I want to play!

The Free Man

Hey, im looking to start playing american football. ive been checking out the sites and i think im going to give the lads at the dcu saints a call. the thing is i broke my neck a few months ago, and i dont know if it will be too dangerous to play.

i personally feel fine with my neck, but i know a doctor would say otherwise. im 6'6 and about 16 stone, i reckon i'd make a good defense player or a HB/FB.
do you think i should go for this? im going to go see my doctor first, but i think he'll give me bad news.

Chucky the tree

if the doctor gives you bad news, dont go for it. YOu'd be a idiot if you did.

Vikings

Dont even attempt it. Breaking your neck is a very serious injury, every position on defense will require tackling which will not do any good to your neck. Wait until you receive the all clear from your doctor before going to any team. If you want to play half/full back you will need to be able to lower your shoulder which will involve some serious whacks to the head/neck area. It will only result in bad news for you.

The Free Man

thats what im fearing. i really want to play this game. i hope in a few months i'll get the all clear to play this great game.

Chucky the tree

If you want to get involved you could become an Umpire?

IncredibleBulk posted a thread a few days ago about it.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2054888443

might not be the same, but its a way to get involved atleast until you are given the all clear.

The Free Man

yeah, i think ill give that a go, thanks!

incrediblebulk, i sent you a pm

Manny7

I'd love to play too, but at 5'10 and 140 pounds I don't know if I could fit in anywhere. Assuming I'm not big enough to play, is there another way to get involved on a team?

psycrow

there is no set size you have to be to play football. if you learn the techniques correctly theres usually a way to compensate for your size.

If you did just want to get involved, teams are always looking for help behind the scenes... marking the pitch, moving the chains etc you should get in contact with your local team

as for the other guy with the neck problem.. just wait untill you get the all clear from the doctor. its not worth the risk

Neil3030

Don't let a small size get you down, two quality receivers in Steve Smith and Santana Moss are around the 5"9 - 5" 10 mark. You'll need to be really speedy though, and probably want to bulk a few stone up too. Oh and just to warn you - you will be absolutely creased by lads twice your size.... FREQUENTLY!

Vikings

Manny7 wrote:

I'd love to play too, but at 5'10 and 140 pounds I don't know if I could fit in anywhere. Assuming I'm not big enough to play, is there another way to get involved on a team?

Youre definitely big enough to play, in fact ive yet to see anyone refused to play because of their size. Its usually their own fears that stop them from playing. In our league not everyone is over 6 foot so you have nothing to worry about really, give your local team a shout and turn up for a training session. If you dont like it your not commited to staying with them.

Kinetic^

When are your trainings, I wouldn't mind having a look.

BTW.. I'm 6'5" & 265 and I'm mean :mad: (not)

And to the OP, are you ****ing mental!!!!!!

The Free Man

Keyser Soze 5 wrote:

And to the OP, are you ****ing mental!!!!!!

well, i suppose i am:p
i have a serious lust for this game.
you'll see how mental i am when we come faceguard to faceguard!!(in a few months :v: )

Baggly

i might be joining this season too.

6'1 and 185.

going down to a training session tomoro to see what i can see

NDMARSHALS

Come down and take a look at our practice if you are interested we don't discriminate against any size or shape same as most teams there is a place for everyone.

With experienced coaching staff and players helping you to learn you will have no fear.

All the guys including the young guys get alot of confidence when learning from our Coach who was an Ex NFL player and QB who played D2 College Ball.

The Marshals train in the Phoenix Park every Sunday from Midday map on www.northdublinmarshals.com

All gear provided to all players. Our first game is in Santry Stadium on the 25th March at 3pm in Aid of Temple St Childrens Fund against the Derby Braves.

Feel free to call me.

John COllins
0872379936

Baggly

just been to a training session with the dragons.

i will be back. that rocked

Kinetic^

Any chance of providing some more detail please as "that rocked" doesn't exactly explain alot

Baggly

sorry, was still on the adrenalin buzz.

so i arrive down at 11.30, as it said on their website.

the team trickles in and most of us are there by 12.

we start warming up on a slightly muddy pitch, then it starts to rain and we start to warm up on a very muddy pitch.

we practice some of the 'fundamentals' as there are about 6 newbs present.

we do basic tackling skills, low contact at first, and then more contact as we go.

then we practice some more tackling, and then we move on to blocking, which is in my opinion, great fun.

we then split up into offensive and defensive, practice each, and then finish off with some scrimmage against each other.

a nice little way to spend your sunday afternoon.

the lads are all sound, and helpful, but they also know how to tackle. i speak from experience.

Chucky the tree

Does everyone do the tackling routine? if so, Why?


Are the newbs asked what positin they want, or are they just judged on size first then given a position?

Baggly

everyone learns to tackle cause its a good skill to have.

as i understand it, being able to play in more than one position, and perhaps in offense and defense, is a useful skill also.

positions arent based on size, but obviously, the faster players will be recievers and the bulkier players, at the start, will be blockers, preferably.

this is my beginners grasp of it anyway.

we are gonna sort out positions for the newbs after we see how we are gettin on regarding the different skills. it was, after all, our 1st training session

Vikings

petermonaghan wrote:

the lads are all sound, and helpful, but they also know how to tackle. i speak from experience.

Nick, dave or les?

Baggly

ya know, i didnt get the chance to ask their names on the way down to the ground:p

NDMARSHALS

Chucky the tree wrote:

Does everyone do the tackling routine? if so, Why?


Are the newbs asked what positin they want, or are they just judged on size first then given a position?

All players must learn how to give and take tackles after every player on the field could end up having to make one right down to the kicker and punter.

