US20160220878A1

US20160220878A1 - Systems and methods of playing an enhanced version of football sport

Info

Publication number: US20160220878A1
Application number: US14/610,195
Authority: US
Inventors: Srinivas S. Devathi
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-01-30
Filing date: 2015-01-30
Publication date: 2016-08-04
Also published as: WO2016120766A1; JP2018512057A; WO2016120766A9

Abstract

Systems and methods for playing a new enhanced version of the sport of Football (e.g., Gridiron football, American football, Canadian football, Rugby Union, Rugby League, Soccer or similar sports). In an embodiment, this disclosed version of the sport is played between two teams (offense and defense) with 15 players on each side on the field at a point in time, with a total of three balls, with varying weightages and importance. Each ball results in a different score when touched down or with a field goal. Even the overall distance gained or lost will be magnified or reduced based on the weightages assigned to each ball. The offense has four downs to advance the line of scrimmage by 10 yards and if they fail to do so, they lose possession to the defense team, who then have four downs to advance 10 yards. With three balls in the game, after every down a weighted average formula is used to compute the location of the new line of scrimmage and also there are specific guidelines to determine the possession for the next down. This version of the sport delivers enhanced entertainment and excitement for viewers and audience, while enables the application of much higher levels of strategy, thinking and planning into the game and every down.

Description

FIELD

Embodiments usable within the scope of the present disclosure relate, generally, to devices, systems, guidelines, processes, technology, formulae and methods of playing sport, and more specifically, systems and methods usable to play, conduct, or organize variations on the sport of football (e.g., American Football, Canadian Football, Rugby Union, Rugby League, Soccer or similar sport) and/or to provide entertainment using such variations.

BACKGROUND

The sport of Football has been played for over 150 years in countries like USA and Canada, while another version of the sport such as Rugby has been played in other parts of the world like Europe, South America, New Zealand, Australia, Africa and few Asian countries.
The sport of Football (e.g., American Football) has traditionally been played with one ball, with 11 players from each side on the field at a given point in time. And they have four plays or downs to move the ball forward (advance) by 10 yards. Eventually the touchdown of the ball results in scoring points for the team. The team on the offense typically have Quarterback, offensive linemen (center, guards and tackles), running backs, wide receivers and tight ends. The team on the defense have defensive linemen, linebackers, defensive backs and safety positions. There are also special teams on both sides.
There is a lot of practice, strategy and planning that goes into playing each play or down in the sport of Football, however as traditionally played, the game is considered to be a very physical sport. Over a century, the sport has been played in this way and has entertained millions of people across the world.
As a next stage in the evolution of the sport of Football, a need may exist to enhance the excitement the sport delivers to the audience and viewers, while further expanding on the skillset, strategy and planning that goes into playing the sport

SUMMARY

Embodiments usable within the scope of the present disclosure include systems and methods for playing an enhanced version of the sport of football. In some embodiments, by playing the sport with three balls in each down, by altering the team compositions on both sides, by modifying the game rules and guidelines, the possible outcomes of each down are multiplied with a wide range of scoring possibilities (e.g., three touchdowns all on one side or either sides). This may result in more excitement in each down of the game. Further an algorithm or formula may be employed to determine the ‘Line of Scrimmage’ after every down. This may be based on the spread of the three balls on the field (at the end of each down) and their weightages, in reference to the direction of play. For each down, the three balls may be snapped by center and two guard positions. In certain embodiments, a system (device) termed as ‘Snapper’ may be used to snap all three balls at a time, by the Center, at the beginning of each down. With these changes, a multitude of new possibilities, scenarios and outcomes may be delivered in each down and the entire sport. Systems and methods as described herein may deliver more excitement for the viewers watching the sport of football, expand and improvise the overall objective of the sport of football, expand the skillset of the players as needed to play the sport of football, enable the application of higher levels of strategy and/or multiply the possible scenarios and outcomes in each down of the sport of football. In one embodiment, a version of sport of football may be played with three balls instead of one, each ball carrying different weightages in terms of points awarded when touched down. Also there may be two additional (total of three) quarterbacks, one for each ball and two additional wide receivers on the offense team. The defense team may be balanced with two more defensive linemen and two additional safeties. This means playing with 15 players on the field on each side at any point in time.
Similar extensions can be made to the sport of Rugby (E.g., Rugby League or Rugby Union) or Soccer, where more than one ball is used for the sport. In an embodiment, the sport of Rugby or Soccer could be played with two balls with different weightages. Such embodiments of playing the sport of football with more than one ball, could also be termed as ‘Multi ball football format’ or ‘Multi ball football sport’.
As used herein, a “sport” includes any form of physical activity with a defined format, process, guidelines or rules. While there are individual sports, generally they are played between two parties, where each party could be a person or a team. Further, sport could be played in a competitive or non-competitive setting.
As used herein to describe a sport or game, “football” means a sport involving an offense team having at least one player advancing a ball towards or into an opposing team end zone or goal area, either by carrying the ball, throwing or passing the ball by hands or kicking the ball, while being resisted by an opponent team having at least one player. Further, the opponent team will get at least one opportunity to become the offense team and advance the ball.
Further each team could make one or more attempts to advance the ball towards or into an opposing team end zone or goal area. Generally an attempt begins at a starting position and finishes at an ending position when played with one ball. However, in the embodiments disclosed herein, an attempt could end with one or more ending positions, with one ending position per ball used in the attempt within the disclosed embodiments of the game or sport of football.
It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein (e.g., it could be applied for not just American Football, but also Gridiron football, college football, high school football, fantasy football, Canadian football, Rugby union, Rugby league, professional football played by NFL (National Football League), professional football played by CFL (Canadian Football League), Woman's Football, Rugby world cup, Rugby League world cup, Championships and tournaments conducted at national and international level, Soccer, Soccer world cup, various Soccer leagues across the world, various sporting leagues across the world, various sports organizing bodies across the world, football computer games, football video games, football experimental software, football trial version games or software, football based mobile, smartphone, tablet devise applications, other electronic football based software or applications and other similar versions of sport).
In various embodiments, rather than playing the sport of Football with the one ball, the sport is played with more than one ball. In an embodiment, the sport may be played with three balls. Each of the balls may be of the same color as the other balls or a different color. Each of the balls may be of the same size, shape, and mass as the other balls or a different size, different shape, and/or different mass as compared to the other balls. Other attributes, such as material or surface texture or ball firmness (e.g., air pressure within the ball) may be same among all the balls or different from one ball to the other.
To elucidate the inventive concept, the sport of ‘American Football’ is chosen and used in the subsequent paragraphs. While the invention is about methods and systems to play the sport with more than one ball, for illustrative purposes, a particular “3-ball American Football Sport” format is chosen and described in the subsequent paragraphs. Further, the “3-ball American Football Sport” is referred as ‘the disclosed version’ or ‘the disclosed format’ or ‘the disclosed embodiment’, just for the ease of narration and elaboration of the inventive concept and should not be considered as limiting.
As per ‘National Football League’, the measurements of the prolate spheroid ball currently used in the sport is an approximate 11 inches in length measured along the central axis and an approximate 22 inches in circumference along the plane of largest diameter at the center. And it is brown in color. This ball may be used in embodiments of the sport described herein and will be referred to as ‘Mustang’ going forward. The mustang ball weighs about 14 to 15 ounces. The ball is inflated to about 12.5 to 13.5 lbs. per square inch of pressure. In this embodiment, two new balls are added and used in the sport along with Mustang. The second ball is also a prolate spheroid ball with the same length as Mustang (11 inches), but measures only 20 inches in circumference along the plane of largest diameter at the center. The weight of the ball may be slightly lower than Mustang, though it may be manufactured with the same exact materials. The air pressure in this second ball may be same as Mustang. This second ball will be referred as ‘Stallion’ going forward. Stallion may be orange in color. The third ball will also be a prolate spheroid ball with the same length as Mustang (11 inches), but may measure only 18 inches in circumference along the plane of largest diameter at the center. The weight of the ball may be slightly lower than Stallion, though it may be manufactured with the same exact materials. The air pressure in this third ball may be same as Mustang. This third ball will be referred to as ‘Colt’ going forward. Colt will be red in color.
In this embodiment, the three balls in the sport carry different weightages or importance. When a Colt is touched down, the team is awarded 10 points. When a Stallion is touched down, the team is awarded 6 points. When a Mustang is touched down, the team is awarded 2 points. Colt becomes the most important ball to focus on, for the team to score, even if it means at the cost of the other two balls. Also, the possession of all three balls will depend on which team possesses the Colt. On a field goal Colt, Stallion and Mustang are awarded 5, 3 and 1 points respectively. For the point after touchdown (PAT), all three balls will result in 1 point.
In this embodiment, a down will generally be played with all three balls, however as the game progresses there maybe downs played with less than three balls. This means in each down, there are three or less individual plays (one play per ball) that execute in parallel. When all three or fewer plays come to an end, the down is considered as complete. This brings significant amount of strategy into the play, as the offense team has to focus on touching down all three balls, otherwise should attempt to advance Colt furthest as compared to stallion and mustang, as that gives them better overall advancement on the field.
As compared to the existing sport of Football played with 11 players on each side at a given point in time on the field, this embodiment of the sport will have 15 players per side on the field at a point in time. The offense team will have the same existing 11 player positions with two more quarterbacks added and two more wide receivers added. This will take the count to 15 players on the offense side. The total of 3 quarterbacks and 4 wide receivers (plus a tight end), would enable the maneuvering of all three balls in the field and enable up to all three balls released for wide receivers to catch at the same time. This may provide enhanced entertainment for the audience and viewers.
Similar to the offense team, in this embodiment the count of the defense team will also move up from the current 11 to 15. There will be two more defensive linemen added and two additional safety positions added. The two additional linemen to try and tackle the two added quarterbacks on the offense side. The two additional safety positions will tackle the two added wide receivers. This means 15 players in offense and 15 players in defense, on the field at a given point of time.
In the current day sport of Football, there are three separate units within each team:
The offense unit with 11 players, the defense unit with 11 players and special team for special kicking situations (e.g., punts, field goals, and kickoffs). However, only 11 players are on the field from one team at any point in time. In embodiments described herein of the sport, there will be the same three separate units within each team: The offense unit with 15 players, the defense unit with 15 players and special team with 11 players for special kicking situations (e.g., punts, field goals, and kickoffs). However, only 15 players are on the field from one team at any point in time.
In this embodiment of the sport, the Colt would be used to kick the game off. Once the possession and the starting ‘Line of scrimmage’ is determined, the game is played with all three balls. As in the current version, the offense team has to move forward by 10 yards in four downs. However, the yards advanced or backed up will be determined by an algorithm or formula based on the positions of three balls at the end of the down, in reference to the direction of the down. Simply put, a positive advancement in yardage of Colt would result in better advancement overall as compared to Stallion and Mustang. While the offense team is always looking to move all three balls forward, one, two or all three balls could be intercepted and taken by the defense team in opposite direction. If the defense team intercepts Colt, they get possession of all three balls and begin with their first down. The offense team retains possession of one, two or all three balls in the game, as long as they continue to possess the Colt. The defense could intercept the Stallion and Mustang, but the possession will still remain with the offense team, as long as they possess Colt. Note that the defense could even touch down Stallion and Mustang after interceptions, yet will not possess Colt for the subsequent down. The offense team will continue the next down with Colt, based on the algorithm or formula derived location of the new ‘Line of Scrimmage’. Line of Scrimmage will be referred as LOS going forward. If the offense team is unable to advance the LOS by 10 yards in four downs, the defense will gain possession and will start their first down with all three balls. Alternately, after all three balls are touched down in either ends, the defense will start again with a kick-off and start their first down with all three balls. It is to be noted that if the Colt is touched down by offense team or the defense team (after an intercept), that team will possess the remaining two balls and continue the game from the derived ‘Line of Scrimmage’ in the next down. In this scenario, the ball that determines the possession becomes Stallion. When only one ball is in the play, the team possessing it will be the offense team. After touch down of each ball, the field goal is offered to the team that touched down for the additional one point (PAT).
In one embodiment, the sport begins the first down with all three balls. As the game proceeds, there will be downs with only one or two balls (e.g., after one of the balls is touched down). In order to promote and enhance the thinking and strategy aspect of the sport, into a heavily physical sport, different weightages are given to each ball in the form of points awarded when touched down and also in terms of the impact it has on the yardage gained or lost, in a given down. With the three balls in the play, they will be at different points on the field at the end of each down. The new LOS, will be computed by using a simple weighted averages formula. The same formula can be applied when just one or two balls are in the play.
In one embodiment, weightages of 2.0, 1.25 and 1.0 are assigned to Colt, Stallion and Mustang respectively. While other models and weightages have been assessed, this weightage model gives very high impact weightage to Colt as compared to the other two. Hence enabling better application of strategy in the sport.
The following is an algorithm or weighted average formula used in one embodiment to arrive at the new LOS at the end of each play, using the recommended weightages. F=(S+(((C*2)+(L*1.25)+(M*1))/3)). In the formula F=New LOS for the next down. S=the start LOS at the beginning of the down. C=the number of yards Colt has been displaced in the down. L=the number of yards Stallion has been displaced in the down. M=the number of yards Mustang has been displaced in the down. A forward movement yardage will be entered as a positive number and a backward movement yardage will be entered as a negative number, for C, L and M. The distance displaced (for C, L and M) is the measured displacement along a straight line parallel to the sideline. E.g., If the down began at 25 yards point. Colt was moved forward by 10 yards. Stallion was moved forward by 5 yards. Mustang was moved backward by 10 yards. M will be the only negative entry into the formula. Applying the numbers into the formula, we get F=30.4, which will be the new LOS.
In this embodiment, while applying the formula, if one of the balls is touched down by the offense team, the entry for that ball is put as zero into the formula. As in it is excluded from the computation of the new LOS. If a ball is touched down by the defense team (e.g., after an intercept), the negative yardage is put into the formula to push the offense back. Note—if the defense team touches down Colt, they possess the two balls and become offense in the next down. If a ball goes out of bound from the field, its net displacement on field is fed as zero into the formula. Due to the added weightages given to Colt and Stallion, there are instances or scenarios where the new LOS computation comes out to be more than 100 or less than 0. In such scenarios, 90 is used as the new LOS for all greater than 100 results and 10 is used as new LOS if the number is less than zero. A down is considered complete when all three or fewer plays within the down (one per ball) come to ground or end.
In this embodiment, after every down is completed, there is a need to instantly compute the location of new LOS, score and possession and communicate it to everyone (teams, audience, viewers and for display on digital score display board). In some embodiments, communication is established over a preset radio frequency and the umpires communicate end locations of the balls so that the scoring team announces the new LOS, score and possession. In some embodiments, technology may be used to fully automate this process and make it very fast so as to deliver the new LOS to everyone, almost instantaneously. A centralized ‘Game computing system’ could be built and used to enable such automation. The game computing system could communicate and interact with one or more systems (e.g., ball location capturing system) to enable the automation. Within the scope of this disclosure, some techniques which could form the ‘ball location capturing systems’ have been disclosed. In few embodiments, the ball location capturing for the computation of new LOS could be done based on techniques such as (a) Sky camera technique (b) Sensors based technique (c) ‘GPS’ [Global positioning system] technique. In all three techniques, the locations can be electronically communicated to the game computing system, which computes the new LOS automatically and displays it on the digital score board and communicates to all parties involved. Further, in an embodiment, there could be laser beams projected on to the playing field to show the old and new LOS. E.g., there has been extensive usage of laser beams, specialty lighting and beam projections to amaze and dazzle audience in music concerts and other shows performed across the world. Such available technologies can be used to beam or project a line(s) showing the old and new LOS. These could be lighting systems that are electronically controlled via consoles or computers or software applications.
In some embodiments, the center along with the two guards next to him shall snap three balls manually at the same instant. Further, the center and the two guard positions could snap the balls while shielding them from the sight of defense team, so as not to disclose the position of Colt as a key strategy. However, in an embodiment, as an additional option, a new devise called ‘Snapper’ can be used by center alone, to snap all three balls in the down at the same time. Further, snapper allows placement of the three balls in any order based on the strategy employed by the offense team. It shields the three balls from the sight of the defense team. This means defense team does not know which side the Colt would come out of the snapper and which side the other two balls would come out, until the last moment after snapping. This can be used as a key strategy element by the offense team. The snapper provides provision to angle the panels holding the balls between zero and 45 degrees, with soft lock settings at every 5 degrees. It provides an asymmetric setting option by different panel or ball. The toss of the ball could be from couple feet to up to five meters. Further it provides the center with limited control on the force applied on each ball, angle of the toss, trajectory of the ball travel and speed of the toss.
Similar to the versions or embodiments of the sport of football described above, Rugby union and Rugby League sports could also be played in an embodiment with more than one ball. Similar to the versions described above, the multiple balls used to play the sport (E.g., two balls or three balls) will carry different weightages and will yield different scores when a ‘Try’ is achieved. This introduces a good amount of strategy and thinking into the predominantly physical sport. In an embodiment, by varying the number of players, modifying few of the playing, scoring and/or other rules, an exciting new version could be realized. The same approach could be extended to play Soccer in an embodiment with more than one ball.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the detailed description of various embodiments usable within the scope of the present disclosure, presented below, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a diagrammatic view of an embodiment (variation in size, dimensions and maybe colors) of the three balls usable with in scope of the present disclosure. The balls are referred as Colt, Stallion and Mustang.

