Tis the season for the start of the NFL. Fa la la la la, la la la la. For men, this often means studying stats, drafting fantasy players, and dedicating every Sunday for the rest of the year to one thing: the game. For women, the start of the NFL might mean the very same thing or it may mean something entirely different.
The first kickoff may mean women have the ability to tell their husbands anything on Sundays - that they wrecked the car, that they are having an affair, that they used to be a man - and their husbands will utter an, "Oh, that's nice honey." Football, when it comes down to it, leaves many men in a trance, from September to February.
Men's obsession with football is understandable: it is a fun game to watch. Yet, why is this obsession generally only limited to the male species. Football is a game involving well-built, good-looking men in tight outfits. So, why aren’t more women watching it?
Some women may find themselves easily frustrated by the rules and laws of the game, but nothing about the game is above female comprehension. All it takes is a basic understanding.
The Essentials: Football is a battle between two teams, with each team striving to score more points than the other by advancing a ball made of pigskin; it is a game based on selfish motives: every player wants the ball, every team wants to win, and no one ever feels sorry for the pig.
Eleven men from each team are on the field at a time. The players with possession of the ball are called the offense — their aim is to move the ball down the field and score points. They can advance by throwing the ball, running the ball, or flirting with the refs. The players without the ball are called the defense and their aim is to regain possession of the ball by stopping the offense. This can be done by intercepting the ball (catching a pass that was intended for an offensive player), recovering a fumble (grabbing a ball that has been dropped by an offensive player), pushing an offensive player out of bounds, or tackling (pulling down an offensive player until at least one of his knees touches the ground).
Ten yard increments on a 100-yard field are the cornerstone of the game (yes ladies, this only further perpetuate men’s obsession with length). The offense is given four downs (or chances) to go these ten yards. If a team goes ten yards, they are awarded a first down and four more chances to go ten more yards. If they don’t go ten yards, coaches scream, innocent clipboards are thrown to the ground, and possession of the ball is turned over to the other team. The roles then reverse.
Article comments
1 - Dr Dreadful
Well, I'm not a girl, but kudos anyway, Ms Jordan, for one of the funniest and easiest to understand guides to football (American football to me) I've ever read. I almost didn't click on the link because I'd rather read about proper football (soccer, to you) ;-) , but I'm glad I did.
For me, this just goes to show that football is way more fun to talk about than to watch. I find the stop-start nature of the game excruciatingly frustrating. Just when the action seems to finally be moving, some player crashes into some other player and everything comes to a grinding halt and I groan, "What did they stop for this time?"
On a practical note, just how does one flirt with the referee under one's helmet and all that padding?
Thanks again for an immensely entertaining read!
2 - The wife who didn't understand
Thanks for this very funny and informative article. I did a google search on "football for girls" because I was becoming desperate to understand the "black hole" of tv (aka a football game) I loose my husband too every Sunday, Monday and occasional Thursday....
Thanks for the insight (and humor!!)
3 - The girl who does play football
I thought this was quite funny. Although i being a female who came from the game of football already know everything about it basically. Watch out some ladies might be offened because your saying the females no nothing about football.
I loved this articale, some might not or whatever.
Thanks for the laugh.
4 - DIXIE GREENWELL
I LIKE TO PLAY FOOTBALL WITH THE GUYS BECAUSE IT IS FUN COULD I PLAY FOOTBALL WHEN I AM IN HIGH SCOOL
5 - newvy
wow this really helped me. my boyfried just got the runner back position in the varsity football team of my high school and i knew a little bit about football because of the other games i've been too, but when he sits with me and starts talkin about football stuff i always get really lost. this was really helpful thankyou!
6 - STM
Football for girls ...
We're not talking soccer here are we??
7 - USA Lacrosse
I love football! Way to go girls!
8 - becky from 'bama
Can I just say, THANKS!!!!! I've only been watching football for about 5 years now. I only became interested when my youngest son started playing. I've picked up some pointers along the way, mostly from my son, my husband gets the "why don't you know that by now" attitude, so I'd rather learn from my 12 year old, who thinks it's cool to teach his mom something. Your tutorial is awesome and humorous and very enjoyable, even to us girls who know more than the average girl. Now if you could do one for Player Positions, I would be eternally gratefull!!!!!!!
9 - Finally I Get It
I'm 14, and a Freshman and my boyfriend who is the perfect 6 ft 3 inch tall, broad, ripped, and extremely smart and sweet jock has tried many times to explain to me how to play football. We have dated for a year and three months and you have helped me SO much more than he has. Lol
10 - I'll show those naysayers NOW!
Very simple to read! Easy to understand! You really made it seem so possible for me to learn! Not only did I end up already knowing more than I realized, but what I didn't know is not nearly as difficult as I'd previously perceived it to be!
11 - 20011
I WISH THAT OURKIND CAN PLAY WITH CUTE AND ATTRACTIVE BOYS WHEN WE'RE OLDER
12 - Still Confused
Could you do more on two point conversation and field goal you kind of got confused.
13 - Nina Mosley
"It is a sport aimed at men; thus, it can’t be that hard to understand." Best.Line.Ever!