Childrens Games Involving Football
Childrens games involving football can be physical activities or mental exercises, such as a game of trivia. Sometimes we forget, the mind, as well as the body, needs to stay activated.
Do your kids know the three units that make up a football team? They are offense, defense, and special teams:
- Offense: Moves the ball up the field. Their goal is to score points.
- Defense: Doesn't have the ball. Their goal is to keep the other team from scoring. They can also try to take the ball away from the offense by causing a fumble (dropping the ball) or an interception (catching a pass).
- Special Teams: Used for punting the ball, kicking field goals, and returning kicks.
In a regulation game of football, each team has 11 players on the field at a time, for a total of 22 players.
When playing childrens games involving football, you can choose how many players each team will have. It's even fun to play with as few as three or four players. And it's great fun for the kids to "borrow" the names of their favorite college or professional athletes.
Flag and touch football are very popular. With flag/tag football, a player wears a flag that detaches when pulled loose by an opposing player. These flags are sold in stores, or you can use an assortment of bandannas.
Touch football requires placing both hands on the opponent carrying the ball. Make it clear that there is to be no pushing, striking or slapping! It's easy to get carried away in the middle of a football game.
Another take on tag football developed into what is known as "flickerball," which is a combination of football with basketball rules. You can pass the ball to each other like a basketball, but try not to bounce it on the ground!
If it's a "stay inside" day, just suggest a few childrens games involving football, such as a trivia quiz. Be sure to have plenty of yummy rewards for correct answers!
