American football is about many things. It is about amazing speed and skill its brute strength and power undeniable. It is a complex sport cerebral in nature exploding with tactics and strategy often characterized as a sporting metaphor for war complete with bombs and blitzes within its terminology and courage and self sacrifice on the field. It is about collision and violence, success and failure, maybe a perfect expression of American life where the demarcation lines are so clear they are even drawn on the field. If you prepare, work hard and do well you are rewarded you gain ground. If you do badly or make a mistake you have to pay often losing the same ground. It is a game that has impact and action complete with instant reward and punishment. It’s about tradition and ambition, and, in a real sense, the way the worlds most powerful, richest, most indulgent society sees itself. It is, especially at its apex the National Football League (NFL) all about money but also represents the evolutionary pinnacle of sports that all sports world wide look to for leadership and innovation in the fields of marketing and entertainment, media production, training techniques, merchandising, terminology, the list goes on. Despite its obvious attributes the sport is much maligned outside North America where there exists a paradox of exemplifying success and excellence whilst earning ridicule and deserving of little respect. Downunder American football experiences prejudice from every angle. Its process and philosophy is not conducive to the mentality and understanding of the Australasian demographic. It is after all seen as intrinsically and obscurely only American for Americans. Until recently It represented the last bastion of Americana that the Downunder demographic and for that matter the globalized world refused to embrace. To accept this sport was to some how bow to an imperial oppression that aggressively assaults an individual states cultural identity. It would at the least be an admittance of American influence and indulgence. As Australasia and the rest of the world adopt much of American culture, merely mention American football and an interesting dynamic often take place. An aggressive dismissive and unreceptive cultural fortification is erected that seems to be based more on the games country of origin. Where the initial response is not based in the effort of learning and understanding but one of ridicule and attacking the sports perceived flaws, followed by copious amounts of offensive retorts that include; “They're all wussies in pads and helmets” or “It takes too long” or “ Its too stop starty”.

So you thinkSo you thinkSo you thinkSo you think FOOTBALLFOOTBALLFOOTBALLFOOTBALL

WARNING/DISCLAIMER The following contains components of editorial license and does not necessarily reflect the views interests or otherwise of the Downunder Football League. Its purpose is to not only inform and educate but to add an element of mitigation to the repressive ignorance and prejudice that surrounds the sport of American football. Achieving this “enlightenment “ requires on occasion examples analogies and facts from about or other sports to assist in the learning process. It does not recriminate or pass judgment on any other sport its assets or liabilities. It seeks to neither, defame or denigrate any other sport its athlete’s coaches or administrations. It merely attempts to defend any inaccuracies misconceptions and negative prejudicial perceptions on or about American football. It endeavors to utilize other sports only as a point of reference to cultivate an environment of understanding and above all respect for American football.

Perhaps the greatest restraint on the sports acceptance not to mention most widely ignored and certainly not addressed due in large part to its insidious nature are those of a cultural and nationalistic basis. These often transcend sport and encompass a wide range of variables but at its heart is an underlying tone of anti Americanism or perhaps a camouflaging of Australasia’s own cultural and nationalistic insecurities especially pertaining the perceived threat to the established football codes. The sport is overcoming this attitude born of ignorance and misunderstanding perpetuated by mistruths and prejudice almost bordering on anti American and is emerging within the Australasian environment. Like Basketball, Baseball, Volleyball, Softball, Netball, Triathlon, Mountain biking, skateboarding other X sports and numerous other American sports that are embraced as Australasia’s own complete with indigenous teams and athletes, American Football is not only entrenching itself Downunder its exploding and is achieving this despite the enormous political, cultural, economic and logistical restraints. Ernest Hemingway once warned his fellow Americans to abandon their own sense of morality when attending their first bull fight, it seems that reasonable non Americans are exercising the same open mindedness to the gridiron battles of American cities colleges and high schools, which, now given the opportunity will be Australasia’s. To understand American football better it is important to grasp American footballs influence on the world of sports and in particular Australasian sports which is often overlooked and rarely if ever recognized. It is the one sport that all sports world wide but in particular Australasian sports turn to for leadership and innovation in the fields of marketing, merchandising, media production, training techniques, terminology here too the list goes on.

Its influence preempting emulation by other sports is frequently achieved in a subtle and inconspicuous almost subversive manner. The general populace who will unwittingly accept the delivery of many facets and innovations borrowed from American football when they reside within the confines of other established sports, but have been quick to dismiss the sport of American football from which the original ideas were nurtured. A prime example resides in the approach the Minister of Sports in India took recently when calling for additional sports to enhance and compliment the country's minimally established worldwide footprint. Cricket, historically India's favoured pastime, recently gained financial strength due to the IPL and its association with television. An American trained Indian National introduced the concept as a result of his observance of the U.S. football media frenzy right down to having NFL cheerleaders and the Kolkata Knight Riders using gold helmets based on those of the Notre Dame football team.

There is however no better illustration of this fact than to examine Australasia’s other football codes. Australian Rules, Rugby Union, Soccer, and in particular Rugby league have on numerous occasions molded ideas and concepts from American football adjusted them to fit within their own sports parameters often accepting the accolades for such innovative ideas from administrators, players, fans, other sports and in particular the media Australian Rules for example commonly refer to themselves as All Australians (a variation of All American terminology borrowed from American college football). It has introduced a Draft and practices video and statistical analysis not to mention playing the game in quarters and stopping the clock for out of bounds. American footballs influence has even extended to one club the Sydney Swans using the Notre Dame (a major US college football team) fight song as their own club theme. Australian Rules is not alone however. Rugby Union introduced the concept of conferences and a conference of franchises (Super 12, 14 15) based on the US College footballs own Big 10, Big 12 and Pac 12 and the structure of the NFL, this after the prompting from the “Boston Report”, (yes that would be Boston as in Massachusetts USA) a report providing submissions and ideas based on the American football example to Rugby administrations at the advent of the professional era to improve and advance the game. It has introduced video officials and mic’d up referees and increased the value of a try and conversion to 7 points (the same incidentally as a Touchdown and PAT (conversion) in American football) embellished the sport with intricate stat keeping and with mascots cheerleader and dance squads. Even the humble American football-kicking tee once ridiculed by the rugby fraternity is now an integral part of rugby law. The Spiral punt was first introduced to Rugby Union via the legendary All Black George Nepia who learned the skill from American footballers. Large player squads and positional coaches or defensive techniques (such as the Rush defense) are concepts derived from American football introduced to rugby thanks to Sir Clive Woodward the England national rugby coach who prior to winning the World Rugby Cup embraced the help of a

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New Zealander who happened to be coaching major College American football who understood what American football could offer Rugby Union.

