Attempting to follow the NFL

[ceagle]

Ok so I've decided I want to try and start following the NFL, I never really gave it much of a go in the past since it seemed way too technical to get my head around just watching it by myself.

I understand the rules and the basics of each position but nothing really in depth past that. Are there any good sites or videos to help me pick up the nuances, technical jargon and all that to help me understand and appreciate the game whilst i'm trying to watch it?

Thanks to anyone that can help.

 

[DC_fan]

Try this site http://football.about.com/od/football101/a/Football-Glossary.htm

 

[pennywisealfie]

If you have a console, play some madden, that really helps.

 

[nick87]

Playing Madden definitely helps give you a greater feel for the game and learn a lot. But honestly, just sit and watch as many games as you can. The best way to learn is to watch and enjoy it

 

[Parra]

f**k madden. Who has that time.

Just watch the games. The coverage and the commentary is light years ahead of the crap we put up with. You will pick it up in no time. Look up the jargon as you go - but as Jack Gibson said "Same game, different rules"

If you can understand rugby union and rugby league you can understand NFL. If you can't understand the rugby codes then it's all beyond you anyway.

 

[God-King Dean]

I learnt through Madden

Then when I started watching, I'd Google each rule I didn't understand

 

[Jono078]

Playing Madden definitely helps give you a greater feel for the game and learn a lot. But honestly, just sit and watch as many games as you can. The best way to learn is to watch and enjoy it

This. Give Madden a go if you're a gamer, otherwise just sit and watch a game and pay attention to each play which will be broken down by the commentators.

 

[shiznit]

One thing I'd recommend doing is if you can get your hands on the draft... When I first started watching the NFL I learnt a whole lot from watching the draft.

Especially around the different positions etc... To this day I still learn a heap of things about certain positions from listening to the scouts and experts during the draft.

 

[Dogs Of War]

Watching the game is best. Though to be fair the internet and madden game didn't exist when I started following the sport

 

[aqua_duck]

I learnt through playing madden initially then really got into it from watching hard knocks, watching how hard it is just to make a roster really gave me an appreciation of how hard it is

 

[ceagle]

Ok thanks for the advice and ive gone out and picked up madden 16. Just tryin to work out zone coverages and man coverages at the moment, cant say that i get much of it yet but i love how in depth and tactical it is, should make online fun once i understand the game a bit more and dont get picked off every play since i cant read the defense.

 

[legend]

Get your QB to put your WR in motion at the line of scrimmage and see what the D does. If they don't move then it's zone coverage and if a defensive player shadows the man in motion, you know it's man coverage.

I can't remember how to put your WR in motion but the QB puts his foot back at the line of scrimmage to alert the WR to run behind him so he can see what the D is doing.

 

[Tweek]

I learnt about all the positions by getting way to deep into Madden Ultimate team, was an expensive way to learn but it did the job.

 

[legend]

Usually you can pick a penalty dependent on where the flag is thrown. If it's at the LOS it's either a false start on the O or a neutral zone infraction/offside by the D.

Because the game moves slowly it's quite easy to pick up the meaning of the fouls during the game.

 

[Parra]

It helps that the officials provide such clear and concise information including the penalty (ie yards/down/next move)