Football Glossary
Action A wager of any kind.
Book An establishment that accepts wagers on the outcome of horseracing and sporting events.
Bookie Person who takes clients bets.
Bankroll Your available gambling money.
Beard A friend, acquaintance or other contact who is used to place bets so that the bookmakers will not know the identity of the actual bettor. Many top handicappers and persons occupying sensitive positions use this method of wagering.
Buck A $100 wager.
Buy Points Buy Points means that you can move the pointspread so that you give away less points with the favorite or get more points with the underdog, for both football and basketball. To do this you must pay an extra 10% for each ½ point you buy in your favor. For the NFL and NCAA football, you will pay an additional 15% to buy on or off of 3 points - also know as Key Points. And if you buy through 3 points, you will pay an additional 20%. NOTE: There are NO Key Points for basketball. You pay a flat 10% for each 1/2 point you buy. An example of how to buy off of 3 points: the Kansas City Chiefs (-3) are 3 point favorites. To buy 1/2 point and make them a 2.5 point favorite, you would need to lay $125 to win $100.
Buy Point Table (Football Key Points)
Buy 1/2 point to 3 100/125
Buy 1/2 point off 3 100/125
Buy 1 point to 3 100/135
Buy 1 point off 3 100/135
Buy 1/2 point any other 100/120
Buy 1 point any other 100/130
Canadian Line A combination point line and moneyline in hockey.
Chalk The favored team.
Chalk Player Someone who usually only plays the favored teams. Rarely bets on underdogs. Also known as Favorite Freddie.
Circle Game A game in which the betting action is severely limited. Usually occurs in those games that feature key injuries, inclement weather, or unsubstantiated rumors regarding a team. Most bookies "circle" all Ivy League Games.
Cover To bet the spread by the required number of points. If such occurs you have "covered the spread".
Dime Bet A $1000 wager.
Dog The underdog in any betting proposition.
Dof Player One who mostly plays the underdog.
Dollar Bet A $100 wager.
Double Bet A wager for twice the size of one's usual wager.
Due For A team that is "due for" whether it is a win or a loss; many bettors like to play "due for" situations.
East Coast Line Mainly used in hockey, which has a split-goal line e.g. - NY Rangers (1 - 1 ½) favorite over the Vancouver Canucks as opposed to goal spread plus moneyline (-1/2 -180).
Edge Advantage.
Even Money A wager in which no virgorish or juice is laid.
Exotic Wager Any bet other than a straight bet, i.e., parlays, teasers, if bets, reverses, round robin, round robin box reverses, etc.
Fixed Point shaving. Never say to a client that a game is fixed!
Future Bet Bets accepted well in advance.
Futures Odds posted on the winners of various major sport championships in advance of the event, including the Super Bowl, the World Series, the Stanley Cup and the NBA championship.
Getting Down Making a wager.
Going Down Losing.
Handicapper One who studies and rates sporting events.
Handle Total amounts of bets taken.
Hedging Placing bets on the opposite side in order to cut losses or guarantee winning a minimal amount of money.
Holding Your Own Neither winning or losing, just breaking even.
Hook A half point added to football and basketball betting lines.
Hooked Losing a wager by exactly one-half a point.
Hot Game A game which is drawing a lot of action on one side by knowledgeable handicappers.
Jucie The bookmaker's commission, also known as vigorish.
Laying The Points Betting on the favorite
Limit The maximum amount a bookmaker will allow you to bet before he changes odds and/or the points. Also the "cap" on what you can personally wager.
Line The listed odds on a game ( points or money line ).
Linemaker The person who establishes the original and subsequent betting lines.
Lock Easy winner,can not lose.
Longshot A team or horse that is unlikely to win.
"The Man" Bookie.
Middles To win both sides of the same betting proposition; betting the favorite team at -1.5 with one bookmaker and then taking +3.5 with another bookmaker; the game ends up with the favorite winning by exactly 3 points, you have then "middled the game"; a favorite betting method of "Wise Guys"
Money Line A moneyline is offered when no handicap is given, such as a pointspread or runline, and the odds are not therefore fixed. Payouts are then based on true odds rather than fixed odds. The favorite and underdog are given odds to win a game or fight. The minus sign (e.g.-130) always indicates the favorite and the amount you must bet to win $100. The plus sign (e.g.+110) always indicates the underdog and the amount you win for every $100 bet. Therefore based on the above moneyline, you bet $130 to win $100 on the favorite. For the underdog, you win $110 for every $100 bet.
Newspaper Line The betting line which quite often appears in the daily newspapers. The lines are only approximate and quiet often totally inaccurate and misleading.
Nickel A $500 wager.
Oddsmaker The same as a linemaker.
Odds On Favorite A horse,team or individual so favored by the public that the odds are less than even.
Off The Board A game on which the bookmaker will not accept action.
Off Lines The amount the Las Vegas pointspread differs from our computerized mathematical line.
Official Line The line that the bookmaker uses for wagering purposes. The line which comes from Las Vegas is quite often referred to as the official line; however, the line that your bookie offers you is actually your "official line". Many smart bettors like to know the Las Vegas official line so that they can compare to their local bookies in order to determine how badly they are being "faded".
Outlaw Line An early line which is not an official line. Quite often linemakers allow specially selected bettors to wager into the "outlaw line" before entering the line to the public. The linemakers respect these individuals and use their input to create a final opening number. This process is also called "ironing" or "flattening" the line.
Overplay An advantage for the bettor in which the price on a given wager is greater than the real probability of its success.
Over & Under A wager for the total score by both teams will more or less than the total posted by the sportsbook.
Parlay The number of teams in the parlay must all hit or the parlay loses. 2-team parlay pay 13-5 odds. 3-team parlay pay 5-1 odds. 4-team parlays pay 8-1 odds.
Parlay Cards Wagers on a minimum of 3 and up to 15 propositions; the more you pick, the higher the payoff.
Past Performance What has occurred previously to the forthcoming games.
Pick Occasionally, there will be no favorite on a game. In this instance the game is said to be a pick and you can bet 10/11 (bet $110 to win $100) on either team.
Pick'em Game Neither team is favored. Take your pick and lay 11 to 10.
Pointspread The pointspread - also called "the line" - is used as a margin to handicap the favorite team. The oddsmaker - also called the handicapper - "gives" points (or goals) to the underdog - for betting purposes only. The bettor must take either the favorite or the underdog. The favorite is always indicated by a minus sign (e.g. -8.5) and the underdog by a plus sign (e.g.+8.5). For betting purposes, the outcome of the game is determined by taking the actual game score and finding the difference between the scores of the two teams playing (called the pointspread or just the "spread").
