In high school, I never attended football games or watched it on TV. When I got to college, the start of the fall semester began with the Powder-puff season, and I was very confused at the concept. I didn't know the rules, I wasn't sure how the practices would work, and I wasn't sure who all would play or how I could contribute. Suffice to say, it's three years later and i think i know what i'm doing. But for those of you who still don't know exactly what i'm talking about, here's a run down of Powder-Puff Football: College Edition.
1. Teams are girls only
Yep, that's right. No dudes.
2. The coaches are guys
It's mostly sexist to say that the reason is because they know more about football than girls (except for my friend Jazlyn), but I'm pretty sure that's why.
3. The teams are split by floors
For the school's tournament, you could play against your friend that lives upstairs.
4. The coaches are from your "brother" floor
and you're their "sister" floor... I still don't get why that exists...
5. Practices are held at least once a week
but scheduling for so many people means that not everyone makes it to every practice
6. It's a 7-7 game
Up to 14 women on the field at a time. sometimes it's only 6 per team because of numbers.
7. There are two sides
Defense and Offense. Trying to get to the ball, or trying to get away with the ball.
8. The goal?
A touchdown. which means someone has to catch the ball or run the ball to the end zone to get points.
9. It's normally not tackle football.
that's where you can push people over and knock them down
10. It's flag football
which means you get to wear fashion backward belts with ribbons on them for the entire game. (see example below)
11. There are several positions in the game
you could be the quarterback, the running-back, on the line, center, receivers, a safety, or a cheerleader on the sidelines.
12. Running the ball
the goal is to get the ball to the other end of the field without getting your flags ripped off.
13. Or passing it
which means that the ball is thrown to a teammate in the hopes of running it further.
14. The plans
the team and the coaches come up with different ways to play, who gets the ball, tricks to get the other team confused so that we could score.
15. Not every play will work
but don't worry, you get four tries per side, or four "downs" to try and get a touchdown
16. If you do get a touchdown
After a quick celebration, you get a chance for more points at a close distance fro mthe end zone.
17. The scoring system
you get 6 points for a touchdown, and the possibility of 2 extra points in the "bonus" round.
18. The game is timed
you get a set amount of time to play defense and offense for two halves of the game
19. Half-time
at half time, you switch sides, which means that the place you were running to before is what you're protecting in the next half.
20. Water breaks
if you aren't currently on the field, you do one of three things. Cheer, drink some water, or plan what happens the next time you play.
21. Teamwork
you need good communication and cooperation for the team to function properly. For practice times, game times, and for individual plays during a game.
22. You probably won't have a uniform
it's not that organized. but you will probably have a team shirt and team name.
23. It still gets rough
accidental elbows to various body parts, tripping, falling down,getting shoved into someone or shoving yourself.
24. Winning or Losing
It helps to be a good sport. The team that wins moves on in the tournament, but the playing is by far the funnest part of the game.
25. Making Friends
whether you knew them from before or not, you know more of the girls on your floor because of this event, or you at least know their names now.
