American Football

An Introduction for Grade 7 Physical Education

A Unit Plan by:
Kris Cooke, Cassidy McHugh, Kate Klassen and Kerri
Pfeifle
EDES 364 Winter 2016
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Overview of Unit3-4
Learning Outcomes. 5-6
List of Skills and Drills..7

Descriptions of Skills.8-13
Forward
Pass....8
Lateral
Pass...8
Catching..
...9
Center
Snap..9
Carrying
10
Kicking
..11
Punting
.12
Cutting.
.12
Blocking
13
Descriptions of Drills....14-26
Warm-Up
Drills14
Warm Up
Relay..14
Stretching
.14
Forward Pass
Drills... 15
Partner
Toss15
Header
Drill..15
Catching
Drills.....16
Pass and Catch
Stationary16

 Pass and Catch with One Partner Moving

Forward..16
Pass and
Switch.17
Lateral Pass
Drills..18
Underhand Pass Against
Wall..18
Underhand Pass to
Partner..18
Center Snap
Drills.18
Leapfrog
..18
Relay
19
Carrying
Drills.19
Hand-Off
Drill..19
Agility
Ladder..20
Kicking
Drills21
Target Kick Against
Wall...21
Hula Hoop
Kick...22
Punting
Drills...23
Balloon
Kick.23
Target Kick Against
Wall...23
Cutting
Drills....24
2

 Lateral Shuffle
Drill.24
Blocking
Drills..25
Blocking
Drill...25
Team Play
Drills..26
Gladiator
Ball...26
Flag Football Mini
Game...26
Evaluation and Assessment...27-32
Grade Distribution
Table..27
Non- Skill Based
Assessment.27
Skill Based
Assessment...27
Unit
Quiz....28-29
Unit Quiz Answer
Key..30-31
References..32

Part A: Unit Overview

A Brief History of Football:
American football can be linked back to early version of association rugby and
association football in Britain in the mid 19th century. American Football resulted from
the many major changes made from rugby and association football, most notably by
Walter Camp who is considered the Father of American Football. The most famous
change that Camp made in terms of football was creating the line of scrimmage and the
snap from center to quarterback.

Safety Considerations:
Football is a physical sport that includes hitting, throwing, catching, running (forwards,
backwards and side to side), kicking, blocking, and punting. In order to prevent any unwanted
injuries, students should be properly warmed up and stretched.
Make sure to remind students of the rules and expectations at the beginning of every class in
order to prevent injuries and any foul play. The equipment should also always be inspected
before any activity.
It is also important that the students be dressed in appropriate attire, which includes indoor
running shoes, shirt, shorts, socks, and any necessary padding. Additionally, all boundaries of
play should be explained so that students dont run into walls and bleachers.

Equipment:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Footballs
Pylons
Hoola Hoops
Pinnies
Mats
Kicking tees
Agility ladders
Foam rollers

Overview of Skills:
- Forward Pass
- Lateral Pass
- Catching
- Center Snap
- Carrying
- Kicking
- Punting
- Cutting
- Offence
- Defence

Progressions of Skills:
Students will progress from basic skills of catching and throwing into more complex skills like
punting and later, the basics of positional play to finish the unit with a culminating flag football
scrimmage to demonstrate learned skills.

Part B: Learning Outcomes

GENERAL OUTCOME A
Students will acquire skills through a variety of developmentally
appropriate movement activities; dance, games, types of gymnastics,
individual activities and activities in an alternative environment; e.g.,
aquatics and outdoor pursuits.
Specific Outcomes
Basic Skills
(Locomotor)

A7-2 demonstrate locomotor skills by using elements of body and space

awareness, effort and relationships to improve personal performance

Basic Skills
(Non-Locomotor)

A7-3 demonstrate ways to improve and refine the functional and

expressive quality of nonlocomotor skills to improve personal
performance

Basic Skills
(Manipulative)

A7-5 demonstrate ways to receive, retain and send an object with varying
speeds and accuracy in skills specific to an activity
A7-6 demonstrate manipulative skills by using elements of space
awareness, effort and relationships, with and without objects, to improve
performance

GENERAL OUTCOME B
Students will understand, experience and appreciate the health benefits
that result from physical activity.

