could i play american football?

Question

i am british so don't know much about this sport, but want to know if i could play it and if so in what position, i understand a lot depends on your'e build so iam am 15 years old 6 feet tall and way 11 and a half stone, the last time i ran 100m i did it in a time of 12.6 seconds.

just worked out my weight in lb's its 161 lb's

also being british i played rugby for my school (american football that requires a little more stamina, also no protective equipement) i usually play full back which involves being the last line of defence and catching the opponents kicks and running out with them.

to zib e, i may want to play this sport to have fun and get even more exercise than i already do and broaden my understanding of other cultures and sports rather than spending my days posting biggoted and racist (yes i have checked ur profile) comments on the internet.

Answer 1

Sure you could, I tried out for cornerback at 16 with the local team (I was 6 foot as well but weighed 2 stone less than you, was a lot slower but could react well and cover people). I didn't play as my folks refused to shell out for the kit, but then I went to uni and practiced with the team there. If you play fullback at rugby about the best equivalent is free safety or punt returner, the first is like a sweeper at soccer (last line of defense, can double mark who he feels is biggest threat) while the second does what it says on the tin, although it helps to be able to play a 'real' position as well as just return.
To be honest at non-American level it all depends on your skill set as to where is best to play:
QB - throwing arm, awareness, instant decision making
RB - either elusiveness (think Jerry Guscott) or untackleability (Jonah Lomu)
WR - reasonable speed and ability to catch a must, agility big plus
TE - cross between WR and OL, less speed but more size
OL - must be decent size, technique can make up for not being huge. Need quick feet for OT
DL - as OL but better athletes and less technique
LB - tackle and mark, just like in rugby league
DB - fast running backwards, good coverage skills

To sum up, try throwing/kicking/catching/running/tackling and see what you enjoy doing, and go for it!

Answer 2

Most US Football players start around high school or sooner and have been playing their whole lives. Look for a local US Football club or see if NFL Europe has open tryouts. The Claymores have folded so you'll probably have to skip across the channel to find a team to join when you get old enough.

Build your rugby and if possible basketball skills American Football players have the strength and body mass to use Rugby players as toothpicks. The NFL has players from across the globe for instance the San Diego Chargers had a kicker from Australia who played Rugby and has stated that even though Rugby players wear no pads on NFL player can hit you with the force of an entire Rugby team and the Gramatica brothers both from Argentina are former CONCACAF soccer players.

If you can attend a college or university in American that would be your best shot if you make the Football (American) team there and play well you can get into the NFL there's also Arena Leagues in the US which always have open tryouts in League 1 and League 2. Kurt Warner a former Super Bowl winner was a former Arena league player as are a few other players in the NFL.

The NFL pays better but Arena laegue is easier to get into there is also the Canadian Football League and the APFL. There's even a professional league for women.

Check these websites for more assistance..

http://www.nfl.com

http://www.arenafootball.com

http://www.cfl.ca

http://www.apflfootball.com

Answer 3

If you can walk, talk, wear a helmet and pads you can play football. Being you are tall and not too heavy you might be a good fit as a wide reciever, a slot back, or maybe a linebacker on the weak side. You don't have enough weight to be a lineman, and probably not enough speed to be a defensive back. But if you have a mean streak and a hard-hitting attitude you'd be a perfect linebacker or short route reciever.
By the way, I played Tight End and I'm 6'4, 260lbs. Good luck it's a great game.

Answer 4

Hi mate, your more than big enough to play football in he UK.

It's an amature sport here not professional and we play for fun not as a means to playing profesional.

Check out the NFL Uk site and hit the grass roots tab, find your local team and get yourself down to a training session.

I play WR for the manchester titans and Im only 5'9" and 11 stone (which by the way is an little taller than some players with spots on NFL rosters for those of you banging on about size up above.) Attitude, work ethic and fitness are more important than size in this country, there's a position for everyone if you really want to play.

Your too young to play senior but there is a kitted youth league so check out if your local team has a youth squad. Drop me an email if you need anymore help or information mate.

Answer 5

i don't know how much 11 and a half stone is...

football is based on a 40 yard dash, which is about 2/5 of 100 meters, so 2/5 of 12 1/2 seconds is something like 4.8 seconds, which is a really good 40 yard dash time.

as far as speed goes, you're good, but you have to be able to do all of that with the equipment on, you have to be able to take hits, catch balls, tackle, block...

there's more to it than just size and speed, although those play a big factor.

Answer 6

Of course you can. I too am British and played while at University and in Senior Leagues. There's a position for everyone - you sound like you're built to be a receiver to me. At 15 you're not old enough to play senior football, or indeed for a Uni team (you have to be a student :-)), but many senior clubs have a junior team.

See http://www.gridironuk.co.uk/ for details of senior clubs in the UK, and http://www.bcafl.org/ for details of university teams/league.

Have you heard of flag football? It's a great way to get started and to learn the basics. There is no tackling though, tackles are made by ripping a coloured flag from your opponents waist band. It's great fun, give it a try,I know there are loads of clubs for all ages. Contact one of the senior clubs on www.gridiron.co.uk for details of flag football teams in your area.

Good luck, I loved playing football, and would recommend it to anyone.

Colin

Answer 7

i play football and other people cant tell you if youre good by what you say you could be 7 feet tall and 260 pounds and be the worst athlete ever and especially if you dont know anything about the sport you have no chance at being any good you need to learn about it and watch it look at certain positions and see what you like then learn about it and practice and in football speed isnt everything you need to be really strong just to have a chance at playing

Answer 8

You could but it is very unlikely.
I am not sure what a stone is, but you might want to get them checked out! It could be serious.
I believe a football uniform with equipment on weighs 12 stones. Of course, I could be off a pebble or two!!!

Answer 9

All depend on what you like. You are not overly fast, but not slow either. 11.5 stone is about 160 pounds. If you can catch well, you would make a decent receiver, at at that weight at 15, a decent tight end. Keep growing and putting on weight, and I can see you as a good linebacker as long as you like to hit people.

Answer 10

Maybe you could be a wide reciever. You're tall, pretty fast. The only thing you need is good hands.

Another position you could do would be cornerback if you can cover people good enough.