|
뉴욕한미산악회 회원 여러분
Happy New Year !
제가 Football 이 재미가 없다고 했더니, 스포츠맨 선배님이 Rule을 몰라서 그렇다고 하며 간단히
'Rule'요약을 보내 주셨는데, 2월5일 "뉴한산 Superbowl Evening "때 음식과 주류를 축내며 로또도
즐기지만, '120 million Superbowl audiences'와 함께 하기 바라는 마음으로 전재합니다.
This is the time of the year whole country is excited over the anticipations of upcoming Super Bowl
LI (51) between Atlanta Falcons vs New England Patriots.
I like to talk about a few of the many complex "Rules" of NFL games to enhance the
understandings and the enjoyment of the game. I am forced to write in English because of the lack
of the suitable vocabulary in Korean for the NFL Rules.
GAME OBJECTIVES : To win the game scoring more points than opponents with Touch Down
(TD), Field Goal (FG) or Safety (Dead ball in your own end zone )
TEAM FORMATION : Not like most other Team Sports which players on the field performs Offense
as well as Defense, Football has specific team members perform only Offense, Defense or
Special Duties (Kicking situations).
There is 22 players on the field at any given time ( 11 for offense and defense or special team
for each side) except any player who is once out of bound is not eligible to continue that
particular sequence of play.
OFFENSIVE FORMATION : Usually 8 players on the scrimmage line. 2 wide receivers on either side
with 6 offensive lines man (2 tackles, 2 guards, a center and a Tight End). And the behind the
Line, there are 3 backs, a Quarter Back(QB), a Running Back, and Wing Back.
Offensive line men's functions are protecting QB in passing situations and by creating holes for
running backs by blocking.
DEFENSIVE FORMATION : 4 men on the line (2 def. tackles & 2 Def. Ends). Behind the line has
3 Line Backers ( 2 outside & Middle). 2 Corner Backs marking Wide receivers at the line while
2 Safeties behind Line Backers (LB) help out whoever needs help. Defensive line man together
with line backers rushe toward QB in passing situation while stopping runners in running situation.
GAME STRATEGY (OFFENSE) : Ultimate goal is try to get the TD or,if, they are stalled but within
the Field Goal (FG) Range (usually 50 yard or less), kick Field Goal.
They are given 4 chances to advance min. of 10 yard to maintain the ball possession to advance
forward. However if they are short of 10 yd after 3rd try, most cases, if they are not in the FG
range, uaually, they Punt (kick) to advance at least 30-40yd before give up the ball to opponents.
The offensive method is either running or passing depend on the situation with many creative
tactical maneuver.
GAME STRATEGY ( DEFENSE) : Ultimate goal is stopping the opponents as quick as possible and
hand over the ball and the field position to their offense. In the mean time, they try to create
turnover ball possession by intercepting pass or recover the fumbled ball by opponents, and
many times Defense scores Defensive TD and it becomes instant game momentum switch.
OFF SIDE RULE : It occurs usually at the scrimmage line at the moment of snapping the ball to QB.
Offensive Off Side occurs a small jerking movement after set but before the snap. Defensive Off
Side happens when defensive player encroaches the line of scrimmage before the snap.
Penalties for both is 5 yd.
HOLDING RULE : This rule is the most difficult to understand. This rule usually pertains to
Offensive Line Men. They can block with body and push with hand & arms. On the other hand,
Defensive line man is allowed to hold and grap with hand the opponents, and tackle the ball
handlers. Once the offensive line man gets behind the defenders, there's no other way except
holding the defenders to protect QB. The penalty is 10 yd.
PASS INTERFERENCE : This rule pertains to Defensive Corner Back who is responsible to guard
the Wide Receiver from receiving pass from QB. The Corner Back is allowed to disrupt the Wide
Receiver movement within 5 yd from the scrimmage line, but beyond that he is not allowed to hit,
hold or interfere with Wide Receiver's forward progression until the exact moment the ball arrives
to vicinity of his body. This is one of the most puzzling call that the consequence of the call in
most of the time results into game changing situation.
The penalty is the spot of infraction. If it occurs inside of end zone, the ball is placed 1yd line.
PLAYER SAFETY : Many NFL players are world class athletes, and their power & speed can cause
some serious injuries. Recently NFL made following rule adjustments.
1. No helmet hit. Shoulder hit is OK.
2. No below the knee body tackle. Arm tackle is OK
3. No player's equipment grab such as Face Mask or Horse Collar ( neck brace).
Grabbing Jersey is OK.
4. The penalties for above infractions are 15yd.
PASS RECEPTION : If receiver doesn't have a complete control of the ball before he drops it, it is
incomplete pass, otherwise it is fumble. At the side yard line, if receiver has both feet inside of
the side yard line with control of ball, it is complete pass.
BALL POSITIONS : Ball positions are determined when ball carrier's knee or elbows touch ground.
The ball is dead at that spot.
POINT AFTER : When you score Touch Down You have two options for Point After, either kick
from 35 yd for 1 point or scoring into end zone from 3 yd line for 2 points.
KICKING GAME : There are 3 kicking situations.
1. Kick off : Start of game and 2nd half start, game starts with kick off from 35 yd line of your
field. If kick went beyond end line, you have 2 choices, either kneel down or bring it out.
If it is kneel down, your offense starts out from 25 yd line.
If you bring it out, it could be anywhere.
2. Punt : When your offense stalled and field position is beyond normal FG range, you punt to
gain field position. Receiving team can call fair catch or bring it out. It is a choice of risk
or safety.
3. Field Goal : If the offense stalled around 30 yd line of opponent's field, they take a shot at
the field goal. If you miss, the opponent starts the spot you missed.
TIME OUTS : Each team has 3 time outs plus 2 min. game clock time outs for each halves.
Utilizing timeouts are very important part of game management.
CHALLENGE OF CALL : Each team has two challenges granted for the game. Head coach throws
red scarf toward field to notify challenge of call made by Referee. If he doesn't win challenge,
he will loose one of his time out, however if he wins two challenges,he will be granted one
additional challenge.
TIME MANAGEMENT : Incomplete pass stops game clock until next snap. Running play does not
stop game clock even though play is dead. A team is ahead near the end of game employs
running game to shorten the game while the team trailing uses more of passing game to elongate
game clock.
x x x x x x x
The American football game, particularly, NFL games are very complex. Most of TV viewers tend
to follow the balls, therefore, they miss all the other actions happening elsewhere beyond the ball.
There are literally 11 separate wars going on at the same time. The game actions are frantic, and
most of decisions are made in split seconds.
Knowing a few fundamental aspects of rules and nuance of the game, I hope, may help the
understanding and enjoyment of the game.
Do Hyun Chung