Specific Outcomes
Body Image

B 7-4 identify different body types and how all types can contribute to, or
participate positively in, physical activity

Well-being

B 7-7 interpret personal fitness changes as a result of physical activity

GENERAL OUTCOME C
Students will interact positively with others.

Specific Outcomes
Fair Play

C 7-3 Demonstrate etiquette and fair play

Leadership

C74 identify and then take responsibility for various roles while
participating in physical activity; and, identify the leadership and
followership skills used while participating in physical education

Teamwork

C75 select and apply practices that contribute to teamwork

C76 identify and demonstrate positive behaviours that show respect for
self and others

GENERAL OUTCOME D
Students will assume responsibility to lead an active way of life.

Specific Outcomes
Safety

D 7-3 identify, describe and follow the rules, routines and procedures for
safety in a variety of activities in all dimensions

Part C: List of Skills and Drills

Skill #

Skill Description

Drills/Activities

Warm up
drills

Warm Up

Warmup relay
Stretching

Skill #1

Forward Pass

Hula Hoop toss

Partner toss
Header drill

Skill #2

Catching

Skill #3

Lateral Pass

Underhand pass against wall

Underhand pass to partner

Skill #4

Center Snap

Center snap leap frog

Center snap relay

Skill #5

Carrying

Handoff drill
Agility ladder carry

Skill #6

Kicking

Target kick against wall

Hula hoops kick

Skill #7

Punting

Balloon kick
Target kick against wall

Skill #8

Offence

Cutting drill

Skill #9

Defence

Blocking drill

Skill #10

Team Play

Gladiator Ball
Flag Football Mini Game

Pass and catch stationary

Pass and catch with a partner
moving forward
Pass to partner and switch places

Part D: Descriptions and Diagrams of Skills

Skill #1 Forward Pass:
- Grip the ball by placing the thumb
and index finger on the back part of the ball.
Spread out other fingers across the laces.
- Place the non-throwing hand on the
front inside part of the ball for stability.
- Body stance should be with the nonthrowing foot forward.
- Start the throwing motion with the
throwing arm and hand cocked back slightly
behind the head.
- At the point of release, snap the
wrist downward, giving the ball the required
spin.

Skill #2 Lateral Pass:

- Pass underhand to make a lateral
pass. Pass to the side or behind the passer.
- Grasp the ball with dominant hand.
Place the palm of the throwing hand under
the ball with fingers spread.
- Snap the wrist back when making
the underhand toss to out spin on the ball
and cause spiral.

Skill #3 Catching:
- Form a triangle with hands,
spreading the fingers wide and pointing
thumbs in toward the body for an abovethe- waist catch. Keeping the little finger
together for below the waist.
- Create a target with your hands.
Stretch arms out to meet the ball but dont
lock elbows. Use both hands to catch.
- As the ball meets the hands, absorb
the force of the throw by bringing the ball.
Hands and arms into the body.
- Switch the ball to one arm, using the
hand to cover the forward tip of the ball.

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Skill #4 Center Snap:

- Grip the ball the same way as in
passing. Spread feet more than shoulderwidth apart.
- Place non-snapping hand on the
knee and extend the snapping hand and
arm back through the legs.
- Snap the wrist as the ball is
released, pointing the hand back toward the
QB at about chest height.
- The snapper should look back
through her or his legs to find the QB prior
to the snap. However, when actually
snapping, the head should be up facing the
opponents.