Super 14 Rugby coach Colin Cooper is just one of a long line of Rugby coaches that have turned to American football. American football has even influenced the way Rugby is played and officiated just ask All Black Joe Rokokoko or the IRB

But there is one sport which best exemplifies the influence of American football, a sport that is familiar to both Australia and New Zealand

Rugby League the sport its coaches and administrators have successfully delivered to an increasingly sophisticated sporting public American football without playing American football. Using every facet of the American game and making it its own. From team names like Broncos, Steelers, Raiders, Titans and Cowboys to the introduction of a tackle or downs count to a grid system on the playing field

The North Queensland Cowboys name may have some relevance to the region. But the logo complete with star and cowboys font is remarkably similar to the original logo of the Dallas Cowboys

This is a Rugby League field prior to the 1990s Since then Rugby league has introduced a grid system complete with hash marks and numbers

From player interchange and substitution (for years dismissed when within the realms of American football but readily accepted now as an integral part of Rugby League) to gang tackling to believe it or not currently experimenting with eleven players and a forward pass on sixth tackle. The National Football League or NFL the American professional football competition has influenced even the way the Rugby League has been named and marketed from the old New South Wales Rugby League to the current National Rugby League or NRL

National Rugby League CEO David Gallop leaves no doubt as to his feelings towards American football and the influence the sport has had on the game of Rugby League

Rugby League coaches like Jack Gibson the father of modern day Rugby League had from the beginning subscribed to the coaching philosophy of Vince Lombardi (American football coach) and American football training and playing techniques. Wayne Bennett and the Brisbane Broncos widely regarded as the benchmark franchise of the NRL have from their inception taken much including their name from the Denver Broncos of the National Football League and continue to affiliate themselves with the American football franchise. Former New Zealand League coaches Graham Lowe and Daniel Anderson have long used the philosophies of the great San Francisco 49ers coach Bill Walsh to develop their teams and often show American football films as an educational and motivational resource. More recently Russell Crow academy award winning actor and the owner of the South Sydney Rabbitohs attributes that teams recent revival to the training concepts and ideology of American football, utilizing coaches like Lloyd Carr head coach of the University of Michigan football team.

Rugby League routinely accepts American football terminology as its own. “Field Goal” for example used to be known as a drop goal. Trainers were once physios the “Starting lineup” never existed, as there was never substitution. The same applied to the coach or manager which has become “Head coach” as there only ever used to be one (coach). What ever happened to touch judges? Its now referee assistants. What ever happened to Stand off or First five? Its now “First receiver”. What ever happened to “Hit up”? Its now a “carry”. Throw in Goal line defense, (pronounced deeee-fense) Turnover, Red zone, Hail Mary, Ball control, Game plan, Offense, Defense, Line of Scrimmage, MVP, Completion rates, Playoffs, In the pocket, Playmaker, Punt and Kick return, Fumble, Defensive rush, Rushing the kicker, Broken field runner, Field position, Wildcard, Stripping, Carries, Off the bench, and Coaches box to name some of the American football terminology to infiltrate not only Rugby league but Australasian sporting vernacular. Rugby League has embraced the concepts of Gang tackling, Training camps, Player interchange, A tackle or downs count, “Gridiron” markings, Overtime, Salary cap, Revenue sharing, Monday Night Football, Playbooks, Film and statistical analysis, a Play clock, Try (Touchdown) celebrations, Large jersey numbers Positional coaches. Spiking the football and Gatorade showers (the sports drink was developed for the University of Florida “Gators” football team) all of which originated from American football.

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Rugby league has been an unwitting catalyst to the introduction of American football not so much in the Australasia’s acceptance of the sport but its appreciation of the nuances, idiosyncrasies and overall concepts that it has introduced (and taken credit for) to the Australasian demographic many of which did not exist 20 years ago. Case in point is Rugby league and its Tag football program. While Rugby League berates Rugby Union for its obvious duplication of Tag football (see newspaper clipping below) it fails to acknowledge that Rugby League itself borrowed the concept from American Flag football.

So what does this all mean in terms of understanding American football? Firstly it may not be entirely constructive to provide these examples of sporting plagiarism in the overall context of this demographics perspective or understanding of American football but it is a severe case of not seeing the forest for the trees or maybe biting the hand that feeds them. It has in the past been ok to be derogatory towards American football (especially in the current geo political climate) without the knowledge that every aspect of the game they love and respect in this case Rugby League has entrusted its success to everything it has learned from American football. Once we establish a framework of respect for the sport of American football we can now build an educational foundation to assist in understanding why this sport has endeared itself as by far and away the number one sport in the worlds richest most powerful and influential nation on the planet. While there are numerous sources of educational material that explain the generic ins and outs of American football that will explain the meaning of 1st and 10 or the ramifications of a holding penalty and of the flag that proclaims it. This editorial recognizes that much of the Downunder demographic has no comprehension of the process and philosophy of American football or an understanding of the sports infrastructure both on and off the field. It recognizes that for many their only perception or conceptual interpretation is based on comparisons or experiences to or from other more familiar and established sports especially other football codes in which it is believed transfers to American football, unfortunately this ignorance also extends to the media. To counter these obstructions to the learning process we will avoid the generic education and concentrate more on addressing the concepts, philosophy, idiosyncrasies and nuances of American football and how this pertains to the Downunder demographic. Such an education of the many facets of American football both intrinsically and extrinsically in areas that you wont find in any rule book will enable the Australasian public to decipher through points of reference thus overcoming some of the restraints that currently impede the sports understanding and to a certain extent a wider acceptance. For example Australasia’s approach to American football is based on a completely different set of parameters to that of their American counterparts and these are literally poles apart. The best analogy would be to imagine the picture on the right is a representation of American football. An American sees two faces but someone from Australasia sees a chalice or wine cup. This perspective or interpretation of what appears to be similar can also be illustrated when comparisons are made with other football codes. Rugby Union and League for example have similar fundamental scoring objectives to American football move the ball over the opposing team goal line. However the method in which this is achieved is fundamentally different. In the case of Rugby and League the premise is to move the ball laterally to probe defensive weakness thus gaining forward progression with teammates standing beside or behind the ball carrier waiting for the (lateral) pass. American football differs in its philosophy move the ball forward with teammates not waiting for the lateral pass but moving ahead of the ball carrier to block and create interference or to receive a forward pass. Two opposable perspectives on achieving the same objective.

