What is the simplest way you teach someone football?

Question

We have a lot of foreign friends and they are interested in football at our parties but cannot follow it becuase they don't understand it. Where would you start in your education to them?

Answer 1

"Take the ball, and run between those two guys(offensive lineman)"- Gibril Wilson's first Pop Warner coach, who had to introduce him to the game, when he first moved to America, from Sierra Leone.

Answer 2

Youtube probably has good videos describing how to play.

Answer 3

I would take him to a couple games and go from there.

Answer 4

video game

Answer 5

Search American football on wikipedia, although its not that simple.

Answer 6

Watch a lot of football.  I know that's a simple answer but you learn team sports by experiencee.  Video games would help.

And please;

(1) Tell them not to riot in the stands this isn't soccer.

(2) They call a football a pig skin for a reason make sure they understand that before they go home and have to cut there hands off.

Answer 7

Start simple:

I think that the best way is to start simple an not overwhelm them. Start with a simple 5-10 minute explanation. You can use a free online resource like Wikipedia or some of the other resources you can find at the link below.

Televised games:

Attending live games is a tough place to start. Watching televised games with the announcers, instant replay, etc is a much better way to learn the game. I especially like having new fans watch games that John Madden covers. He does a good job of explaining the game.

Pick a team:

Teach them about your home team and why they should like that team. If they can have a single team that they are interested in and follow that team throughout the season, they'll have an interest in watching the games, learning more, etc.

Know a few players:

On the team you pick for them, teach them a few details about a few key players so that they feel a personal connection (e.g. QB, RB, WR, etc.)

Good Luck!!!

Bryan

SportSpectator