FIG. 2 depicts a diagrammatic view of an embodiment showing the circumference along the plane of largest diameter at the center, of three balls usable with in scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3A depicts a diagrammatic view of an embodiment of the 11 player offense team formation in the way the sport is played today. FIG. 3B depicts a diagrammatic view of an embodiment of the 15 player offense team formation within the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4A depicts a diagrammatic view of an embodiment of the 11 player offense team formation in the way the sport is played today. FIG. 4B depicts a diagrammatic view of an embodiment of the 15 player offense team formation within the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5A depicts a diagrammatic view of an embodiment of the 11 player offense team formation in the way the sport is played today. FIG. 5B depicts a diagrammatic view of an embodiment of the 15 player offense team formation within the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6A depicts a diagrammatic view of an embodiment of the 11 player defense team formation in the way the sport is played today. FIG. 6B depicts a diagrammatic view of an embodiment of the 15 player defense team formation within the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7A depicts a diagrammatic view of an embodiment of the 11 player defense team formation in the way the sport is played today. FIG. 7B depicts a diagrammatic view of an embodiment of the 15 player defense team formation within the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8A depicts a diagrammatic view of an embodiment of the 11 player defense team formation in the way the sport is played today. FIG. 8B depicts a diagrammatic view of an embodiment of the 15 player defense team formation within the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9A depicts a diagrammatic view of an embodiment of the 11 player defense team formation in the way the sport is played today. FIG. 9B depicts a diagrammatic view of an embodiment of the 15 player defense team formation within the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10A depicts a diagrammatic view of an embodiment of the 11 player defense team formation in the way the sport is played today. FIG. 10B depicts a diagrammatic view of an embodiment of the 15 player defense team formation within the scope of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 show diagrammatic views of embodiments of few possibilities in forward movement or advancing strategies by the offense team within the scope of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 and 37 are illustrations to demonstrate how the weighted average formula or the algorithm is applied to various different scenarios in the sport to arrive at the new LOS and the possession for the next down.

FIG. 38 depicts a diagrammatic view of an embodiment of the ‘Snapper’, a system used to snap all three balls at a time by the center position player in the offense team. The drawing illustrates the front view, side view and the top view of the ‘Snapper’ devise.

FIGS. 39A, 39B and 39C are diagrammatic views of an embodiment of snapper in three sample positions in which the center can hold or angle the devise to generate the necessary swing by which he could control or alter the toss angle and the ball travel trajectory, while snapping all three balls at a time.

FIG. 40 depicts a diagrammatic three dimensional view of an embodiment of the snapper devise.

FIG. 41 depicts a diagrammatic view of an embodiment showing the maximum angle settings of the snapper devise ball holding panels and the driving panels.

FIG. 42 depicts a diagrammatic view of an embodiment of a single ball holding panel in the snapper devise. There are in all three ball holding panels which are joined by hinge joints, but could be soft locked at 5 degree angle increments within the range of 0 to 45 degrees.

FIGS. 43A and 43B depicts a diagrammatic view of an embodiment of a single driving panel in the snapper devise and the possible driving blocks with varying assembly mechanisms. There are in all three driving panels which are joined by hinge joints, but could be soft locked at 5 degree angle increments within the range of 0 to 45 degrees.

FIG. 44—is a diagrammatic view of one of the embodiments of the driving block which could be used to better control the toss of the ball specially when the snapper is tilted and used (and when the middle panel is off the ground). This is just one possible embodiment shown. There could be other designs and embodiments serving the purpose and needs.

