Lesson 1: Introduction to Football
Duration: 45 minutes or 1 class period

Today we will be learning how to hold and throw a football properly. Before we begin that, we will practice drills that football teams use to get in shape. We will be using agility ladders for a few exercises and doing push-ups, curl ups and mountain climbers. During this time, music will be playing and you will need to listen to me as we move from exercise to exercise. After five minutes of this warm-up, we will stretch and then you will split up into groups of two to practice holding a football and learning how to throw the football. Near the end of class, we will come back together as a group and ask for a volunteer on how to throw the ball properly.

You will be side by side four to five feet apart and your partner will be across from you. When holding a football, you want to have a finger outside the seam and then an open seam and another finger and another open seam and then another finger till your entire hand is holding the ball. Please hold the ball in front of you, so as I walk down I can see you are holding it properly and your partner can see you are holding it properly. You will then take a step back with the foot that the ball is on and bring the ball to your ear. All of the weight is on your back leg. You will then take a small step forward and “Karate Chop” the hand that your football is in and release the ball toward your partner. Your weight will transfer to your lead leg.

We will then have your partner hold the ball properly and they will do the same. To catch the ball, you have your hands up like you are holding a two liter drink (making a triangle with your hands) and let the ball come to you.

After we have practiced the drill three or four times on my command, students will practice on their on. I will be rotating, making sure that everyone is properly catching and throwing. Partners, please ensure that your teammate is catching and throwing the ball properly.

After you have practiced throwing the ball, we will come together as a group and discuss the steps to properly throw the ball and catch the ball. I will ask for a couple of groups to demonstrate what they have learned.

We will also discuss the three step drop for the quarterback that we will practice next class.

Differentiation:
For students with disabilities modify as necessary.

Lesson 2: Football Routes and Three Step Drop
Duration: 45 minutes or 1 class period

Today we will learn how to run routes and the three step drop for the quarterback. Before that we will warm up with practice drills that football teams use to get in shape. We will be using agility ladders for a few exercises and doing push-ups, curl ups and mountain climbers. During this time, music will be playing and you will need to listen to me as we move from exercise to exercise. After five minutes of this warm-up, we will stretch and then you will split up into groups of two to practice throwing and catching the football. After a few minutes of throwing and catching the ball, I will bring the class together and discuss the three step drop. The reason for the three step drop is to allow time for the receivers to run their routes and get open. I will now demonstrate the three step drop and we will practice as a group a couple of times and then you will practice with your partner. After practicing with their partner for five to six minutes, we will come together as a class and I will hand out 3X5 cards with the routes on them. We will just be working on the slant today and I will show you how to catch the ball while running. Your hands need to out in front of you and your thumbs pointing downfield (away from the quarterback). After demonstration of the slant, you will be placed in groups of four to practice the slant and the three step drop. Each student will throw the ball three times and the first person to catch will then become the quarterback and you will continue this drill until you have thrown the ball on 3 different occasions.

Near the end of class, the class will come back together and we will review the three step drop and the slant. After a few students have demonstrated the slant and three step drop, I will pass out the Football Route Sheet (insert link to Football Routes word document) and will review the rest of the routes with the class. The paper is for them to take home and review for the next class period.

Differentiation:
For students with disabilities, if they are unable to run the route, have them walk out five steps, stop, turn around, and catch the ball.
 

Lesson 3: Football Routes and Semantic Map of Positions
Duration: 45 minutes or 1 class period

Today we will review all we have learned and practice running routes. For our warm-up today, we will practice throwing and catching the in groups of four. After a few minutes of warming up, we will stretch and review the slant. Each person will throw the ball three times and after a few minutes, the entire class will stop and I will review the other routes. I will explain the out and everyone will work on that route. We will then do the same for the comeback and the post route. Each group will have a 3X5 card that shows them the routes. After we have reviewed all of the routes, the quarterback will be able to choose the route that they want the receivers to run. After he/she has called three routes, he/she will become a receiver and the first receiver will become the quarterback and that rotations will continue until everyone in the group has had a chance to become quarterback.