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Skill #5 Carrying
- Start with feet shoulder width apart
and when quarterback yells, hut, begin to
run forward.
- When grabbing the ball, inside hand
will be on top off the ball and outside hand
underneath the ball. Inside elbow will be up
and outside elbow will be down.
- Run past with a burst while being
low and with quick feet

12

Skill #6 Kicking:
- Starting at the ball step back 3 steps
and 2 steps to the left or right creating an
L.Plant the non-kicking foot about 1 foot
behind and to the side of the ball. Flex the
kicking leg at the knee and straighten as the
foot contacts the ball. Kick the ball just
below midline. Follow through in the
direction of the intended flight. Let the
kicking leg carry the kicker off the ground.

13

Skill #7 Punting:
- Grip the ball with the laces up. Place
one hand on the rear of the ball and other
hand on the point of the ball.
- Take a one and a half step approach
short step with the kicking leg, a full step
with the non-kicking leg, then kick.
- Drop the ball onto the top of the
kicking foot instep.
- Angle the ball slightly to point inward
to better fit on the instep, Point the kicking
foot toes down as you kick the ball.

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- Keep the hands out for balance and

follow through with the leg in the direction of
the intended flight. Focus eyes on the ball
during the kicking process.

Skill #8 Cutting
- Run forward
- If cutting left, burst off of right foot
and run in intended direction. If cutting
right, burst off of left foot and run in
intended direction

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Skill #9 Blocking
- Get low with weight on front hand
- Use power from legs and hips and
explode up with pads underneath intended
target to out leverage opponent
- With hands on opponents pads,
explode forward

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Part E: Descriptions and Diagrams of Drills and Activities

Warm Up Drills:
Warmup Relay
- Walking between the
basketball baseline and half court line,
students will do various warm up
activities including high knees, butt
touches, lunges, forward running and
running sideways.

Stretching
- Students will do a 5 minute
stretching session- toe touch, side to
side, shoulder and arm rotation, hip
rotations, quad stretches and neck
stretches.

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Forward Pass Drills:

Partner Toss
- Partners will toss the ball back
and forth to each other standing on a
line in the gym

Header Drill
- In partners, students will stand
on either side of three pylons.
- Partner One will throw the ball
to the Partner Two. Partner Two will
throw the ball toward the pylons in an
attempt to knock the pylons over.
- Partners switch spots and
repeat pattern.

19

Catching Drills:
Pass and Catch Stationary
- Partners will toss the ball back
and forth to each other

20

Pass and Catch: One partner moving

forward
- Partners will toss the ball back
and forth to each other while one
person is walking towards the person
who will throw the ball

Pass and Switch

- Partners pass the ball to each
other and switch places after their
partner catches the ball.

21

Lateral Pass Drills:

Underhand pass against wall
- Students will toss the ball
against a spot on the wall using an
underhand passing method and will
catch the rebound

22

Underhand pass to partner

- Students will use the skills of
underhand passing to toss the ball
between partners or in small groups

Center Snap Drills:

Leapfrog
In small groups or partners, students will play
center snap leap frog.
- front person gets low into
center snap position and snaps the ball
to the person behind them, then runs to
the back of the line.
- this pattern is repeated

23

Relay
- Students will get into groups of
three.
- With two people on one side of
a line and one person on the other side
of the line, students will face each
other.
- The first person on the side
with two people will center snap the
ball to the person on the other side of
the line.
- The person on the other side of
the line will catch the ball. They will
then pass it to the remaining person on
the opposite side and run to the other
side.
- This pattern is repeated until
everyone has had three attempts at
each position.
Carrying Drills:
Handoff Drill
- Students will be taught how to
properly grab a handoff and will
practice it in repetition in partners.
One partner hands it off, the other
grabs it and runs past.

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Agility Ladder/ Pylon Carry Drill

- Students will practice handoffs
by first grabbing the handoff then
running through an agility ladder and
pylon course. They first run through
the agility ladder and then choose to
either cut right or left past the pylon at
the end.

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Kicking Drills:

26

Target Kick Against Wall

- Students will stand 3 steps
behind the teed ball while also
being 2 steps to the left or right
creating an L shape
- If to the left, start with left
foot forward and approach the ball
with 3 steps (remember to step
with the left foot first). The same
procedure is done if the student is
standing 2 steps to the right except
they step with right foot first.
- Student kicks the ball under
midline and follows through in the
direction of any targets of their
choice. These targets are taped on
the wall.