For example - The Green Bay Packers are 8 point favorites over the Miami Dolphins(an 8 point spread shown as - 8 beside Green Bay on our "lines" page). If the final score is Green Bay 20 Miami 13, then the actual game score "spread" is 7 points (20 minus 13). In our example if you took Miami (called the "dog"), you would win the bet since
Green Bay had to win by 9 points or more to "cover the spread." Green Bay needed 2 more points to "cover" since if the game landed right on the "spread" of 8 points it would be called a "push" (similar in concept to a tie in Moneyline wagering, which is also called a push) and it would be "no action" (no bet and money held in your account to cover the wager is released back into your available balance). If the "spread" is put in at a half point (eg. -8.5 for the favorite Green Bay) by the Sportsbook handicappers then there can be no "push." In this case, there is "action" at any final game score pointspread. In a pointspread, you must wager $11 to win $10 ($21 is returned to the winner). 1 0/11 is the standard for pointspread bets on most sports.
Post Time The Schedule starting time.
Press To bet a larger amount than usual.
Price The odds or pointspread.
Proposition Bet A wager on a particular aspect of the game such as how many field goals will be made.
Puckline Hockey combines both a handicap/spread and odds. This is called the Puckline. Sample line:
Boston +1 (-110)
Detroit -1.5 (-110)
The favorites are the Detroit Red Wings, who are giving the Boston Bruins 1.5 goals.
To win the bet, Detroit would have to win the game by 2 goals. When placing this bet you are getting even money, which means that for every $110 you wager, you will win $100. If you are betting on Boston, you will receive a 1.0 goal handicap, meaning that if Detroit wins by 1 goal the game is a push. If the game ends in a tie or Boston wins, then you win the bet. The odds again are at -110.
Push If the result of a game lands exactly on the pointspread or is a tie in the case of betting a moneyline, or if the exact score of the game matches exactly the Sportsbook's posted game total (Total), then the game is a "Push" or "No Action" and all wagers are released back to the Available Account Balance .
Round Robin A form of parlay betting in which we wager various combining team wagers. A 3-team robin is team 1 to 2, 1 to 3, and 2 to 3. 4-team robin is team 1 to 2, 1 to 3, 1 to 4, 2 to 3, 2 to 4, and 3 to 4. 5-team, etc.
Run Line A line used when wagering on baseball.
Scouts Person(s) who study team plays and/or practice and report findings to handicappers.
Smart Money Sides that are bet on by the more knowledgeable handicappers.
Sport Player A person who waits for what he thinks is an unusually strong wager.
Steam When a betting line starts to move quite rapidly; most "steam games" do not necessarily reflect the "right side," but are games that the mass of bettors somehow decide to key on.
Score To make a big win.
Scratch To call off a wager.
Side When one side of a wager wins and the other side ties.
Smart Money Sides that are bet on by the more knowledgeable handicappers.
Sport Player A person who waits for what he thinks is an unusually strong wager.
Star Rating.
Steam When a betting line starts to move quite rapidly. Most "steam games" do not necessarily reflect the "right side", but are games that the mass of bettors somehow decide to key on.
The Store Bookie.
Ste\uck Behind, losing, buried, down for the week.
Sucker Bet A bet that is very disadvantageous to the player such as a public opinion gam.
Taking Wagering on the underdog; taking the odds.
Totals Total combined point/runs/goals scored in a game; In baseball, if either of the two listed starting pitchers don't go the bet is automatically cancelled.
Tout Someone who sells his opinions on sports or horse wagers.
Value Getting the best odds on a betting proposition; the highest possible edge.
Virgornish The commission paid to the bookmaker.
Wager Any Bet.
Wise Guy A sophisticated gambler.
Wood Laying points.
posted by Anonymous @ 10:09 AM
The Football Field
The Football Field
Learning the exact dimensions of the field is not necessarily that important, but it is good to have a basic knowledge of the field itself.
The playing field is 100 yards long.
It has stripes running across the field at five-yard intervals.
There are shorter lines, called hash marks, marking each one-yard interval. (not shown).
On each end of the playing field is an end zone (red section with diagonal lines) which extends ten yards.
The total field is 120 yards long and 160 feet wide.
Located on the very back line of each end zone is a goal post.
The spot where the end zone meets the playing field is called the goal line.
The yardage from the goal line is marked at ten-yard intervals, up to the 50-yard line, which is in the center of the field. After reaching the 50-yard line, the yardage markers start to descend (40, 30, 20, 10) every ten yards until they reach the opposite goal line.
The Teams
Each game features two teams playing against each other.
Each team is allowed 11 men on the field at a time. Any more than 11 could result in a penalty.
Unlimited substitution is permitted, but players may only enter the field when the ball is dead.
Each team is comprised of an offense, defense, and special teams.
If team A has possession of the ball, they use their offensive team to attempt to advance the ball toward the opponents endzone.
If team B has the ball, team A will use their defensive team to attempt to stop team B from advancing the ball.
If a kicking play is expected, both teams will use their special teams.
Object of the Game
The object of the game is to outscore your opponent by advancing the football into their endzone for as many touchdowns as possible while holding them to as few as possible. There are other ways of scoring, but a touchdown is usually the prime objective.
Beginning the Game
Before each game, the captains from each team and the referee meet at the center of the field for the coin toss.
The winner of the coin toss has the option of starting the game by kicking the ball to the other team or receiving the kickoff from the other team.
The game begins when one of the teams kicks off to the other.
The receiving team must catch the ball and try to advance it as far back toward the kicking team as possible.
The play ends when the player with the ball is knocked to the ground (tackled), or makes it all the way to the kicking team's endzone (touchdown).
The spot where the kick returner was tackled becomes the line of scrimmage. The line of scrimmage is a term for the place the ball is spotted before a play is run.
Once this starting point is established, the offensive squad of the receiving team will come in and try to move the ball toward the opposition's end zone.
What is Down and Distance?
Understanding down and distance is probably the biggest key to understanding football, so make sure you really understand this part before moving on to the next section.
Basically, a down is a play. From the time the ball is snapped (put into play), to the time the play is whistled over by the officials, is considered one down.
A team's offense is given four downs (plays) to move ten yards toward the opponent's end zone.
Distance is the number of yards a team needs to get a new set of four downs.
If they make the ten yards needed within four downs, they are given a new set of downs. This is called getting a first down.
If they don't make it the required ten yards, the other team's offense takes possession of the ball.
An Example
The first play of a series is called first-and-ten because it is the first down and ten yards are needed to receive a new set of four downs.
Suppose on the first play, the team on offense picks up three yards. The next play would then be second-and-seven, because it is the second play of the set and they still need seven yards to get a first down.
If they were to pick up six yards on the second play it would leave them one yard shy of the first down marker, therefore setting up a third-and-one situation. Third-and-one because it would be the third play of the series and they would still need one yard to get a first down.
If the team with the ball can pick up one yard or more on the third-down play, then they will be given a first down, which means they get to start all over with a new set of four downs.
A team can continue moving the football down the field as long as they continue to pick up first downs.
