The very first college football game was played on November 6, 1869. The game featured Rutgers and Princeton, but was quite different than how the game is played today Since then there has been many rule changes, equipment changes, and different factors to make the game better in the long run.
The game was changed in the 1880’s to a game much more similar to how we see it today. Prior to the 1880’s, the game was pretty similar to rugby. Walter Camp, a rugby player from Yale, pioneered rule changes to make rugby into the american football game as we know it.
Is football a sport? A sport is a competition, in which a team or individuals exert physical activity. Football is very physical and involves an entire team that works together for a common goal. Winning is typically the main objective, but depending on the level and ages, can also be used for entertainment.
Football is sometimes considered the ultimate team sport, as there are many different positions on the football field, eleven total players from each team, working together to complete a task, competing against one other team. The “team” aspect of football makes it a great game to be involved in.
What is the Main Objective of Football?
There are several ways to score in the game of football. The main objective of football is to outscore the opponent. Football is a team sport, played with 11 players from each team on the field at one time. Football has evolved over the years, including the playing field, equipment, and the types of players involved in the game.
There are two end zones in which team attempt to cross the goal line. This enzone is defending by the opposing team. The goal is to keep the opposing team out of the end zone.
There are also opportunities to score by kicking the football. There are a few different ways to score by kicking the football, and this part of the game has evolved over the years quite a bit. The team with the most points at the end, are the winners of the game.
How do you Score Points in Football?
There are many different ways to score points in football. The game overall is somewhat complicated, especially if you are learning it for the first time. For the most part the end zones are where points are scored as well as the goal posts.
Touchdown
A touchdown happens when a player on the offense of side of the ball takes the ball past the goal line, which is located at one of the end zones.
A touchdown is worth six points. These points are added to the scoreboard immediately following the end of the play.
Extra Point
An extra point comes immediately following a touchdown. It is the next plane that happens, from 3 yards away from the goal line.
The team that is an offense has the choice of kicking an extra point or go for two points. An extra point is worth one point and must be kicked through the goal posts.
Two points can be scored by crossing the goal line once again, this time from the 3 yard line.
Field Goal
A field goal in football is worth three points. A field goal is a kick that is performed and must be kicked through the goal post in order to gain the three available points. This kick can be made at any time and from anywhere on the field.
Safety
A safety in football is one the most rare ways to earn points. A safety is worth 2 points and is earned if the opposing team is tackled in their own end zone. This is rare, but does happen. Following a safety, the team that was scored upon is required to kick off following the two points that were scored.
What Attributes are Required Physically to Play Football?
Strength
Football is a physical sport and does require quite a bit of strength. This is determined based on the level of play, the age group playing, and the ability level of the competitors involved. Football may be one of the most important to have strength for.
Football is physically demanding and can be very taxing on the body. The better trained that players are, the less risk for injury, and the quicker the recovery following the physical activity and competition.
Speed
Considering that there are 11 different positions on a football field for each team at one time, each position requires a little something different. Speed is a necessity, but the great thing about football is that each position requires a different speed and skill set.
Speed in most sports is an important attribute. In basketball, for example, speed is needed for everyone on the court. In football, however, each position is quite different. Linemen, for example, do not have to be as fast as running backs. They have to possess a particular skill set, and also speed amongst their position, but they are doing different skills than a running back or a quarterback.
Speed at a particular position is always important, and developing this speed is typically a major concern for coaches, especially during the offseason.
Throwing, Catching, or Kicking Ability
These three skills are important for some positions on the football field. Many people know the position of quarterback. The quarterback does a lot for a football team, but one thing that is extremely important is that he knows how to throw a football. This is a skill that not a lot of people can do at a very high level.
Catching the football is required by some positions, including wide receivers, running back, kick returners, and defensive backs. These skills can be developed, and many times are developed at a young age through repetition.
Kicking is required by kickers and punters. These skills are very precise and take a lot of fortitude and practice. Kickers are a different breed when it comes to football. Many times at the higher levels of football, kickers aren’t a part of the rest of the game. This skill is very unique to a football team, but also very essential.
What Else Makes Football a Sport?
Passion
No matter where in America you go, football, if being played, will draw a crowd. The passion for the game of football has always been extremely high. Fans follow teams, and some of the biggest stadiums in the country are sold out on a regular basis.
High School football is huge in popularity throughout the country as well. Young men, dedicated, passionate, and committed to being a part of a team, go out and compete each week. There is passion and desire that runs through the veins of these football players.
Football is a game that requires motivation, desire, and passion. Football brings a great sense of team worth, selflessness, and camaraderie that many other sports can replicate. The reason for this passion is simple; this is a contact sport, that requires a great deal of mental fortitude, but also teamwork. Each play requires a variety of players to complete a task, very different in nature, for the common good.
Some of the best passion for football can be seen at the lower levels of football. Sometimes as young as 8 years old. These young kids go out and many times compete for their communities and have developed a love for the game, their teammates, and their community.
High school football is a level that you will see young men compete on a weekly basis, playing with passion and being motivated by being a part of something bigger than themselves. They play for each other, for their coaches, their teammates, and their community.
Competition
The competition in football is unmatched, as football is the ultimate team and competition. The game of football requires physical exertion, so much that some people can’t play the sport. The physical exertion is to be able to compete.
The competition is passionate, motivated, and fun to watch. People all over American compete together for a common goal to win a game.
Requirement to Train
Most sports have an offseason that people work very hard during. Football may be one of the top sports and requires a great deal of training in order to be successful. Football is physically and mentally draining, and requires improvement in both on a daily basis.
The physicality of football sets the tone for the amount of training necessary to compete. Strength, speed, endurance, and mental fortitude are just several of the attributes needed to succeed in the sport of football.
Winner and a Loser
Sports typically require a winner and a loser. The beauty of football is that at the end of a game, there is a winner and a loser. Football requires physical exertion, commitment, and competition, and at the end of it, there is a winner that is determined.
Final Thoughts
Football is one of the most popular American sports, it requires physical attributes as well as mental fortitude. Football is the ultimate team sports, it requires being physical, but also teammates that are on the same page to be successful.
The competition along with the physical exertion make football a sport in itself.
The life lessons that young men gain from playing football is unmatched and so important for many youth. Football teaches people about teamwork, dedication, commitment to something big, and passion.
Football is a great sport, an activity that people of all sizes and speeds can participate in and enjoy.