FIG. 45—is one of the embodiments shown in the form of a block diagram view to illustrate the communication between the centralized game computing system, ball location capturing system, ball displacement computing system, display or broadcast system and specialty lighting or laser system. As shown in the figure, the game computing system has two way communication with ball location capturing system and ball displacement computing system; while has one way communication with display or broadcast system and specialty lighting or laser system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Before describing selected embodiments of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein (e.g., it could be applied for not just American Football, but also Gridiron football, college football, high school football, fantasy football, Canadian football, Rugby union, Rugby league, professional football played by NFL (National Football League), professional football played by CFL (Canadian Football League), Woman's Football, Rugby world cup, Rugby League world cup, Championships and tournaments conducted at national and international level, Soccer, Soccer world cup, various Soccer leagues across the world, various sporting leagues across the world, various sports organizing bodies across the world, football computer games, football video games, football experimental software, football trial version games or software, football based mobile, smartphone, tablet devise applications, other electronic football based software or applications and other similar versions of sport). The disclosure and description herein is illustrative and explanatory of one or more presently preferred embodiments of the invention and variations thereof, and it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes in, for example, the design (e.g., number of balls), organization (e.g., importance, weightages and points awarded to the balls), team structures (e.g., number of players and composition), umpire count, general and detail playing rules and guidelines, foul and penalty rules, touchdown, out of bound rules, balls possession guidelines, equipment structures and their sizes, colors, dimensions and methodology (e.g., few changes to playing rules, addition or removal of playing rules) may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Hence the illustrated embodiments should not be considered as limiting.
As well, it should be understood the drawings are intended to illustrate and plainly disclose presently preferred embodiments of the invention to one of skill in the art, but are not intended to be manufacturing level drawings or renditions of final products and may include simplified conceptual views as desired for easier and quicker understanding or explanation of the invention. As well, the relative size and arrangement of the components may differ from that shown and still operate within the spirit of the invention as described throughout the present application.
Moreover, it will be understood that various directions such as “upper”, “lower”, “bottom”, “top”, “left”, “right”, and so forth are made only with respect to explanation in conjunction with the drawings. Because many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope of the inventive concept(s) herein taught, and because many modifications may be made in the embodiments described herein, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and non-limiting.
Embodiments usable within the scope of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods usable to play an enhanced and more exciting version of the sport of Football (e.g., it could be applied for not just American Football, but also Gridiron football, college football, high school football, fantasy football, Canadian football, Rugby union, Rugby league, professional football played by NFL (National Football League), professional football played by CFL (Canadian Football League), Woman's Football, Rugby world cup, Rugby League world cup, Championships and tournaments conducted at national and international level, Soccer, Soccer world cup, various Soccer leagues across the world, various sporting leagues across the world, various sports organizing bodies across the world, football computer games, football video games, football experimental software, football trial version games or software, football based mobile, smartphone, tablet devise applications, other electronic football based software or applications and other similar versions of sport).
The numerous rules of various versions of football as they are played today are beyond the scope of this disclosure. However, the fundamental way the sport is played and the basic rules that govern the sport are discussed herein, to clearly explain the way new disclosed versions of the sport may be played. In the next few paragraphs, the main aspects of the disclosed new versions of the sport of football are presented in comparison with the current day sport. In a non-limiting manner purely for illustrative and description purposes a “3-ball American Football Sport” is used and referred as ‘disclosed new version’ in the subsequent paragraphs. A reference to ‘current day sport’ in this case refers to the currently played “American Football Sport”, with one ball. The comparative is provided to highlight the differences so that the new versions of the sport and their implications (e.g., enhanced effect and perception of the sport among the viewers, stadium audience, players, coaches, sport experts) are clearly understood by the sports industry and the innovative new art of the sport is appreciated.
The current day sport of football is a game played with one ball. It is a prolate spheroid ball which is brown in color. In some embodiments, the sport is played with three balls. Given the field size and number of players on the field—when weighed against the energy, excitement and strategy delivered in each scenario while balancing the complexity involved in the sport, usage of three balls may be an optimal number. Using 2 balls is also a good possibility, however addition of a third ball, may tend to just lift the sport up and deliver more excitement. On the other hand if we choose to play with four or five balls, the game may become confusing to follow. Accordingly, one disclosed version of the sport may be played in an embodiment with three prolate spheroid balls of varying sizes and importance within the game. Further details of a three-ball version of the sport and variants are provided below. This illustrative version of the sport may be referred to herein as “the disclosed version” or “the disclosed new version”.
FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the three balls giving their sizes and colors (shown as different patterns) which may be used in this sport. For the purpose of referring to the balls individually, we shall call the balls as Colt (11), Stallion (13) and Mustang (15). In the disclosed version, the first thing to note about the three balls is that their lengths measured at the central axis line of the prolate spheroid shape (17) is one and the same. In an embodiment, they all could measure a length of 11 inches. The difference however is in the size of the balls measured as the circumference along the plane of largest diameter. Mustang which could be the same ball used in the current day sport of Football is 22 inches in circumference measured along the plane of largest diameter (16). In this embodiment, it is brown in color. Stallion is the midsized ball which could be 20 inches in circumference measured along the plane of largest diameter (14). In this embodiment, it is orange in color. Colt is the smallest of the three balls and could be 18 inches in circumference measured along the plane of largest diameter (12). In this embodiment it is red in color. The three balls in the sport will carry different weightages or importance. In an embodiment, when a Colt is touched down, the team is awarded 10 points, when a Stallion is touched down, the team is awarded 6 points and when a Mustang is touched down, the team is awarded 2 points. The material with which the balls are manufactured are consistent and their surface finish will be same. The internal air pressure will be same across the three balls, providing the same firmness level when the ball is gripped. The weights of the three balls are different. The Mustang will be the heaviest, followed by Stallion which could be approximately couple ounces lighter than Mustang, followed by Colt which could be approximately four ounces lighter than Mustang. The varying sizes and weights provide room for expanding the skillset among the players. E.g., to throw or toss a ball to a distance of 10 yards, the force applied and trajectory given to the toss, has to be different for each ball. Depending on the ball in hand, the players have to adjust the force and release provided to the ball, so that it travels the required distance. FIG. 2 illustrates the varying circumferences of the three balls Colt (21), Stallion (22) and Mustang (23), along the plane of largest diameter.
The current day sport of football is played between two teams of 11 players each. The 11 players are well suited to cover the field, line up at the line of scrimmage and play the sport to score points by taking the (one) ball to the goal area (end zone) of the opposing team. Here are the names of the 11 player positions on the offense side: Tailback, Fullback, Quarterback (one), Wide receiver, tackle, guard, center (one) and tight end. A typical combination used is one tailback, one fullback, (always) one quarterback, two wide receivers, two tackles, two guards, (always) one center and one tight end, taking the total to 11 offensive players. Note that in the current sport, the combination of these positions can be altered. Similarly the names of the 11 player positions on the defense side are: Linebackers (could be inside, outside, left, right or combination), safety (could be strong or free), end, corner back, tackle, nose tackle, defensive player and defensive back. A typical combination used is three linebackers (this could be more), two safety positions (free and strong), two end, two cornerbacks and two tackles, taking the total to 11 defensive players. Note that in the current sport, the combination of these positions can be altered. However, in the embodiment described herein, the sport, is played with 3 balls and additional players are used to handle the balls and maneuver them through the defense team and touchdown to score points. To manage the three balls and play with them, two more quarterbacks and two additional wide receivers may be added. Taking the team size of the offense team to 15 players. To defend the ground, four more players may be added to the defense team. Two additional tackle positions and two additional safety positions could be added to the defending team, also taking their strength to 15 players. Note that, within the 15 member teams on offensive and defensive sides, the composition of players, positions or roles of the players can be altered as per the coach and team strategy, going into the game and in particular the down. E.g., a down could be played with six wide receivers or a combination of 4 wide receivers and 2 tight ends. Similarly, the composition of the defending team could also be altered as per team strategy for the game and the down. Note that in an embodiment, the sport could be played with 13 players on each side (e.g., just add two additional quarterbacks to the current day 11 people team on the offense side). However, addition of two more wide receivers may open up the number of options for the three quarterbacks to work with, strategize and navigate through the defense team. In conclusion, in an embodiment, the sport of football is played between two teams of 15 players each on the field at a given point in time.
In the current day sport of Football, there are three separate units within each team: The offense unit with 11 players, the defense unit with 11 players and special team for special kicking situations (e.g., punts, field goals, and kickoffs). However, only 11 players are on the field from one team at any point in time. In some embodiments described herein of the sport, there will be the same three separate units within each team: The offense unit with 15 players, the defense unit with 15 players and special team with 11 players for special kicking situations (e.g., punts, field goals, and kickoffs). However, only 15 players are on the field from one team at any point in time.
Further, in the disclosed version, there are three parallel plays or fewer in a given down (one play per ball), there is a need for additional umpires to follow each individual play, so as to assess the play is being played as per set guidelines and rules and if necessary call a foul and assess a penalty for that play. In an embodiment, there could be two additional umpires added to the current day sport umpire head count, to monitor the sport as it is played.
FIGS. 3A and 3B show an embodiment of the 11 player offense team alignment in the current day sport and the corresponding 15 player embodiment of the sport respectively. In FIG. 3A, you see a typical combination of offense team aligned behind the LOS. It shows one tailback, one fullback, one quarterback, two wide receivers, two tackles, two guards, one center and one tight end. The corresponding alignment of the 15 players may be as shown in FIG. 3B. It shows the two new quarterbacks and the two new wide receivers added. These positions have been shown shaded. The important thing to note is that in an embodiment the ‘Center’ could snap all three balls using a device called Snapper (if the two guards are not used for manual snapping). The details of the Snapper devise are given in later paragraphs. After the snap the three quarterbacks that are aligned right behind him (Center), to catch a ball each and execute the game plan for that down. While the distances and positions of the quarterbacks could vary by few yards or meters, their overall positions are relatively fixed and are behind the center in almost all formations. And the two additional wide receivers are spread wide, to accommodate better penetration onto the defense side and get into catching positions for the quarterbacks to throw the balls at them.
FIG. 4A shows the 11 player offense team formation in an embodiment in the current day sport, with only one wide receiver and two tight ends. FIG. 4B shows the corresponding embodiment of 15 player formation. Two quarterbacks added behind the center and two wide receivers spread on both sides of the center.