Fourth-Down Strategies
If a team fails to gain the required yardage on third down, several things could happen on fourth down:
A team can elect to "go for it" on fourth down and try to pick up the remaining yardage, but they run the risk of turning the ball over to the other team if they do not get to the first down marker. If they do not get the required yardage, the other team takes possession of the ball at the spot of the last tackle and now has four downs to move ten yards back in the other direction.
The majority of the time, teams will elect to "punt" the ball away on fourth down. A punt is simply a form of kicking the ball that gives possession of the ball to the other team, but also pushes them back considerably farther away from the end zone.
Another option is to kick a field goal. If a team feels they are close enough to kick the ball between the upright bars of the goal post in their opponent's endzone, they may attempt a field goal, which is worth three points when converted successfully.
After a Score
After a team scores via a touchdown or field goal, they must, in turn, kick off to the other team, and the process begins all over again.
Methods of Scoring
The biggest goal for an offense, every time they take possession of the ball, is to score a touchdown. To score a touchdown, a player must carry the ball across the opposition's goal line, or catch a pass in the end zone. Once the ball crosses the plane of the goal line while it is in a player's possession, it is scored a touchdown. A touchdown is worth six points.
The team scoring a touchdown is given the bonus of trying to add one or two more points. These are called extra point conversion attempts.
If a team elects to go for two extra points, they will line up at the two-yard line and make one attempt at either running or passing the ball into the end zone. If they make it, they are awarded two points. If they don't, they get no extra points.
They can also elect to go for just one extra point by kicking the ball through the goal posts from the two-yard line.
Another way for a team to score is by kicking a field goal. When a team finds themselves in a fourth-down situation, many times they will attempt to kick a field goal if they feel they are close enough for their kicker to kick the football between the upright bars of the goal post in the opponent's endzone. A field goal is worth three points.
A team can also pick up two points by tackling an opponent possessing the ball in their own end zone. This is called a safety!
To summarize:
Touchdown = 6 points
Extra Point Conversion = 1 point
Two-Point Conversion = 2 points
Field Goal = 3 points
Safety= 2 points
posted by Anonymous @ 9:56 AM
More Football Basics
Essentials
Football is a game of territory and strategy.
22 players are on the field at one time — 11 per team.
An NFL game is made up of four 15-minute quarters, plus a 15-minute sudden-death overtime if the score is tied after regulation time.
A 12-minute halftime falls between the second and third quarters.
Each team is entitled to three time outs per half.
The Three "Teams" Within a Football Team
Offense — controls the movement of the ball and attempts to score touchdowns (worth 6 points) by passing or running.
Defense — attempts to stop the offense from scoring by tackling runners, deflecting passes, intercepting passes, or causing fumbles.
Special Teams — a group of specialists who take the field during kicking situations: punts, field goals, extra points and kickoffs.
The Offense
The offense attempts to score by passing or running the ball.
Positions:
Quarterback — leader of the team, high profile, executes most plays.
Center — lines up over the football, in the center of the offensive line; snaps the ball to the quarterback to begin each play.
Guards — each offensive team has two guards who line up on either side of the center.
Tackles — each offensive team has two tackles who line up outside the guards.
Tight end — lines up just outside the tackle (close or tight).
Wide Receivers — line up 10-15 yards wide of the offensive line; receive passes thrown by the quarterback.
Running Backs — line up behind the quarterback in the backfield; run with the ball, block, and receive passes from the quarterback.
The Defense
The defense attempts to prevent scoring opportunities by tackling offensive players short of a first down or causing the offense to lose control of the ball (called turnovers).
Positions:
Defensive Tackle — lines up on the defensive line; responsible for stopping the offensive charge; either one or two defensive tackles play depending on defensive formation.
Defensive Ends — line up on the defensive line; responsible for containing the outside running game and for rushing the quarterback; a successful rush of the quarterback results in a sack; two defensive ends play at all times (see definitions).
Linebackers — line up 2-3 yards in back of the tackles and ends; responsible for stopping the run and also for covering receivers on passing plays; occasionally rush the quarterback (referred to as a blitz).
Cornerbacks — line up opposite wide receivers; responsible for covering receivers and providing support in stopping the running game; typically two cornerbacks play depending on the defensive and offensive formations.
Safeties — line up 8-10 yards from the line of scrimmage; responsible for providing support in pass coverage (essentially the safety net against a long gain of yardage by the offense); typically two safeties play depending on the defensive and offensive formations.
The Special Teams
Special Teams are responsible for kicking a ball or returning a kicked ball from the other team, and are frequently labeled kicking teams, or receiving.
Kickoffs — start the game; start the second half; start play after team scores.
Field-Goal Attempt — an effort by the offensive special team to score 3 points by kicking the ball between the uprights.
Punt — an exchange of possession in which the offensive team tries to pin the ball in the defensive team's end of the field.
Kick Returns — after the kicking team attempts to catch it and advance as far as possible toward the opposite end zone
Downs and Scoring
Downs
Fans' knowledge of football varies greatly. If you are new to the sport and would like to learn more, here are a few basics.
Downs are a series of offensive plays.
The offense has four downs to move the ball 10 yards.
Upon moving the ball 10 yards, the offensive team receives another set of downs.
First Down — first try (first and 10 yards to go).
Second Down — second try.
Third Down — third try.
Fourth Down — last and final try; with options (see below).
Go For It — try to get the yardage necessary to attain a first down or a touchdown.
Kick a Field Goal — attempt to score three points by kicking the ball between the uprights.
Punt — kick the ball to the other team in hopes of keeping it as far away from your goal line as possible.
Scoring
Touchdown: six points
Running the ball or completing a pass to a player who carries the ball into the opponent's end zone.
Extra Point: one or two points
An effort to score points after a touchdown by either:
A. Kicking the ball through the uprights (one point).
B. Running or completing a pass to a player who carries the ball into the end zone from two yards away (two points due to difficulty).
In either case, the offensive team gets only one opportunity to execute a point after a touchdown.
Field Goal: three points
Field goals usually are attempted in 4th-down situations (last attempt or try in a series of downs).
Special teams will attempt a field goal if it feels the kicker is close enough to the end zone to kick the ball through the uprights.
A field-goal attempt must clear the crossbar and go between the uprights.
Safety: two points
Safeties are the rarest of all the scoring opportunities. The defensive team is credited with two points if it tackles an offensive player in his own end zone.
Don't confuse the term "safety" with the defensive position.
posted by Anonymous @ 9:51 AM
Football Basics
An indoor padded surface 85 feet wide and 50 yards long with eight-yard end zones. Goal posts are nine feet wide with a crossbar height of 15 feet (NFL goal posts are 18-1/2 feet wide with the crossbar at 10 feet). The goal-side rebound nets are 30 feet wide by 32 feet high. The bottoms of the nets are eight feet above the ground. Sideline barriers are 48 inches high and made of high-density foam rubber.
