How to Read Football Plays

Learning football is more than just figuring out the rules and trying to get that winning touchdown. You need to focus time on the strategy behind the game as well as the bluffs that teams use to baffle the opposition. When you read football plays, you are trying to see the true nature of the opposing team's intent so that you can line up your defenders in the right positions. Read on to learn how to read football plays.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Football
• Players
• Football Field

Read Offensive Football Plays

1. Look carefully at what offensive linemen are on the field. Aside from those that are on the line of scrimmage, there will be receivers, running backs and tight ends. Tight ends are used for passing and running plays, receivers are commonly used for passing plays and running backs typically carry the ball forward. If there are more receivers or tight ends on the field, more often than not it will be a passing play, for example.
2. Take into account the down number as well as the distance to the goal line or the first down marker when you read football plays. The shorter the distance to the goal or first down marker, the more likely a running play is about to occur. If it is a third down and long, a pass is usually inevitable.
3. Listen for "audibles," mid-motion changes to plays. Audibles are designed to confuse the defense and trick them into thinking one play is occurring when another one actually is happening. Audibles are called after the offense has returned to the line of scrimmage from the huddle.

Read Defensive Football Plays

4. Look at the setup of the defensive formation to get a read on the plays being used. If the defense has more players off the line of scrimmage, then it is likely they are anticipating you will pass the ball.
5. Look at the depth and number of cornerbacks and safeties that are in play. More safeties often means they are expecting a longer pass. If it is third down and long, then there are generally more safeties on the field to prevent the first down pass attempt.

Tips & Warnings

• Try to confuse your opponents by looking in specific directions that are opposite where the play is actually going to go. For example, if you know the receiver is going to head down the field and to the right continue looking left, and perhaps even nod at a teammate.
• Make sure you are playing tackle football only when wearing proper protective gear. It is easy to become injured when you are not wearing a helmet or pads. Play flag football or two-hand touch football variants when you don't have complete football protective pads.

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