FIG. 5A shows the 11 player offense team formation in an embodiment in the current day sport, with no full back, no tight end but four wide receivers. FIG. 5B shows the corresponding embodiment of 15 player formation. Two quarterbacks added behind the center and two wide receivers added and almost positioned around the tight end positions. In this case we are playing with a total of six wide receivers.
FIG. 6A shows an embodiment of the 11 player defense team formation in the current day sport, aligned against a typical offense team formation. This is referred as 4-3 defensive scheme. As in 4 defensive linemen and 3 linebackers. The corner backs and safeties are spread across the field to tackle (cover) wide receivers from gaining distance and yardage or catching the ball. FIG. 6B shows an embodiment of the 15 player defense team formation of the sport aligned against the 15 member offense team. You can see the new positions shown in shaded pattern, with two additional tackles on the defense line and two safeties spread behind. This formation is now referred to as 6-3 defensive scheme, with 6 defensive linemen and 3 line backers. This is one of the embodiment of several possible formations.
FIG. 7A shows an embodiment of the 11 player defense team formation in the current day sport. This is referred as 3-4 defensive scheme, with 3 defensive linemen and 4 linebackers. FIG. 7B shows the corresponding embodiment of 15 player defense team formation which is referred as 5-4 defensive scheme, with 5 defensive linemen and 4 linebackers.
Similarly FIG. 8A shows an embodiment of 3-3 defensive stack scheme, with 3 defensive linemen and 3 linebackers, in a current day sport 11 player defense team formation. FIG. 8B shows the corresponding embodiment of 5-3 defensive stack scheme, with 5 defensive linemen and 3 linebackers, in 15 player defense team formation.
FIGS. 9A and 9B show the embodiment of current day sport 11 player formation and the corresponding sport embodiment of 15 player formation respectively, in what is referred as ‘Under shade front’. Similarly, FIGS. 10A and 10B show the embodiment of current day sport 11 player formation and the corresponding sport embodiment of 15 player formation respectively, in what is referred as ‘Flex front’.
The current day sport of Football is a game played between two teams and the objective of the game is for the offensive team to take the (one) football and either carry or pass it into the goal area (end zone) of the opposing team. The defensive team tries to tackle the offensive player (one) who has the ball before he can move it to the end zone, which is called a touchdown and is worth 6 points. Each game is started by one team kicking the ball to the other team. Once a player catches the kicked ball, the play continues until that player is either tackled or crosses one of the restraining lines (sidelines or goal lines). After the player is tackled on the kickoff, the offensive team has four plays to move the ball 10 yards. Each time the offense moves the ball forward by 10 yards, it is called as getting a first down, they earn a new set of four downs. The offense team often chooses to punt (kick) the ball to the defense on the fourth down if they're not confident of earning a first down. If they do punt, the receiving team now becomes the offense, and they have four downs to gain 10 yards. Each time a team scores a touchdown (crosses the opponent's goal line with the ball) or kicks a field goal (place kicks the ball between the uprights of the goal post), the next series of downs is started by a kickoff. Each half of the game is also begun with a kickoff. Once a play is started, the offensive players can block the defensive players to prevent them from tackling the offensive player (one) carrying the football. A block entails physically preventing the opponent from getting to the ball carrier. The blocker may use his hands, arms or shoulders to physically hit the defender. When tackling, there are fewer restrictions for defensive players. They may pretty much use their arms and hands in any way, except they may not grab the ball carrier's face mask or the collar of his shoulder pad. Blocking or tackling illegally results in a penalty. The offense may either run the ball or pass the ball in order to gain yardage. If they choose a running play, the quarterback may hand the ball to any teammate except the five offensive linemen, or he may carry the ball himself. On a pass play, the quarterback may throw a pass to any of his teammates except the five offensive linemen or have the pass thrown to him after he hands or passes the ball to a teammate. A pass is any ball thrown overhand or underhand to another player forward toward the line of scrimmage. If the pass is thrown sideways or backward from the line of scrimmage, it is called a lateral. A pass that is not caught before it hits the ground is considered incomplete and results in the end of play. On an incomplete pass, the offense uses one of their four downs and must try their next down from the same spot. If a lateral is thrown or pitched and lands on the ground, it is considered a free ball for either the offense or defense to pick up and gain possession. A pass must be thrown from behind the line of scrimmage on the offensive team's side. If a player throws a pass once he has crossed the line of scrimmage, it is a penalty on the offensive team. Strategy comes into play when the offensive team tries to figure out the best way to move the ball down the field. Some of the strategy for the offense involves finding ways to line up to be able to run the play as effectively as possible. This may then be countered by the defense trying to line up against the offense in such a way to put them in the best position to stop the play. This back and forth continues throughout the game. The same type of strategy may involve the offense trying to run plays at specific defensive players they feel they can exploit. Similarly, the defense will try to line up players to get the best physical match-ups they can versus the offensive players.
In an embodiment, the game is played between two teams with 15 players on each side. The objective of the game is for the offensive team to take the three footballs and either carry or pass them into the goal area (end zone) of the opposing team. Given the assigned different weightages for the balls, if they cannot take all three balls to end zone, the next best thing for them to do is to take the ball with the highest weightage into the end zone, thus scoring more points. Further, even advancing the ball with higher weightage becomes important, as it gives better yardage advancement overall. Effectively, the offense team has multiple objectives prioritized for themselves, enabling a lot of strategic thinking in the sport. The defensive team tries to tackle the offensive players carrying the balls before they can move the balls to the end zone, which is called a touchdown which would earn points for the team. Each game is started by one team kicking the Colt (ball) to the other team. Once a player catches the kicked Colt (ball), the play continues until that player is either tackled or crosses one of the restraining lines (sidelines or goal lines). After the player is tackled on the kickoff, the offensive team has four downs to move the LOS (based on the movement of three balls) by 10 yards. Each time the offense moves the LOS (based on the movement of three balls) by 10 yards, it is called as getting a first down which means they earn a new set of four downs. The offense often chooses to punt (kick) the Colt (or the prevailing higher weightage ball) to the defense on the fourth down if they're not confident of earning a first down. If they do punt, the receiving team now becomes the offense, and they have four downs to gain 10 yards. Each time a team completes scoring touchdowns (crosses the opponent's goal line with one of the balls) on all three balls or kicks a field goal (place kicks the ball between the uprights of the goal post), the next series of downs is started by a kickoff. Each half of the game is also begun with a kickoff. Once a play is started, the offensive players can block the defensive players to prevent them from tackling the offensive men carrying the three or fewer balls. It is to be noted that each down is considered to have ended when all three plays (one per ball) or fewer in that down have come to an end. A block entails physically preventing the opponent from getting to the ball carrier. The blocker may use his hands, arms or shoulders to physically hit the defender. When tackling, there are fewer restrictions for defensive players. They may pretty much use their arms and hands in any way, except they may not grab the ball carrier's face mask or the collar of his shoulder pad. Blocking or tackling illegally results in a penalty. The offense may either run the ball(s) or pass the ball(s) in order to gain yardage. If they choose a running play, the quarterback may hand the ball to any teammate except the five offensive linemen, or he may carry the ball himself. On a pass play, the quarterback may throw a pass to any of his teammates except the five offensive linemen or have the pass thrown to him after he hands or passes the ball to a teammate. A pass is any ball thrown overhand or underhand to another player forward toward the line of scrimmage. If the pass is thrown sideways or backward from the line of scrimmage, it is called a lateral. A pass that is not caught before it hits the ground is considered incomplete and results in the end of play pertaining to that ball. On an incomplete pass, the play ends for that particular ball. If a lateral is thrown or pitched and lands on the ground, it is considered a free ball for either the offense or defense to pick up and gain possession of that particular ball. A pass must be thrown from behind the line of scrimmage on the offensive team's side. If a player throws a pass once he has crossed the line of scrimmage, it is a penalty on the offensive team. Strategy comes into play when the offensive team tries to figure out the best way to move the balls down the field. Some of the strategy for the offense involves finding ways to line up to be able to run the play as effectively as possible. This may then be countered by the defense trying to line up against the offense in such a way to put them in the best position to stop the down or plays within the down by a ball. This back and forth continues throughout the game. The same type of strategy may involve the offense trying to run plays at specific defensive players they feel they can exploit. Similarly, the defense will try to line up players to get the best physical match-ups they can versus the offensive players. In some embodiments of the sport we use the term ‘Down’ as opposed to play. As each down involves using three balls and maneuvering each ball itself is a play. As in each down has three plays or fewer depending on the number of balls the down is played with. An end of down (with three balls) is only when all three plays (one per ball) within the down come to an end. In essence, it is three plays (one per ball) executed in parallel within the down. And a down is completed when all three plays or fewer in the down are completed.
While the strategy in the current day version of the sport is all about taking the one ball in the play to the end zone, the strategy in disclosed embodiments of the sport is multi fold as the objective of each down is to take all three balls in the down, to the end zone, or at least advance the LOS forward by 10 yards. So, there is more strategy involved in creating misdirection among the defensive players to carry forward all three balls. It is to be noted that in a given down, by the end of the down the three balls could be anywhere on the field and possessed by either teams, depending on how the three plays within the down unfolded. Due to this situation, there is a weighted average formula used to compute the new LOS in each down. The formula will be detailed with examples in the subsequent paragraphs. It should also be noted that each ball has different weightages and awarded different scores when touched down. E.g., Possession of Colt is more important than Mustang or to touch down Colt at the expense of Stallion and/or Mustang. Such scenarios come into the mix. This adds a lot more complexity and scenarios into the overall strategy employed in the sport and in each down. The scoring per each ball is also discussed in subsequent paragraphs. FIGS. 11 through 15 show embodiments of few approaches/strategies that the offense team could employ to take the three balls forward. The three quarterbacks need to be fully in sync with the three plays they would play within the down. As shown in FIG. 11, one of the quarterback is going for the running play, while the second is going for the passing play and the third is employing a hand-off strategy to Full Back. In the process the Wide receivers are running forward (E.g., flat route or curl route) through the gaps to position themselves for the catch when the quarterback releases the ball. FIG. 12 shows two quarterbacks choosing the passing plays while one employing the running play. The wide receiver can employ the curl route instead of flat route approach. The white semicircular sector is shown to represent the curl route zone that could be taken by the wide receivers. FIG. 13 shows six wide receivers running forward with the left side quarterback looking to pass the ball to the right side long wide receivers. The right side quarterback looking to pass the ball to the left side long wide receivers. Basically in a cross throw pattern, while the center quarterback taken the running play approach. FIG. 14 shows the left quarterback doing a hand-off to fullback and the right side quarterback doing a hand-off to the tailback. While the center quarterback is looking to pass the ball to any of the wide receivers free on both sides of the field. Wide receivers could employ the curl route. FIG. 15 shows the left side quarterback going for a hand-off play to the fullback. While the other two quarterbacks are focusing on the left side of the field towards which all the wide receivers and tight ends are running. This scenarios bring up the possibility of one wide receiver catching two balls one after the other or running with two balls at a time. It may be a rare event, but when it happens it would deliver great fun to the viewers and audience. An extremely rare possibility of one player running with all three balls and touching down might not be ruled out either. However, in comparison, one player touching down with two balls may happen often.
