week3: Equipment

     Today, I will introduce equipments used in American football.
     Equipments fitted for players to play safely. Initially, equipments was thin. However, equipments became more and more robust with the trend of the times.







                                                                                     Today→

 ←A long time ago










1: Helmet
     Helmet is a equipment to protect the head. As can be seen from the figure above, helmet that has been used in the past were made ​​of leather. However, in order for the players to play more safely, helmets became more robust. At present, high hardness plastic helmet is used. There are about 2-3 kg weighs this helmet. So, the player is required in the neck muscle to play the game with wearing this helmet.







2: Face mask
    Face mask is a equipment to protect the face. First helmet was developed in 1896, but at that time helmets didn't have face mask. Plastic helmet was developed in 1939, and Face mask that is currently in use have been used since the 1950s. the shape of the face mask is slightly different depending on position.










3: Shoulder pad
    Sholder pad is a equipment to protect the sholder, chest, and back. Because very often the shoulder and chest is hit, it is made to very strong. A sholder pad is not only strong, but it has a structure which can absorb the impact. As with face mask, the shape is slightly different depending on position. For example, Shoulder pads that quarterback uses is a little small, because quarterback is the player who throw the ball. If the sholder pad was big, quaterback cannot throw the ball well. On the other hand, sholder pads that line uses is more bigger.  Offensive line and Diffensive line repeat the hard tackle, so they need big sholder pads.





4: Thigh pad & Knee pad
   These pads protect thigh and knee. There is a part to put pads on the back of the uniform.













5: Shoes
    Shoes that are used in American football is unique. Look at the tip of the sole. There is a pin. This pin does not exist in the shoes that are used in soccer and rugby football. Because there is this pin, the players can run firmly. In American football, the players will be asked to move quickly in any direction, rapid acceleration, and rapid deceleration. this pin is very important to move agilely.








6: Glove
      This glove helps the players to catch the ball. In the game of American football, catching ball which quarterback threw is very important. The result of  the game depend on whether the receiver catch the ball or not.











7: Mouthpiece
    This equipment is protect mouth. In addition, it is possible to firmly clenched, players can demonstrate the power efficiently. So, mouth piece is important.












8: Blocking pad
   Blocking pad is a equipment to protect the flank. In particular, since the running back is often tackled, the blocking pad is essential.












9:Neck roll
   This equipment protect the neck. This is used by sandwiching between the helmet and shoulder pads. Beginners always put it when practicing for safety.

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Week2:History

     The history of American football is long and very complex. And it is very interesting.
   First, I must describe the "Football". It is said that the origin of  Football is the festival of  villages. The rule at that time, so it was quite rough, win if the ball striking lithograph in the square. Of course, everyone has been observed actions such as hitting or kicking. 
   
      Over time, beyond the range of the festival, Football would be incorporated into the field of education, such as school. By football has been incorporated into the field of education, the rules of football have been developed in more detail.
   
    However, the rules are different depending on the area or schools and confusion has occurred during the game that takes place between the different school. So, that was growing movement to unify the rules.


   Mainly, football was divided into two lineages.

1. Eaton school groups.

　　・Players do not have the ball in hand.
     ・Players must not tackle an opponent.


As you know, this Football has evolved into soccer which is known by everyone today.


2.Rugby school groups.

   ・Players can handle a ball by hand.
   ・Players can tackle the opponent.

This Football has evolved into rugby and American football.


   In the late 1800s, Both of two types Football was introduced to the United States for the first time.
Initially, soccer-type Football was popular, but rugby-type Football was more popular gradually.
As same time,it was increased the momentum that will develop a uniquely American football.
   Then, Walter Camp, who had been working as a rugby player, was revised the rule,which is " Changing to scrimmage from scrum".  This revision is revolutionary and innovative, and it is not too much to say that at this moment is the birth of American football. So, Walter Camp is called "the father of American football".

                                                                      Walter Camp


      Since then, the revision is carried out many times, such as the introduction of "the down system", American football was to raise the degree of completion as a national sport. On the other hand, it was also growing criticism that American football is too dangerous. In fact, there were many injured people in the game of football. In addition, there are some players who lost their lives due to serious injury. 

  In the 1930s, American football faced abolition. But President Franklin D. Roosevelt is decided that we should not extinguish this uniquely American sport, so the rule of American football was revised more safety and protector became more rugged.

    In this way, American football has become a national sport in the United States.


    By the way, In japan, many people believe that the origin of American football is rugby football, but this idea is a little wrong. It is true that American football was born from rugby-type Football, and rugby football was also born from rugby-type Football. So, relation between American football and rugby football is sibling rather than the parent-child. 
   
     I will descrive the difference of rule between American football and rugby football after week.


  
  

week1: what's American football?

    what's American football?
 It's the most famous and popular sport in USA.
According to The Gallup Organization's savey, which is primarily a research-based performance-management consulting company, the most popular sport is American football (41%), the second is baseball(10%), the third is basketball(9%).  Seeing these parcentage, American football can be said that it's symbol sport of USA.
   American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven player, and  scoring points by carrying the ball to the opposing team's end zone.
 there are two ways to carry the ball.
   one is running with the ball, and the other is throwing it to a player.
Furthermore, there are four ways to scoring points.
The first way is going into the opposing team's end zone with a ball. Six scores can be scored by this way.
  The second way is catching a pass thrown in opposing team's end zone. Six scores also can be scored by this way.
 The third way is kicking the ball through the opponent's goal posts. three points scores can be scored by this way.
    The fourth way is tackling an opposing ball carrier  in his own end zone. By this way, two scores can be scored.
  By conbine these ways, two teams score points. the team which scores more points than the other team win when the game is finished.

     In the United States, the major forms are high school football, college football and professional football. Each of these are played under little different rules.
  High school football is governed by the National Federation of State High School Associations and college football by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. The highest level league for professional football is the National Football League.

  In Japan, American football is often mistaken for rugby football, and there are some reasons.
For example, both of Rugby football and American football is a sport that uses both the oval ball and they also match the image of moving forward with the ball further. However, in practice there is a difference in the ball slightly, the ball has a seam of American football, there is no seam in the rugby ball. This seam is very important when throwing a pass in American football.
   In addition, it is very similar image of stopping the opponent's play by heavy tackle. Few sports are considered heavy tackle are allowed, and this is the main reason for mistake Rugby football and American football.
Shows the difference between American football and rugby below.

 ・Each game proceeds split into two teams clearly offensive side and defensive side.

・ Each game proceeds split into two teams clearly offensive side and defensive side. The results of each play, is a clear pattern to be stopped (clock) proceeds directly measure game time. Therefore, I was also referred to as the "sport to compete with the clock" because it will be an important factor in the progress of time affect the course of the game, especially in the late game.
　

・There are many heavy contact such as block and tackle. For this reason, it is required to be equipped with  equipments such as a helmet or protector players.

There are many other minor differences.

I think this time, but there was only a brief introduction, we would like to tell about the football further in this blog.