The Equipment
The official football is the same size and weight as the National Football League ball. Spalding manufactures each ball.
The Players and Formations
Eight players on the field, 20 man active roster and four-man inactive roster. Players play offense and defense with the exception of the kicker, quarterback, offensive specialist (the kick returner on defense) and two defensive specialists. Substitution: All non-specialists may substitute only once during each quarter. Four (4) offensive players must line up on the line of scrimmage. Three (3) defensive players must be down linemen (in a three of four-point stance). One linebacker may blitz on either side of the center. Alignment is two (2) or more yards off the line of scrimmage. No stunting or twisting. Offensive motion: Once receiver may go in forward motion before the snap.
Timing
Four “15-minute” quarters with a “15-minute” halftime. (Games on NBC will have a 12-minute halftime) The clock stops for out-of-bounds plays or incomplete passes only in the last minute of each half or when the referee deems it necessary for penalties, injuries or timeouts. Each team is allowed three (3) time-outs per half.
Movement Of The Ball And Scoring
Four (4) downs are allowed to advance the ball ten (10) yards for a first down, or to score, six (6) points for a touchdown, one (1) point for a conversion by place kick after a touchdown, two (2) points for a conversion by drop kick, two (2) points for successful run or pass after a touchdown, three (3) points for a field goal by placement or four (4) points for a field goal by drop kick and two (2) points for a safety.
The Kicking
Kickoffs are from the goal line. Kickers may use a one-inch tee.
Punting is illegal. On fourth down, a team may go for a first down, touchdown or field goal. The receiving team may field any kickoff or missed field goal that rebounds off the net. Any kickoff untouched, which is out of bounds, will be placed at the 20-yard line or the place where it went out of bounds; whichever is more advantageous to the receiving team.
Passing
Passing rules in Arena Football are the same as outdoor NCAA Football in which receivers must have one foot inbounds. A unique exception involves the rebound nets. A forward pass that rebounds off of the end zone net is a live ball and is in play until it touches the playing surface.
Overtime Rules
Overtime periods are 15 minutes during the regular season and the playoffs. Each team gets one possession to score. If, after each team has had one possession, one team is ahead, that team wins. If the teams are tied after each has had a possession, the next team to score wins. PLAYOFF QUALIFICATION, SELECTION OF TEAMS
The rank order for teams qualifying to participate in playoffs will be established by utilizing the following formula:
Playoff Format
Division Champion is not guaranteed a playoff berth. Seeding will be by overall record using current tiebreaker rules. Only the Division Champion takes precedent over another division opponent in all tiebreaker situations.
Tiebreakers to determine Division Champion
1. Record in head-to-head games.
2. Record within the division.
3. Record against common opponents.
4. Margin of victory in head-to-head games.
5. Margin of victory in games against common opponents.
6. Coin toss.
(Clarification: Any non-Division Champion is not included in any tiebreaker, of which their own Division Champion is a part, until that Division Champion has been seeded)
The First-Round format is as follows:
No. 8 seed @ No. 1 seed
No. 7 seed @ No. 2 seed
No. 6 seed @ No. 3 seed
No. 5 seed @ No. 4 seed
The Semifinals format is as follows:
Lowest remaining seed @ highest remaining seed
“Second-lowest” remaining seed @ “second-highest” remaining seed.
The two remaining teams will compete in Arena Bowl XVIII, which will be played at the home venue of the highest remaining seed.
Tie-Breaking Procedures
If, at the end of the regular season and after Division Champions are determined, two or more clubs are tied with identical won-lost percentages, the following steps will be followed to determine playoff seeds.
Two Clubs
1. Head-to-head (best won-lost percentage in games among clubs).
2. Point differential in those head-to-head games.
3. Best “won-lost” percentage in common games, if applicable.
4. Strength of schedule (strength up).
5. Best net (total) touchdowns in all games.
6. Coin toss.
Three Or More Clubs
If two clubs remain tied after a third club is eliminated during any step, tiebreaker reverts to step 1 of the two-club format. If one team wins multiple-team tiebreaker to advance to playoff round, remaining teams revert to step 1 of the two-club format.
(All teams must have played head-to-head for step 1 to be utilized in a multiple-team tie)
1. Head-to-head (best won-lost percentage in games among clubs).
2. “Best won-lost” percentage in common games, if applicable.
3. Strength of schedule (strength up).
4. Best net (total) touchdowns in all games.
5. Coin toss.
posted by Anonymous @ 9:39 AM
Football Betting Lines
The two most popular ways of expressing odds in American football are point spreads and money lines. We have previously discussed point spreads and in this article, we will discuss football betting money lines, how to read them, and use an NFL football game as an example to illustrate a money line bet.
The easiest way to understand a money line, is to think of it as an indication of the amount you need to bet to win $100 (or 100 of whatever currency you are betting in) or the amount you will win if you bet $100. Money lines are expressed with a negative number, say -110, or a positive number, say +110. A negative money line number indicates what you must wager to win $100, and a positive money line number indicates what you will win if you wager $100.
If you bet $110 on a team with a money line of -110, and they win, you will win $100 (plus return of your original $110 bet).
If you bet $100 on a team with a money line of +110, and they win, you will win $110 (plus return of the original $100 bet). Unlike point spread bets, the teams do not have to win by any particular number of points.
Now, you do not have to bet an amount equal to the money line number. You can bet more or less and the payoff simply becomes a proportional amount. For example, if you bet $11 on a money line of -110, and your bet wins, you will win $10. If you bet $50 on a money line of +110, and win, you will win $55.
A Football Money Line Bet
Money line bets are common in many sports, particularly in NFL football betting. Here, we will look at some examples of money line bets using NFL football games.
Example 1
The Oakland Raiders are playing the New York Jets. You want to place a bet on the Raiders who are expected to win the game. The money line lists the Raiders at -110 and the Jets at +110. You place $110 on the Raiders. If the Raiders win, you win $100 (plus your original $110 bet). If you had bet $100 on the Jets, and they had won, you would win $110 (plus your original $100 bet).
Example 2
In the same example, you place a $55 bet on the Raiders. If the Raiders win, you win $50 (plus your original $55 bet). If you had bet $50 on the Jets, and they had won, you would win $55 (plus your original $50 bet).
Example 3
We'll use the same example but change the money line. The money line now lists the Raiders at -165 and the Jets at +145. You place $165 on the Raiders. If the Raiders win, you win $100 (plus your original $165 bet). If you had bet $100 on the Jets, and they had won, you would win $145 (plus your original $100 bet).