In the current day sport of football, a touch down of the single ball yields 6 points to the team, while a field goal by itself gives 3 points and the point after touchdown (referred as PAT going forward) gives 1 point. In the disclosed embodiment of the sport of football, each ball has a different weightage and importance and results in different scores when touched down. When touched down, Colt results in 10 points, Stallion results in 6 points and Mustang results in 2 points. When a field goal is employed, Colt results in 5 points, Stallion results in 3 points and Mustang results in 1 point. All three balls result in 1 point for a PAT. Various different scoring models were looked at and analyzed, but the difference in weightages delivered by this model will drive a lot of creative thinking and strategy into the sport. E.g., the offense team could choose to possess Colt and touch down even at the expense of giving away the possession of Stallion and Mustang to the defense team. Further, it has to be noted that, if the field goal is opted (without a touchdown), only one field goal is allowed in one down. And they have to proceed in the sequence of low weightage ball to the high weightage one. E.g., you cannot opt Colt for field goal when you still have Mustang in play. As in field goal (without touchdown) can go in the following sequence, one per down—Mustang, first, Stallion next and finally Colt. This approach deters teams from opting for field goals without touchdown, as they get lesser points by taking field goal on Mustang and then Stallion.
In the disclosed embodiment of the sport of Football, one key variant is that the sport is played with 3 balls in each down. This means there could be downs starting with 3 balls, 2 balls or just one ball. And when more than one ball are in the down, they may end up anywhere on the field (any side) or even touched down in either directions. So, we need a strategy to compute and arrive at the new LOS. Also possession of the balls when a ball or balls are intercepted by defense team is also to be clarified. Coming to the possession of the balls, whichever team possesses Colt (while it is in the down), owns the possession of all three balls and forms the offense team. If Colt has been touched down and out for the next down, Stallion is the one that determines the possession of both Stallion and Mustang. Of course, if both Colt and Stallion are touched down, whoever possesses the Mustang is the offense team. Coming to the formula for the computation of the new LOS for the next down, a weighted average formula is adopted. Consider the following four models of assigning weightages to the three balls. Model one: Weightages assigned to the balls are 1.2:1.1:1.0=Colt:Stallion:Mustang. Model two: Weightages assigned to the balls are 2.0:1.5:1.0=Colt:Stallion:Mustang. Model three: Weightages assigned to the balls are 2.0:1.25:1.0=Colt:Stallion:Mustang. Model four: Weightages assigned to the balls are 1.5:1.25:1.0=Colt:Stallion:Mustang. Model one is a model giving low impact weightages to the three balls. Model two is a model giving high impact weightages to the three balls. Model three is a model giving very high impact weightage to Colt as compared to the other two. Model four is a model giving medium impact weightages to all three balls. While several other weightage models could be explored, in an embodiment, the disclosed embodiment of the sport may be played with Model three. The following is the algorithm or weighted average formula used to arrive at the new LOS at the end of each down, using the recommended model three weightages. F=(S+(((C*2)+(L*1.25)+(M*1))/3)). In the formula F=New LOS for the next down. S=the start LOS for the down. C=the number of yards Colt has been displaced in the down. L=the number of yards Stallion has been displaced in the down. M=the number of yards Mustang has been displaced in the down. A forward movement yardage will be entered as a positive number and a backward movement yardage will be entered as a negative number for C, L and M. The distance displaced (for C, L and M) may be the measured displacement along a straight line parallel to the sideline. While applying the formula, if one of the balls is touched down by the offense team, the entry for that ball is put as zero into the formula. As in it is excluded from the computation of the new LOS. If a ball is touched down by the defense team (e.g., after an intercept), the negative yardage is put into the formula to push the offense team back. One has to note that if the defense team touches down Colt, they possess the two balls and become offense in the next down. If a ball goes out of bound from the field, its net displacement on field is fed as zero into the formula. Due to the added weightages given to Colt and Stallion, there are instances or scenarios where the new LOS computation comes out to be more than 100 or less than 0. In such scenarios, 90 is used as the new LOS for all greater than 100 results and 10 is used as new LOS if the number is less than zero. A down is considered complete when all three balls (or fewer) come to ground and their plays end.
To illustrate the computation of new LOS and define possession of balls in various scenarios, FIGS. 16 to 37 have been provided to cover various possible scenarios in the sport. All the diagrams are self-explanatory and show the position of new LOS and the possession of balls for the next down. The broken line is the start LOS at the beginning of the down. The positions of the three balls define their ending positions at the end of the down. The thick black line represents the new LOS for the next down by applying the formula. Here is a quick rundown of all the scenarios. FIG. 16 shows offense advancing all three balls and they have moved forward and retained possession. FIG. 17 shows one ball advanced by offense while they lost yardage on two other balls. As they lost yardage on Colt and stallion which carry bigger weightages, they are pushed back but retain possession. FIG. 18 illustrates that due to higher weightage, a forward movement of Colt has advanced them forward though the advances on the other two balls were lesser. FIG. 19 shows that the positive yardage achieved by moving Stallion and Mustang have been negated by losing yardage on Colt. Overall, their new LOS is at about the same position of the starting LOS. FIG. 20 shows Colt touchdown (by offense) and hence its displacement is entered as zero into the formula. The resulting new LOS is where the offense starts with the remaining two balls. If Colt went out of bounds off the field, the new LOS as per formula would be the same, as C=0 in both cases. Just that the next play would be played with 3 balls in this case, as opposed to 2 balls if Colt was touched down. FIG. 21 shows two balls touched down and the new LOS for the next down with one ball. FIG. 22 is similar to FIG. 21, however the new LOS has moved backwards. FIG. 23 shows a scenario where Colt and Mustang have been intercepted by defense and touched down, while offense advanced Stallion. The negative yardage on Colt and Mustang are entered into the formula to push back the LOS. Further as defense intercepted Colt, they now have possession of the remaining balls in the next down. FIG. 24 shows Colt intercepted and touched down by defense, thus becoming offense in the next down and possessing the remaining two balls. FIG. 25 shows a scenario where offense touched down Mustang while defense intercepted and touched down Colt. Defense becomes offense and starts at the computed new LOS and possesses the remaining ball in next down. FIG. 26 shows offense losing yardage on all three balls but retaining possession for the next down. FIG. 27 shows a previous scenario with a starting LOS of 90. FIG. 28 shows start LOS of 90 with two touch downs. FIG. 29 shows a start LOS of 90, offense touchdown Colt, while defense intercepted and touchdown Stallion. The new LOS is computed and offense retains possession and plays with Mustang in the next down. FIG. 30 shows a start LOS of 90, defense intercepted and touchdown Colt, while offense touchdown Stallion. The possession is now with defense and they start the next down from the computed new LOS. FIG. 31 has a start LOS of 10, Colt intercepted by defense and touchdown, while the other two balls advanced by offense. But the next down possession will be with defense from the computed new LOS. FIG. 32 has a start LOS of 10, defense has intercepted and touched down both Stallion and Mustang and the new LOS formula resulted a negative number. So, the new LOS for next down is set at 10, with possession to offense as they still hold Colt. Similarly if the LOS formula results a number greater than 100, the new LOS is set to 90. FIG. 33 shows a simple scenario with start LOS as 10. FIG. 34 is also a regular possible scenario with start LOS at 10. FIG. 35 shows a scenario of two touchdowns by defense but colt retained by offense and hence they retain possession for next down from the computed LOS. FIG. 36 shows a scenario where defense has intercepted the Colt and taken 25 yards but not touched down. The new LOS is computed for the next down from where the defense owns possession and becomes offense. FIG. 37 shows a similar scenario as in FIG. 36 but with a different start LOS.
In an embodiment of the sport of football, where it is played with the three balls, Colt, Stallion and Mustang, after each down, there is a need to locate the positions of each of the three balls and instantly compute the new LOS and also determine the possession. This can be done manually where each of the three umpires tracking the three or fewer plays within the down, locate the ball in the play and its position at the end of the play, by looking at the measuring markings on the field. While each umpire transmits the location and possession of three balls over the preset radio frequency, the scoring team instantly feeds the locations into the computer software application or program which may at least use the weighted average formula and instantly give the new LOS back to the main umpire who is responsible to declare the new LOS and possession to the teams, audience, viewers and the scoring team and can feed the input in to the digital display system meant to show it to the audience at the ground.
In some embodiments described herein of the sport of Football, after every down is completed, there is a need to instantly compute the location of new LOS, score, possession and communicate it to everyone (teams, audience, viewers and for display on digital display board). While this could be done manually as explained in the paragraph above, there is a tremendous scope for introduction of technology to fully automate this process and make it very fast so as to deliver the new LOS, score and possession to everyone, almost instantaneously. Such technology could comprise of a ‘Ball location capturing system’, ‘Ball displacement computing system’, ‘Display or broadcast system’ and ‘Specialty lighting or laser system’, wherein all these four systems communicate with a centralized ‘Game computing system’ which is operated or controlled by the scoring team and the game officials. FIG. 45 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of how the five systems communicate with each other. As shown in the figure, the game computing system has two way communication with ball location capturing system and ball displacement computing system; while has one way communication with display or broadcast system and specialty lighting or laser system. One possible way to automate the ‘Ball location capturing system’ is by adopting a ‘Sky camera technique’. In this technique, a high quality, high definition camera is suitably placed at an elevation so as to capture a still image of the entire playing field. The camera could be elevated to an altitude that does not disrupt the sport in anyway. In an embodiment, it could be suspended 100 feet above the ground level or more as needed. Further this camera could be a video camera (that continuously captures the action on the field) or a photo shoot camera that can capture still image or picture via a control that is remotely stationed as part of the game computing system. The camera itself could be fixed at an elevation by any of the supporting mechanisms such as a rigid truss or a frame, controlled helium balloon or suspended by two or more (E.g., four) cable wires which are controlled by cable rollers that are fixed to two or four corners of the stadium. Essentially this camera captures a still image after every down. The only requirement would be that the players move away from the ball (at least a meter or more), placing the ball on the ground at its final position after the completion of the play within the down, so that the camera captures the exact location(s) of one, two, three or more balls on the field. The image as it is a constant frame has precise aspect ratio, layout, dimensions and pixels. After each down, when players move away by a meter or more, a clear photograph of the entire field is captured. With the image, there are several photograph based software and applications that distinctly recognize the three different balls by their color or size and output precise exact locations of all the balls on the field with an accuracy of up to a centimeter or better. These locations are fed automatically to the ‘Ball displacement computing system’ which in turn gives the displacements, using which the ‘Game computing system’ executes the mathematical formula and computes the new LOS. The primary function of the ball displacement computing system is to receive the ball location data (from the game computing system) and convert it into actual displacement measurements on the playing field and return the displacement data back to the game computing system. Additionally a ‘Score computation system’ may also be built separately or integrated with the game computing system to assist the scoring team. The other aspect which the umpire on the ground has to reveal is the possession after each down, for the next down. This cannot be automated, as the umpire on the field alone would know who held the ball with highest weightage before it was grounded by the end of the down. This technique is relatively the lowest cost solution delivering the most accurate and precise locations of the balls and hence the calculation of the new LOS and score. Also, in this solution there is no technology that needs to be embedded into the balls used in the sport.
