THANKSGIVING IS COMING up this Thursday, and while it has absolutely nothing to do with Ireland, that doesn’t mean we can’t steal some of its best traditions. You don’t need to show any gratitude, or even eat a turkey (although if you were looking for an excuse, now’s the time). However, you should definitely grab some friends, head round the back garden or the local green, and hold your own Turkey Bowl.
This classic American tradition of backyard Thanksgiving football was largely introduced to an Irish audience by Friends. Hopefully you’ll have even more craic playing than watching this:
If you already have a decent idea of how to play, great, but if not you can get a breakdown of the rules here, You should know everything you’ll need after watching the highly scientific instructional video above, but just in case, here are some pointers specifically for any Irish fans hoping to hold their own Turkey Bowl:
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Use what you have
Maybe you’re one of the dedicated NFL fans who has their own official Wilson football and can throw a perfect spiral, but the majority of us are much more likely to have a rugby ball. If you’re only planning to play at Thanksgiving, this provides a perfectly acceptable (and more accessible) alternative. It may horrify the purists, but it’s the same shape, and unless you’re going to make these get togethers a more regular occurrence, a rugby ball will do fine.
Take a look at the video above. Do you think your friends would still be your friends if you did that to them? A quick tap on the hips of the attacker may not be as satisfying as a crunching hit, but it’s a lot safer, and a lot less likely to lead to furious recriminations. Leave the full-contact stuff to the professionals, keep your friends, and keep your turkey down.
Set out the rules beforehand
Rule number 1: Don't flip your friends over Morgan Treacy / INPHO
Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO
Traditionally these games are fairly flexible when it comes to the laws of the game, but it’s best that everyone knows what’s what before the first snap. Less time wasted arguing, more time spent actually playing football. You watched the Friends clip, you know what could happen.
Have fun
Remember – this isn’t the actual Super Bowl. You’re not Ross or Monica. Be thankful to your friends, don’t hammer them into a wall (or the ground), and don’t start a fight with repercussions echoing through generations.
Get your football fix off the pitch too
In case you’re exhausted after your epic showdown with your friends (or decide not to have one), but still have a craving for some Thanksgiving football on Thursday afternoon, worry not.
There are three NFL games on at a reasonable hour tomorrow night, starting from 17:30 with Chicago vs. Detroit, followed by Philadelphia vs. Dallas, and Super Bowl champions Seattle vs. San Francisco.
Get the most from Thanksgiving with some backyard American football
THANKSGIVING IS COMING up this Thursday, and while it has absolutely nothing to do with Ireland, that doesn’t mean we can’t steal some of its best traditions. You don’t need to show any gratitude, or even eat a turkey (although if you were looking for an excuse, now’s the time). However, you should definitely grab some friends, head round the back garden or the local green, and hold your own Turkey Bowl.
This classic American tradition of backyard Thanksgiving football was largely introduced to an Irish audience by Friends. Hopefully you’ll have even more craic playing than watching this:
If you already have a decent idea of how to play, great, but if not you can get a breakdown of the rules here, You should know everything you’ll need after watching the highly scientific instructional video above, but just in case, here are some pointers specifically for any Irish fans hoping to hold their own Turkey Bowl:
Use what you have
Maybe you’re one of the dedicated NFL fans who has their own official Wilson football and can throw a perfect spiral, but the majority of us are much more likely to have a rugby ball. If you’re only planning to play at Thanksgiving, this provides a perfectly acceptable (and more accessible) alternative. It may horrify the purists, but it’s the same shape, and unless you’re going to make these get togethers a more regular occurrence, a rugby ball will do fine.
Try Tag rather than Tackle
Take a look at the video above. Do you think your friends would still be your friends if you did that to them? A quick tap on the hips of the attacker may not be as satisfying as a crunching hit, but it’s a lot safer, and a lot less likely to lead to furious recriminations. Leave the full-contact stuff to the professionals, keep your friends, and keep your turkey down.
Set out the rules beforehand
Traditionally these games are fairly flexible when it comes to the laws of the game, but it’s best that everyone knows what’s what before the first snap. Less time wasted arguing, more time spent actually playing football. You watched the Friends clip, you know what could happen.
Have fun
Remember – this isn’t the actual Super Bowl. You’re not Ross or Monica. Be thankful to your friends, don’t hammer them into a wall (or the ground), and don’t start a fight with repercussions echoing through generations.
Get your football fix off the pitch too
In case you’re exhausted after your epic showdown with your friends (or decide not to have one), but still have a craving for some Thanksgiving football on Thursday afternoon, worry not.
There are three NFL games on at a reasonable hour tomorrow night, starting from 17:30 with Chicago vs. Detroit, followed by Philadelphia vs. Dallas, and Super Bowl champions Seattle vs. San Francisco.
First published at 16.03, 26 Nov
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American Football Backyard football Thanksgiving Thanksgiving American Football Turkey Bowl