NFL talk? Questions about American football?

Hey guys, I just wondered whether anyone on here had played American Football before, you know pads n' all!

I'm hopefully going off to uni in the autumn and looking to play for the University team, I've grown up playing a lot of football, english football, so I'm not exactly huge, so I was just wondering how competitive it is. I don't really want to be playing against guys who are twice the size of me, because I'll die...

Also, what are the most popular positions that people go for, I'm guessing QB is probably the most popular. I think the university league is called BUAFL so if anyone's played in that more specifically.

Same boat as you regarding body size. I'm six foot one (decent height), but weigh 135 pounds. To think that wide receivers and cornerbacks weigh nearly 200...

See I'd say I'm maybe an inch or two taller, and maybe 20 pounds heavier, but yeah the prospect of being continuously hit by a 200+ pound linebacker doesn't sound too appealing..

The BUAFL league isn't anywhere near as competitive as the NFL or NCAA. There's plenty of skinny receivers out there, it's your ability to make a good catch and run a good route which will make you better than other players. Yeah the hits can hurt, and getting some muscle on you is a great idea but WR is a skill position, and size isn't the most important thing.

I play receiver in BUAFL if you have any more specific questions.

Probably dangerous for me to put on that much weight (talking a good 60 pounds) in such a short spell of time. If I was to want to be anything, I'd probably want to be a Quarterback. Even with the additional risk of standing hits hurting so much more. Haha.

Yeah I know what you mean, I have huge trouble gaining weight, not like medical trouble, but I've always been pretty slim and had a high metabolism, so there's no way I'll gain that much!

Yeah I think everyone wants to be QB1 though, uber - competitive!

Thanks mate for your reply, yeah I guessed the quality and competitiveness isn't close to how they play in the US, I wasn't really looking to play WR though to be honest, I was looking more at being a running back, it's a lot of hits but I'm pretty quick so hopefully I can avoid it!

What's the BUAFL like to play in? Are most of the guys huge? Is it really competitive to get a playing/starting position?

Yeah I know what you mean, I have huge trouble gaining weight, not like medical trouble, but I've always been pretty slim and had a high metabolism, so there's no way I'll gain that much!

Yeah I think everyone wants to be QB1 though, uber - competitive!

Gaining weight can be more difficult for some, but you just have to eat more. Simple as that really. Try to get 3000-3500 calories in and you'll definitely gain weight, hit the gym of course and you'll get some decent muscle gains.

Running back is probably the most competitive position actually, so it won't be easy especially if you're light. Pretty much everyone says they are quick, so you need to be something special if you want to just get by on your speed. It's a lot about finding the gaps and changing direction quickly to avoid hits, but also being strong enough to basically run through people. The best running backs in the league can take hard hits and still stay on their feet to get a touchdown.

BUAFL as a league has some huge differences in team ability, the top teams have a lot of big and talented players. Teams like Birmingham Lions attract a lot of talent because of their reputation, but if you work hard and truly dedicate yourself to the sport there's no reason why you can't eventually be as good, if not better than their players.

I think the most I've ever weighed was like, ten stone. I've never done weights or worked out before in my life, so I have very little muscle. Having a 32 (maybe 34) inch chest and being six foot one is a sign you've not got much about you. Haha.

To be honest, I've never thrown a football in my life. I'd just like to give it a go. Hahaha.

Whoa, 34 inch chest and six foot one, my god you must be bloody thin! I've got a 38-40 chest and I'm pretty skinny!

Yeah QB is really appealing, I've thrown a ball a couple of times, ages ago, but I don't think it went well!

Yeah, during my two years on Sixth Form, girls used to constantly point out that when they hugged me, they could wrap their arms around the opposite side of my body. I'm pretty bad. Hahaha.

I just feel as if I'd have the vision as to where to throw the ball. Who knows f I'd have the ability to get it there, though. That's why I want to give it a go.

I'm exactly the same mate. 6 2" and 9 stone exactly. Freakishly skinny. As in people think you're either anorexic or Ethiopian (of which I happen to be neither :P).

I can throw the ball near perfect when just in a tee and shorts. We were playing today in fact and it was fine. I was hitting people in stride and everything. Right on the money 90% of the throws.

I sucked in pads. Like sucked hard.

Throwing in pads and a helmet is restrictive and alien and takes AGES to get used to. Also, try throwing when there's 3 or 4 BIG hefty guys running right at your face trying to snap you. Finally, once you get hit once (which is inevitable) you will be shaken and your confidence hit. Its hard to just get back up and stand strong in the pocket, as I started rushing throws or forcing them which almost invariably leads to interceptions.

Not telling you to give up. Just be prepared for the reality. It's nothing like the pretty boy image it gets portrayed as.

Small thing but Nike is unveiling he new NFL kits on April 3rd.