The second technique that could be used as the ‘Ball location capturing system’ is ‘Sensors based technique’. In this solution each ball will have an inbuilt proximity sensor, powered by tiny batteries. These proximity sensors are similar to the most widely used proximity sensors in automobile industry, typically installed on the front or rear bumpers to alert the driver of an object within a preset range for the sensor. However, the sensors installed within the balls will have to have a higher range of distance than those installed in cars. In an embodiment the range for the sensors should be at least 30 yards, as the breadth of the field is under 60 yards. These sensors could operate with similar technologies as the proximity sensors (E.g., electromagnetic waves, infrared waves or ultrasonic waves based), however the waves emitted by these sensors are received by other sensors placed on both the sidelines across the length of the field at every 10 yard line intersection point with the sidelines. Let's refer to these receiving sensors as the sideline receptive sensors. At any given point of time, each balls distance is precisely recorded by the nearest two sideline receptive sensors thus giving its precise location of the field. So, in the scenario of a down played with three balls, there will be data from six sideline receptive sensors (two for each ball), feeding data into the ‘Ball location capturing system’. At the end of the down, the sensors, feed the exact locations to the ball location capturing system, which in turn passes the location data to the game computing system. The game computing system communicates with other systems as necessary and instantly derives the new LOS. The sensor installed in each ball could transmit a different auditory signal or different waves so as to identify the ball uniquely and its location captured by the nearest sideline receptive sensors. This technique is more expensive that the ‘Sky camera technique’ but will deliver precise and accurate results. However there are multiple points of failure with a malfunctioning sensor on the sidelines or the sensor installed inside the ball not functioning, due to extreme forces it has to sustain during the sport. Also this requires special balls to be manufactured which is a big overhead. Further, the sideline receptive sensors may have to be installed in a way so as to protrude from the ground, causing major obstacles for players as many times players run beyond the sidelines on the field. These will obstruct the play.
The third technique that could be used as the ‘Ball location capturing system’ is GPS (Global Positioning System) technique. This is probably the most expensive as it needs satellite time to be leased. In this technique, the balls are fitted with GPS chips (E.g., such as the ones used in most of the smartphones these days), to deliver the precise locations to the ball location capturing system. As the field dimensions and positions are constant, we always get feeds of the location of the three balls and when that data is put in reference or context of the field data already available, we can precisely get the locations of all three balls on the field. The ball location capturing system will feed the data into the game computing system, which communicates with other systems to derive the new LOS. While this needs special ball manufacture, it needs satellite time to be leased, which makes it expensive. Also the current GPS resolutions are set up to a square meter, while the sport requires resolutions of up to square centimeter. This may mean launch of a new set of higher resolution imaging satellites just for the sports requirement across the country and the world. Among all three techniques discussed, the ‘Sky camera’ technique is the easiest to implement and is of lower cost. However the sporting bodies in general are cash rich and could explore the other two options and do a feasibility analysis.
Further, the ‘game computing system’ can compute the new LOS after each down, using the mathematical formula and electronically feed at least the new LOS details to ‘Display or broadcast information system’ which would display the information on digital display screen for all viewers and audience to see. Making the entire LOS computation and information delivery fully automated. The possession is the only thing that may remain manual and needs the confirmation of the umpire after each down. Also the game computing system could be designed to control and activate the ‘specialty lighting or laser system’. The specialty lighting or laser system could emit laser beams or other specialty lighting which could render or show the old and new LOS on the field for better visualization and situational understanding of the sport, to the audience and viewers at any given point in time. FIG. 45 shows a simple block diagram of how the five different systems interact and communicate. The game computing system is the core control system which has a two way communication with the (a) ball location capturing system and (b) ball displacement computing system, while has a one way communication and control over (c) display or broadcast system and (d) specialty lighting or laser system.
In the new disclosed embodiments of the sport of football, it is to be noted that strategy plays a very key role. Due to the fact that the three balls have different weightages, and result in varying scores when touched down, or with a field goal. Not just the scoring, but due to weightages given to the balls in the computation of the new LOS for the next down, the strategy to advance Colt becomes very important as opposed to the other two balls. Due to the added weightage, advancing Colt gives better yardage overall. So, at different points in the game, and in different downs the strategy has to be applied precisely to get the most out of the existing situation. E.g., retaining the possession of Colt become crucial even if it means allowing an intercept of a Mustang or Stallion by defense, as it results in possession of all three balls in the next down. The center and two guard positions can snap the three balls (one each) to the three quarterbacks. However, in an embodiment an alternate option could be using a device called ‘Snapper’ which is covered in detail in the subsequent paragraphs is used to snap all three balls at the same instant (by the Center), to the three quarterbacks behind him. And the three balls can be arranged in any order on the Snapper, with no visibility of the arrangement to the defense team. This means the defense team is unaware of where the Colt is positioned or the Stallion is positioned. This has to be used to great advantage by the offense team, in their planning to advance the higher weightage ball forward. So, plenty of strategy goes into each down and the entire sport. Even choosing the field goal option becomes very important, as it has to be chosen from lower weightage to higher, one per down.
The football field is 120 yards long and 53⅓ yards wide. The outside lines on the long sides are called sidelines. The outside lines on the short sides are called end lines. Ten yards from the end lines are the goal lines. The goal lines mark the beginning of the goal area of each team. The field is marked off by hash marks at every yard and yard lines at every 5 yards. The hash marks are located 20 yards from each sideline. Each play starts from a point somewhere on or between these hash marks. The area between the goal lines and the side lines is the field of play. A player is considered out of play (out of bounds) when he touches or crosses the sideline. He is considered in the end zone when he touches or crosses the goal line. It is to be noted that the field dimensions vary slightly by the different versions of American Football, such as high school, college or pro football. Many rules have developed over time to ensure that participants have adequate protection to reduce the number and severity of injuries to participants. The basic protective equipment used includes helmet, mouth guard, shoulder pads, hip pads, including a pad for the tail bone, thigh pads, knee pads, and shoes with nonmetal cleats less than half an inch long. The uniform includes pants and jersey. The jersey must have a number on the front and back that falls into one of two categories—eligible (1 to 49 and 80 to 99) and ineligible (50 to 79). Offensive linemen must wear ineligible numbers, whereas running backs, quarterbacks, tight ends, and receivers must wear eligible numbers. Defensive players can wear any number.
In the current day sport of Football, a down is an opportunity for the offensive team to take the ball and run a play in an attempt to advance the ball as many yards as possible or, ideally, into the end zone. The offense can run the ball, pass the ball, or kick the ball on any of their down opportunities. The offense has four plays (downs) to move the ball at least 10 yards. If they succeed, they receive four more downs. If they fail, the opposing team takes possession of the ball and receives four downs to move 10 yards. In many cases, when the offense fails to move the ball 10 yards on its first three downs, they will choose to punt the ball to the opponent to force the opponent to start their series of downs farther away from their goal line. The offense can use their fourth down attempt to get the ball past the 10 yard mark, but if they fail, the defense takes over possession of the ball at that spot. Depending on how close this spot is to the offense's goal, this may not be an acceptable risk in most situations. The offense also could kick a field goal if they are close enough to the defense's goal. In one disclosed version of the sport of Football, a down is an opportunity for the offensive team to take all the three (or fewer) balls and run a play per ball in an attempt to advance the ball as many yards as possible or, ideally, into the end zone. The offense can run the three or fewer balls, pass the three or fewer balls, or choose field goal of one of the three balls (only in the order of increasing weightages) on any of their down opportunities. The offense has four downs to move the computed new LOS (as in balls) at least 10 yards. If they succeed, they receive four more downs. If they fail, the opposing team takes possession of the balls and receives four downs to move the computed new LOS by 10 yards. In many cases, when the offense fails to move the computed new LOS by 10 yards on its first three downs, they will choose to punt the Colt (or prevailing ball of highest weightage) to the opponent to force the opponent to start their series of downs farther away from their goal line. The offense can use their fourth down attempt to get the LOS past the 10 yard mark, but if they fail, the defense takes over possession of the balls at that spot. Depending on how close this spot is to the offense's goal, this may not be an acceptable risk in most situations. The offense also could kick a field goal if they are close enough to the defense's goal, but in the order of lower to higher weightage balls.
A fair catch is the act of catching a scrimmage kick (Colt in the case of the disclosed version of the sport) by the receiving team without the option of running with it after the catch. The receiving player gives a valid fair-catch signal by waving his hand above his shoulders. Players from the opposing team are not allowed to hit or tackle the player who calls for a fair catch. A fair catch can be used in a couple of situations. First, if the kicking team's coverage men are getting close to the receiving player, the receiving player can call a fair catch to protect himself from being hit and perhaps dropping the ball. A second situation is when the ball is kicked very short, giving the receiving team good field position at the point where it's caught. By using a fair catch in this situation, the receiving team ensures they have good field position without risking the returner fumbling the ball when he's tackled. In the disclosed version of the sport of Football, the scrimmage kick is executed with Colt and could be called as a fair catch by the receiving team, when caught.
There are several types of kicks in football. The punt is a kick in which the player drops the ball and kicks it before it strikes the ground. This is usually used on the fourth down of the offensive team's series when the offense decides they cannot reach the down marker (10-yard mark) on a run or pass play. A drop kick is a kick in which the player drops the ball and kicks it as it touches the ground. A place kick is usually called a field goal or a point after touchdown (PAT). This is a kick by a player in which the ball is positioned either on a tee or on the ground and held by a teammate while the kicker kicks it off the ground or tee, depending on the level of play. High schools and below may use a tee. College and professionals must kick off the ground. A free kick is made at the beginning of each half of play or after a touchdown or successful field goal. The ball is kicked from the scoring team's restraining line (40-yard line in high school; 35-yard line in college and professional). The ball must be a place kick or drop kick. If a place kick, the ball is kicked off a tee placed on the restraining line. Though allowed, the drop kick is no longer used by anyone because of the difficulty of this skill. All members of the kicking team (except the kicker and holder) must be behind the restraining line until the ball is kicked. The receiving team must line up at least 10 yards from the restraining line prior to the kick. A free kick is also used after a safety by the team who was tackled for the safety. The kicking team may use a kick, drop kick, or punt. This kick is made from the kicking team's 20-yard line. The point after touchdown (PAT) is a scrimmage kick that may be either a place kick or a drop kick. The PAT kick occurs after a touchdown and is kicked from the 3-yard line. A successful PAT kick results in 1 point. The field goal is a scrimmage kick that may be either a place kick or a drop kick. A ball that goes through the uprights of the goal is worth 3 points for the kicking team. A field goal is kicked when the offense feels they cannot reach the down marker (make a first down) and believe their kicker can make the kick from that location. A field goal is traditionally kicked on fourth down but may be kicked on any down. As explained before, in embodiments described herein of the sport, field goal with Colt results 5 points, Stallion results in 3 points and Mustang results in 1 point.