Money lines are not nearly as complicated as they first appear. Place a few bets and they will become second nature.
posted by Anonymous @ 8:34 AM
Football Betting Guide
Learn what factors determine opening lines and successfully use this info to your advantage
Before we jump right into some successful angles to take when betting football, college or the pros, lets take a look at how the opening lines are established and what factors determine where those lines open at. Linesmakers look at several key aspects such as: power ratings, homefield advantage, key matchups between the teams, trends, and how the public financially backs the two teams on a game by game basis. By understanding how and why the bookmakers set the lines where they do will give you an advantage as you begin to make a case for the team you wish to put action on.
Power Rankings- Are simply a numerical value given to symbolize a team's overall talent, ability, and to a certain extent potential. The better teams will carry a higher number value, while the worst teams will be tagged with a lower number value. For college and the NFL my rankings are broken into three primary categories, Offense, Defense, Special Teams, and several sub categories such as: Passing Offense, Passing Defense&and so on and so fourth. The hardest part about establishing an accurate and functional power rating system is keeping it updated. Since power ratings have such a great influence on opening lines I would recommend any gambler take a few minutes in the off season to establish his or her own power ratings system. If you are extremely tapped on time then a simple search on the Internet should produce some efficient sources for power rankings.
Home Field Advantage- Is perhaps the most overlooked factor when making the choice of which team to place action on. It is no secrete that Joe Public loves to put action on favorites and this is an area that many people fall victim to. The bookmaker knows that the public is more inclined to bet a team that is 9-4 on the road than put their faith in a team that is 4-9 and playing at home. Using this knowledge the bookmaker will usually over inflate the line. Since 2000- all the way up to this year you could have taken every home underdog in the NFL and hit at about a 57% clip. As more people begin to catch onto this trend the bookmakers have adjusted the lines a bit. However, you can still exploit this weakness by doing some careful research. Always remember that as a general rule of thumb the line should be adjusted 3 points in favor of the visiting team unless some unusual factors such as injuries or poor home field performances come into play.
Key Matchups- This is the most influential factor on opening lines. Oddsmakers will spend hours dissecting matchups such as, O-line vs. D-line, Pass offense vs. Passing defense&and so on. Weather you are an experienced handicapper or a casual gambler YOU MUST DO SOME RESEARCH IN THIS AREA to have any type of long-term success. In most cases you will find that success and the time spent researching matchups have a direct profound relationship. The more time you spend analyzing the teams involved the more success you will have picking the correct side or total.
Trends- Trends are historical data gathered from previously played games. Oddsmakers do take this into consideration but do not factor this aspect into the lines as much as they should. The reason for this is simple. The books know that the public will bet the favorite (9-4 Rams) even if they are 0 for their last 5 when playing on grass on the road. This is an area that players can take complete advantage of since the oddsmakers do not take trends into "serious" consideration. You do not have to have countless files or be a human sports almanac to take advantage and exploit this weakness. All you need to do is read a few game matchups from a few different sites and for the most part they will mention some trends in the writeup.
Public Financial Backing- Simply put, who does the public like? Everyone has heard that bookmakers love to have balanced action because the house cannot lose. While this is true it also somewhat of a myth. The books will adjust their lines according to what they perceive the public will do. For instance if a team that is 11-2 is on the road playing a team that is 5-8 the book may opt to over adjust the line and inflate the number so to speak. This has all the makings of what is known as a "trap game". This type of strategy also works the opposite way. The key is accurately determining which way the line is over adjusted.
There are several different strategies used by bookmakers to help influence which side the money comes in on. They can limit the amount of action on a game by posting a total or side that is just too risky to play. For instance they may post a game total of 33 when two defensive teams play one another. This will either shy people away or cause balanced action locking in the books built in profit. Or they may use the trap tactic in special situations as they arise. Another useful tactic is using key numbers to their advantage. For example, the book may be unsure as to which way the line is going to move so the set the side at 5. This means that the line can move a full point without crossing any key numbers (many football games end with a 4 or 6 differential as apposed to a 5).
Now that you know the enemy, you can determine several different angles to take before putting action on a game. In order to be a successful player you NEED to do some type of research. The secrets to success are simple. Know your enemy (the bookmaker) and try to understand why a line is set where it is. Do your homework. Use what you have seen in the games that you have watched. Never ever bet with your heart or on a team just because they "should" win by 14.
posted by Anonymous @ 8:25 AM
Football Betting
BET # TEAM LINE TOTAL M/L TIME
501 FALCONS 47 +180 1:00
502 BRONCOS -7 -200
Above is an example of what the line might look like in football. The computer betting number for the Falcons is 501; for the Broncos it is 502. The Broncos are a seven point favorite. This is indicated by the -7, to the right of their name. The Falcons, therefore, are a seven point underdog. The number 47 indicates the total (over/under). The +180 and -200 represents the money line. The game will start at 1:00 p.m. Nevada time. The bottom team listed is the home team.
In football wagering, a point spread is used to attempt to equalize two teams. In the above example, the Broncos are a seven point favorite over the Falcons. If you wanted to wager on the Broncos, they would have to win the game by more than seven points in order for you to win your bet.
If you would have decided to wager on the Falcons, then in order for you to win your bet the Falcons would have to either win the game or lose by less than seven points. Should the broncos win by exactly seven points, it is classified as a tie and all wagers on both teams would be refunded.
The number 47 is the total (over/under) number. You may wager on whether the combined final score on both teams will be either over or under this number. Should the total combined final score end exactly on 47, then all bets would be classified as a tie, and all wagers would be refunded. All points scored in sudden death overtime are counted in the final score.
When betting the over/under, it does not matter who wins the game, only how many points are scored. In football, when betting on the point spread or the totals, the player wagers $11.00 to win $10.00.
The money line bet is indicated by +180 on the Falcons and -200 on the Broncos. Money line is a wager for a particular team to win the game without consideration of the point spread. For example: if you bet the Broncos to win the game you would wager $2.00 to win $1.00 for a total return of $3.00. If you bet the Falcons to win the game, you would wager $1.00 to win $1.80 for a return of $2.80.
Football Parlays
You may combine two or more teams or totals in a single wager. In parlay wagering, as in teaser wagering, ALL included in a parlay must win by a margin as adjusted by the point spread. The more teams included in a parlay, the greater the payoff. In the event of a tie in any game, or total, the parlay is reduced to the next betting bracket. Thus, a four team parlay with one tie would simply become a three team parlay. Minimum parlay bets are $10.00.
Football parlay payoff prices are as follows:
Two team parlay 13 to 5
Three team parlay 6 to 1
Four team parlay 10 to 1
Five team parlay 20 to 1
Six team parlay 40 to 1
Again, in a parlay, all teams must cover their point spread, as printed on your ticket.
