basics Archives - Page 6 of 11 - Football for Normal Girls

What He Said : 50’s the Mike

Here’s yet another new feature for the 2013 season: What He Said, an explanation of something that is routinely said during game broadcasts either by announcers or players. Today we’re talking about something that is said prior to every snap of the football, either by the center or the quarterback.

You’ve probably seen this situation: The offense lines up at the line of scrimmage, and right before the ball is snapped someone is pointing to defenders and yelling out, “50’s the Mike! 50’s the Mike!”(Note: The number of the player isn’t always 50; that’s just a common example.) That’s an important part of every offensive play, and our good friend Brian Billick is back to help us learn why that is.

There’s a whole bunch of football jargon in here, but don’t worry; we’re going to break it down completely afterward! Let’s get started!

For starters, the player being identified (in most cases) is the Mike, or middle linebacker, and the point of calling him out is to call out protection assignments for the play.

First we start with a simplified version of how this works: In a 4-3 front, each of the offensive lineman except the center are usually assigned to block the defender directly in front of them. Calling out the Mike on defense tells the center and the other offensive blockers (running backs, tight ends) who they are responsible for picking up.

But defenses are rarely that simple. In the video, Coach Billick talked about a situation in which the strong safety sneaks down into the box. That changes things, because now the safety is going to rush the quarterback like a linebacker. So instead of picking up the middle linebacker, the center will shift to the right and pick up the right side of the defense and the strong safety with help from the other linemen on the right side. The running backs (or other offensive blockers) will also shift their protections on the other side (or “back side” – the side opposite of where the action is coming from) of the play based on his film study and what he reads from the cornerback and linebackers.

All of the shifts in protection are based on two factors: a) what the offense reads on the field, and b) film study of how the defense usually acts in any particular look. Both sources of information are equally important in making protection calls at the line of scrimmage.

So next time you hear that someone is the Mike, you’ll know that he’s not involved in any sort of announcing or karaoke endeavor or just the guy on the other team named Mike; he’s the key to how to offense is going to shift their protection.

Got it?

5-Minute Football : Touchback

Here’s another new feature for the 2013 Season: 5-minute Football: a quick lesson to help you better understand one part of the game. Today’s lesson? All about touchbacks.

First and foremost, what’s a touchback?

A touchback happens most often during kickoffs. You know when the receiver in the back of the field catches the ball in the end zone and takes a knee? That’s a touchback, and you’ll often hear it referred to as “taking a knee” in the end zone. But it’s only once instance of a touchback ruling, because a touchback is not a specific play. It’s a ruling in which the ball is brought out to the 20-yard line to start the next drive. (Also: drive = new offensive possession.)

There are several other instances in which touchbacks are ruled. Have you ever seen a kicker boot the ball into/out of the end zone on a kickoff? That’s automatically ruled a touchback, and the offense will start their drive on the 20-yard line as a result.

Here’s a tricky touchback situation: when the offense fumbles the ball into the opposing team’s end zone (the end zone the offense is trying to score in) and a member of the defense recovers the ball in the end zone or provides the impetus for the ball going out of bounds in the end zone, it’s ruled a touchback, and the opposing team will get the ball at the 20-yard line. This also works in reverse, as we witnessed last Thursday night.

For those of you who are keen observers of Week 1 action, you may recall the play. Broncos linebacker Danny Trevathan intercepted Baltimore QB Joe Flacco and ran it into the end zone…but got a little overzealous in his celebration and dropped the ball prior to crossing the goal line for the touchdown. (It would have been a touchdown, not a touchback, had he crossed the goal line into the end zone because it was the offense’s end zone, not his own end zone.) (Let’s talk about end zones next week, shall we?) Instead, since the ball went out of bounds in the offense’s end zone and Trevathan, the defender, was the impetus, it was ruled a touchback for the Ravens, who went on to score on their next offensive drive.

In (very) short form: touchbacks occur when the ball is downed in the end zone or outside of the end zone and results in a drive which begins at the 20-yard line.

Make sense?

(Have a suggestion for a 5-Minute Football lesson? I’d love to hear it!)

10 Things You Need to Know to Watch an NFL Game

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On Sunday, there will be football. There will be football…and lots of it. This causes me to rejoice in ways that are too over-the-top for words. I literally cannot contain my excitement. However, I know that there are plenty of other women in the world who do not share those sentiments, and, in fact, harbor the exact opposite sentiments to the beginning of the 2013 NFL season.

If that’s you, I’m begging you: don’t spend this Sunday or any other Sunday starring blankly at the TV, hating your life. Come join us at Football for Normal Girls! You’ll learn some new things, laugh a ton, and the prospect of in-season Sundays will no longer make you panic and/or mourn. This can be FUN. I promise!