The neutral zone is the space between the two lines of scrimmage, extending from one sideline to the other. The line of scrimmage is an imaginary line for the offensive and defensive teams. The line is even with the point of the ball closest to that team and extends from one sideline to the other. The line of scrimmage for each team is divided by the neutral zone, which is the length of the football. Prior to the football(s) being snapped to start a down, the offensive players must align on their side of the line of scrimmage and not move forward for at least 1 second prior to the snap. The defensive players must be aligned on their side of the line of scrimmage and may not be in or across the neutral zone prior to the ball being snapped. In college and professional football, the defensive player is allowed in the neutral zone prior to the snap as long as he is back on his side before the ball is snapped. Below the college level, any movement into the neutral zone is considered encroachment and is a penalty. If any offensive players in the neutral zone prior to the snap, it is considered off sides and is a penalty.
The football may be passed either overhand or underhand. A pass may be forward, backward, or lateral. A pass that is exactly parallel to the line of scrimmage is considered a backward pass or a lateral. A forward pass that is not caught before it hits the ground is considered incomplete and play for the ball comes to an end. A lateral or backward pass that hits the ground is a free ball and is treated like a fumble and can be advanced by the first player from either team who gains possession of the ball.
Tackling is grasping or encircling an opponent with the hands or arms. This is usually done by the defensive team to the ball carrier. The tackler may grab any part of the ball carrier's body except the face mask or the side or back collar of the shoulder pads.
Each game consists of four quarters of non-continuous play. The length of each quarter depends on the level of play. High schools play 12 minute quarters. College and professional teams play 15 minute quarters. If the score is tied at the end of regulation, there may be one or more additional overtime periods to determine the winner. In professional football, the first team to score is the winner. In college and high school, each team gets an opportunity to run plays to score, regardless of what the opponent does on their turn. Each team is allowed three time-outs per half of the game. Each time-out lasts approximately 1 minute. The officials may call a time-out if a player on either team appears to be injured. That player must be taken out of the game for at least one play. The offensive team has either 25 or 40 seconds to run a play once the official marks the ball in play. The exact time depends on the level of play and the game situation. Failure to snap the ball(s) before the 24- or 40-second clock runs out results in a 5-yard delay-of-game penalty against the offense.
In the current day sport of Football, the snap of the football, which begins a play from scrimmage, is either handing or passing the ball from its initial position on the ground (as placed by the official) with a quick and continuous motion of the hand or hands. The snap may be either between the legs or not, although except for a few specialty plays, it is usually between the legs. The player snapping the ball (the offensive center or punt and field goal snapper) may not pick up or move the ball prior to the snap. He may rotate the ball to get it in the desired position as long as he does not pick it off the ground in doing so.
In some embodiments of the sport of Football, the snap of three or fewer balls, which begins the down from scrimmage, is done by Center and the two guard positions, one on either side of the center. The way the balls are held by these three players shields the balls from the view or sight of the defense team. In an embodiment, a certain garment accessory E.g., a piece of opaque cloth, could be used to cover the ball held by the center and guard positions, to shield from the defense team. The accessory used to block visibility could be something that could be just dropped to the ground after the snap or is just part of the players outfit. Alternately the center and guard positions can face the quarterbacks when they snap. This is the easiest way to snap manually and yet shield the order of arrangement of the balls from defense team without any accessory. So, the defense team is unaware of the order in which these three players hold the balls and hence do not know the position of all important Colt or even Stallion. All three players toss the ball at the same instant to create a three (or fewer) balls snap. All three balls (or fewer) are caught by the quarterbacks behind.
In some embodiments of the sport of Football, the snap of three or fewer balls, which begins the down from scrimmage, could also be done using a new devise called Snapper. An embodiment of the ‘Snapper’ devise and how it operates is illustrated in FIGS. 38 through 44.
In an embodiment, a snapper is a devise which enables snapping all three balls, Colt, Stallion and Mustang in one instant. One center position player snaps the single ball in the current day sport of Football. However since in an embodiment where the sport is played with three balls, just the center position player cannot snap all three balls in one shot, using his two hands. As mentioned above, the guards (among the offensive linemen) could snap the two extra balls along with center position player. While this is a very exercisable option for the offense team to snap all three balls at a time, the devise ‘Snapper’ which could be operated by only one person (center position—while guards focus on their job at hands), provides an alternate option to the offense team to snap all three balls at a time. While the usage of the snapper devise is optional for some embodiments, the details of how the devise operates, its components and how it works are described and illustrated in the drawings. If the sport in a specific geography, or a particular version or a league decides or chooses to use Snapper in the sport, they could.
Snapper is a simple mechanical devise that could be handled by one person in a couple positions. One position where the center player is facing the three quarterbacks and has bent knees or kneeling down. In this position after the snap is complete, the center needs to jump to his feet and turn around to block the defensive linemen. This is slightly disadvantageous as compared to the second position. The second position is that he is holding the snapper devise between his legs, while facing the defensive linemen and snaps the balls. This is more suited given the context of the sport and individual downs. Further it has to be noted that the Snapper devise can be dropped immediately after the snap, and it falls flat on the ground. If its panels were angled, it would flatten with one footstep on the devise by the center. In any case, once dropped and stepped on, it lays flat on the ground with minimal obstruction to the sport.
FIGS. 38 through 44 show one of the embodiments of the Snapper devise. The devise could operate with several modifications, alterations and other design changes. The embodiment shown is one of the recommended designs which will serve the purpose of snapping three balls at a time. Simultaneous snapping of multiple balls may be a need or rule for some embodiments. FIG. 38 shows the front view, left side view and the top views of the snapper devise. Further FIG. 40 shows a three dimensional view of the snapper devise. The combination of drawings 38 and 40 give a very clear understanding of the devise. The Snapper devise has two layers called as the ball holding layer (3814) and the driving layer (3813). In the side view of FIG. 38, the layer shown to the left is the driving layer (3813). The layer shown to the right is the ball holding layer (3814). Both the layers are mounted on a single spindle or shaft joint which enables the two layers to swivel or swing on the axis of the shaft. The axis of the shaft join acts as a fulcrum point over which you can swing one layer (in relation to the other layer) and bring them back together with required force. This motion will eventually snap the balls, as you will see in the subsequent paragraphs. As you can see in the figures, the axis shaft (384 in FIG. 38 and 404 in FIG. 40) forms the swivel point for the two layers. The driving layer could be firmly held by the provided grip (381 in FIG. 38 and 401 in FIG. 40). There are the two links (382 in FIG. 38 and 402 in FIG. 40) joining the grip (381 in FIG. 38 and 401 in FIG. 40) to the shaft (384 in FIG. 38 and 404 in FIG. 40). These are two links, one on the left and one on right. There are two links joining the shaft (384 in FIG. 38 and 404 in FIG. 40) with the center driving panel. There are three driving panels joined by hinges (388 in FIG. 38 and 408 in FIG. 40). The panels can angle against each other. Two links (389 in FIG. 38 and 409 in FIG. 40) join the center driving panel with the left and right panels. The links (389 in FIG. 38 and 409 in FIG. 40) are mounted on the link connecting the shaft with the center driving panel with a rotating joint on the axis of the link, with an option to soft lock the joint at 5 degree increments. The driving block (3811 in FIG. 38 and 4011 in FIG. 40) is mounted on the driving panel. The three driving panels have three driving blocks mounted on them. Coming to the ball holding layer, it has a grip (383 in FIG. 38 and 403 in FIG. 40) to hold the ball holding layer firmly. There are links connecting the grip (383 in FIG. 38 and 403 in FIG. 40) to the central shaft and links joining the shaft with central ball holding panel. There are three ball holding panels to hold the three balls. The right and left side panels are joined with the central panel by links (3810 in FIG. 38 and 4010 in FIG. 40) in the same way the driving panels are connected. In each of the ball holding panel (386 in FIG. 38 and 406 in FIG. 40), there is an oval shaped hole (387 in FIG. 38 and 407 in FIG. 40). The size of this hole is such that the Mustang would comfortably fit inside the oval hole. This is the same with all the three ball holding panels. Hinge (388 in FIG. 38 and 408 in FIG. 40) joins the ball holding panels together. There are two hinges joining the three ball holding panels. And similarly there are two hinges joining the three driving panels. In the oval shaped hole (387 in FIG. 38 and 407 in FIG. 40) made in each of the ball holding panel there are two soft rubber cones (385 in FIG. 38 and 405 in FIG. 40), attached at the top and bottom of the oval hole. They are attached to the panel by using simple fasteners such as screws. These soft rubber cones form seats for the prolate spheroid balls. All the three balls—colt, stallion and mustang can be seated into these soft rubber cones. This is primarily because the length of these balls along the axis is exactly the same. This enables arranging the three balls in any order in the three ball holding panels. This is one of the key aspects of the strategy provided by the snapper devise. Moreover the driving layer completely covers the oval shaped holes in the ball holding layer, fully shielding the view of the balls (seated in the holes) to the defense team. The defense will have no idea which one (of the three positions) holds the Colt or Stallion. So, their defense formation and strategy will have to be without the knowledge of which quarterback will land up getting the colt, stallion or mustang. This can be used to great advantage by the offense team in their strategy planning and the way they want to handle the down. In the diagram (3812 in FIG. 38 and 4012 in FIG. 40) indicates the four rotating joins which enable the swing of the panels in relation to one another with a soft lock mechanism to hold panels at a certain angle with 5 degree increments. The soft lock join is such that, after the snap is complete, when the center player drops the devise to the ground, at the minimal force of the impact the soft lock releases and the entire devise falls flat on the ground causing almost no interference to the game and/or down. Further the Snapper is built of a material which is strong enough to withstand the weights of players running over it, while being light in weight by itself.
FIG. 39A shows an embodiment of the snapper devise, with all the panels aligned in straight line, while the entire devise is positioned at right angle (396) to the ground. It shows the ball holding layer (391), ball holding panel (393), driving layer (392), driving panel (394) and the driving block (395). It also illustrates the two layers swivel over the axis of the shaft, and the direction of force to be applied by gripping the ball holding layer, and pulling it in such a way that the ball seated in the ball holding panel is driven by the driving blocks in the driving panel. It is a simple mechanism that generates swivel motion and when the right force is applied in the right direction, brings the balls in the ball holding panels at a force to be driven off the panel by the driving blocks. The angle of snapper from ground (396), is related to the toss angle of the ball and its trajectory. In FIG. 39A, the Snapper is positioned at 90 degrees from the ground. In this position it has to be realized that the ball toss will be flat and close to the ground. The trajectory will be relatively flat in nature and the ball will reach the ground very quickly. Even the distance achieved may not be much. The angle of the snapper from the ground is an important parameter for the ‘Center’ position to be aware of This illustration shows the snapper in upright position. FIGS. 39B and 39C show the snapper in different angles. It has to be noted that the shape of the driving block will become important, and the shape of it can be creatively designed to achieve the necessary toss of the ball to the quarterback. FIG. 39B shows the Snapper positioned at an approximate 70 degrees (3916) from the ground. In this position the ball toss will be at a complementary angle to the 70 degrees inclination and the ball will travel in a nice trajectory. The distance achieved by the ball will also be good. This maybe the most used angle setting by the center as it delivers good distance and a nice trajectory for the Quarterback to catch and get into action. FIG. 39C shows the Snapper positioned at an approximate 50 degrees (3926) from the ground. In this position the ball toss will be at a complementary angle to the 50 degrees inclination and the ball will get more height than distance. It will have a parabola like trajectory, getting more height than distance. The distance achieved by the ball will be less. This angle position may rarely be used in the sport, as distance is an important attribute for ‘Center’ to focus on in several scenarios.
FIG. 40 is a three dimensional diagrammatic view of an embodiment of the Snapper devise. The panels are angled in the view. Note that it is a view to show the entire devise and is not to scale or dimensions. The diagram shows how all three balls (colt, stallion and mustang) can be snapped at the same instant by center.
