Thursday, February 28, 2013

10: Super Play!!

Today, I show you American football super play movie!!

First, I show you this movie.

NFL Super Play Best10!!

#10  It's super run play! This play started from the front of his end zone, and he dodged the     opponent's player with cut step, ran through to the opponent's end zone!!

#9  An American football is the contact sport, but unnecessary rough play is prohibited by the rules.

#8 It's super pass play! This receiver was marked by three opponent's player, but he caught big pass ball!!

#7 He is very strong man! Five people went to tackle him!! I want to become a strong running back like him.

#6 A punt return! What a super play! He scored a touchdown from the end zone! He looks so happy after scoring!

#5 What a catch! I can't believe he caught the ball!

#4 A trick play! It is hard to see what happened. All of the linemen were standing before the play to trick the opponent.

#3 A kick return touchdown! He almost got tackled but he maintained balance in the air! What a cool move!

#2 So many people gathered up for the tackle! I can't believe he was able to score from that situation!

#1 Unbelievable!!!! He jumps so high! I can't believe he can jump so high in that situtation!! It looked as if he jumped almost 2 meters! Their uniform is very cool too! Looks like tigers.

Next, I will show you another movie. This movie shows some of the hardest tackles in NFL!

Top 5 Hardest Hits in NFL History

#5 I thought he caught the ball but he got tackled in an instant! The defense on this team is so fast and powerful!

#4 What a block! Number 81 lifted number 7 up so high in the air! He is a very strong man!

#3 A crazy tackle! His helmet fell off because the tackled was so strong! It is very dangerous with out the helmet.

#2 The tackle is so fast! As soon as he caught the ball, he got tackled! It must have hurt alot.

#1 Such a hard hit! It seems hard for him to stand up! It was a nice catch, but the tackle is just too strong!

Finally, I will show you this movie. This video has some of the longest runs in NFL.

Top 5 Longest Touchdowns in NFL

#1 A 100yard run by Jame Harrison! An interception! He went all the way from one end zone to another! He is so fast!

#2 107 yard run by Chris Mcalister. I don't know what just happened but that was an amazing run! The coaches seems to be confused too!

#3 107.8 yard run by Ed Reed. Another interception! He dodged four tacklers! He runs so fast!

#4 109 yard run by Devin Hester. Looks like a field goal attempt. Wow, a cover team with a returner! He stopped once when he caught the ball. What an acceleration!

#5 109.9 yard run by Antonio Cromartie. What a catch! He is too fast for the defense team! Nobody can catch up with his speed!

Enjoy and get excited these movie!!





Week:9 Culture

     An American football is very popular in United States, so this sport appears many categories in its country.

Initially, I will show you American football video games, "Madden NFL" developed by Electronic Arts Tiburon.This game was supervised by John Madden, who is Pro football Hall of Famer, and well known as former the coach of the Oakland raiders, and a commentator.








John Earl Madden
















(April 10, 1936-)






























"Madden NFL" series have been sold from 1993. (Before this time, this game was known as "Madden Football", from 1988) . "Madden NFL"series are as follows:

John Madden Football (1988)
(On the cover - John Madden)

John Madden Football (1990)
(John Madden)

John Madden Football 2 (1991)
(John Madden)

John Madden Football '92 (1991)
(John Madden)

John Madden Football '93 (1992)
(John Madden)

Madden NFL '94 (1993)
(John Madden)

Madden NFL '95 (1994)
John Madden, Erik Williams of the Dallas Cowboys, Karl Wilson of the San Francisco 49ers)

Madden NFL '96 (1995)
(John Madden)

Madden NFL '97 (1996)
(John Madden)

Madden NFL '98 (1997)
(John Madden)

Madden NFL 64 (1997)
(John Madden)

Madden NFL '99 (1998)
(John Madden, Garrison Hearst of the San Francisco 49ers)

Madden NFL 2000 (1999)
(John Madden, Barry sanders of the Detroit Lions, Dorsey Levens of the Green Bay Packers)

Madden NFL 2001 (2000)
(Eddie George of the Tennessee Titans)

Madden NFL 2002 (2001)
(Daunte Culpepper of the Minnesota Vikings)

Madden NFL 2003 (2002)
(Marshall Faulk of the St. Louis Rams)

Madden NFL 2004 (2003)
(Michael Vick of the Atranta Falcons)

Madden NFL 2005 (2004)
(Ray Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens)

Madden NFL 06 (2005)
(Donovan McNabb of the Philadelphia Eagles)

Madden NFL 07 (2006)
(Shaun Alexander of the Seattle Seahawks)

Madden NFL 08 (2007)
(Vince Young of the Tennessee Titans, Luis Castillo of the San Diego Chargers)