We will then come back as a class and I will ask for volunteers to run each route. I will then pass out the Football Positions Semantic Map (insert link to Football Positions word document) sheet. I will then explain each of the positions that are listed on the map. I will also explain the offensive side and defensive side of football. The students will be given the Semantic map to take home and study.

Differentiation:
For students with disabilities, modify the routes and if necessary only make them responsible for knowing the positions of each player.
 

Lesson 4: Practice routes with Offensive and Defensive players
Duration: 45 minutes or 1 class period

Today you will be learning the offensive and defensive playing positions. For a warm-up, you will be in groups of three throwing and catching the ball. After a few minutes of throwing the ball, you will review the routes and each student will call three different routes for the receivers to run. We will then stretch and I will explain the rest of the positions. After they are finished warming up and stretching, I will review the job of the center and then the defender. We will review the three things the defender is supposed to do and how the defender is supposed to cover the receiver. I will also explain the position of the rusher and the safety. We then will have the one group be offensive and another defense. After everyone on offense has been quarterback and thrown the ball three times, offense will become defense and defense will become offense. This will be done for the rest of the period and I will be rotating among the groups making sure everyone is properly playing their position. Please help your teammates and the classmates you are playing against by encouraging them when they are properly playing the position. Please correct them if they need some improvement on playing their position.

Near the end of class, we will review the routes and positions of the players. I will ask you to demonstrate the routes and explain each of the positions.

Differentiation:
For students with disabilities, modify the routes if necessary.
 

Lesson 5: Play Modified Game
Duration: 45 minutes or 1 class period

Today you will be playing a modified game. After we warm up by throwing the ball and running some routes, I will explain the modified game. In our modified game, your goal on offense is to make it down the field and score a goal. You will have eight chances to make it downfield. If you do not make it downfield after eight tries, you will then give the ball to the other team and you will become defense. If a ball is intercepted, you will become defense. Everyone will have flags and to stop a play, the defensive team has to pull the flag of the offensive player with the ball. After I have split up the teams into groups of three, I will be rotating through the different teams to ensure that everyone is playing properly. After 10 minutes, I will rotate teams, so every team will have a chance to play all of the other teams.

Near the end of class, we will review the routes and all of the positions. The written and skills test will be given after the next class period.

Differentiation:
Modify as necessary for students with disabilities.
 

Lesson 6: Play Modified Game
Duration: 45 minutes or 1 class period

This lesson is the same as five except instead of eight tries, each group will have four downs and they will have to make at least three completions to receive a new set of downs. The game will be played in the first half of the class. The second half of the class, I will explain how the skills test will be administered. Each student will be a quarterback and will throw the ball to a student who is running a specific route. As a quarterback, you will throw the ball three times and as a receiver you will run each route three times.
 

Lesson 7: Skills Test
Duration: 45 minutes or 1 class period

Students will be allowed to pick their partners and will be given practice time at the beginning of class. You and your partner will run a route three times and as a quarterback you will be graded on your three step drop and if you throw the ball properly. As a receiver you will be graded on whether you run the route properly and if you catch a properly thrown ball. Each of the routes will be run separately. This allows everyone time to practice the specific route that I will be testing.

Near the end of class, we will review the semantic map and you will take the written test the next class period.

Differentiation:
For students with disabilities, they may not be able to run every route. Only grade on routes they can complete.
 

Lesson 8: Written Test
Duration: 45 minutes or 1 class period

Today you will be taking the written test. On the front is the Football Positions Semantic Map Test (insert link to Football Map Test word document) and you will have to fill in missing words. On the back you will see the Football Routes Test (insert link to Football Routes Test word document) and you will have to write the name for each route. You will be spread throughout the gym during testing. Please do not look over at you neighbor when you are taking this test. When you are done with the test, please place your pencil down and I will come and get your test. Please do not talk until everyone is finished taking the test.

After the test, anyone that was absent for the football skills test, will be tested.

If everyone has completed the football skills test, then we will discuss the next unit that we will be completing.

Differentiation:
With students with disabilities, if necessary only have them complete the positions of the players.