can be ejected for flagrant personal fouls (fighting, touching official, etc) Coaches can receive personal fouls as well, so watch your temper!

10 Positions & Requirements Each position is highly specialized, but each works as a unit for the good of the team: Offensive Positions Quarterback Running Backs Offensive Line Receivers Defensive Positions Defensive Line Linebackers Defensive Backs

11 Offensive Positions Quarterback Running Backs Offensive Line Receivers

12 Quarterback Generally starts each play Usually is the only person who throws the ball Most important player on offense Key traits: Tall Athletic Leader

13 Running Backs Usually responsible for running with the football Will occasionally catch passes and block for QB Key Traits: Stocky Explosive Ability to change direction quickly

14 Offensive Line Responsible for opening holes for running backs to run through and protecting the QB on passing plays Key Traits: Big Powerful Bully

15 Receivers Mainly responsible for catching passes thrown by QB Rarely touch the ball but when they do it results in big plays for the offense Key Traits: Fast Good hands Elusive

16 Where are they all? (Offense slide) Offensive Line WR LT LG C RG RT WR QB WR FB RB

17 Defensive Positions

18 Defensive Line Responsible for stopping the offensive line, tackling the ball carrier or QB Key Traits Big Aggressive Explosive

19 Linebackers Positioned behind the Defensive line Responsible for both stopping the run and defending the pass Key Traits: Smart Athletic Sturdy

20 Defensive Backs Responsible for covering the receivers and defending the pass. Will occasionally help on the run Key Traits Quick Easily able to change direction Confident

21 Where are they all? (Defense slide) FS SS LB LB LB CB DE DT DT DE CB Defensive Line

22 Where do they all line up? (Composite) FS SS LB LB LB CB DE DT DT DE CB W LT LG C R RG RT W R Q B W R F B R B

23 Why Gridiron? What can Gridiron do for your students? Gridiron teaches: Teamwork Following directions Discipline Controlling aggression

24 Why Gridiron? In addition: Gridiron provides healthy outlet for aggression Caters for players of all shapes and sizes (especially those overweight) Player have the opportunity to represent state and country Exceptional players have the chance to receive free University education in the USA

25 Teaching a Flag Game

26 Rules NB: Flag Football rules vary widely depending on where the game is being played and what rules are being administered. The rules used in this presentation are from the International Federation of American Football, which hosts an International Flag Football Tournament biannually

27 Before you start... Equipment required: 2 teams of at least 5 players each, one team in a light jersey and one team in a dark jersey 2 sets of flag (tag) belts, with at least 2 flags on each hip of equal length. Flags must be easily visible and cannot be underneath a shirt (shirts must be tucked in) Players cannot wear pants or shorts with pockets (great way to dislocate a finger!) Field dimensions can vary based on the number and age of players, but usually are 50 yards long (with 2 x 10yd end zones) and 25 yards wide. The field is broken into 2x 25 yard zones that teams must cross to advance the ball down the field

28

29 Rules Players: Generally flag games are 5-on-5 or 7-on-7. Game broken into 2 x 20 min halves Considerably different from the tackle version of the game. No contact is allowed (includes blocking) There are no kicks to change possession All players are eligible to receive a pass or run the ball

30 Rules Cont Before a play starts, offensive and defensive teams line up one yard away from each other across from The Line of Scrimmage The offense then has 4 downs to cross a zone in order to pick up another 4 downs (you may modify distance as age/athleticism dictates). Play ends when a player s flag is pulled off, runs out of bounds, scores, or fumbles the ball Note fumbles CANNOT be recovered by the defense If a team fails to score on any possession, the opposing team will take over at its 5 yard line.

31 Rules Cont. A team scores when they have possession of the ball in the endzone. When a team scores, they have the option of going for one or two extra point conversions. A one point attempt is placed 5 yards outside the endzone. A two point attempt is placed 12 yards outside the endzone. Teams only get one chance to convert. After the score and conversion attempt, the opposing team gets the ball at its 5 yard line

32 So who won? Game ends in regulation if one team is leading the other. If teams are tied: One 2 minute overtime period. First team to score, wins

33 So do you wanna play? For information on Gridiron in Victoria, please visit For more information on Gridiron clinics at your school, please For more information on IFAF or Flag Football rules, regulations, and tournaments, please visit