Football 102
So yesterday I gave you a glossary of shorts to boost your football vocabulary. I hope you use it wisely, so that you go forth and style on someone.
When the offense (the team in control of the ball) tries to come up with clever ways to move the ball downfield, it’s called a play. The defense, on the other hand, moves around into different formations to best react to the clever plays of the offense. Today I’ll give you a few basic plays. There are 2 kinds of plays: Passing and Running.
There are two main factors: down and distance. The offensive coaches (the ones who decide which play to run) must consider which down in the series of four they are on and how far they have to go. If the team needs to move a lot of yards before reaching a first down, then a pass (which typically covers more ground than a run) is probably going to be called. If the offense only needs 1 yard before reaching the first-down marker, then a run will most likely be called.
Another factor in considering what play to call has to do with the safety and control of the football. A run puts the ball into the running back’s hands by means of low-risk handoff, and minimizes the risk of a turnover. If the ball is passed, there is a chance it could be off target or deflected, leading to a possible interception. Running is safer, but passing offers the opportunity for more yards.
*rings school bell*
Tommorrow class will be have a lesson on the current teams in the NFL.
We’ll start out with a few passing plays:
Curl or Hook – The curl or hook route is when the receiver runs straight ahead to a predetermined point (normally between 10 and 15 yards), stops and turns toward the quarterback to receive the pass. 
Deep Out – In the deep out, the wide receiver runs 10-15 yards down the field, quickly turns at a 90-degree angle toward the sideline, and attempts to catch the ball. (some folks like to call this play a Fade as well)
Slant – The slant route is when the receiver takes a few steps forward, cuts sharply at a 45- or 30-degree angle across the middle of the field and attempts to catch the ball.
Now that’s I’ve done a few passing plays lets move on to my fave…
Running Plays:
Quarterback Sneak – The QB sneak is a play in which the quarterback receives the snap of the ball and immediately runs forward as far as he can until he is tackled. This play is normally used when the offense only needs a few yards in order to pick up a first down or score a touchdown. 
Trap – The trap is a running play where the offensive line allows a defensive lineman to cross the line of scrimmage without blocking him (designated by the X). The defensive player thinks he is free to tackle the running back because no one is standing in front of him. What he does not see is the guard from the opposite side of the line who is running full speed (or pulling) in his direction. The guard hits the defensive player and forces him out of the area, creating an open space for the running back to run through.
Counter – The counter is a type of “misdirection” play, or a play designed to look like it is going in one direction when it really is going in the other direction. At the start of the play the quarterback will fake a handoff to the fullback. At the same time, the running back will take one step in the same direction as the fullback but then quickly cuts back in the opposite direction, at which time the quarterback hands him the ball. The running back normally runs in the area just left or right of the offensive tackle.
I didn’t wanna bore you too much with too many plays..but just enough to know a lil something. Maybe you shall see these in motion.
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