Madden NFL 09 (2008)
(Brett Favre of the Green Bay Packers, Brett Favre of the New York Jets, Roberto Garza of the Chicago Bears)

Madden NFL 10 (2009)
(Troy Polamalu of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Larry Fitzgerald of the Arisona Cardinals)

Madden NFL 11 (2010)
(Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints)

Madden NFL Football (2011)

Madden NFL 12 (2011)

Madden NFL 13 (2012)
(Calvin Johnson of the Detroit Lions)


















Madden NFL 2010






Next, I introduce American football culture in Japan.
In Japan, there is popular manga, "Eyeshield 21". This is manga series written by Riichiro Inagaki and illustrated by Yusuke Murata.
The manga was serialized in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump from July 2002 to June 2009.
In this story, tacticses and formations that actually exist appeared. Moreover, characters explain the rules of American football for beginners, so not only reader who already know about American football but also reader don't know it can enjoy this stories. Actually, I also knew about American football by reading this manga when I was junior high scool student. the reason why I play an American football is maybe here.



Thanks to this manga, popularity of American football is increasing in Japan, and population of American football player in Japan is increasing.

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Week:8 Tactics

       This time, I will intoduce a part of tactics in American football. Mainly, I show you run play tactics because my position is running back!

●Dive
  This is a inside play that running back(mainly fullback) who received the ball from quarterback dive in  a straight line. This play is chosen when you want to gain short distance with certainty. If offensive side gain 3 or more yards at a time, this side is diminated.

●Off-tackle
  This play is that tailback run to hole that offensive tackle and tight end makes. This time, the fullback is lead blocker and the tailback follows it.

●Power off-tackle
  This play is almost the same as the off-tackle, but in this play, the offensive guard of opposite side run to play side for lead blocker. It is a power play to create a numerical advantage to one side.

●Sweep
  This is a open play that a tailback who has received the ball runs laterally and  runs on runways fullback or offensive guard makes.

●Counter
  This tactics is a play that handoff to a player who run in the opposite direction to the other player. It is effective when defensive side's reaction to run play is early. In general, in many cases a tailback runs in the opposite direction, a quarterback also runs with handoff-fake, for example, "quarterback counter".

●Draw
  This play is that the quarterback stand back and pretend to throw, and handoff  to the runningback. After that, runningback rush to the middle. The purpose of this play is that runningback and pass-rush player pass each other. It was named from that runningback runs straight like "draw a line"


●Reverse
 This play is run play that wide receiver carries the ball. A wide receiver was set near the side line and runs toward to opposite side after snap, and receive handoff from quarterback in the process. Playing speed is slower, but it is trick play to outsmart the defensive player. There also is trick play called "double reverse".
 
●Option
  This play is open play that determine the key player of defence, by the movement of this player, quarterback select to run quarterback with the ball(keep), pass to runningback(pitch). There are many candidates for key players, for example, defensive end, linebacker, safety and cornerback. There are options which incorporates dive-fake to delay the decision of defensive player.(This option is called "fleeze option" because the movement of defensive players stops to see the ball carrier. )

●(quarterback)sneak
   This play is that the quarterback who received the snap runs to foword with the ball. The carrier gains very short distance (about 1 yard), but advance the ball safety.

●blast
 This play is that the quarterback hands off the tailback and the tailback follow the fullback as a lead blocker.

●End around
  This play is open play that the tailback runs through the outside of the tight end. The tailback must be speedy base runner because he must big runaround.




Thursday, January 31, 2013

Week7: Famous player in NFL

   This week, I will introduce the famous players in the NFL!



Peyton Manning(QB #18)


     Peyton Manning is an American football quarterback for the Denver Broncos. He is said to be one of the best ever quarterback in NFL history, moreover, he won four league most valuable player awards. His family is also quaterback, his father Archie Manning is former NFL quarterback and his brother is a quatrerback for the New York Giants, Eli Manning.







Data of Peyton Manning (up to 2012)
Pass attempts                7,793
Pass completions          5,082
Percentage                    65.2
TD-INT                        436-209
Passing yards               59,487

 




Larry Fitzgerald (WR #11)


    He is a wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals. 
    On December 12, 2004, Fitzgerald became the youngest player at 21 years and 110 days, to record at least 2 touchdown receptions in a single game. In 2005  he led the NFL with 103 receptions for 1,409 yards and 10 touchdowns and was named to his first Pro Bowl.
    In 2007 Pro Bowl season, he caught 100 receptions for 1,409 yards and 10 touchdowns. 






Data of Larry Fitzgerald (up to 2012)
Receptions           764
Receiving yards   10,413
Touch downs       77





Chris Johnson  (RB #28)
He is a running back for the Tennessee Titans, and he is said to be one of the fastest players in the NFL. In 2008, he recorded 4.24 second in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine.