Football Teasers
The generally a sportsbook offers 6, 6 1/2 and 7 point teasers. You may choose from two to six teams in a teaser. A teaser wager allows you to adjust the point spread in your favor by 6, 6 1/2 or 7 points. All teams selected in a teaser combination must win by a margin as adjusted by the teaser point spread. In a two team teaser involving a tie, wager is considered no action and money is refunded.
posted by Anonymous @ 8:09 AM
American Football
American football, known in the United States (only in English) as simply football, is a competitive team sport that rewards players' speed, agility, tactics, and brute strength as they push, block, tackle, chase, and outrun each other, trying to force a ball further into their opponent's territory for one hour of game time, which translates into three to four hours of real time. Like most team sports (and individual sports in the context of a meet like the Olympics), American football is often seen as a metaphor for war. It is one of the more physically demanding sports, as there is a great deal of physical contact occurring on every play as players often weighing 300 pounds or more shove each other with every ounce of their strength, and with a clearly defined front line, moving up and down the field, separating the offensive and defensive squads. American football does not much resemble soccer, the sport which most of the rest of the world, with the notable exception of many of the nations in the British Commonwealth, calls "football". It does owe its heritage to soccer, however. Rugby Union, "Rugby Football" or simply "Rugby" evolved from soccer when players began carrying the ball, and American football still has some things in common with rugby, especially rugby league.
Popularity
Football is extremely popular in the US. Since the 1990s it has surpassed even baseball as the nation's most popular spectator sport. The professional league, the National Football League (NFL), which consists of 32 teams, is very popular. Its championship game, the Super Bowl, is annually watched by nearly half of US television households, and is also televised in over 150 other countries.
College football is extremely popular, with many major colleges and universities playing NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) Division I football, and consistently selling out huge stadiums. College games are widely televised and widely watched. Many colleges in lower NCAA divisions and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) have varsity football teams, as do most high schools. There are also amateur, club and youth teams (such as teams in the Pop Warner leagues). In addition to those leagues and teams, now there is an American Football World Cup. In addition, there are many "semi-pro" teams, meaning the players are paid to play, but at a small enough salary that they generally must also have a full-time, more traditional job.
Naming
The word football has a number of different meanings. In the United States football almost always means what, in the rest of the English-speaking world, is usually called American football (or in some cases Gridiron football). In most of the rest of the world, the word football means the game that is called soccer in the US, although it is occasionally called Association football or International football. Soccer, the most popular form of football world-wide, is also popular in the US, particlarly as a participation sport for children. It is played at all levels, youth, amateur, high school, college and professional, and in internationals by teams involving both sexes.
The name football might seem a curious name for the sport of American football, as the players' feet rarely have much to do with the ball -- kicking the football is only allowed in certain situations and is most often inadvisable. The vast majority of game time involves players holding the ball in their hands as they run. However, the sport is a direct descendant of rugby union football (which in turn descended from soccer), as explained below, and has retained the name.
In the remainder of this article, the word football refers to American football.
Professional, college, and other leagues
Football is played at a number of levels in the United States. These include the following.
Professional football (NFL)
Women's football
Arena football - (professional) played indoors
College football - played by many US colleges (very popular)
High School football - played by most high schools
Amateur and youth league football
Flag football - non-tackle; almost exclusively amateur
Touch football - also non-tackle and almost exclusively amateur
The descriptions on this page are based primarily on the current rules of the National Football League (NFL, 1920-present). Differences with college rules will be noted.
Professional, college, high school, and amateur rules are similar. The minor Arena Football League (1987-present) plays an indoor adaptation of American football, at a faster pace, on a smaller field with no built-in sidelines -- the edges of the grid are coincident with padded walls similar to those found in a baseball outfield. Flag football and touch football are non-tackle versions of American football.
The game
Play in American football consists of a series of individual plays of short duration, between which the ball is not in play. Substitutions are allowed between plays, which allows for a great deal of specialization, as coaches put in players they think are best suited for any particular situation. The game is very tactical and strategic. With 22 players on the field at a time, (eleven on each team), each with an assigned task for a given play, the strategies are complex.
Object of the game
The object of the game is to advance the ball to the opponents' end of the field and score points. The team with the most points when time has expired wins.
Duration, kickoffs and free kicks
The game is 60 minutes long, divided into two halves separated by a halftime. Each half consists of two quarters, each 15 minutes long. Teams change ends of the field after the first and third quarters. If a game is tied at the end of regulation, overtime is played. Overtime periods are "sudden death", meaning that the teams that scores first, by any means, wins.
A kickoff is a special play used to start each half, and also used to restart the game following a field goal, or a conversion attempt following a touchdown. One team kicks the ball, usually from its own 30-yard line, although a kickoff may occur elsewhere due to a penalty on the preceding play. (Note: the ball is usually kicked from the 35 yard line in college football). The ball must be kicked from the ground (not punted) and in bounds at least 10 yards away. Once the ball has traveled 10 yards upfield it can be fielded by either team. The ball is usually just kicked deep to the receiving team, but sometimes a team will attempt to recover its own kick, in a play that is known as an onside kick.
A free kick is used to restart the game following a safety, which doesn't happen often. The team that was trapped in its own end zone, and therefore conceded two points to the other team, kicks the ball from its own 20-yard line. A free kick may be punted if the kicking team so chooses.
Methods of scoring
Points can be scored in the following ways.
A field goal, worth 3 points, is scored by placing the ball on the ground and kicking it between the uprights of the goal posts. (If a field goal is missed, the ball is returned to the original line of scrimmage [in the NFL, the spot of the kick], and possession is given to the other team.)
A touchdown, worth 6 points, is achieved when a player has legal possession of the ball within the opponents' end zone. Scoring a touchdown is the ultimate goal of the offensive team.
One or two extra points may be scored following a touchdown. The team which scored the touchdown is given a conversion attempt (also called a "try"). The ball is spotted at the 2 yard line (NFL) or 3 yard line (college), and the team which scored the touchdown is allowed to run a single play in which they may score either one or two additional points. The defending team can only score during a conversion attempt by the other team in college football, where if a defender gets possession of the ball and carries it into the opposing end zone, his team gets two points. This rule was adopted by the NCAA in 1990, but is not used anywhere else.
An extra point, worth 1 point, is scored in the same way as a field goal is scored during regular play.
A two-point conversion is scored in the same way as a touchdown is scored during regular play.
A safety, worth 2 points, is scored when a player is either tackled or goes out of bounds within his own end zone, in either case while carrying the ball.
The field
The field
The field is a rectangle 120 yards long and 53 1/3 yards wide, defined by sidelines running the length of the field and endlines running the width. There is a goal line ten yards in from each end line and parallel to it. The two goal lines are thus 100 yards apart. The area of the field between the goal lines is called the field of play. At each end of the field, the end zone is the area between the goal line and the end line.
Within the field of play, additional markings include yard markers, as well as inbound lines (also called hash marks), every yard the length of the field. The inbound lines (hash marks), which are short lines perpendicular to the yard markers, are 70-3/4 feet from the sidelines in the NFL. (Note: the hash marks are closer to the sidelines in college football) Every 5 yards, the yard markers run the width of the field, and every 10 yards, they are marked by numbers indicating the distance, in yards, from the nearest goal line.
