Football enjoys phenomenal popularity in the U.S., largely because of the violent collisions and bone-rattling tackles the sport features. The joy of being a spectator, though, is that you're not the one being knocked senseless. So if you're ready to play some pigskin but without the potential for injury, acquaint yourself with the touch version of the sport. It's safer, easier and doesn't take sap as much energy from your body as tackle football.
Go Deep
While tackle football is geared heavily toward running the ball behind massive blockers and breaking tackles, those factors are negated in touch football. When a "tackle" simply consists of a defender touching the runner with both hands, it's a stiff challenge trying to break off big gains by running the ball from the line of scrimmage. Touch football, thus, is dominated by passing. Put your best thrower at quarterback and let him air it out. Touch football is aerial warfare, not a ground battle.
Deception Pays
Though you you won't get fat by using traditional running plays, you can grab chunks of yards by running some trick plays. Unlike organized football, defenses haven't scouted you and aren't prepared for your favorite trick plays. Try lining up two players behind center to keep the defense guessing as to who the quarterback is, and have the decoy take advantage of the confusion by taking off downfield for a pass from the quarterback. Or use the "hook and ladder" in which the quarterback throws a short pass to a receiver, who then quickly laterals the ball backward to a teammate rushing up field at full speed.
Playing It Safe
On defense, take a conservative approach. Where as in tackle football, teams often send several defenders blitzing the quarterback, odds are you don't have the speed -- or the number of players -- a high school, college or pro team has. In touch football, once you rush the quarterback, he's free to take off running. Most touch games don't feature 11 players per team, which leaves a lot more to run. So while blitzing the quarterback may be tempting, if you miss the "tackle," you will often end up turning and watching the quarterback racing down the field undefended.
Replenishing Energy
Though it's not the physically grueling game that tackle football is, a game of touch football can burn plenty of energy. There's plenty of running required, and because there's no clock, the game doesn't end until everyone agrees it's time to go home. To replenish your energy post-game, foods with carbohydrates -- such as pasta and potatoes -- will boost your blood sugar, and protein foods such as meat and fish provide amino acids to nurse any strained muscles.
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