Touch Football Brian Nicholson Highland Touch Football League
Touch Football Brian Nicholson Highland Touch Football League April 2007
Touch Football—an overview è 4+2 day lesson plan èDay 1– terminology and basic skills èDay 2– offensive patterns, defensive formations èDay 3– mechanics of the game and scrimmages! èDay 4– football theory/tactics and games èDay 5– touch football officiating èDay 6– touch football officiating and games
Touch Football èWhy football and ‘touch’ football for you? èExcellent form of physical activity èSprinting, stretching, stamina èEasy to organize (play anywhere!) èTeaches teamwork/co-operation, self discipline, and sportsmanship. èIT’S FUN! Football town! èAntigonish is a… Hockey
Antigonish is a… football town Our town is one of the few outside the HRM to offer football programs from ages 8 -early 20’s but beyond this, there was little opportunity to play football for adults. The HTFL was formed in 2006 providing the adult population of the area with an outlet for playing football.
Football Myths—dispelled èOnly guys play football. èYou have to have played tackle to play touch football èI can’t throw the ball = I can’t play football èFootball is too complex, I don’t know the rules.
Football Theory èGoal of the game– touch football èTo score more points in a set amount of time than your opponents èTo get physically active and develop fundamental ‘football skills’ èTo participate and contribute to the team both athletically and strategically èTo have fun!
Football Terminology--Players èOFFENSE è The team that “possesses” the ball è Starts each play from the Line of Scrimmage and attempts to move the ball into their opponents End Zone by passing or running the ball èThe Quarterback (QB) è The player on the offense who receives the ball from the center and is the player who primarily throws forward passes to his teammates. èThe Center è The player who starts the offensive play from the Line of Scrimmage by “snapping” the ball back to the QB. èReceivers è The teammates of the QB (including the Center) who try to catch the football, advance it toward the end zone and score a touchdown.
Football Terminology--Players èDEFENSE èThe team that attempts to stop the offense from moving the ball, by touching an offensive player with the ball, intercepting a forward pass or receiving a punt from the offense. èDefensive backs èThe defensive players who attempt to break-up a pass, touch a receiver with the ball or intercept a pass èRusher èA defensive player whose primary job is to touch or “sack” the QB before he can throw the ball
Football Terminology--Scoring è Touchdown (6 points) è The main method of scoring in touch football è scored when the football is brought into or caught in the opponents’ end zone è Convert/PAT (1 or 2 points) è Point After Try– One play after a touchdown in which the offense can add 1 or 2 points to their score è Safety (2 points– to the defense) è Scored against a team that does not get the football out of its own end zone after they bring it into their own end zone è Rouge (1 point– to the kicking/punting team) è Scored against a team that does not get the football out of its own end zone after their opponents punt or kick it into their end zone
Terminology—Game Mechanincs è Line of Scrimmage (LOS) è An imaginary line paralell to the goal lines from which a play begins. The defense and offense must be on opposite sides of the LOS when the play begins. è Goal Line/End Zone– The areas at either end of the field where teams attempt to advance the football into to score a touchdown. è 3 Downs-10 Yards è One of 3 attempts the offense may use to advance the ball towards the defence’s end zone. They must at minimum advance 10 yards to maintain possession of the ball. è Bean bags– 2 red 1 yellow– One red=LOS, 2 nd red=rusher’s bag, yellow=distance to gain (10 yds from 1 st red on 1 st down) è On-side/Offside /Forward Pass è On side pass– a ball thrown towards a team’s own goal line. Also
Touch Football—Fundamental Skills èRunning èPassing èHow to throw a football properly èThe grip èThe stance èCatching the football èSnapping the ball èPunting/Kicking
HTFL All Stars vs. JGH Team November 26, 2006
Day 2 èOffensive Patterns è Defensive Formations èFootwork (O&D) èPunting 20 15 10 5 LOS X X Y X Z C QB X A B X
Offensive Patterns èIn the huddle èReceiver Routes/Patterns assigned èOnly the play caller (QB) speaks è 20 second play clock èCadence for the snap is set èEnds by a clap of the hands and “break” èPlay calling èPlay cards èVariety is the spice… èshort/middle/long and long routes! · · · YZCA X B QB
Offensive Patterns èRoute Running Principles èStance at Snap èCrisp Routes with sharp cuts are best! èIntelligent Route Running èKnow your route, but know your neighbor’s too! èBreaking off a route… èBad Snap èReading the Defense èDouble Rush
Defensive Formations èDefensive Captain sets the defense for each play. èUsually done in huddle, but can be communicated via verbal or hand signals. èThe defense must be aware if the offensive is set to start the play. èShowing one D, playing another èDB communication vital. èContingencies