Why such deviations occur can be readily seen in the widths of the respective playing fields. As the illustration below reveals an American football field (dark green) fits easily within the confines of a Rugby or League field (light green)

It is the difference in field width that is one of the major contributors to the evolution of the different offensive philosophies It can now be understood why one of the reasons passing or lateralling as it is referred to in America is not a major component of the American game. The difference in the field dimensions meant that the wider Rugby field was always more conducive to such a philosophy. As for the Australasian demographic when watching American football on TV without any point of reference in terms of field dimension the immediate perception is that the sports are played on the same sized field thus the inevitable comparisons to the established more familiar football codes begins. It has been the inability to decipher or to adequately educate through points of reference that has been a major inhibitor to American footballs acceptance in the Australasian region. In order to mitigate this problem here are… While it may be in terms of gaining a little understanding for the sport of American football somewhat pedantic it must be understood the sport is not called Gridiron. A “Gridiron”(a noun) is the name given to the field on which they play American football. The name originated from the old gridiron stoves and grilling plates of the late 19th and early 20th century which resemble the lines and markings of an American football field. As pedantic as it may seem Australasia doesn’t call Tennis “Court”, Softball ”Diamond” or Cricket “Wicket” or “Pitch” so it seems only fair that American football isn’t called “Gridiron”.

10 TIPS TO HELP 10 TIPS TO HELP 10 TIPS TO HELP 10 TIPS TO HELP

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# 1 # 1 # 1 # 1 KNOW ITS NOT GRIDIRON

# 2 # 2 # 2 # 2 KNOW THE 3 HOUR PACKAGE

One of the most common responses from the Australasian demographic regarding American football is that the 3 hour games take too long to play. The same demographic however has no problem with a yacht race taking 3 hours, a golf round taking 4 hours a 5 set tennis match taking 5 hours or a one day cricket game taking 8 hours to play. Then of course there is a test cricket match taking 5 days to play and in which there may be no result. Perhaps the greatest irony lies in the accolades thrust in the direction of Twenty/20 cricket for its innovative brilliantly conceived sharply marketed compact 3 hour game package yet American football also an innovative brilliantly conceived and sharply marketed compact 3 hour package is brutally dismissed as taking too long. Go figure. The problem of course is one of perception because it is a football code it must fall within the parameters of what the Downunder demographic perceives as a time limit for a football game. Rugby, League and Soccer are 80 or 90 minutes of so called “continuous” action yet Australian rules routinely hits 2.5 hours In the case of Rugby for example compete with its setting and resetting of scrums and lineouts shots at goal penalties etc this can be misleading as a recent statistical and analytical breakdown of 6 Nations rugby revealed that the average length of game was 91 minutes with the ball in play 35:28 or 44% of the time. In Tri Nations the average length of game was 94:01 and 39% ball in play. Extrapolation of these statistics reveals that to actually accrue 80 minutes of playing time the game would be around…wait for it three hours. To counter this Rugby has introduced the ELVs or Experimental Law Variations to enhance actual playing time. Although the concept of stopping the clock for out of bounds, incomplete passes, penalties, measurements and replay analysis in American football adds to the length of the game it also increases the actual play and accuracy There was a time where this was a foreign concept to the Australasian public but Rugby, League and Australian Rules are moving closer in that direction every year (does the terminology of “time off” and “time on” sound familiar) in fact the average length of a rugby game has increased by close to 2 minutes a year since the advent of the professional era (as of when this editorial was written). Rugby League has also introduced the stopping of the clock in various situations contributing to that sports length of contest. But the greatest influence on the length of the game aside from the intricate time keeping is the power of television and to understand American football one must understand that this game is literally made for television. American television executives understood long ago that there was an optimum package time for televised sports which was 3 hours (hence the length of a Twenty/20 cricket game) and it is no coincidence that a football game fits nicely into those time constraints and that includes the pre game halftime and change of quarters. Every time there is a timeout or a change of possession or a touchdown scored gives ample opportunity to increase the advertising revenue. This is why the National Football League (NFL) is the richest sports league on the planet and why it can charge 4 times the advertising dollar above that of even the Olympics and World cup soccer It is why the worlds largest, richest and most successful businesses, companies and advertising and marketing icons spend millions on one 30 second slot during the Superbowl. So when you watch American football understand the complete package and remember its no more a strain on your leisure viewing than Yachting, Golf, Tennis or Cricket which brings us to number 3 As outrageous as this sounds it is Cricket and not the other more familiar football codes, which offers the best opportunity for Australasia to understand American football. From the length of game to its similar philosophy and process Cricket is the most analogous sport and the similarities are striking.

