Football teaching system and method

Abstract

A football teaching system and method is disclosed that promotes rapid learning by novice football players who are thereby able to better visualize offensive and defensive football formations and correct stances for the individual positions thereof. The system includes twenty-two life size, vertical, two-dimensional football player models that can each be positioned at the appropriate places in the field. The football player models are labeled with a position name so that each position is easily identifiable. Football players on the line may also be numbered for easy set up by the novice players. Each football player model is in the correct stance from a frontal and rear view, such as three-point or four-point stance, as would be appropriate for the position. The overall size of the football player models corresponds to the size of the novices. The system of the present invention allows novice football players to easily visualize opposing teams and team members, as well as their placement and names for much quicker understanding. Therefore, the coach can easily explain plays to novice players in terms such as running between the left tackle and left guard without confusing the novice players. The base portion preferably includes a mount for holding the football player model upright and may include an insertion member such as a spring-loaded spike or other means such as a weight with rounded bottom that biases the model to an upright position.

1 . A system for teaching football to football learners on a field, comprising: 
 a plurality of football player models with a respective frontal and rear view depicted on each of said plurality of football player models;    each of said plurality of football player models being a similar average size as said football learners;    each of said plurality of football player models being representative of respective football position;    each of said plurality of football player models being positionable on said field according to said respective football position;    each of said plurality of football player models being depicted in a selected stance in said respective frontal and rear view;    each of said plurality of football player models comprising hollow stands with a substantially conical cross-section, said conical cross-section further comprising a smaller cross-sectional width at a top portion and a larger cross-sectional width at a bottom portion, and each of said plurality of football player models defining an opening in said bottom portion so as to be insertable into each to permit stacking of said plurality of football players.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of football player models comprise a substantially flexible material.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an outwardly extending flange at said bottom portion to provide a base to ensure stability of each said football player model when positioned on said field.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 defensive and offensive teams formed by said football player models.    
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a portion of said plurality of football player models being depicted in a three point stance for said respective frontal and rear views, and    a portion of said plurality of football player models being depicted in a four point stance for said respective frontal and rear views.    
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 5 , further comprising: 
 a portion of said plurality of football player models being depicted in an upright stance for said respective frontal and rear views.    
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 at least one label associated with each of said plurality of football player models.    
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein: 
 said at least one label is removable from a respective of said football player models.    
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein: 
 said at least one label is indicative of a football player position.    
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 at least one of said plurality of football player models defining an aperture therethrough to provide a handgrip.    
   
   
       11 . A method for providing a teaching system for teaching football to football learners on a field, comprising: 
 providing that said plurality of football player models may be positioned onto said field by a handgrip, said football player models being sized approximately the same as said football learners;    providing that said plurality of football player models are positionable into a desired football position to form a football formation;    providing that said plurality of football player models are positionable upright on said field; and    providing that said plurality of football player models are hollow and profiled so as to be compactly stackable.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 providing that a flange extends outwardly at a base of said plurality of football player models to provide stability.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 providing said football player models with a position label for instructing said football learners of a position name relative to a specific position.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 providing that said plurality of football player models are made in one-piece construction out of plastic or rubber.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 providing that said plurality of football player models comprise a conical cross-section to enhance said compact stacking.    
   
   
       16 . A system for teaching football to football learners on a field, comprising: 
 a plurality of football player models mountable on said field;    each of said plurality of football player models being representative of a respective football position;    each of said football player models being sized to correspond to a size of said football learners;    each of said plurality of football player models being positionable on said field according to said respective football position;    a conical cross-section for said plurality of football player models wherein said plurality of football player models are hollow to permit stacking; and    a base portion for each of said plurality of football player models for mounting said football player models such that said football player models are positioned uprightly with respect to said field.    
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein said base portion further comprises a base of said conical cross-section.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 17 , further comprising: 
 a flange extending outwardly from said base portion.    
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein said plurality of football player models comprise a relatively pliable non-metallic material formed in one-piece construction.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein said one-piece construction is conducive to manufacturing said football players with a mold.