Football 101...Training Camp for the Fan.

[Iowanian]

We have many Young posters, and fans who have never played football on the board. Some have vast football knowledge and could educate some of us that have things to learn, so we can more than nod our heads and pretend to understand the conversation, thereby getting more benefit in season conversation.

If you have a question, don't be afraid to ask it. Myself, someone who knows will explain it the best we can, or link it on the web. In this thread, there should be no such thing as a "stupid Football related question".

For those who really know.....pick a topic and explain it in a way that a Jr High kid could understand.

Offensive Line Schemes...the difference between zone blocking etc.
Cover 2 defense, zone defense, man defense.....1,2 and 3 gap DLine techniques.........whats an Hback....the difference between a SS and FS and their responsibilities.

Let the questions and Answers rip. this could be a great educational experience. Lets Go planet, Get the Rookies in Game-day Shape.

[keg in kc]

Why are helmets called helmets?

[Demonpenz]

if a d lineman is supposed to tackle the ball carrier and control the line of scrimmage why is he dropping in pass coverage

[Idahored]

Originally Posted by Demonpenz

if a d lineman is supposed to tackle the ball carrier and control the line of scrimmage why is he dropping in pass coverage

I expect that you are being sarcastic, but I will bite anyway....

To confuse the enemy QB who is thinking that they will be tackling the ball carrier and controling the line of scrimmage.

And it worked quite well for the first two years it was implemented, but it is old hat now.

[Iowanian]

Originally Posted by keg in kc

Why are helmets called helmets?

I know you're being a wiseguy...but

http://www.pasttimesports.biz/history.html

A history and tradition more than 100 years old.
The leather football helmet has it’s origin more than100 years ago first worn in an 1893 Army-Navy game. An Annapolis shoemaker created the first helmet for Admiral Joseph Mason Reeves, who had been advised by a Navy doctor that he would be risking death or “instant insanity” if he took another kick to the head. Later in 1896 Lafayette College halfback George Barclay so feared the fabled cauliflower ear on his “hearing organs”, which he felt was a direct cause of playing bare-headed, that he had a playing hat made. His design was a special headgear which was held to his head by three heavy leather straps fashioned by a harness maker, thus giving the first football helmets the nomenclature “head-harness”. The Golden Era - The helmet as we know it today has undergone many changes in its 100 years. Helmets were not mandatory until the 30’s. Most of the 1890--1915 games were actually played without helmets. It was not unusual to see half of the early players with helmets and half without. Around World War I the helmets were so flimsy that they were often mistaken for aviator caps. Year by year more padding was added and from the 1920’s thru 1940’s, considered the Golden Age of college, pro and high school football — helmets, like the ones we are offering here, always were strictly of leather construction. Flying wing, colors and targets - Another interesting fact was that nearly all of the games in this era were played in unadorned helmets —school logos colors and mascots were rarely used. As the great rivalries grew colleges and high schools began to hand-paint their helmets. The idea was that the simple colors, in the first days of the forward pass, allowed receivers to finally be distinguishable to the quarterback when they were heavily covered and far down the field. Not until 1948 was the first logo, the Rams horns, painted on a pro leather helmet. Soon after, practically every college, pro and high school team put their logos and mascots on their helmets. But the great old leather helmet was spared much of this “clutter” as it’s days faded into history before 1950.

[Iowanian]

I was hoping for some serious questions from those that really wanted to know, and some information from those that really know and understand.

how about this. If you played a position professionally, in college, or enough in HS to know what you're talking about, or coach..........Please explain the basics of your position, and fundamental responsibilities.

[keg in kc]

That's pretty cool, about the helmets.

And I have never, ever played a down of football in my entire life. I'm an unabashed ignoramus.

[ptlyon]

I have always wanted to ask this, but was scared to.

What are those orange sticks those guys are holding? They keep getting closer together and then farther apart. At their farthest part it seems like they're maybe, 10 yards apart? (I'm not a good judge of distance so that is an estimation). OH, and when that dude in the stripes seems to make a motion with his arm, then they get to their farthest point.

That has always been confusing to me - can anybody help me out here?

Thanks in advance.

[ct]

Originally Posted by Iowanian

We have many Young posters, and fans who have never played football on the board. Some have vast football knowledge and could educate some of us that have things to learn, so we can more than nod our heads and pretend to understand the conversation, thereby getting more benefit in season conversation.

If you have a question, don't be afraid to ask it. Myself, someone who knows will explain it the best we can, or link it on the web. In this thread, there should be no such thing as a "stupid Football related question".

For those who really know.....pick a topic and explain it in a way that a Jr High kid could understand.

Offensive Line Schemes...the difference between zone blocking etc.
Cover 2 defense, zone defense, man defense.....1,2 and 3 gap DLine techniques.........whats an Hback....the difference between a SS and FS and their responsibilities.

Let the questions and Answers rip. this could be a great educational experience. Lets Go planet, Get the Rookies in Game-day Shape.

Yo Iowa,

Is this another Chiefsplanet experiment kinda thing?

ct
a bit suspicious now

[Donger]

Okay. I've got one.

What is/are the primary difference(s) between a cornerback and a safety?

And WFT is a strong safety? Are there weak ones?

[ct]

I've got a question:

Why the F@#$ can't somebody beat the damn Patriots?

[leviw]

To play a cover 2 (almost every f-ing down like '03), do you have to have better safeties than Jerome Woods and Greg Wesley?

[Gaz]

In general terms, the Strong Safety is oriented more towards run defense. He often lines up closer to the LOS. The Free Safety is oriented more towards pass defense. He is generally lined up behind the CBs and is the proverbial last ditch defense.

Speaking in very general terms again, the SS is bigger, while the FS is faster.

xoxo~
Gaz
Painfully aware that rules of thumb are of limited value.

[beer bacon]

Originally Posted by coryt

I've got a question:

Why the F@#$ can't somebody beat the damn Patriots?

They have the full and unconditional might of the Russian Empire behind them.

[Lzen]

What is the meaning of life?