# 3 # 3 # 3 # 3 KNOW THE CRICKET ANALOGY

Cricket is made up of a series of plays (deliveries) short in duration with down time in between that in conjunction comprises the game, as does American football Cricket has benchmark offensive statistics such as a 100 runs American football has 100 yards. 300 to 500 runs is a good offensive day in Cricket, 300 to 500 yards is a good offensive day in American football. Cricket stops the singles by bringing in (or up) the field and the boundaries by dropping them back American football stops the run by bringing up the defense and the pass by dropping them back Cricket has eleven players, as does American football. Cricket has specialist players for specific positions, as does American football. Cricket has even been described as a game that takes too long is too stop starty and its participants wear pads and helmets but alas so has American football. The comparisons are numerous and the point is made obviously there is no oval ball, passing, tackling or kicking in Cricket but in the overall context of the sports structure philosophy and ideology it is closer to American football than any of the other football codes. Is running a play in football for a few seconds of action then stopping for 25 seconds while setting up to do it again any different to watching a fast bowler sending a delivery down for a second of action and then stopping for 25 seconds as he strolls back to his run up position to do it over. Is a football team continuing to run the football with short seemingly pointless 1 and 2 yard plunges in order to gain a first down or run time off the clock to protect the lead any different to a batsman continually offering no shot and leaving the new ball or the seemingly pointless exercise of continually blocking to save his wicket and to run time off the clock to reach stumps. Australasians will argue but there is more happening than just the bowler walking back. It’s the captain changing the field placements does he want a man in short or a man deep or does he add a slip. The bowler has just bowled 3 out swingers does he now York the batsman or cut one in. What is the run rate required? Can we allow a single here to get the weaker batsman on strike? How many runs off how many balls? Give up the singles but not the boundaries. There is more than meets the eye. Is that any different to American football where there is more happening than just huddling up. There is the changing of personnel and the formations 3 Wide receivers 1 Back or maybe 2 Tightends and no Back. The team has thrown for 3 pass plays does it now run the ball or try a trick play. What is the down and distance? How much time is on the clock? Is the defense going to play man or zone? Will it blitz? Give up a field goal but not the touchdown. More than meets the eye. When a Cricket match comes down to its final stages with all its permutations scenarios and calculations such as how many runs are needed? How many balls remain? How many wickets in hand? What is the run rate required? Field placements adjusted. Calculations reconfigured. Strategy changing after every delivery. Anticipation and pressure increasing. Often victory or defeat rests on the outcome of the final ball (play) of the game Is that any different to the final stages of a football game with its own permutations scenarios and calculations? How many yards to go? How many (downs) tackles left? How much time is left on the clock? How many timeouts? Defensive adjustments calculations reconfigured. Strategy changing after every play, anticipation and pressure increasing. Often victory or defeat rests on the outcome of the final play of the game.

It is the series of calculations the scenarios and adjustments the battles with in the war constantly changing philosophies tactics and structure that make American football and Cricket very similar So think of American football as contact Cricket and it will become a lot easier to decipher It is the failure to appreciate the differences of aerobic and anaerobic functions the intricacies of ATP production the effects of Lactic acid and the associated biological activity that have a direct correlation to how American football is perceived in Australasia. This region has been unable to distinguish between the more “AEROBIC” based football codes of Rugby, League, Australian rules and Soccer and the “ANAEROBICALLY” challenging explosive power, strength and speed of American football and the physiological stresses the sport places on the human body. In order to understand those functions and without getting into the detailed processes of cellular biology here is a quick run down. The AEROBIC (meaning with oxygen) system basically involves your heart and lungs (cardiovascular system) and the efficient transfer and use of oxygen to your muscles and body during moderate low intensity high repetition endurance activity. This system is very efficient and economical and can be maintained and improved (through training) for long periods. Jogging swimming and aerobics (hence the name) are examples of aerobic activity of which most of us are familiar if not from a biological analysis standpoint from a practical experience standpoint. The ANAEROBIC (meaning without oxygen) system is basically a chemical reaction within your cells that releases a quick energy source for the muscles and body during high intensity explosive low repetition strength power and speed activities. Unlike the aerobic function which could be described as something that lasts is renewable slow and steady the anaerobic system can only be maintained for a short time is instantaneous short lived and also requires a lot of time to replenish. Sprinting Weight lifting and jumping are anaerobic activities. One important feature of the anaerobic function is the production and depletion (or restructuring) of a compound called ATP and of a waste product called Lactic acid. Studies have shown that ATP replenishment can take as long as 3 ½ minutes and that the human body has difficulty dispersing Lactic acid, so as the body participates in explosive fast repetitive activity such as sprinting the ATP disappears quickly and the Lactic acid eventually builds up to a point where it becomes very difficult for the body to function (this is referred to in sporting circles as “hitting the wall”) and the body will as a self preservation device shut down. This anaerobic system is why you can’t do physical things at 100% effort for a long period of time. A more practical way to understand the difference in the two systems is to run 2 lots of 800 meters One day you run 800 meters straight at one quarter effort or pace, a jog and see how you feel at the end. The second day you can run 800 meters but do it in 20 lots of 40 meter full speed and effort dashes with 25 second recovery between each. See how you feel or even if you can complete the task. Buy running the 800 meters in two different ways you are using different energy systems. The 800 meters at 25 % effort shouldn’t be a problem. The 20 x 40 meter sprints at 100% effort however may prove harder than you think because of the lactic acid buildup and the physiological stresses the anaerobic function has on the body. Even though you are only running for 4or 5 seconds at a time and have a short break between 40 meter reps. The cumulative stresses of 100% effort will soon tell on your body. Try it and you will begin to understand what an Offensive and Defensive lineman goes through in American football as he uses his whole body at 100% effort for 4 or 5 seconds wrestling a 300 pound man effort with 25 second recovery on a sustained 14 or 15 play drive. (and we are all aware of how tiring wrestling can be. Remember how tired you feel after having a play wrestle with someone)

