What can you tell me about football?

Question

I won tickets to a football game (CFL, if that makes any difference). I'm mainly just going for something to do and I think it will be fun. I'm going with my boyfriend who is a fan and I want to be able to enjoy it with him. What can you tell me about football games and what to expect?

Answer 1

Canadian Football games are a lot of fun to attend.  I'm a Montreal Alouettes season ticket holder, but I've been to games in the US as well.  As far as I'm concerned the NFL game is made for TV, but very boring for the fan in the stadium - mainly because of too much time between plays and too many TV time-outs.

Anyway, if the weather is good (not a factor in Toronto or BC, or in Montreal when they play at the Big O) then you'll probably have a lot of fun.  You don't say where, but if it's this coming weekend then you are either in Toronto, Hamilton, Montreal, or Regina.  Montreal plays in a great little stadium that’s right downtown on McGill campus.  It will be sold out – they have been for 76 straight weeks.  Regina will probably be sold out as well.  Their fans are probably the best football fans in Canada.  Hamilton fans are fed up and have been staying home in increasing numbers.  The Argos play at the Rogers Centre, but they’re playing at 4 p.m. on Sunday when the NFL is on TV so they won’t get a huge crowd.

All the stadiums have some sort of jumbo-tron screen, so you can see the replays, but don’t just sit there and watch the screen during the action.  Keep your eye on the field.  For someone who’s never been to a game before and doesn’t know what to look for, I’d say keep you eye on the quarterback (QB), because all the activity will be around him (except on kicing plays).  Even if he appears to be handing off the ball to a runner, keep your eye on the QB anyway.  Many times they will fake a hand-off and throw the ball downfield to a pass receiver.  Once you get a feel for the rhythm of the game you can start watching the other players.  Pick a pass receiver and watch what that player does for a couple of plays, even if he doesn’t get the ball – just to get a feel for what’s going on.  Watch BC’s # 81 or 82, Calgary # 80, Edmonton # 83, Sask # 3, Winnipeg # 85, Hamilton # 80, Toronto # 5, Montreal # 86.

Most stadiums get real loud when the OTHER team has the ball.  The QB is trying to shout instructions to his team and the home team fans try to drown him out.  It gets real quiet when the home team has the ball (except sometimes Montreal fans get a bit confused – if you are going to the game in Montreal just sniff the air and you’ll smell what it is that’s messing them up).

Check out the links below.  One of them is all about NFL football, but there are enough similarities to make that web site helpful.

Have fun!!

Answer 2

Not a great deal, I am from Hamilton.

Answer 3

You might want to watch a few games on TV ahead of time with your bf when he has some time to explaing things.  It's kind of annoying to explain the game when you're actually there since you can miss so much.  Good for you btw.  Who knows this may actually give you two something you can do together and puts you one point up when you want him to try something you like.  Enjoy.

Answer 4

I think this will explain CFL football to you.  I have experience explaining it to a woman who knows nothing.

On the surface, it is a human demolition derby with men crashing into each other on each play, with the biggest guys wearing each other out on the front lines.

It's not as simple as baseball when every man who crosses home plate is 1 run.

It's not as simple as soccer and hockey where every goal is worth 1.

In football the team can score 6 points with crossing the touchdown line with the football, or 3 points kicking the ball above the bar, between the goal posts.  

There are also 1 and 2 point plays;  like kicking (1 pt) or scoring touchdown style (2 pts) for "extra points" ... one try after EVERY touchdown.  Etc.

The ball is advanced by a forward pass or a running play each time, as the team goes ("marches') up the field, as long as they get 10 yeards every on often, or they have to turn over the ball.

When they see they won't get 10 yards in time, they'll kick the ball far away down-field so at least the other team doesn't take over right there, in good position to score.

Don't be sad that the ball is "just" being kicked, because a kick return can be the most exciting play of the game fairly frequently (without warning that a big play will happen now).

Since you don't know NFL football, I won't waste tme telling you how the CFL is different.    

Basically a perfect balance between running plays and passes is supposed to be the most effective strategy, except when you are far behind in the score, and you must pass forward to advance quickly.

My wife knows nothing about football, but enjoys how the men look bent over with tight pants accentuating their behinds.

That might amuse you during the dull bits.

Answer 5

WOW .you are so lucky but if you dont know about the football  just try to enjoy inyour way.or as you are going with your boyfriend so try to make it romantic football match.or.by playing game with him ..as whose team win he/she has to treat her/him