Offensive Plays- Short Yardage 20 15 10 5 LOS X X X C QB X X èHook èSlant èSquare In/Out èHook & Slide èQuick Out èCrossing/over -under
Offensive Plays- Short Yardage 20 15 10 5 LOS X X X C QB X X èHook èSlant èSquare In/Out èHook & Slide èQuick Out èCrossing/over -under
Offensive Plays- Short Yardage 20 15 10 5 LOS X X X C QB X X èHook èSlant èSquare In/Out èHook & Slide èQuick Out èCrossing/over -under
Offensive Plays- Short Yardage 20 15 10 5 LOS X X X C QB X X èHook èSlant èSquare In/Out èHook & Slide èQuick Out èCrossing/over -under
Offensive Plays- Short Yardage 20 15 10 5 LOS X X X C QB X X èHook èSlant èSquare In/Out èHook & Slide èQuick Out èCrossing/over -under
Offensive Plays- Short Yardage 20 15 10 5 LOS X X X C QB X X èHook èSlant èSquare In/Out èHook & Slide èQuick Out èCrossing/over -under
Offensive Plays- Short Yardage 20 15 10 5 LOS X X X C QB X X èHook èSlant èSquare In/Out èHook & Slide èQuick Out èCrossing/over -under
Offensive Plays- Middle Yardage 20 15 10 5 LOS X X X C QB X X èCurl (deep hook) èPost èFlag/Corner èPost-Corner èDouble Out
Offensive Plays- Middle Yardage 20 15 10 5 LOS X X X C QB X X èCurl (deep hook) èPost èFlag/Corner èPost-Corner èDouble Out
Offensive Plays- Middle Yardage 20 15 10 5 LOS X X X C QB X X èCurl (deep hook) èPost èFlag/Corner èPost-Corner èDouble Out
Offensive Plays- Middle Yardage 20 15 10 5 LOS X X X C QB X X èCurl (deep hook) èPost èFlag/Corner èPost-Corner èDouble Out
Offensive Plays- Middle Yardage 20 15 10 5 LOS X X X C QB X X èCurl (deep hook) èPost èFlag/Corner èPost-Corner èDouble Out
Offensive Plays- Middle Yardage 20 15 10 5 LOS X X X C QB X X èCurl (deep hook) èPost èFlag/Corner èPost-Corner èDouble Out
Offensive Plays- Middle Yardage 20 15 10 5 LOS X X X C QB X X èCurl (deep hook) èPost èFlag/Corner èPost-Corner èDouble Out
Offensive Plays- Long Yardage 20 15 10 5 LOS X X X C QB X X èFly èDeep post/flag èFade èHook & Go èDown, Out & Go
Offensive Plays- Long Yardage 20 15 10 5 LOS X X X C QB X X èFly èDeep post/flag èFade èHook & Go èDown, Out & Go
Offensive Plays- Long Yardage 20 15 10 5 LOS X X X C QB X X èFly èDeep post/flag èFade èHook & Go èDown, Out & Go
Offensive Plays- Long Yardage 20 15 10 5 LOS X X X C QB X X èFly èDeep post/flag èFade èHook & Go èDown, Out & Go
Offensive Plays- Long Yardage 20 15 10 5 LOS X X X C QB X X èFly èDeep post/flag èFade èHook & Go èDown, Out & Go
Offensive Plays- Putting it together 20 Triangle 1 15 10 5 LOS X Y Z C A B QB “X-Jet, Down! Set! Hike!”
Base Defenses 4 -2 Zone 20 15 • 10 O 5 LOS • O X X O R O • C QB X O X
Base Defenses 2 -4 Prevent 20 15 10 O O 5 LOS O X X • • X • C QB O O R O X X
Base Defenses 3 -3 Zone 20 15 • 10 O O • 5 O O LOS X X O R X O • C QB X X
Base Defenses 5 -1 Zone 20 15 O 10 5 LOS • • O X R O X O • C QB X O X
Base Defenses Man-to-Man 20 15 10 • 5 LOS O O O • O X X X • C QB R O O X X
Defensive Posture èAssume a parallel or slightly staggered stance. èHead and eyes up èAs you backpedal keep feet a shoulder width apart and stay on toes. èBe ready to break 90 or 180˚
Fancy Footwork èDBs must be able to change direction quickly… èOften an extra step can mean the difference between a tag, a miss or even an interception! (wrong)
Fancy Footwork con’t
Offensive Review
Day 3 èMechanics of the Game èRusher and Rushing Rules èPunting
Touch Football—Starting out è Field/football/pylons/beanbags/players… è Pre-game conference with Referees è Coin toss– picking first possession or end è Identifying Captains è Jewelry/Illegal Footwear è 7 -a-side on field è Each half begins with a kick-off, done 10 yards back from the center, towards the opponents end zone. è Timing è 20 minute 1 st and 3 rd quarters (continuous time) è 17 minute 2 nd and 4 th quarters (ct) with 5 plays to end half è 10 minute half-time è Each team allowed a one minute time out per half and a 20 second time out for the whole game
Touch Football-Offensive Goals èMaintain possession of the ball èAttack defensive weaknesses èMake positive gains on the field, obtaining first downs èScore touchdowns! èHave successful converts/PATs èPunt for field position èLimit opponents return on kick-offs/punts
Touch Football-Defensive Goals èObtain possession of the ball (interception) èNo fumbles in touch football! èKnock down passes so they won’t be caught èTag the ball carrier to minimize gain èSack/tag the QB for loss of yardage èPrevent offense from advancing towards goal line/ 1 st down marker èAdvance the ball as far as possible on kick-offs and punts
Game Mechanics-- Penalties èPenaltiesèMay or may not be accepted by the non-offending team èUsually results in a down being repeated if penalty is accepted èOffside (5 yard penalty) èA player who is on the incorrect side of the LOS when the ball is snapped èThe rusher is offside if he is ahead of the rusher’s line at the snap and continues to cross the LOS èObstruction (10 yard penalty) èA player who holds or prevents a player from a direct line to the ball carrier