# 4# 4# 4# 4 KNOW AEROBIC & ANAEROBIC FUNCTIONS

So having addressed these different energy systems the Aerobic the slow and steady last a long time system and the almost opposite Anaerobic fast explosive doesn’t last long system we can now explain one of the most common misperceptions about American football. That its athletes are perceived to be unfit and not very athletic after all they only play for 4 or 5 seconds and then stop. (Yet such an allegation has never been directed at a Cricket slip fieldsman who may not move 12 inches in any direction for 2 solid days) This compared to League, Rugby, Rules and Soccer players who stay on the field and on the move for the whole 80 or 90 minutes The difference between American football its athletes and the other codes is the structure of the game the type of athlete and the energy systems required to compete. Soccer for example is basically a non contact sport; its athletes are required to jog long distances for long periods of time with a few bursts of periodic sprinting within the framework of that sports function. Recent studies have shown that soccer athletes approach levels that can be described as of above average intensity only 12% of the time within a soccer game. The players are generally of a trim build and require little if any upper body strength or muscle mass and use an endurance assisting energy system to compete successfully such is the nature of this very AEROBICALLY orientated sport. Just like jogging the 800 meters This of course is in completed contrast to American football, which is a highly physical contact sport. Its athletes are required to explode with short powerful bursts of speed and strength that make up the framework of that sports function. Its athletes are muscular and strong and have huge upper body mass and strength enabling them to block, tackle and run fast over short distances but use an energy system that produces Lactic acid which is very taxing on the body to compete successfully, such is the nature of this very ANAEROBICALLY orientated sport. Just like the 20 x 40 meter 800 meters Two codes of football but two very different types of athlete and two very different energy systems requirements. At opposite ends of the spectrum. If we use the analogy that the football codes and its athletes and energy requirements were Track events Soccer would be the 10,000 meters a very aerobically challenging long and steady race its athletes are generally smaller with little body mass. Rugby, League and Australian rules would be the 400,800,and 1500 meters requiring a faster pace but for not as long but its athletes are bigger stronger than soccer athletes American football would be the 100 and 200 meters the biggest strongest more powerful and faster athletes but only over shorter times and distances. As is so often the case it is the comparing of different sports that the proverbial “horses for courses” and “comparing apples and oranges” comes to mind. If you can understand that American football is so very different from other sports and in particular the other football codes and on so many levels. That it requires a different set of neuromuscular patterns i.e. skills and athletic requirements and has unique and specific training and biological functions (energy systems) So as long as you can differentiate between energy systems and can appreciate different sports based on their own structures rules and idiosyncrasies you will appreciate American football and its athletes. Which leads nicely to To truly appreciate the sport of American football its athletes and their athleticism the concept of athletic performance must also be appreciated. Unfortunately this concept is difficult to quantify and is by no means an exact science.

# 5 # 5 # 5 # 5 KNOW ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE

From the vertical leap, bench press and 40 yard dash to the intricacies of VO2 calculations the scientific community have created a vast array of tests and exercises that will provide concrete statistics and measurement guidelines in which to compare and distinguish athletic performance. However most of this information and in turn overall concept of athletic performance is lost on the average Australasian. Running the 100 meters in under 10 seconds the 110 meters hurdles under 13 seconds or 400 meters in less than 45 seconds bench pressing over 600(272 kg) pounds having a vertical leap of 44 inches long jumping 8 meters or high jumping 2.20 meters means nothing to the average sports fan Downunder as there is no point of reference or comprehension of performance differential. So in keeping with the overall theme of the “Top 10 tips” article and using points of reference that are readily identifiable to the Australasian demographic lets talk the Olympics and its creed “Citius Altius Fortius” or faster higher stronger because outside of Olympic competition there are no athletes in any sport and certainly no team sport anywhere on the planet that come close to the supreme athletes and athletic performance that you see with American football especially at its pinnacle the National Football league.

There are no team sport athletes in world outside of American football that can bench press 600 (272 kg) pounds let alone 700 (318kg) but the great Larry Allen (on left number 71) can

American football and it is bursting at the seams with athletes that can, and have done just that.

From the legendary Jim Thorpe (right) a four sport star and Olympic gold medalist widely regarded as the greatest athlete of all time to more recently former Chicago Bear Defensive lineman and K1 fighting world champion Bob Sapp (left) American football athletes and athletic performance is unmatched anywhere. American football is littered with athletes that are world champion’s world record holders and Olympic gold medalists. They are quite simply the biggest strongest, fastest (Usain Bolt not included) athletes in the world.

How many sports in particular team sports and the associated athletes can lay claim to an Olympic medal in the Shot put? Mike Carter (right number 95) silver medal 1984 can. How many sports in particular team sports and the associated athletes can run below 10 seconds for the 100 meters win an Olympic 100 meters gold medal or hold the 100-meter world record? The answer only one

Oakland Raiders wide receiver James Jett did the same in Barcelona 1992. Michael Bates an NFL receiver and kick returner was an Olympic medalist in the 200 meters the same year. How many other team sports have athletes who have ever been ranked number 1 in the world over 110 meter hurdles or run sub 13 seconds for the same event. American football has athletes like

athletes that litter American football and the type of athletic performance that is on display every Sunday in the NFL.

Dallas Cowboy wide receiver “Bullet” Bob Hayes (left) won the Olympic gold 100 meters in world record time in 1964 Ron Brown (right) was part of the world record and gold medal winning 4x100 meter relay team in 1984, as was Sam Graddy the Raiders wide receiver that finished second to Carl Lewis in the 100 meters. New York Jets receiver Johnny ”Lamb” Jones won gold in Montreal.

Willie Gault (left) who not only was the world champion and ranked number one in the world over 110 meter hurdles he also won an Olympic gold in the 4x100 meters. He was an Olympic Bobsledder and recently broke the world record for the 100 meters for the age group 45-49 in a time of 10.72. Renaldo Nehemiah (right) of the San Francisco 49ers was the first man to break 13 seconds for the 110 meter hurdles. These are the type of

seriously and the outside world has no idea of the wealth of talent that resides within the sport. Now spare a thought for the person that has to defend or cover him and you will get a sense of the caliber of athlete in American football. Everyone knows of Michael Jordan the legendary Chicago Bulls basketball player widely regarded as one of the greatest sporting icons ever. He tried and failed to make it as a Major League baseball player yet such is the caliber of the American football athlete that many have succeeded where the great Michael Jordan failed.