Just test it out today. Start with this post, print or pin or save the little cheat sheet above – whatever floats your boat – and see if it makes your weekend any easier.

And then come back on Monday. Because if you can’t beat the NFL season, you might as well join us over at Football for Normal Girls!!!

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10 Things You Need to Know to Watch an NFL Game

1. 3 Units: Offense, Defense, Special Teams

The offense is the unit with the ball. See the quarterback? He’s on the offensive side. The defense is the unit on the other side. See all of the burly men running towards the quarterback/ball carrier? That’s the defensive unit. Special teams is the unit that comes out for kickoffs, extra points, and field goals.

Need more? Check out the Basics of Offense, the Basics of Defense, and the Basics of Special Teams.

2. 11 men on the field for each unit

Each unit is only allowed to have 11 men on the field at all times – having more than that on the field will earn a penalty. If you see a player sprinting off the field prior to the snap, chances are a whistle and a flag will soon be following him (unless he makes it off in time).

3. The offense’s job is to score

The offense is the unit with the ball. Their job is to score points, which they can do by running the ball into the end zone for a touchdown, passing it into the end zone for a touchdown, or kicking a field goal.

4. The defense’s job is also to score

The defense, contrary to popular belief, is not just trying to stop the progress of the offense. That’s actually their second job. Their first job is to get the ball away from the offense and score points. They can do this by forcing and recovering a fumble (where the ball carrier loses the ball) or by an interception (where a defender catches a ball intended for an offensive player) and then running the ball into the end zone for a touchdown. (Don’t fry your brain, but the defense can also force a safety, which is worth 2-points.)

Just to clarify: if the defense recovers possession of the football via a fumble or an interception and they don’t score any points right then and there, their team’s offense takes over and tries to score the same as they would in any other offensive possession.

5. 2 halves // 4 quarters // 15 min each

NFL games consist of four 15-minute quarters. There are 2 quarters per half. Halftime is the break in between those halves. (I’m going to go out on a limb and guess that you probably could have come up with that on your own.) Common misconception: each team doesn’t have their “own” end zone that stays the same for the entire game. Teams switch sides of the field at the end of the first and the third quarter to create fair playing conditions for both teams. Also, play continues as normal at the end of the first and the third quarter – so if a team ends the first quarter with a 1st down at the 40 yard line, they’ll start the second quarter with a 1st down at the 40 yard line (on the other side of the field, because the sides have been switched). But at the end of each half, play stops. At the start of the second half, the team that didn’t kickoff to start the game kicks off to start the third quarter after halftime and a new drive ensues. At the end of the second half…the game is over (another helpful hint! this website rocks!) – unless the score is tied, in which case it’s time for #10 (!!!).

6. Game clock + Play clock (both matter)

The game clock keeps track of how much time is left in the 15-minute quarter. The game clock stops for many reasons, including but not limited to: time outs, penalties, and change of possession. The play clock keeps track of how much time the offense has left to make a play – either 25 or 40 seconds, depending on the situation (this post all about clocks will help tremendously). Mostly, just know that the offense has a limited amount of time from the end of one play to start the next play, and the play clock accounts for that.

7. It’s all about the downs

Once the offense starts their new possession, they have four chances, called “downs,” to move the ball 10 yards from where they started (this place is called “the line of scrimmage”). Each play is then calculated by what chance (down) the offense is on and how many yards they have left until they reach 10 yards total. Once they reach or exceed the 10 yards in one set of downs, they get a new set – four more chances to move the ball 10 more yards.

Here’s an example: it’s the start of a new drive (possession) for the offense. That means the down and distance is 1st and 10 (1st down and 10 yards left to go). On the first play the quarterback passes the ball to a running back who gains 4 yards. The new down and distance is 2nd and 6 because it’s the 2nd down and there are 6 yards left to go until the offense reaches 10 yards gained total (10 needed – 4 gained = 6 left). On the next play the quarterback throws the ball to a wide receiver who catches it and gains 3 yards. Now the down and distance is 3rd and 3 (10 needed – 7 total gained = 3 left). On the next play the quarterback gets pressured and tries to run. He gains 2 yards. Down and distance: 4th and 1 (10 needed – 9 total gained = 1 left).

4th down throws everything into a ruckus. Let’s talk about that.

(If you are still unclear about this whole down situation, check out this post.)

8. 4th down options

Teams try to avoid 4th down situations, because, as aforementioned, 4th downs cause anxiety and intensity. Ideally, a team would like to earn a new set of downs before arriving at 4th down. However, at 4th down, the offense has three choices: punt, kick a field goal, or try one more time to earn a new set of downs. How do they decide what to do? It depends on where they are on the field and what the game situation is.

