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Football 101 Part 2: Vocabulary

By
Darrin Sheffer

So I'm sitting here on a Friday night watching college football on TV with my 4 month old and I'm longing to be on a sideline.  Perhaps next year, depends on if my wife allows it and I mean come on guys, we all know who really makes all the decisions.  Anyways, while I'm watching the game I'm listening to the game announcers try to use football terms, sometimes they get it right.  But it made me realize something, there is a ton of vocabulary that is specific to our game.  For me being a football junky I pretty much never have trouble communicating with other coaches about schemes or other stuff, but I can imagine where a young player, especially one who has never played American Football before will struggle to communicate.  

Image result for football vocabulary
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mfl-vocab-target-02a.png

As a science teacher I have had uncounted experiences with students struggling with scientific vocabulary, literacy and communication.  Those same kids are the ones we are trying to teach one of, if not the most complicated sport in the world.  I have heard many people who are not American Football fans complain that the sport is just too difficult and complicated to understand, and if I wasn't raised on Football I think I could see where they are coming from.  The most popular sport in the world (Soccer) is also one of the most simple to understand sports in the world.  Most people like simplicity and will shut down when confronted with to much complexity.  

Image result for football vocabulary
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buck-lateral_series

That being said, it only took me one year to teach my wife about football, she even knows most of the vocabulary (she recognized Triple Option last weekend, so proud).  If I can teach my wife, someone who never played or never will play the game, I think I can teach teenagers who are actually playing the game.  Here is the thing, I can't just assume that my players know what I'm talking about.  Even if that kid watches football all weekend long, he still does not truly understand the game.  I need to take the time to explicitly teach the vocabulary of the game that I NEED them to be familiar with.  

Image result for coach practice
http://www.aviano.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/967948/coaches-bring-valuable-lessons-to-avianos-youth-football-players/

So where should we start?  Don't be afraid to start at Level Zero (hello gentlemen, this is a football).  Don't worry yourself thinking that the kids believe you think they are stupid.  They are.  Start with the basics: Positions, Stances, Blocking and Tackling.  Use pictures and videos to reinforce their learning.  Don't be afraid to act it out as well or have some player volunteers in the classroom.  One really great teaching tool that tends to be overlooked are flashcards, make sets of flashcards for the kids to practice.

Image result for vocab flash cards
https://www.flickr.com/photos/akshayhallur/13263483785

Once you get past basic vocab you should get into position specific vocab.  Just some examples for OLine: splits, power step, angle step, pull, cut block, scoop block, zone block, screen block, pass step/block, drive block, double team, wedge block, reach/race block plus much more.  See what I mean?  So many things to learn and you CAN NOT assume that they know this by you telling them once.  

Image result for football formations
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_formations_in_American_football

Don't forget about team specific vocab like formations and such.  I'm sure each coach has their own vocabulary for certain things as well so teach them this too.  Do you have any of your own specific vocabulary you think you should teach?  Anything I missed?  Please comment below or on Twitter https://twitter.com/DarrinSheffer Stay tuned for Football 101 Part 3: Rules and Expectations

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