So when you watch American football take time to appreciate what your watching the great athletes and the supreme feats of athleticism that are common place in that sport because outside of the Olympic games you wont see such talent on or in any other sport on the planet. While professional football (the NFL) is widely regarded as the pinnacle of American football outside the US. It is College football that is truly Americas number one sport and if you really want to know American football get to know College football.

Take Cleveland Brown Running back Eric Metcalfe (left) who has long jumped over 8.20 meters. To put that in to perspective, the New Zealand national record is 8.05 meters At 6 foot 5 and 230 pounds Wide receiver Randy Moss (right) is as big as a Rugby lock forward but has run 20.15 for 200 meters. No New Zealander can even come close the national record is 20.42 and only one Australian has bettered that time. As with many American footballers Randy has never taken track seriously American football is

Deion Sanders (left) and Bo Jackson are two prime examples of the American football talent that the world outside of the USA has never heard of. Both were highly successful 2 sport stars with Deion Sanders having played in a World Series and a Superbowl. On one occasion he played a NFL game in the afternoon and a Major League Baseball game in the evening on the same day. If that doesn’t impress you remember Deion’s and Bo’s 40 yard dash times are faster than many of the afore mentioned World and Olympic champions.

# 6 # 6 # 6 # 6 KNOW COLLEGE FOOTBALL

If you ever get the chance to attend an American football game in the USA make sure it’s a major Division 1 College football game preferably a rivalry game between two big time universities because that is what College football is, University football. The athletes are pure amateurs and usually range in age from 18 to 23. They all play their hearts out for their team their school (university) and a shot at a professional career in the future. Throw in the passion intensity that comes with a short 11 or 12 game season (so every game counts) mixed with tradition cheerleaders dance teams mascots and 200 piece bands and you have the recipe for an experience you will never forget. The best analogy for someone Downunder to understand the difference between professional American football (the NFL) and College football is to use examples of more familiar sports to draw a comparison. If we imagine the NFL (pro football) was Test Cricket. College football would be the One-day game or maybe 20/20. Perhaps a better example would be to use Rugby League. International Rugby League country verse country would on paper be the pinnacle for any athlete fan or coach but as we all know Downunder it is State of Origin that has the most flare intensity and flat out entertainment value. If we imagine the NFL (professional football) is International Rugby League. College football is State of Origin. Basically the same game but one just seems so much more fun intense and entertaining. Understand the subtle difference in the two forms of American football and you will understand why these games have 100,000 plus attendance every week

t Why don’t they (American footballers) pass like Rugby or League? The answer is they can and they do but not very often and then usually only in desperate situations for example a last ditch effort on the last play to keep the ball alive when trying to score. (Go to YouTube search Cal vs Stanford “The Play” 1982 the 6.46 version) The first thing that must be pointed out is that Rugby styled passing in American football is known as a “lateral” or “lateralling” referring to the sideways or backward movement of the ball from player to player. The word “Passing” in American football refers to the forward pass and can only be done once per play and the person “passing” the football forward must be behind the Line of Scrimmage (or where the play starts from) it is important to differentiate the 2 types of passing. There are numerous reasons why they don’t “pass” the ball like Rugby in American football. As mentioned earlier the width of the field had an enormous affect on the ability to “lateral” or use Rugby styled passes. The introduction of concepts such as blocking (or as it is known Downunder

University of Michigan

115,000

Tennessee University

104,079 Ohio State University

104,568

# 7 # 7 # 7 # 7 KNOW WHY THEY DON’T PASS LIKE RUGBY

sheparding or running interference) also had a profound effect on the game (and Rugby style passing) over the last 100 years. Combined with specific rules and game structure meant that the art of “passing”(Rugby style) just didn’t work within the framework of the sport thus never evolved and never needed to. There is a more subtle reason, which may not be easily identified by the Downunder demographic In fact it is a combination of 2 things called POSSESSION and PERCENTAGES and the two are interconnected. Possession and the importance of having control of the football makes American football fundamentally different to sports like Rugby, League, Australian Rules and Soccer where the nature of those games allows for the exchange of possession on a regular basis. Rugby League for example gives away possession after every sixth tackle or by kicking the ball into touch or knocking the ball on or committing a penalty etc. Even after scoring you get the ball right back from the ensuing kickoff. With Soccer it is the nature of the game to win and lose possession of the ball constantly. In American football however change of possession is a much less frequent occurrence compared to the other footballing codes thus the importance of possession is paramount. Percentages and playing those percentages is also an important facet so to pass the ball around like rugby increases the percentage or chance of losing possession thus turning the ball over to the opposition hence the expression “Turnover” (in the sporting context is American football terminology originally from the expression “Turnover on Downs” that has made its way into other codes vernacular) It is the combination of the “P” (Possession and Percentage) philosophies that leads to the most important statistic in American football The TURNOVER RATIO or the difference between giving the ball to, and taking it from the opposition. Within a game of American football the team that has no turnovers or less than the opposition usually wins, so in order to keep possession and increase the percentage (chance) of winning a team wont pass the ball like Rugby. Every time a player passes a ball like Rugby it increases the chance of losing possession and therefore also increases the percentage (chance) of losing the game. (Remembering also that such is the structure of the game that there will be no one to pass to any way as your teammates are down field blocking for the ball carrier). This is no better illustrated than in the “SYHR” theorem (pronounced Sire) The premise of the theory is that when two football teams meet each has a 50 /50 % chance of winning or losing. One team may be favored but both teams enter the contest with the score zero to zero and on an even footing. Such is the nature of American football that if one team loses possession and turns the ball over to the opposition more than the other team the percentages change dramatically. The rule of thumb is for every turnover there is a 10 % greater chance that team will lose. So if Team A gives away possession or turns the ball over to Team B one time the chances of Team A losing are dramatically increased by 10%. It becomes a 60/40 % chance of losing while at the same time Team Bs chances of winning has increased 10% to a 60/40 % chance of winning. Should Team A turn the ball over 2 times the odds of losing now increase to 70/30 %. For Team B who now have benefited by 2 turnovers the chances of winning have gone from 50/50 % at the start of the game to a 70/30 % chance of winning. By this reasoning turning the ball over 5 times or more obviously gives a team no chance of winning. By contrast making a team turn the ball over 5 or more times allows for a much greater chance of success. This theorem is by no means 100 % accurate and as is so often the case there are exceptions to the rule. However over 100 years of football and countless games has proved the theory is nearly 100% correct.