The offense will usually punt when on their own side of the field (the 50 yards connected to their end zone) or fairly close to it. They will usually opt for a field goal if they are within range (30-50 yards is typical for an NFL field goal attempt). They’ll usually try to get the remaining yards needed for a new set of downs (or “go for it”) when the yardage is short (4th and 1 or 4th and inches) and the team believes they can either convert (get the 1st down) or hand the ball over on downs without sacrificing too much field position – because if they don’t get the 1st down, they give the other team the ball right where they are.

None of those situations matter if it’s late in the game and the offense needs to score to win the game. In that scenario, no matter where they are on the field on 4th down, they’ll likely go for it. These are usually “Hail Mary” plays.

9. Touchdowns are not worth 7 points

True story. Touchdowns are worth 6 points; the extra point (or PAT, Point After Touchdown) is kicked from the 2-yard line and is worth…you guessed it!…1 extra point. Teams can also opt to go for 2 by running or passing it into the end zone from the 2-yard line. Also, field goals are worth 3 points. Just throwing (or kicking) that out there.

10. We live for overtime

Overtime is when all that is good in the world gets even better. Overtime is a nail-biting, heart-racing, pull-all-of-your-hair-out ode to competitive sports at it’s finest. In overtime, if the team on offense scores a touchdown on their first possession, they win. Game over. But if they either don’t score or only score a field goal, the other team has a chance to possess the ball and score. After both teams have had a chance to possess the ball (unless, of course, the team who had the ball first scored a touchdown), the next score wins – any score, not just a touchdown. If the 15-minute overtime period ends and the game is still tied…that’s it. Tie game. (This is where we all write to the NFL and petition for a rule change because if overtime is the apex of all that is good in sports, ties are the wettest wet blanket in all of sports.)

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Got it?! Of course you do!!! But if you do have any questions between now and Sunday, flip through the Archives, the Glossary, follow FNG on Twitter and Facebook, or shoot me an email! I’m always happy to help.

Thanks for stopping by today! Go have a GREAT weekend!!!

Fundamentals : Receivers

A receiver is a receiver is a receiver, right?

Well, kind of. But not really.

Let’s start this conversation with a disclaimer: every system is different. So the terminology referred to here is meant to be generally accepted information, not specific law for every NFL team.

With that said, let’s dive in and figure out who the receivers are and what they do!

Here’s a line up we’ve seen several times before:

This is a basic offensive formation. There are three wide receivers, one tight end, and one running back on the field.

(Bonus points for knowing which personnel group is on the field right now!)

So…aside from trying to advance the ball forward and score points, do all of these guys have the same job?

Nope! Just like each member of the offensive line has a different job or each member of the secondary has a different job, each of these players has a different job.

In general:

Wide Receivers run long routes and make big catches.

Tight Ends block, run, and catch – they are the multi-purpose components of the offense.

Running Backs run the ball after receiving a handoff from the quarterback.

Like all other aspects of football, none of these principles are set in stone. A running back can catch a pass in the backfield instead of being handed the ball. A tight end can run a long route usually run by a wide receiver. But in general, you’ll usually see them featured as described above.

In today’s conversation, we’re only going to focus on receivers – tight ends and wide receivers – and the different jobs they have. Let’s take a look at that lineup again, this time with new job descriptions:

So, what does each postion do?

The Split End (usually labeled the “X” receiver) is the wide receiver split farthest out from the offensive line. He is usually lined up on the line of scrimmage and opposite from the tight end. The split end is most often the team’s biggest and strongest wide receiver, since he will have to contend with the defensive back trying to “jam” him (keep him stuck) at the line of scrimmage.

The Tight End (usually labeled the “Y” receiver) is most often lined up on the line of scrimmage with the offensive linemen. Remember that 7 players are required to be on the line of scrimmage, and more often than not, the tight end is one of those players. The tight end really is the all-purpose player of the offense, and with the (now-defunct) evolution of a two tight end system in New England, the position continues to grow more and more. Tight ends block, run, and receive passes. This means they are well-rounded athletically: big enough to block, strong enough to run, and fast enough to catch a pass.

The Flanker (usually labeled the “Z” receiver) is the wide receiver opposite from the split end. He is usually lined up off of the line of scrimmage because he is beside the tight end. If he were aligned on the line of scrimmage, the tight end would be “covered up” and therefore be an ineligible receiver. Since the flanker is usually off the line of scrimmage, he has room to get away from the defensive back and run his route, or “beat the jam,” which is why flankers are usually smaller and faster than split ends.

The Slot Receiver (labeled in a bunch of different ways, but usually F, H, J, or even Y or Z), is the receiver in between the split end and the offensive line or in between the flanker and the offensive line – literally, in a “slot.” The slot receiver can be a tight end, but doesn’t have to be – like Wes Welker or Victor Cruz, who are both wide receivers. The slot receiver has similar characteristics to the tight end – a player who can block, run, and catch – but is usually more wide receiver in physique and play than tight end.