27

Hula Hoop Kick

- Students will stand 3 steps
behind the teed ball while also
being 2 steps to the left or right
creating an L shape
- If to the left, start with left
foot forward and approach the ball
with 3 steps (remember to step
with the left foot first). The same
procedure is done if the student is
standing 2 steps to the right except
they step with right foot first
- Student kicks the ball under
midline and follows through in the
intended direction with the intent
of scoring the ball in one of the
three hula hoops hanging inside the
soccer net

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Punting Drills:
Balloon Kick
- Students will practice the
punting form with balloons

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Target Kick Against Wall

- While holding the ball, choose
a spot on the wall and aim for it.
- Repeatedly practice the
punting form while aiming for the
target.

Cutting:
Lateral Shuffle Drill
- Set down 10 pylons in five
rows of 2
- Student chooses one of the end
pylons to start at
- Student shuffles diagonally to
the next row and repeats this
procedure all the way to the end row
and then burst forward and sprints for
10-15 feet
- Remember: students should be
bursting off of outside foot whenever
they change directions

30

Blocking:
Blocking Drill
- Demonstrate and explain how
to do a proper block
- With padding up against the
wall, students will choose a spot and
pretend it is their opponent (much like
you would with a blocking sled)
- Student repeatedly practices
the blocking form and procedure with
the padding against the wall

31

Team Play:

32

Gladiator Ball
- Game is split up into 2 teams
with 1 ball sitting in the middle of the
playing field. The two teams start on
opposite sides of the playing area
- The goal is to score the ball
into the other teams basket
- Rules: Tackling is not allowed,
ball carrier can only take five steps
then has to throw it to a teammate, and
once tagged, the ball carrier can not
move and has to throw it

Flag Football Mini Game

- 2 teams
- Each player will have a pinnie
to hang out of their pocket
- The teams will choose who
plays what position and the goal is to
win the game by getting the most
touchdowns
- The goal is to practice the
days lessons in a safe manner, hence,
the pinnies

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Part F: Evaluation and Assessment

50% Participation- Rating Scale
25% Knowledge - Unit Quiz
25% Skill- Rating Scale

Participation (50%)
Rate your participation throughout this unit using the 5 point scale below. 51) I can perform a lateral pass
2) I can perform a forward pass
3) I can catch passes while stationary
4) I can catch passes while moving
5) I can punt the ball in a straight line 5 times
6) I come to class dressed appropriately
7) I practice during drill and activity sessions
8) I listen to instructions being given
9) I arrive to class on time and ready to participate
10) I worked with my team during the scrimmage to practice my skills

5-4-3-2-1
5-4-3-2-1
5-4-3-2-1
5-4-3-2-1
5-4-3-2-1
5-4-3-2-1
5-4-3-2-1
5-4-3-2-1
5-4-3-2-1
5-4-3-2-1

Skill (25%)
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)

Student can perform a lateral pass 5 times with success

Student can perform a forward pass 5 times with success
Student can catch 5 consecutive passes while stationary
Student can catch 5 consecutive passes while moving
Student can punt the ball in a straight line 5 times

5-4-3-2-1
5-4-3-2-1
5-4-3-2-1
5-4-3-2-1
5-4-3-2-1

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Football Unit Quiz (25%)

Short Answer:
Fill in the blank with the term that fits the definition on the

right.