Data of Chris Johnson (up to 2012)
Rushing yards        6,888
Average                 4.7
Rushing TDs         77





Adrian Peterson  (RB #28)
He is running back for the Minnesota Vikings. He nicknamed " A. P" (his initials), "A. D (it means "All Day"), and "Perple Jesus".
   In his first pro season, in which he set an NFL record for most rushing yards in a single game (296 yard), Peterson was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. He was then awarded the MVP award for his performance in the Pro Bowl, and became only the fifth player in NFL history to have more than 3,000 yards through his first two seasons.









Data of Adrian Peterson (up to 2012)
Rushing yards                   8,849
Average rushing yards      5.0
Rushing TDs                     76
Receptions                        177
Receiving yards                1,526
Receiving TDs                 4






Brett Favre (QB #4)
He is a former quarterback who spent the majority of his career with the Green Bay Packers.
    He is the only player to win the AP Most Valuable Player three consecutive times (1995–97).
   Moreover, he  holds many NFL records, including most career touchdown passes, most career passing yards, most career pass completions, most career pass attempts, most career interceptions thrown, most consecutive starts by a player, most consecutive starts by a quarterback, most career victories as a starting quarterback, most sacked, and most fumbles.
   He is also referred to by his nickname "The Gunslinger".





Data of Brett favre (up to 2010)
Passing yards   71,838
TD-INT            508-336





















Friday, January 25, 2013

week6: NFL team

 I will introduce  famous teams of American football. Mainly, I will show History of each teams, or the origin of teams.

Arizona Cardinal
  History
    Arizona Cardinals have the longest history in the NFL. Its origins date back to the football team, the Morgan Athletic Club which made ​​south of Chicago in 1898. The Chicago Cardinals era, this team won the NFL Championship twice in 1925,1947 season. This team has moved with the franchise to St. Louis in 1960. Then, the franchise relocated to Phoenix in 1988. it changed its name to the Arizona Cardinals from Phoenix in 1994 , and has led to the current.







Pittsburgh Steelers

History
 Pittsburgh Steelers has the fifth longest history and in the NFL. Its history began with that in 1933. The founder Art Rooney, who is owner, bought the team in only $ 2,500. However, the subsequent 40 years, suffered from a long downturn. But in the 1970s, the situation changed completely. it won the Super Bowl four times in the 1970s. In 2008 the Steelers won the Super Bowl and it was the sixth. In addition, two years later, Steelers played in the Super Bowl for the eighth time in 2010.







San Diego Chargers
The origin of the team name
  Team name "Chargers" (people who assault), those that Barron Hilton was approved by the owner at the time, what the team staff had proposed founding team. it was inspired by that the audience shouted, "Charge!" To match the music, in Dodger Stadium and at USC games (Southern California college).








Tennessee Titans
The origin of the team name
    "Titans" name of the current team (the sun god of Greek mythology) derived from that the Nashville, Tennessee with a home stadium, is called the "Athens of the South". Also, was chosen, "Taitains" from hope that we want it to reflect factors such as the team name "leadership", "Hero", "strength".











New England Patriots
The origin of the team name
   This team name "Patriots"  derived from that New EngThe was the scene of the War of Independence. And team colors is based on the red, blue and white, as well as the Star-Spangled Banner.











Detroit Lions
  The origin of the team name
      The owner at the time, who acquired the team in 1934,  named the team  "Lions" when moved the team to Detroit, because he want to become a team as strong as a lion which is the king of the jungle.












Baltimore Ravens
History
Browns moved with franchise from Cleveland to Baltimore in 1996, and it renamed the "Ravens" as a new team name. At that time, the history and the name "Browns"  will remain in Cleveland to consider the feelings of the citizens Cleveland known as the most ,or second enthusiastic football town in the United States, the Ravens can start working as a new teamFor football fans in Baltimore, Ravens NFL team was the long-awaited. The expectations of the fans of Baltimore, the Ravens responded in the fifth season as early as the start of the activity. Armed with a defense centered on LB Ray Lewis who is counted as one of the LB best ever NFL, Ravens play a debut to the Super Bowl, defeating the New York Giants 7 vs 34, they gave The Vince Lombardi Trophy to Baltimore for the first time in 30 years.







Thursday, January 24, 2013

week5:Rule

   Today, I will explain the rules of American football. Rules of American football is a very complex and detailed, this time I will explain the main rules.

