# Why is Football in America so very regimented? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [December 21, 2011, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-football-in-america-so-very-regimented/606992 "2011-12-21T20:39:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2011, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-football-in-america-so-very-regimented/606992/21 "2011-12-21T21:29:58Z")
> [@mnemosyne](#): > > American football (AF) is very rules-based, and much more time is spent standing around than is spent actually playing. I believe it was George Will who remarked that American football combined the two worst aspects of modern American life - it is three hours of random violence, punctuated by committee meetings. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![PigArcher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bcef8e/32.png) [@PigArcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PigArcher)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2011, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-football-in-america-so-very-regimented/606992/22 "2011-12-21T21:30:39Z")
> [@Dennis\_Arthur\_PERRETT](#): > > Attention: Somebody in charge! > > Can I get a person in authority to change my thread title to Football instead of Footy. > > Thanks. There’s a little “Report Post” button in the upper right corner of the OP. Looks like a triangular sign with an exclamation point on it. ETA: You should probably also request a move to the Game Room ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2011, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-football-in-america-so-very-regimented/606992/23 "2011-12-21T21:35:33Z")
Moving to The Game Room. ---
**Author:** ![Dennis\_Arthur\_PERRETT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3e96dc/32.png) [@Dennis\_Arthur\_PERRETT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dennis_Arthur_PERRETT)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2011, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-football-in-america-so-very-regimented/606992/24 "2011-12-21T21:35:41Z")
Thanks Shagnasty. This is what I wanted. I want to follow the game with understanding. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2011, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-football-in-america-so-very-regimented/606992/25 "2011-12-21T21:49:14Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > I believe it was George Will who remarked that American football combined the two worst aspects of modern American life - it is three hours of random violence, punctuated by committee meetings. > > Regards, > Shodan Brilliant. ---
**Author:** ![Lukeinva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lukeinva/32/17872_2.png) [@Lukeinva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lukeinva)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2011, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-football-in-america-so-very-regimented/606992/26 "2011-12-21T21:53:35Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > Dennis Arthur PERRETT asks: > …and every now and then someone comes with a gigantic ruler and measures something > > \*\* Those are measurements for a close first down call. The offensive team gets 4 plays (3 more realistically because the last one has to be used to punt kick or try for a field goal if they don’t make it) to advance the ball ten yards. The official is the one that marks where the ball was officially down. There is a separate marker showing where the first down line is. The measurement is to compare the two if it is really close. The nose of the ball has to be just over the line any amount for it to count as a first down.\*\* I think it is key here to mention that you get 4 downs to advance the ball 10 yards, and if successful you are awarded a fresh set of 4 downs. ---
**Author:** ![Achren](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/898d66/32.png) [@Achren](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Achren)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2011, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-football-in-america-so-very-regimented/606992/27 "2011-12-21T22:00:06Z")
If you can, try to catch a college game, they don’t suffer as much as the NFL from having a TV/replay-friendly style, unless it’s a greatly anticipated game. YMMV - the two might not seem as different to you as they do to me. ETA: What does root (for) mean in Australia? Sounds like you use it like ‘cheer’ which is how Americans use it as well. [Root for the home team](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Take_Me_Out_to_the_Ball_Game) and all. ---
**Author:** ![TATG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/50afbb/32.png) [@TATG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TATG)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2011, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-football-in-america-so-very-regimented/606992/28 "2011-12-21T22:05:41Z")
> [@Martian Bigfoot](#): > > If you say “footy” to any person, ever, in any country, they will assume that you refer to soccer. If I hear “footy” context will decide to what I think they refer. On the other hand if they manage to omit the “t” in footy, I will automatically assume they refer to Aussie Rules. This may be a faulty assumption in the North (of Australia). I think until recently if you said “footy” and meant “soccer” in Australia that would confuse many Australians, i.e. in yonder day if you said “footy” to an Australian they would assume you meant to not refer to soccer. ---
**Author:** ![PigArcher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bcef8e/32.png) [@PigArcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PigArcher)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2011, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-football-in-america-so-very-regimented/606992/29 "2011-12-21T22:40:10Z")
> [@Achren](#): > > What does root (for) mean in Australia? Sounds like you use it like ‘cheer’ which is how Americans use it as well. > [Root for the home team](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Take_Me_Out_to_the_Ball_Game) and all. It means sex. Gives you a totally different mental picture from “root for the home team”, don’t it? ---
**Author:** ![zombywoof](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/9e8a1a/32.png) [@zombywoof](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zombywoof)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2011, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-football-in-america-so-very-regimented/606992/30 "2011-12-21T22:43:48Z")
I also came in to suggest you might give college football a try. ---
**Author:** ![GreedySmurf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a698b9/32.png) [@GreedySmurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreedySmurf)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2011, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-football-in-america-so-very-regimented/606992/31 "2011-12-21T22:45:41Z")
> [@Martian Bigfoot](#): > > If you say “footy” to any person, ever, in any country, they will assume that you refer to soccer. The OP confused the heck out of me. In the interests of keeping the apparently tetchy nature of this thread, sorry Martin but you are wrong. Mention the word _footy_ in Australia, and the listener will not automatically assume you’re talking about soccer. Rather if you’re in Queensland or New South Wales, 95% will assume you’re talking about league. If you’re in Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia or Northern Territory they will presume you’re talking about Australian Rules. Soccer is a minor part of the sporting calender in Australia, so much so that the national league (the A-League) chooses to make itself a summer sport, so as not to clash with the overwhelming more popular footy codes. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2011, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-football-in-america-so-very-regimented/606992/32 "2011-12-21T23:01:27Z")