Do all receivers play the same positions all the time? It depends on the player and the system and the play in question. But seeing as how receivers are placed at each specific position because of their skill set (like having big, physical receivers at split end), it makes sense to keep them there most of the time.

Make sense?

(Thanks to Coach Curtis over at Strong Football for providing insight and information for this post!)

Fundamentals : Pulling

Pulling is one of those terms that is just kind of thrown around in football jargon. You might have heard commentators say something like “they used a pulling guard,” or “so-and-so pulled to the left to create the lane on that play.” This is actually one of those times when it is what it sounds like – kind of. Let’s break it down!

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Pulling is when a player, usually a lineman (offense or defense), leaves their regular assignment and moves to the other side of the field.

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Why would a player (or players) pull to the other side? Usually, to stack the offense on one side and create a running lane for a back or receiver. We saw this last week with a couple of screen pass concepts: one side of the line pulls to the other side to create a screen of protection for the ball carrier. But it happens in other types of plays on offense – and defense, too. Defensive linemen can also pull to stop the action they anticipate coming from a particular side.

Here’s a slow breakdown of what pulling looks like from an offensive line perspective:

And here’s what it looks like when humans do it:

And here’s what it looks like in a game – a college game – but still, same concept. Watch how the right guard (57) and the left guard (66) pull in unison to the right to create a lane for the running back (5):

See how it works? Whenever you see linemen pulling, you can expect to see action in whichever direction they are heading.

Fundamentals : Screen Pass

Remember that other conversation for another time about screen passes? We’re having it today!

So…what is a screen pass?

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A screen pass is a deceptive short pass used to take advantage of aggressive defenses. It’s set up like a long pass, but instead of going long the quarterback throws a short pass to a receiver who has slipped behind the oncoming defensive line and is protected by a “screen” of offensive blockers.

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Let’s break that down a little further. A traditional screen pass usually consists of 3 steps:

1. The quarterback drops back to pass, which would indicate a long passing play.

2. While the quarterback is dropping back, a receiver will make his way into the flat (the area 10 yards behind the line of scrimmage in the defensive backfield) and members of the offensive line will release from their blocks, letting the defensive line plow ahead toward the quarterback. The offensive blockers will run ahead of the receiver and form a “screen” of protection in front of him.

3. The quarterback throws the pass to the open receiver before the defenders arrive. The receiver then tries to gain as many yards as he can (Yards After Catch) with the help of his offensive blockers.

Make sense? Not so much?

Either way, this might help:

Let the record state that this is a highly unlikely play. But I thought it might help to see a visual you’ve seen before and go from there. Because, hypothetically, this could be a screen play under the right circumstances. The quarterback would drop back, the receiver (a tight end, in this case) would go into the flat, and the left guard and left tackle would release from their blocks and form a screen in the flat for the tight end.

It would help if you could see the defensive backfield. So let’s just add that into the “flaws” column for this visual, which seem to be mounting by the minute.

Be that as it may – the concept makes sense, right?

All of you smart people might be wondering how this concept is even possible since offensive linemen are not allowed to go past the line of scrimmage during passing plays. And that would be an excellent question! On screen plays, offensive linemen are allowed to cross the line of scrimmage. It’s the exception to the rule, a football phenomenon you’ve likely come to expect.

The traditional screen clearly takes some doing. It’s a whole lot of timing and execution, especially as far as the offensive line is concerned. But there are a BUNCH of other types of screens, and not all of them employ movement by the offensive line. The most popular in the NFL is likely the bubble screen, so we’ll take a look at that one.

A bubble screen is a receiver screen – meaning that the receivers are the ones who are going to be forming the actual “screen” part of the screen pass, not the offensive linemen. In a bubble screen, one or more receivers cuts off oncoming defensive backs. In the meantime, another wide receiver moves slightly back and then up again to give the screen time to get in place before catching the ball and running upfield in the area cleared by his screen to gain as many yards after the catch as possible.

Using the same visual, it might look something like this:

(Just so we’re clear: that is a conversation bubble labeled “football.” Oh yeah, I went there. Flaw #800. We might have to forget this post ever happened.)

Ok, so in the bubble screen, the quarterback still drops back, only now he’ll have a bit more time to throw since the offensive line will be blocking for him the entire time. The wide receivers go out and pick up the defensive backs, and the receiver in question – tight end, again – bubbles out and then goes upfield after catching the pass.

More on screens in Film Room this Wednesday. Until then, you might want to pop over to this excellent post on all things screen over at ESPN. They don’t use conversation bubbles as footballs over there. I know…shocking! And 10 points to whoever can name where the then-college quarterback named in the article is playing now in the NFL.