The primary purpose for playing family football is to have fun. This fun can be maximized by following a few simple steps. This article discusses each of these steps in turn.
Choose a good day. This is usually a sunny weekend afternoon when many family and friends can participate. The football game needs to have a true family outing flavor like a picnic. This will heighten the excitement and get all participants in a ?have fun? spirit. If the game is a key part of the outing everyone will anticipate its happening.
Select a good location. The ideal place for the football game (and family outing) is a grassy park or playground with good picnic facilities. The football game will be an important part of the outing but so will the camaraderie of family and friends. It's a time for family fun together.
Choose two well balanced teams. Be sure that there are young inexperienced players on both sides as well as older more seasoned ones. This will ensure the proper standard of play and give everyone an opportunity to participate. A family football game must not be dominated by older, better players.
Ensure that all rough play is discouraged. For example, there should be very limited blocking and no tackling. With players of all skill levels on both sides there could be some rough play. Caution all players about rough play and stop it as soon as it occurs. In a friendly family game of football there is never any need for rough play.
Play by the rules. Even in a friendly, family football game there must be rules to guide the action. The rules can be simple and cover such areas as field dimensions, blocking, scoring, kicking and penalties. Take a few minutes at the start of the game to review the rules and answer any questions. There is not likely to be a referee for the game. Therefore, it's important that all players understand the rules in advance of any play and abide by them during play.
Family football can be great fun and good exercise. But it can also be a disaster if a few simple play guidelines are ignored. Listed here are the basics for a successful and fun-filled day of family football. Follow these and you will have a lot of family fun and exercise with no problems.
Robert J. Waugh, 2119 Main Street, Unit 2, Lubbock, TX 79401-2997, 1-806-792-0433