At the center of each end line is a set of goal posts, which have two upright posts extending above a crossbar. The distance between upright posts is 18-1/2 feet, and the top of the crossbar is 10 feet above the ground.
Play of the game
A game consists of many individual plays. The vast majority of these are scrimmage plays. Each play from scrimmage is one of a series of downs given to the team with possession. These two concepts, the concept of scrimmage, and the concept of downs, are fundamental to American football, and are what distinguish it, as well as Canadian football, from most other forms of football. However, rugby league does have a similar system where each side is allowed to be tackled five times while in possession (see the entry for rugby league for an explanation of the play-the-ball and the limited tackles rule).
A set of downs begins with a first down, which is given to a team either after it has just gained possession on the previous play, or it has gained the necessary yardage from a previous set of downs. On a first down, the team with possession is given four downs to gain 10 yards (they have "a first and ten", meaning that it is first down, and they need ten yards to get another first down). The line a team must reach in order to gain a first down is technically called the line to gain, although it is commonly called first down yardage. The team with possession is called the offensive team, and the other team the defensive team.
Plays from scrimmage
Each down is a play from scrimmage. Prior to each play from scrimmage, the two teams line up on opposite sides of a line of scrimmage, which is defined by the spot of the ball from the previous play. The spot is, in most cases, the yard line at which the ball became dead on the previous play, plus or minus any penalty yardage. A down, or play from scrimmage, begins with a snap and ends when the ball becomes dead for any reason. A snap is either a handoff between the legs from the center to the quarterback, or it is a pass between the legs from the center to the quarterback, or possibly to a player other than the quarterback, such as a punter or a holder for a field goal attempt. The ball may become dead, ending the down, because a player in possession is tackled, or because his forward progress is stopped, or because he goes out of bounds, or because a forward pass goes incomplete.
Advancing the ball
There are two methods that can be used to advance the ball while still maintaining possession:
Running with the ball - The quarterback, who is the player that normally has the ball following the snap, may run the ball but, more often, he either hands the ball, or throws a short pass to a running back, who then becomes the ball carrier. Most other players on the offense have blocking assignments.
A forward pass - A forward pass may only be thrown on a play from scrimmage, and only from behind the line of scrimmage. It must be thrown to an eligible receiver (any player who is not an interior lineman). A completed pass is one caught by an eligible receiver. The player may run with the ball after catching it. An incomplete pass is any forward pass that either hits the ground or goes out of bounds, at which point the ball becomes dead, and is spotted at the preceding line of scrimmage for the following play. An interception is a pass caught by the defense, which transfers possession to the defending team, which may then run with the ball.
It is important for the offense to run a variety of running and passing plays in order to keep the defense uncertain of the next play. If the quarterback has two broken fingers on his throwing hand, for example, the defense can safely risk lining up in a run defense for nearly every play, which should successfully squelch the offense's running backs.
Fourth down situations
If a team uses all four of its downs without gaining the yardage for a first down, possession goes to the other team. Fourth down situations are therefore pivotal. The offense has three choices: "go for it", punt, or attempt a field goal.
Things the offense may decide to do on fourth down:
"go for it" - If the distance required for a first-down is short, a team may elect to go for it -- mount a regular running or passing play -- on fourth down, but this is often risky: failing to make the next first down gives the ball to the opposing team, usually with much better field position than a kick would leave them with. The safe thing to do is usually to kick the ball.
punt - A team will punt in order to gain better field position.
attempt a field goal - Field goal attempts must be made with the ball on the ground (they cannot be punted), so a player called a holder holds the ball for a kicker. (In times past, a kicker might have tried a "drop kick" -- that is, droping the ball and kicking it after it bounces off the ground -- and if the kicker kicks it through the goalposts, it is a field goal. This is difficult to do, as the ball is in the shape of a prolate spheroid and its bounce is unpredictable. Nowadays, the only time you will see this is by a hurried kicker after a broken play.) Failed field goal attempts, if they are short, can be returned by the opponent, but the ball usually goes past the end line and can't be returned. If the field goal attempt fails, the ball is spotted at the original line of scrimmage, and possession is given to the other team. (In the NFL, failed field goal attempts are spotted at the spot of the kick.)
A team will occasionally run a trick play on fourth down. They will line up as if to punt or attempt a field goal, but will instead run the ball or pass it in an attempt to pick up a first down.
Specialized units and players
With its unlimited substitutions, American football is highly specialized, with most teams having three specialized units: an offensive unit, a defensive unit, and special teams. There are many specialized players within each units. Some players may only be used in certain situations. (for details see: offensive unit, defensive unit, special teams.)
Penalties
Some of the more common penalties are listed below. In most cases the offending team will be assessed a penalty of 5, 10 or 15 yards, depending on the infraction. There may also be a loss of down for a penalty against the offense. A penalty against the defense may result in an automatic first down. In some cases, the offense will be given the option of declining the penalty and taking the yardage gained on the play. For some infractions by the defense, the penalty is applied in addition to the yardage gained on the play. Most of a number of personal fouls, which involve danger to another player, carry 15-yard penalties.
Note: The neutral zone is the space defined by lines drawn through the ends of the ball parallel to the yard lines when the ball is spotted and ready for play. No player may legally have any part of his body in the neutral when the ball is snapped, with the exception of the center.
Penalties against the offense
False start (5 yards) - a lineman moving before the snap in a way that simulates the start of the play
Illegal motion (5 yards) - having more than one back in motion at the snap
Illegal shift (5 yards) - not being set before the snap
Illegal formation (5 yards) - having less than 7 players on the line of scrimmage
Delay of game (5 yards) - allowing too much time to elapse before the snap
Ineligible receiver downfield (5 yards) - a lineman beyond the neutral zone prior to a forward pass
Illegal forward pass (5 yards and loss of down) - thrown from beyond the neutral zone, or a second forward pass on the same play.
Holding (10 yards) - illegal use of the hands or arms while blocking
Offensive pass interference (10 yards) - interfering with a defender attempting to catch a pass
Intentional grounding (10 yards and loss of down) - throwing the ball into the ground to avoid being tackled
Clipping (15 yards) - an illegal block from behind below the waist
Illegal block (15 yards) - usually a "crackback block".
Penalties against the defense
Offsides (5 yards) - making contact with an offensive lineman before the ball is snapped. or being in the neutral zone when the ball is snapped. The offense can decline the penalty and take the yardage gained on the play.
Running into the kicker (5 yards) - during a kick from scrimmage
Pass interference - in the NFL, an automatic first down and the ball is moved forward to the location of the interference -- a devastating penalty if the play was a long pass. In college and high school football, 15 yards and an automatic first down.