Kinetic^

How long does the training last??

Baggly

it differs from team to team, but mine was about 4 to 4 and a half hours

Kinetic^

I'll be there Sunday.

Baggly

which team?

Baggly

ill probably play you some time this season so. :P

Kinetic^

petermonaghan wrote:

which team?

North Dublin Marshals

Kinetic^

petermonaghan wrote:

ill probably play you some time this season so. :P

Stupid psychic person

Who you playing for??

Edit: just seen your sig

Baggly

that keeps happening to me, where i post after the person responds, and it comes up before they responded. how strange.

i trained with the dragons, so they are my team now. gotta love unconditional loyalty

Kinetic^

petermonaghan wrote:

that keeps happening to me, where i post after the person responds, and it comes up before they responded. how strange.

i trained with the dragons, so they are my team now. gotta love unconditional loyalty

True, hope I make the cut now though It'll be like the episode of the simpsons where Homer takes over the team

Baggly

everyone do a lap.

peter, you dont have to....your cut

and get rid of those damn sideburns!!!!

jdivision

Keyser Soze 5 wrote:

True, hope I make the cut now though It'll be like the episode of the simpsons where Homer takes over the team

You're also welcome to come to DCU Saints training on Sundays from 11am to 2.15 at DCU sports grounds on the Ballymun Road (Buses: 11,11a,13,13a,19a from town). You get off at the Shell station on the road and it's at the side of there. Non DCU students are welcome. I'm not one and I'm playing for them this season. Membership costs e10 for non students which is a lot less than other clubs charge. Gear can be hired (not sure of cost as I bought mine). The Irish head coach and defensive coordinators hold the same positions in our team and we also have a very good lineman coach.

Baggly

what position?

jdivision

sorry peter, private messaged you there by mistake. Thought you were Keyser Soze 5. I play defensive tackle

Baggly

no worries, good to know anyway

Kinetic^

I'm going to go with the Marshalls this weekend and see if I like the game. Also to see if I'm suited to the game as I'm not really what sort of position i'd fit into. The Phoenix Park is also closer to me too.

Boomer23

you are all jammy gits, ive not played since College in Cardiff as i live down in Waterford

The OP

Most of the Irish teams are absolutely terrible. I've been to the Shamrock bowl a few times and it's always The Rebels (the only team in the ROI who actually have a clue IMO) vs. The Knights (NI). The other Irish teams alway get HAMMERED in the full contact league.

BTW, is the flag league still going?

Running Bing

Well Im sure a hurling or gaelic team in the states wouldnt exactly be sensational either op.:)

Im gonna be busy as hell over the next three weeks so I wont be able to make it, will it be to late to join after that? Also just how much about the game should you know(I know the rules and the basics but when it comes to tactics I aint that knowledgeable)

P.S. 4 hours:eek: That sounds like quite a session.

Kinetic^

I went to a session a few weeks back. It was great fun and tough at the same time. Was quite sore for a few days, was a mixture of lack of exercise and being hit. They had me in at offensive line, did pretty well if I say so myself. Only thing that stopped me from going back was the fact that I would've missed most of the season (apart from the last 2 games) because of exams.

Vikings

The OP wrote:

Most of the Irish teams are absolutely terrible. I've been to the Shamrock bowl a few times and it's always The Rebels (the only team in the ROI who actually have a clue IMO) vs. The Knights (NI). The other Irish teams alway get HAMMERED in the full contact league.

BTW, is the flag league still going?

Well im not sure how many of the recent games you have been to but the standard has improved in the past few years.

The flag league that was died down with only on or two teams remaining but not competing, there is someone now who is attempting to rekindle the flag league though.

http://www.irish-flag-football.com/

jdivision

The OP wrote:

Most of the Irish teams are absolutely terrible. I've been to the Shamrock bowl a few times and it's always The Rebels (the only team in the ROI who actually have a clue IMO) vs. The Knights (NI). The other Irish teams alway get HAMMERED in the full contact league.

BTW, is the flag league still going?

Well the Belfast Bulls got to the Bowl last year and topped the league so new teams are starting to make an impression although I think the rebels and carrickfergus will again be the team to beat... most of the teams are fairly new (two new teams this year, at least three next year) so you gotta give em time

Running Bing

How competitive is it? Like to actually play in competitive games would you have to be a decent player or is it more of a sunday league everybody gets a run out sorta thing?

Vikings

It is very competitive I must say, i've played for the past 2 years and one thing you can gaurantee is that every player goes out and gives it there all on any given sunday. Obviously it helps if you are a good player however skill does not matter much as each team will take you in and develop you, the main thing you need is love of the game, if you have that nothing will stop you playing.

Iceman_5000

Goin to college in Belfast next year, and was hoping to play some american football with the bulls any one know anything about them?

Vikings

The bulls had a great squad last year however during the offseason there was a split and the team was pretty much halved losing a lot of players, there will be a new team in belfast called the Trojans which might be worth a look in also. Information for them should be on www.iafl.info

NDMARSHALS

The OP wrote:

Most of the Irish teams are absolutely terrible. I've been to the Shamrock bowl a few times and it's always The Rebels (the only team in the ROI who actually have a clue IMO) vs. The Knights (NI). The other Irish teams alway get HAMMERED in the full contact league.

BTW, is the flag league still going?

What are you talking about? Have you ever played the game? And to what standard are you comparing an Amateur league? American Football is a tactical sport think before you talk in future a don't forget how many points a touchdown gives you. Man ignorance annoys me.

Look if you want to see the progression of this league come down to Morton Stadium(Santry Stadium) for the Marshals first game American Coaches, Cheerleaders Dancers and a fair few quality Irish and American players.