1) ____________________: The ball is passed to a teammate parallel or away from the

opponents goal line.
2) ____________________ : The ball is passed in the direction of the opponents goal line.
3) ____________________ : The game that American Football evolved from
4) ____________________ : Dropping the ball from the hands and kicking it before it hits
the ground.
5) ____________________ : Advancing the ball into the opponents end zone.
6) ____________________ : The scoring area on the field.
7) ____________________ : Dropping the ball or having it stripped while in play.
8) ____________________ : The ball is caught by a defenseman.
9) ____________________ : The points that a touchdown awards the offensive team.
10) ____________________ : A pass that is not caught.
11) ____________________ : Receives the ball when it is snapped.
12) ____________________ : The player that snaps the ball.
13) ____________________ : The points that a field goal is worth.
14) ____________________ : Length of a football field
15) ____________________ : An offside penalty is this many yards.
True/ False
16) ____ Only the defensive team can recover a fumble.
17) ____ The game is started with a field goal by the team who wins the coin toss.
18) ____ Receivers are allowed to throw the ball.
19) ____ A touchdown is scored by running with the ball, throwing it, or kicking it.
20) ____ A down is when the play is successful but does not complete the full ten yards or the
play is not successful and is either incomplete or a loss of yards.
Multiple Choice:
21) What player positions do SS and FS refer to?
a) Super Safety & Free Safety
b) Super Safety & Fast Safety
c) Strong Safety & Free Safety
d) Both A & B

22) The penalty for holding on defense is

a) 5 yards and automatic first down
b) Automatic first down
c) 10 yards for first down

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d) Field goal attempt

23. The quarterback can
a) Run the ball
b) Throw the ball
c) Hand the ball off
d) All of the above
24. The red team scores 3 touchdowns and misses all of the field goal attempts on those touchdowns.
The blue team scores 2 touchdowns and hits one out of the two field goals on those attempts. What are the
two teams respective scores?
a) Red team- 18 points, blue team- 15 points
b) Red team- 21 points, blue team- 17 points
c) Red team- 15 points, blue team- 18 points
d) None of the above
25. Why is American football not simply called football?
a) It was created in America
b) To prevent confusion between it and soccer
c) To differentiate between it and rugby
d) None of the above

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Football Unit Answer Key

Short Answer:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)
10)
11)
12)
13)
14)
15)

Lateral Pass
Forward Pass
Rugby
Punt (Punting)
Touchdown
End zone
Fumble
Interception
6
Incomplete
Quarterback
Center
3
120 yards
5

True/ False
16) __F__ Only the defensive team can recover a fumble.
17) __F__ The game is started with a field goal by the team who wins the coin toss.
18) __T__ Receivers are allowed to throw the ball.
19) __F__ A touchdown is scored by running with the ball, throwing it, or kicking it.
20) __T__ A down is when the play is successful but does not complete the full ten yards or the play
is not successful and is either incomplete or a loss of yards.
Multiple Choice:
21) What player position does SS and FS refer to?
e) Super Safety & Free Safety
f) Super Safety & Fast Safety
g) Strong Safety & Free Safety
h) Both A & B
22) The penalty for holding on defense is
e) 5 yards and automatic first down
f) Automatic first down
g) 10 yards for first down
h) Field goal attempt
23. The quarterback can
e) Run the ball
f) Throw the ball
g) Hand the ball off
h) All of the above

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24. The red team scores 3 touchdowns and misses all of the field goal attempts on those touchdowns.
The blue team scores 2 touchdowns and hits one out of the two field goals on those attempts. What are the
two teams respective scores?
e) Red team- 18 points, blue team- 15 points
f) Red team- 21 points, blue team- 17 points
g) Red team- 15 points, blue team- 18 points
h) None of the above
25. Why is American football not simply called football?
e) It was created in America
f) To prevent confusion between it and soccer
g) To differentiate between it and rugby
h) None of the above

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References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_American_football
http://www.sportsessionplanner.com/s/dC9L/Active-start-WEEK-6.html
http://www.allstaractivities.com/images/football%20diagram.jpg
http://gslfootball.com/news_images/org_1813/files/Youth%20Football%20Drill
%20Book.pdf
http://igreen.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/baserunning.jpg.w30
0h240.jpg
http://www.sportsscience.co/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/whole-body-stretchingroutine.png
http://www.sportplan.net/viewer/movies/netball/thumbs/NA00090.png
http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~cavalier/Unit%20Plans/FlagFootballUnitPlan.pdf

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