Piling on (15 yards)
Roughing the kicker (15 yards) - tackling the kicker after he has kicked the ball
Roughing the passer (15 yards) - tackling the quarterback after he has thrown a forward pass
Penalties against either team
Too many players on the field (5 yards)
Grabbing the face mask (5 or 15 yards) - if intentional, 15 yards; if unintentional, 5 yards. Just touching an opponent's face mask, without grabbing it, is not illegal.
Development of the game
American football in its current form grew out of a series of three games between Harvard University and McGill University of Montreal in 1874. McGill played by the Rugby Union code while Harvard played the Boston Game, which was closer to Association Football. As often happened in those days of far from universal rules, the teams alternated rules so that both would have a fair chance. The Harvard players liked having the opportunity to run with the ball, and in 1875 persuaded Yale University to adopt Rugby Union rules for their annual game. In 1876 Yale, Harvard, Princeton, and Columbia formed the Intercollegiate Football Association, which used the Rugby Union code, except for a slight difference in scoring.
In 1880 Walter Camp introduced the scrimmage in place of the rugby scrum. In 1882 the system of downs was introduced to thwart Princeton's and Yale's strategy of controlling the ball without trying to score. In 1883 the number of players was reduced, at Camp's urging, to eleven, and Camp introduced the soon standard arrangement of a seven-man offensive line with a quarterback, two halfbacks, and a fullback.
On September 3, 1895 the first professional football game was played, in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, between the Latrobe YMCA and the Jeannette Athletic Club. (Latrobe won the contest 12-0.).
By the 1890s interlocking offensive formations such as the flying wedge had made the game extremely dangerous. Despite restrictions on the flying wedge and other precautions, in 1905 eighteen players were killed in games. President Theodore Roosevelt informed the universities that the game must be made safer. However, it was not until 1910, and after further deaths, that interlocking formations were outlawed.
The forward pass was introduced in 1906. In 1912 the field was changed to its current size, the value of a touchdown was increased to 6 points, and a fourth down was added. The game had achieved its modern form.
Beyond recreation and entertainment
Football and drugs
Contemporary football players are larger than their predecessors of only 30 or 40 years ago. It is quite normal, for instance, for all the members of the offensive line of a major college or professional team to weigh more than 300 pounds (136 kg.), whereas in the 1960's linemen who weighed only 270 pounds were common. The increase in player size has led to a increase in the frequency and severity of injuries.
Since nutritional standards and weight-training technique were already quite advanced even in the 1960's, it has been conjectured that much of the increase in the size of the players is the result of the widespread availability of illegal anabolic steroids, which facilitate increased growth of muscle tissue. Such drugs are widely available even to high school players.
Because anabolic steroids have dangerous side effects, the National Football League tests its players for steroids, and penalizes those who are caught. However, it has recently emerged that new varieties of steroids are being developed in clandestine laboratories, which elude existing drug tests. Hence there is a kind of "arms race" between the scientists who develop new kinds of illegal steroids and those who develop tests to detect them.
Injuries
Despite the helmets and heavy padding worn by all players on the field, injuries are common in football. An "Injury Report" section is ubiquitous in American newspapers' sports sections, detailing, for each injured player on each team, his injury and the amount of time he is expected to be out. Around the middle of each week, all NFL teams report the status of their injured players as "out" (will not play in the coming game); "doubtful" (25% chance of playing); "questionable" 50% chance of playing); or "probable" (75% chance of playing). (Similar systems are used in all American professional sports.)
An average of about eight players die each year in the United States as a result of injuries received in games at all levels. About 160 concussions occur every season, and the National Football League now collects benchmark measures of awareness for each player, which can be used during a game to judge whether he has been concussed.
Injuries sustained by football players often are permanent. Many former football players experience pain, sometimes severe, that lasts for the rest of their lives. Many players require surgery, even multiple surgeries, for injuries experienced years earlier.
Interestingly, newspaper reporters who have interviewed former football players who are crippled or in pain as a result of their former sport find that a player will never (or virtually never) express regret over his choice of career. The players often state that the thrill of playing football was worth the price of a lifetime of subsequent pain.
Deaths and long-term disability attributed to illegal use of anabolic steroids have become a new factor in this picture, starting in about the 1990s.
Instances of heat-related death, especially during professional practice sessions, have begun receiving press attention in the decade of the 2000s, and led to new standards intended to respond cautiously to possible danger signs that traditionally had been ignored. There is also the prospect that conventional first-aid technique has been in error, and an apparatus to circumvent this: apparently efforts to cool an overheated patient quickly, by wetting a large fraction of the body, are misguided, with the sudden chilling of the skin causing the body to reduce superficial circulation, and making that chilling near the surface ineffective at cooling the core of the body and thus the brain. A device suitable for professional teams has been developed, that provides for rapid cooling of small areas of skin where large blood vessels are near the surface, and is proposed as a means of cooling the blood quickly without evoking the reflex of isolating the body surface from the core.
What's it all about?
Football is in many ways a sport apart, among those traditional in America. George Carlin has monologized at length on its contrasts with baseball, which is traditionally called "the American pastime": Football is about "ground control" and played on a "gridiron" of exact dimensions, while baseball is about "going home", and played in "parks" that are all different from one another, and so on. Such observations, however humorous, would be widely regarded as at least hints about some of the nature and significance of the game.
Character building
It is a widespread American doctrine that participation in team sports, including football in particular, inculcates worthwhile habits and values in the players. Leadership (at least for quarterbacks and exemplary players), identification with a group, aggressiveness where called for, the setting of personal goals, and sustaining commitment to these, are often mentioned.
Football scandals
There is a long history in the second half of the 20th century of controversy over the tension in college football between values important to the institutions' academic missions and the team's win-and-loss record. Many observers attribute to football skill a excessive role in winning admission for prospective players; they by and large regard this as an ongoing scandal. Measures that are seen as effective in maintaining players' academic eligibility but not in furthering their graduation or competance in their fields of study attract similar criticism.
In the decade of the 2000s, the increasing economic stakes in sports, increased support for complaints against sexually assertive men, and the perception of uncontrolled use of steroids, all have played a part in an increase in public concern about football's role. Many suggest that the status and other rewards accruing to players encourages arrogance in general, and in particular, both an assumption of privilege and an expectation of immunity from consequences.
It is also suggested that:
steroid-using players are markedly more aggressive both on and off the field,
their teammates and opponents grow accustomed to excessive aggression, and
both groups are predisposed to treat women they encounter, especially in the presence of their sports colleagues, with excessive aggression.
Although involving a different sport and a college team, the resignation in 2004 of a male soccer coach may be relevant to American football as well. He had responded to the charge, by his only female player, that a teammate had raped her, by accusing her of being an incompetant player. The aggressive image of football and the amounts of money involved can support the perception of its being the "last bastion" of sports administrators likely to wink at abuses; close scrutiny and drawing of parallels with the soccer coach can be expected in any case that is claimed to suggest coddling anti-social players.
posted by Anonymous @ 8:04 AM
