Football game system and method of play

Abstract

A football game system and method of play including an oblong ball and a rectangular playing field having opposing sidelines, an end line, and a goal line, the opposing sidelines extending a length of the playing field, the end line extending a width of the playing field between the opposing sidelines, and the goal line extending the width of the playing field between the opposing sidelines and being positioned inwardly from the end line. A first squad of nine players each wearing soft-shell helmets and soft-shell shoulder pads has as an objective to move the oblong ball across the first goal line. A second squad of nine players each wearing soft-shell helmets and soft-shell shoulder pads has as an objective to defend the first goal line by stopping the movement of the oblong ball by the first squad towards the first goal line.

1 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A football game system, comprising:
 a plurality of oblong balls;   a plurality of soft-shell helmets;   a plurality of soft-shell shoulder pads;   a single traditional football field having a length of 120 yards (360 feet) and a width of 53⅓ yards (160 feet); and   a plurality of rectangular playing fields, each having opposing sidelines, a first end line, a first goal line, a first end zone, a first starting line of scrimmage, a second end line, a second goal line, a second end zone, and a second starting line of scrimmage, the opposing sidelines extending a length of the playing field and being spaced apart in a parallel relation by a width of the playing field, the first end line extending the width of the playing field between the opposing sidelines, the first goal line extending the width of the playing field between the opposing sidelines and being positioned inwardly from, and spaced in a parallel relation with, the first end line, the first end zone being defined by an area between the first end line and the first goal line, the first starting line of scrimmage being positioned inwardly from, and spaced in a parallel relation with, the first goal line, the second end line extending the width of the playing field between the opposing sidelines, opposite the first end line, the second goal line extending the width of the playing field between the opposing sidelines and being positioned inwardly from, and spaced in a parallel relation with, the second end line, the second end zone being defined by an area between the second end line and the second goal line, and the second starting line of scrimmage being positioned inwardly from, and spaced in a parallel relation with, the second goal line;   wherein:
 the length of each playing field is between about 40 yards (120 feet) and about 63⅓ yards (190 feet), and the width of each playing field is between about 20 yards (60 feet) and about 35 yards (105 feet); 
 the plurality of rectangular playing fields comprises four substantially identical playing fields set up on the single traditional football field so as not to overlap each other; and 
 the four substantially identical playing fields are separated from each other by a minimum of 5 yards. 
   
     
     
         24 - 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . The football game system of  claim 23 , wherein the respective widths of the four substantially identical playing fields are 25 yards (75 feet). 
     
     
         32 . The football game system of  claim 23 , wherein the respective lengths of the four substantially identical playing fields run from sideline to sideline on the single traditional football field; and
 wherein the first and second end zones of each of the four substantially identical playing fields are within the boundaries of the single traditional football field.   
     
     
         33 . The football game system of  claim 23 , wherein the first and second goal lines of each of the four substantially identical playing fields are located on opposing sidelines of the single traditional football field; and
 wherein the first and second end zones of each of the four substantially identical playing fields are at least partially outside the boundaries of the single traditional football field.   
     
     
         34 . A football game system, comprising:
 a plurality of oblong balls;   a plurality of soft-shell helmets;   a plurality of soft-shell shoulder pads;   a single traditional football field having a length of 120 yards (360 feet) and a width of 53⅓ yards (160 feet); and   a plurality of rectangular playing fields, each having opposing sidelines, an end line, a goal line, and end zone, and a starting line of scrimmage, the opposing sidelines extending a length of the playing field and being spaced apart in a parallel relation by a width of the playing field, the end line and the starting line of scrimmage each extending the width of the playing field between the opposing sidelines and being spaced apart in a parallel relation by the length of the playing field, the goal line extending the width of the playing field between the opposing sidelines and being positioned inwardly from, and spaced in a parallel relation with, the end line, and the end zone being defined by an area between the end line and the goal line;   wherein:
 the length of each playing field is between about 45 yards (135 feet) and about 55 yards (165 feet), and the width of each playing field is between about 40 yards (120 feet) and about 53⅓ yards (160 feet); 
 the plurality of rectangular playing fields comprises two substantially identical playing fields set up on the single traditional football field so as not to overlap each other; 
 the respective widths of the two substantially identical playing fields run from sideline to sideline on the single traditional football field; and 
 the respective end zones of the two substantially identical playing fields coincide with opposing end zones of the single traditional football field. 
   
     
     
         35 . The football game system of  claim 35 , wherein the respective starting lines of scrimmage of the two substantially identical playing fields are located on opposing 45-yard-lines of the single traditional football field.