1. How to score
    As I said week1, There are three ways to score.

    1) A player enters the end zone with the ball.
    2) A players catches the ball in the end zone.
    3) A players kick the ball, and passing the ball between the poles in the end zone.
    4) A players tackle to opponents in opponent's end zone.(safety)

    1) and 2) is called "touch down", and they worth six points. Following a touchdown, the scoring team has the chance to score more points through a try, a single opportunity to score points. If scored by kicking, the team gets one point. If scored by what would normally be a touchdown, they get two points.
   3) is called "field goal", which worth three points.
   4) is called "safety", which worth two points.

2. How to advance the ball
    There are three ways.
  1) Running with the ball.
  2) Catching the ball thrown by quaterback.
  3) Kicking the ball.(punt)

   1) and 2) is main ways that the offense can advance the ball, running and passing. Usually, the play begins with the snap. the snap is the motion that the center passes the ball backwards and under his legs to the quarterback. the quarterback then either hands the ball off to a running back, throws the ball to receiver or runs with the ball himself. Once the player with the ball is tackled or goes out of bounds, or a pass hits the ground without a player having caught it, the play is over.
   
     A series of four plays are given to the offense side team. This series is called "down". If the offense advances 10 or more yards in the four downs, they are given a new set of four downs. If they fail to advance 10 yards, possession of the ball is turned over to the defense. 
 Then, the offence team plays "punt kick". punt kick is the play which advances the ball further instead of relinquishing the wright of offence.

3. Foul
  I will show the part of foul. If the team has foul, it is given a penalty. Most penalties result in moving the football toward the offending team's end zone, usually either 5, 10, or 15 yards, depending on the penalty.

・ Holding
   this foul is that a player obstructing opponent's movement by grabbing the opponent players. Penalty yardage is 10.

・ False start
   An offensive player illegally moves after lining up for, or but prior to the snap. Since the ball is dead, the down does not begin. Penalty yardage is 5.

・ Chop block
 An offensive player tries to cut block a defensive player that is already being blocked by another offensive player. This foul is very dangerous for the opponent. Penalty yardage is 15.

・Face mask
  This foul is grasping the face mask of another player while attempting to block or tackle him. Penalty yardage is 15.

・Spearing
Tackling or contacting an opponent with one's helmet. This foul is very dangerous because tackler has the risk of neck injuries.
 









Friday, January 11, 2013

week4:Position

 This week I will introduce the position in American football. In football, the position varies depending on the attacking and defensive side. In addition, the position is different depending on the type of play. This time I will explain the position using this basic formation. 






  Offense 


①Quarterback(QB)
    This position is a very important position to play the role of playmaker. Pass play begins with  quarterback throws the ball. In addition, sometimes quarterback runs. Quarterback requires a high understanding about strategy.




②③Running back(RB)
   Running back is a position that primarily run with ball. ② is called a "fullback", mainly responsible for the inside play. There is also a role of blocker to make runway tailback(③). Therefore, full back must have a good build addition and acceleration forces. ③ is called a "tailback", mainly responsible for the open play.  Tailback is required to have not only the speed of the foot, also cutting techniques. their job is to advance the ball forward even a little.

 

④⑤Wide receiver(WR)
    The wide receiver are pass-catching specialists. Their main job is to run pass routes and get open for a pass, and catch the ball. ④ is called a "split end", who is directly on the line of scrimmage. ⑤ is called a "flanker", who behind the line.

 

⑥⑦⑧Offensive line(OL)
    Offensive line is a position that make a runways of running back, or protect the quarterback from opponents in pass play. ⑥ is called "offensive tackle", and ⑦ is called "offensive guard". And ⑧ is called "center", it is a position to snap the ball to the quarterback



⑨Tight end(TE) 
    Tight end is a very interesting position.This position is like a combination of receiver and offensive line. By a tight end, a wider range of types of play.




Defense


⑩⑪Linebacker(LB)
    Linebacker is a position that can be called important key persons of the defense. Linebacker's performance depends on the situation, such as rushing on the quarterback,  covering receiver, and defending against the run. ⑩ is called "outside linebacker",and ⑪ is "middle linebacker". In particular, the middle linebacker is required instantaneous high analytical skills.



⑫⑬Defensive back(DB)
    Defensive back mainly makes a defense for pass play. For a wide range of defense, defense back is the need for high mobility. ⑫ is called a "cornerback", who rush on running back in run play-defense. ⑬ is called a "safety", who is the last line of defense and usually help the corners with deep-pass coverage.



⑭⑮Defensive line(DL)
    Defensive line is set in front of the offensive line. Their job is to break through the wall of the offensive line, not to advance the opponent's ball forward. ⑭ is called a "defensive end". their job is rushing on the quarterback, so they are also required agility as well as rugged physique. ⑮ is called "defensive tackle", who rush the passer and stop running play at the middle of the line of scrimmage. they is required the physique not defeated at running back to rush at full speed and courage.

There are also many other position, the basic position is described above.