> [@Dennis\_Arthur\_PERRETT](#): > > No I mean football as in all codes from Rugby League, Rugby Union, Soccer (English Football), Australian Rules, American Football, Canadian Football et cetera. What does “code” mean, in this context? ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2011, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-football-in-america-so-very-regimented/606992/33 "2011-12-21T23:08:22Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > American football is not a game of continuous action; the actual plays last about five seconds, then a pause of up to 30 seconds until the next one (normal – there is the “no huddle” and “hurry up” offenses, which have plays coming closer together). That doesn’t include time outs. > > This makes it ideal for TV, especially TV with instant replays … It’s also ideal for TV because of the wonderful natural opportunities it provides for constant commercial breaks. A free-flowing game like soccer must be a nightmare for advertisers. ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2011, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-football-in-america-so-very-regimented/606992/34 "2011-12-21T23:12:12Z")
I think the way American football is played has a close analogue in how modern war is conducted. Alexander the Great or Genghis Khan might well say of modern soldiers, “why is everything so regimented, and why do they sit around _planning_ so much? If they’re warriors, why don’t they just get out there and _fight_?!” ETA: and in America, a “footy” is a little disposable nylon sock that ladies put over their feet when they’re trying on new shoes at the department store. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_Panic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/don_t_panic/32/398_2.png) [@Don\_t\_Panic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Panic)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2011, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-football-in-america-so-very-regimented/606992/35 "2011-12-21T23:22:32Z")
> [@GreedySmurf](#): > > In the interests of keeping the apparently tetchy nature of this thread, sorry Martin but you are wrong. > > Mention the word _footy_ in Australia, and the listener will not automatically assume you’re talking about soccer. > > Rather if you’re in Queensland or New South Wales, 95% will assume you’re talking about league. If you’re in Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia or Northern Territory they will presume you’re talking about Australian Rules. > > Soccer is a minor part of the sporting calender in Australia, so much so that the national league (the A-League) chooses to make itself a summer sport, so as not to clash with the overwhelming more popular footy codes. Huh. Ignorance fought. ---
**Author:** ![PigArcher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bcef8e/32.png) [@PigArcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PigArcher)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2011, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-football-in-america-so-very-regimented/606992/36 "2011-12-21T23:37:29Z")
> [@kenetic](#): > > It means sex. Gives you a totally different mental picture from “root for the home team”, don’t it? > [@zombywoof](#): > > I also came in to suggest you might give college football a try. I may have the mentality of a 14 year old, but as sequential comments go this amused me. ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2011, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-football-in-america-so-very-regimented/606992/37 "2011-12-21T23:40:09Z")
Others have already touched on this, but the key distinction between American Football and many other vaguely similar games (rugby, aussie rules, even soccer) is the start-and-stop nature, the the idea of calling plays. Sure in something like soccer you have some number of setpieces where you might have a somewhat intricate pre-planned set of things to do (“those guys all run one way, and that guy runs some other way, and we pretend we’re doing X but we’re really doing Y” or whatever). But most of the time in soccer things are constantly in motion and people are constantly improvising what precisely they should be doing at that exact moment. American Football, on the other hand, is basically nothing BUT setpieces. So, not surprisingly, that’s where all the effort is put. Each team has a huge library of extremely intricate different plays pre-planned and very well practiced… and these are not just “ok, Joe runs down the left sideline and we throw the ball to him”. Each play has a huge tree of possibilties… “Joe runs down the left sideline, and we hope to throw the ball to him, but if he doesn’t get open, then we look to Frank on the right sideline, meanwhile Joe has doubled back…” etc. So there’s MUCH more of a chess-game aspect between the coaches than in any other sport I’m familiar with. Sure in soccer the coaches ahead of time try to figure out what type of lineup or formation their opponents will go with, and try to counter that, and readjust over the course of the game, etc. But in American Football, that’s happening every single play over the course of the game. Now, this isn’t necessarily a good thing or a bad thing, it’s just different. Although it does lend itself very well to being shown and discussed on commerical TV. ---
**Author:** ![PigArcher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bcef8e/32.png) [@PigArcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PigArcher)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2011, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-football-in-america-so-very-regimented/606992/38 "2011-12-21T23:49:44Z")
> [@MaxTheVool](#): > > Now, this isn’t necessarily a good thing or a bad thing, it’s just different. Although it does lend itself very well to being shown and discussed on commerical TV. It’s the start-and-stop nature that makes football the only watchable sport in my book. Soccer, hockey, or basketball seem so pointless - “Oh, they’re running one way. Now they’re running the other way!” _Yawn_ ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2011, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-football-in-america-so-very-regimented/606992/39 "2011-12-22T00:14:27Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > I believe it was George Will who remarked that American football combined the two worst aspects of modern American life - it is three hours of random violence, punctuated by committee meetings. > > Regards, > Shodan You would get that from a baseball fan. ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2011, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-football-in-america-so-very-regimented/606992/40 "2011-12-22T00:49:09Z")
> [@zombywoof](#): > > I also came in to suggest you might give college football a try. One of the nice things about college, and even better, high school football, is that they aren’t as good as the NFL. Their mistakes reveal what they were trying to do, and what the plan behind the moves is. Plus, since there are mistakes, the play will sometimes break open and exciting stuff happens. Professional NFL football is very drilled and very good, to the point where it can seem choreographed. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-football-in-america-so-very-regimented/606992.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-football-in-america-so-very-regimented/606992.md?page=3)