It is that high percentage that keeps American football from lateralling or passing like Rugby. While watching an American football game at what could be any Downunder pub the locals were in an uproar over watching an American football player celebrate a tackle on the quarterback. “What a wanker” one said. “So what he made a tackle, they do that in Rugby all the time and you don’t see them dancing around and high fiveing” said another. “Typical yanks getting excited over nothing” yelled someone else. A quiet fellow sitting at the end of the bar in the corner then explained that they had witnessed a “SACK” in which a defensive player tackles the Quarterback behind the line of scrimmage for a loss of yardage. (the line of scrimmage is the imaginary line across the field that designates the starting point of the play also known in Rugby terms as the advantage line) “It’s a big play to make and its very rare for a defensive player to get a sack that’s why he so excited,” he quietly explained. The locals look at the man with surprise on their face incredulous that someone would dare stand up for those bloody yanks. “Tell me” the man continued “When a cricketer gets a wicket does he not run around dancing doing high fives and celebrating in an over the top manner and do you call him a wanker” “That’s different the locals retort, “ Besides you don’t get many chances to get a wicket” The quiet man continued “But its not uncommon for a bowler to get 5 wickets in an innings or 10 wickets in a match in fact its conceivable to get 20 wickets in a game and yet they dance around and high five after every one” he enquired “Of course what’s your point?” said the locals “In American football the chances of getting a sack are very rare in fact if you get 7 or 8 in a entire season you would consider yourself fortunate”. “That’s 7 or 8 in an entire season, in fact the NFL record works out to be roughly just over one sack per game that’s one per game and that’s the record so if you get that one sack your pretty excited” he continued “So a cricketer gets a wicket something he often gets five to ten times a game and celebrates every one of them and that’s okay but when an American footballer having had to get past a six foot seven 350 (150 plus kilos) pound man able to bench press a pickup truck who has trained his whole life to protect and not let anybody near the quarterback gets to tackle that quarterback for a loss of yardage maybe once or twice for an entire season if he’s lucky and he’s not allowed to celebrate?” The quiet man returned to his corner of the bar. Unfortunately for the sport of American football there aren’t a lot of quiet men around to explain the nuances of the sport to the locals. Celebration of a tackle is a frequent occurrence in American football but it must be understood what it means to make a tackle in certain facets of this sport.

# 8 # 8 # 8 # 8 KNOW WHY THEY CELEBRATE A TACKLE

Unlike Rugby Union, League or Australian rules there is the concept of blocking or legalized interference or shepparding as it is known Downunder. In order to make a tackle or even be in a position to make a tackle a player often has to get past one two or three OFFENSIVE DEFENDERS OR BLOCKERS (who by the way are often 6 foot 7 and 350 lbs 150 kilos) whose primary goal is to make sure no defender gets close to the ball carrier. Often a defensive player having negotiated through the blockers now has been knocked off course and must often make the tackle with his body in no position to do so. Within the sports infrastructure there are concepts like GAP CONTROL, CONTAIN and ZONE defense where a defensive player must execute playing an area of the field before playing the ball carrier thus not being in a position to tackle. It is only after a defensive player has successfully played that area or zone and having discharged his responsibility on the play first that he then attempts to make a tackle and again often his body is not in a position to do so. It is the added responsibility in terms of tackling the extra difficulties that a defender faces that makes the sport fundamentally different to the other football codes. It is also the reason a tackle is celebrated. It must also be remembered that American football revolves around increments of ten yards. A team maintains possession of the ball if it can move the ball a distance of ten yards in four attempts. By tackling a ball carrier in what would be described Downunder as “copybook” fashion often allows the ball carrier to fall forward with his body length and an outstretched arm advancing the ball another 3 yards so the ability to stop a player cold with no ball advancement despite the assistance of the “personal protectors” or blockers is why American football developed specific and unique tackling techniques. (It was the same techniques developed in American football that Rugby League introduced in the late 60s and 70s primarily through Jack Gibson that revolutionized that sport and its defense despite the absence of legalized blocking. In the case of Rugby league the techniques are used for example by not allowing an offload) So having negotiated those obstructions and understanding the extra difficulties faced in making a tackle not to mention knowing just how rare a “Sack” is, a little celebration is well earned. American football (like so much of American culture is often ridiculed yet everyone who tries it loves it and every year it gains in popularity across the globe) is often dismissed as only American played by Americans yet the sport now has a foothold around the world complete with its own World Cup. There are more countries that have registered federations that play American football than Cricket, Rugby League and Australian rules and just as many as Netball yet the stigma continues that only America plays the game. The global reach the of the sport is best exemplified in the results of the Bobsled at the Winter Olympic games where 5 of the top 6 places were taken by teams that had American footballers as brakemen a compelling fact when only one of those teams was American. It is true that only a few countries have established infrastructures and are truly competitive such as Canada (which has its own rule variations), Japan, Germany, Mexico and Austria but surely the same could be said of Cricket, Rugby League, Australian rules and Netball. While the sports growth has been astounding it will never compete with Soccer for playing numbers or countries playing for a number of reasons Firstly enormous logistical, economic, cultural and political restraints. The sport is capital and labor intensive. Equipment requires a lot of money to purchase and maintain most countries in particular those outside the OECD (or developed) nations cannot afford the economic and logistical cost.