Game Mechanics-- Penalties è Pass Interference è Players cannot take an opponents positional advantage when attempting to catch the ball. è If defensive– ball considered caught at point of foul. Automatic 1 st down è If offensive– ball considered caught by defense--- turn over!!! è Time Count (5 yard penalty) è Occurs when the offense does not snap the ball within 20 seconds after the referee has whistled the play in è No Yards è A penalty for being too close (less than 5 yards) to a player when they first touch a punt. May be incidental/ minor foul (5 yards) or major (10 yards) è Allows a team to recover a punt without interference è Not applied on kick-offs (to begin half or after TD scored)
The Rusher and Rushing Rules è The Rusher is a defensive player who tries to touch the QB before the ball can be thrown. è Rushers begin 5 yards ahead of the LOS on each play at the second red bean bag. è They must be one yard on either side of the bag but within 5 yards of it to have rushing rights. è As a rusher you are entitled to è An unobstructed path the player with the football behind the LOS. è Any offensive player, including the center who violates this right is guilty of obstruction. è Any number of defensive players can rush with rights as long as they are positioned in the rusher’s area at the time of the snap of the ball. è The first defensive player to cross the LOS in pursuit of the QB must be at least at the rushing bag or behind it when the ball is snapped.
Rushing Rules 10 • 5 • LOS X X X • C QB R X X
Rushing Rules 10 • 5 • LOS X X X • C QB èQB rolls and center picks rusher inadvertently R X X
Day 4– Football tactics èFootball, though simple in its premise and goals can quickly blossom into a complex game with both cerebral elements as well as physical. èWhile touch football will not reach the level of complexity that pro football has attained, there is much to be said for some strategy and smart play calling.
Offensive Keys to Success èA productive/successful offense must possess the following player attributes– èDiscipline in the huddle èPlay calling by the QB èUnderstanding the routes called èIntelligent receiver improvisation for secondary routes èKnowing the cadence/snap count èAt the snap èSmooth, efficient exchange b/w center and QB èThe Center must be able to snap the ball consistantly on a “rope”
Offensive Keys to Success èAt the snap (cont) èRecognition of defensive formations, double rush èHot reads/routes èReceivers adjustments èto routes based on the defense èto bad snaps èto broken plays èQB èknow when to throw ‘em, when to hold ‘em and when to run èkeep routes simple and of varied distances for options èa scrambling QB can buy a few extra seconds of time
Offensive Theory èTouch Football is about ball control. èKeep the defense guessing or trick them by lulling them into an expected play, then pull out your tricks… èCrisp, precise routes are crucial to the offense. èPicking apart a defense– capitalizing on weaknesses, looking for patterns. èIntelligent use of the punt.
Defensive Theory èA good defense requires excellent èAthleticism, communication and analysis of offense èRushing èA quick, disciplined rusher is the crux of a good defense èForces the QB to throw before he wants to èContains the scrambler èNEVER leaves his feet!
Defensive Theory èGood DBs èRecognize offensive formations èKnow the zones of coverage èReact to motion or audibles èCommunicate during the play èKnow what to do with half backs
Defensive Theory èTo be successful the defense must èWork as a team èBe able to anticipate the offensive plays èDisguise the called defense èForce the QB to make throws in less than ideal situations èRecover from the frustrations of giving up the ‘long play’ or ‘long conversion’ èRecognize when the QB has beaten the rush and is running for yardage
Defensive Theory èDefensive Captain èThe player who sets the defense èMust be able to make appropriate analysis of tactical situations èEnsures all players know their positions and roles èMust be able to “audible” a new defense based on the configuration of the offense èHas a plan in place for “motion” or half backs
Special Teams (kick and punt) èKick-off (kicking) èPlay the whistle! èLanes! èWatch for pitches èKick-off (receiving) èSpeedy guys deep èLook for pinching of the outside– to set up a lateral pass èPunts (punting) èHustle downfield èWatch for no-yards èPunts (receiving) èRecognize punting situations èCorrect personnel and configuration èLast Play of the Half èKnow about the Rouge!
Highland Touch Football League èGet in on the fun and excitement! èGreat way to exercise and get in shape! èNo prior football experience necessary! èNo expensive equipment (just cleats)! èSunday morning games at Columbus Field
Base Defenses 20 15 • 10 O 5 LOS • O X X O R O • C QB X O X
text 20 15 10 5 LOS X X X C QB X X
text
G 10 20 30 40
20 15 10 5 yds LOS X X X C QB X X
base text G 10 20 30 40
- Slides: 75