# 9 # 9 # 9 # 9 KNOW ITS NOT JUST “ AMERICAN ” FOOTBALL

There is a direct link between the successful establishment of American football and a country’s economic prowess and GDP ranking. The sport is very cerebral in nature understanding of its nuances and complexities require time to accumulate compared to the simplistic nature and game structure of other codes. Again there is a direct correlation between countries where the sport flourishes and high standards or education. Unlike soccer for example the physical some would say violent nature of American football the physical and anatomical requirements of its athletes and the associated neuromuscular development precludes much of the worlds population from ever competing. It is a sport where quite literally the laws of nature and survival of the fittest exist. Only the strongest fastest and biggest survive to play at the highest level. The sport is neither designed nor conducive to social participation. So don’t expect the sport to match others in terms of participation or growth. Even in the United States Soccer players far exceed those of American football thanks to the complex and expensive nature of American football and the “Soccer Mom” (don’t want the kids getting hurt) mentality. As elsewhere this excess in participation doesn’t translate to a sports popularity in which American football has an overwhelmingly enormous advantage. American football is a representation of the pinnacle of sports evolution and like most highly evolved things requires time to master. But know this one thing its not just American any more. As alluded to throughout this correspondence American football its philosophy ideology and overall design is often very difficult for those outside North America to assimilate to. Because it is a football code and should according to Australasians be interpreted as such is like saying Tennis, Squash and Badminton should be comparable because they are all racquet sports or if we use the motor sport analogy comparing Formula 1, NASCAR, Rally and Funny car top fuel Drag racing as the same because they are all motor sports As a demographic Australasia understands they are very different types of motor sport requiring different types of vehicles, strategies and driving skills. Australasians must try to interpret American football in the same way. Although it is a football code it is very different from the other codes. Much of the sports structure and indeed rules are contrary to what most Downunder have been raised and subjected to believing are within the parameters of any football code For New Zealanders it may be the forward pass adding an extra or 3rd dimension within the games structure opening exponentially both offensive and defensive variables for consideration, a concept unheard of in Rugby or Rugby League. For Australians it may be the struggle with the concept of legalized shepparding or interference (known as blocking in American football) and the hitting of someone without the ball, yet both are integral facets of the American game . It is the ability or should that be inability to open Australasian minds to different ideas and interpretations of achieving fundamentally similar objectives i.e. scoring points, not allowing the opponent to score or kicking a goal etc regardless of the code that has been a real inhibitor to American footballs wider growth and acceptance. Access to the sport of American football for most Downunder has increased significantly with the advent of the Internet combined with numerous cable and satellite broadcasting options. With this increased accessibility however requires an increased open mindedness to interpret just what the viewer witnesses during an American football game.

# 10 # 10 # 10 # 10 KNOW TO KEEP AN OPEN MIND

Keep an open mind to the fact that you are witnessing some of if not the best “athletes” on the planet displaying skills toned from a lifetime dedicated to the sport. The professionals you see on the NFL broadcasts are just that, professionals. What you don’t witness are the years of dedicated lifting weights and running. The years of watching and analyzing game film. The years of repetitious play learning and running choreographed as to allow not one ounce of imperfection. The years spent throwing and catching and blocking. The years of countless brutal summers surviving training camps. Just like any skilled craftsmen or a performer a juggler a magician or any elite level athlete they make the very difficult look easy. The problem for American football is that unlike say attempting to juggle or playing golf or cricket or any other established sport most from the Downunder demographic have never played or witnessed an American football game live and therefore are unable to draw upon any experience or appreciation of the skills required to perform. They can only draw upon experiences from Rugby Rugby League Aussie Rules or Soccer of which they have experienced and believe translate to American football, which as we have tried to install in this correspondence is detrimental and not beneficial to understanding or participating in the sport. Lets take golf for example. Anyone not familiar with the sport would argue after watching the top golfers play, how hard could it be its just hitting a stationary ball with a club into a hole. Easy right? For most Downunder they know from experience that golf is a very difficult sport to execute and even more so on an consistent basis Its just that top players make it look easy and can do so only after spending a lifetime perfecting the skills required. Maybe cricket is a good analogy. An American unfamiliar with cricket, watching it for the first time would see a spin bowler bowling up what appears to the untrained eye as some easy lob type deliveries with no real speed. That American used to seeing home runs in baseball would think just smash that ball out of the park… easy right? However someone from Downunder appreciating the nuances and difficulties of facing class spin bowling and understanding although it looks easy on TV it is a very difficult task to negotiate a spin attack. This comes from a lifetime of playing and watching Cricket. The combination of experience and knowledge allows an appreciation of the skills displayed. It is important that the Downunder population maintains the same open mind to American football What appears to a Downunder audience to be just big guys running into each other on the field with no skill and seems very easy for a Rugby, Soccer or League player to do is in fact a highly skilled complex sport that just looks easy on TV. The skills from the other sports just don’t translate to American football, which requires a different skill set and philosophy. TV doesn’t allow a full appreciation of the velocity of the collisions or the speed of the game or the size and strength of its athletes. It doesn’t show how fast a quarterback throws a football in the same way it doesn’t allow a viewer to appreciate the speed of a fast bowlers delivery in cricket. (It should be noted here that one NFL quarterback recently had one of his passes timed at 79.6 mph or close to 130kph which incidentally is the same speed as many medium fast cricket bowling deliveries) So when you’re watching American football avoid comparisons (especially with the other football codes) and leave the pre conceived notions and flat out prejudices behind. Appreciate that as a sport it may be a little different than what your used to and it maybe a little more complex. It may take time to fully understand but like most things worthwhile a little time and effort make all the difference Above all keep an open mind.

Coming soon Have you ever wondered why there seems to be so many players on a team or why there are so many players per position? What about why they wear all that padding? How hard is it to kick a field goal? All these questions and more will be answered in a future installment of “10 Tips to help ya know football” coming soon If you have any questions you would like to ask about football please write to

10 MORE TIPS TO HELP YA KNOW FOOTBALL