In an embodiment, FIG. 41 is a diagrammatic illustration of the angle limits to which the panels could swing in relation to each other. A zero degree setting on both panels is shown by (411). A 45 degree setting on both panels is shown by (412). The Snapper has the ball holding panels and driving panels (in two separate layers), there are three ball holding panels which are joined by hinge joints. There are three driving panels in a different layer, which are also joined by hinge joints. On the hinges, the panels swing (as a hinged door swings in relation to the frame), between 0 and 45 degree limits. Within this swing range, the panels can be soft locked at every 5 degree increments. This drawing is an illustration of the angle swing limits for the ball holding panels and also the driving panels. Note that, to snap all three balls at a time, all three panels in both layers (ball holding and driving) should be set to the same exact settings, so as the three balls are driven precisely as per plan. Snapper permits asymmetric angle setting between the left and right panels in both layers. As in the left panel could be set at 20 degrees while the right one could be set at 40 degrees. They could be soft locked at this setting. The soft lock would release when the center drops the devise to ground after the snap is complete.
FIG. 42 is a diagrammatic representation of an embodiment of a ‘ball holding panel’ (421). The snapper has three such ball holding panels which are joined by hinge joints. Each ball holding panel has a hole (422) in an elliptical shape carved in it which is larger than the cross section of the Mustang ball. All three panels will have the same sized hole and are identical. In an embodiment, the center-line length of the hole in the panel is a couple centimeters more than 11 inches (which in an embodiment is the central axis length of the prolate spheroid balls). There are small cone shapes, made out of soft rubber material that are attached to both ends of the center-line of the hole. These rubber cones (423) form the perfect seats for both ends of the prolate spheroid balls. The rubber cones are of generic size and can hold all three balls (colt, stallion and mustang). Note that all three balls are of the same length (measured at diagonal).
FIG. 43A is the diagrammatic representation of an embodiment of the driving panel (431) with a knob (432) type protrusion in the center of the panel which enables the shrink fit of the driving block. The corresponding driving block, is shown in two possible shapes (433). The driving blocks could be easily detached and attached. This enables using blocks of varying sizes, thickness, shapes and material to enable applying varying forces on the ball to be snapped. An alternate embodiment could be using fasteners like screws to fit the driving block to the driving panel. However, detaching and attaching the blocks would be time consuming in such a design.
FIG. 43B is the diagrammatic representation of an embodiment of the driving panel (4311) and the driving blocks (4313). The driving block is shown in two possible shapes. This is the slide fit embodiment where the driving block slides onto the protrusion channel (4312) on the driving panel. In either embodiments, the blocks could be easily detached and attached. This enables using blocks of varying sizes, thickness, shapes and material to enable applying varying forces on the ball to be snapped.
FIG. 44 is a diagrammatic representation of an embodiment of a specially designed driving block. When the panels (ball holding and driving) are angled and soft locked at a certain value greater than zero, and the entire snapper devise is tilted by the ‘center’ player, the middle panels may lift off the ground while the bottom side corners of the left and right panels are grounded. This causes the snapper middle panel to be off the ground and at the time of the snap, may result in an awkward toss of the ball in the center panel. To manage and adjust this situation, the teams can use specially designed driving blocks. Just an embodiment of the same is shown in the diagram. In various embodiments, the usage angle of the snapper, the types and shapes of the driving blocks will be optimized to suit the players need and strategy. Multiple different embodiments of the driving blocks could be used. This illustration is just one embodiment.
The material with which Snapper devise is made could be plastic based, fiber based, synthetic or a composite material that is very light in weight but delivers good strength and stiffness, to withstand the weights of players running on the devise. The hand grips for the two layers will be rubber grips for food traction and a smooth yet firm grip. The rubber cones in the ball holding panels is soft rubber which has very high elasticity and will easily swing in any direction when minimal force is applied. The driving blocks could be made of a variety of materials such as fiber, plastic, composite, to steel, iron, aluminum or other metals. The thickness of the blocks could also vary as per the necessary force to be applied. It has to be noted that by varying the shape, size, material used for the driving blocks, the end force applied on the balls would vary significantly. So, teams can plan on the type of blocks they want to use. If the sport is played as part of a league (e.g., NFL or CFL), the league management can standardize the allowable materials and variations allowed in their league games.
Further, in an embodiment the players could wear jerseys which are at least partially covered with some kind of an adhesive material (E.g., Velcro or similar material) that allows the players to stick the ball to it and run with free hands. By using such jerseys you free up a single player to be able to catch a second or even a third ball after the first ball was caught. However, such a jersey would make it easy for a player to run with two or all three balls, which otherwise would be a very difficult task and pushes the skill levels.
Some embodiments disclosed herein, may be employed in a variety of applications such as an experimental sporting software, virtual gaming systems, video gaming software, simulator software that enables sports enthusiasts to try playing the sport, building strategy, experiment a version with 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or more balls used in the sport. These software applications could have inbuilt new LOS computation, rules, guidelines, penalties etc. so that users could get a feel of how the sport, strategy and other aspects of the game pan out.
Embodiments of the sport disclosed herein, may be adopted in building gaming software, video games on a variety of gaming platforms (E.g., Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Wii, or similar). There are hundreds of Football based video games and software available in the market with the currently played version of the sport, and this new version would mean creating all of those for this disclosed new versions or embodiments of the sport. There could be animation software built or even mobile, smartphone and tablet applications based on the new disclosed versions or embodiments of the sport.
In order to realize and bring to practice one or more of the embodiments of the sport disclosed herein, a trial video game or a computer game could be introduced for one of the embodiment (e.g., 3 ball American football format) and the sport could be discussed in sports forums to engage sports enthusiasts, players or experts into a healthy debate. Depending on the response, you could engage a small league or local team to play the embodiment of the sport and promote awareness, eventually bringing it in as a main stream sport.
Similar to embodiments described herein of the sport of Football, Rugby Union, in an embodiment could be played with two balls instead of one. Each of the two balls carrying different weightages and yielding different scores when a ‘Try’ is achieved. In an embodiment, the new enhanced version of Rugby Union could be played by some minor modifications to the existing set of rules in the sport (E.g., allowing a forward hand pass with certain or no limitations or while playing with two balls, always aligning the start of play from the center line dividing the field across its breadth, with players advancing by passing one ball backwards to the players on the right side, and the other ball being passed backwards to the players on the left side). Similar to embodiments described herein of the sport of football, the Rugby Union would involve two parallel plays on the field with two balls. A scrum could be formed at the center line bisecting the field along its breadth, with release of two balls into the scrum, when the umpire calls “Crouch, Bind and Set”. Resulting in the game restarted with one ball passed to players on right side while the other passed to players on the left side. Again the weightages given to the balls become crucial for the defense team to tackle the player carrying the ball with higher weightage. Thus enabling more strategy into the predominantly physical sport. In such a version played with two balls, there could be formation of two mauls or two rucks or a maul and a ruck simultaneously. In an embodiment, the ‘Try’ of one ball could yield 5 points while the other could yield 10 points. In such a version of sport played with more than one ball, some variables such as player count, umpire count, general and detailed playing rules, scoring rules, foul and penalty rules, stop and start game rules, out of bound rules could be suitably modified or fine-tuned to enhance the excitement delivered by the sport significantly.
Similar to the explanation in above paragraph, Rugby League, in an embodiment could be played with two balls instead of one. Each of the two balls carrying different weightages and yielding different scores (E.g., 5 points awarded for one ball and 10 points awarded on the other) when a ‘Try’ is achieved. As there are no scrums, mauls or rucks in this version of Rugby, there will be two parallel plays on the field advancing the two balls forward. The additional strategy will come into the sport where team focuses to put additional resistance to the advancement of the ball with higher weightage. So, the stronger and better players have to be defending the higher weightage ball, while the attacking team can focus on smartly passing the ball to counter the defense team strategy. Other rules of who has the possession before six tackles and after six tackles can similarly be outlined based on the weightages given to the balls. In such a version of sport played with more than one ball, some variables such as player count, umpire count, general and detailed playing rules, scoring rules, foul and penalty rules, stop and start game rules, out of bound rules could be suitably modified or fine-tuned to enhance the excitement delivered by the sport significantly.
The sports industry is vast and the electronic, digital media applications, sport video games, animation applications, pilot software applications, mobile applications, tablet applications are a significant commercial segment for consumer's entertainment, hobby or leisure activity. While bulk of this gaming content is in the market for the current day sport of Football, some embodiments described herein, would mean new versions, new releases of all of the gaming content and applications based on the enhanced version of the sport of Football. Some of the companies that deal in sports industry gaming software and applications which could potentially build new games based on the disclosed embodiments of the sport are Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Wii, EA Sports, Atari, Bethesda Game Studios, BioWare, Black Isle Studios, Blizzard Entertainment, Brøderbund, Bungie, Capcom, EA Canada, EA Digital Illusions CE, Enix, Epic Games, Game Freak, HAL Laboratory, Harmonix, Music Systems, Id Software, Infinity Ward, Insomniac Games, Intelligent Systems, Irrational Games, Konami, Level-5, Looking Glass Studios, LucasArts, Maxis, MicroProse, Midway, Namco, Naughty Dog, Neversoft, Nintendo EAD, Origin Systems, Polyphony Digital, PopCap Games, Rare, Relic Entertainment, Retro Studios, Rockstar North, SCE Japan Studio, SCE Santa Monica Studio, Sega AM2, Sierra Entertainment, SNK, SONIC Team, SquareSoft, Thatgamecompany, Treasure, Ubisoft Montreal, Valve and Westwood Studios.
Additional embodiments are described in the following clauses:
Clause A: A system for playing the game or sport of Football, by using at least two balls on a playing field, the system comprising: a manually operated mechanical devise configured to deliver at least two balls to team members so as to begin the attempt to advance at least one ball.
Clause B: A system of clause A, wherein the system comprises a ball holding layer and a driving layer configured to swing with respect to one another.
Clause C: A system of clause A, wherein the ball holding layer has at least two ball holding panels and the driving layer has an equal number of driving panels, as the ball holding panels.
Clause D: A system of clause B, wherein the ball holding layer is configured to be manually swiveled over the shaft join, to force it onto the driving layer, resulting in snapping or delivering the balls held in the ball holding panels of the ball holding layer.
Clause E: A system of clause B, wherein each ball holding panel has a hole larger than the largest ball used in the sport or game, and there are one or more holders or seats for the ball to sit in the ball holding panel.
Clause F: A system of clause B, wherein each driving panel has a driving block attached to its center in an easily detachable mechanism.
Clause G: The system of clause A, wherein the sport of football includes at least one of Gridiron football, American football, college football, high school football, fantasy football, Canadian football, Rugby union, Rugby league, professional football played by NFL (National Football League), professional football played by CFL (Canadian Football League), Woman's Football, Rugby world cup, Rugby League world cup, Championships and tournaments conducted at domestic, local, regional, national and international level, Soccer, football computer games, football video games and other electronic football based software or applications.
As such, embodiments usable within the scope of the present disclosure include systems and methods of playing a new enhanced version of the sport of Football.
While various embodiments usable within the scope of the present disclosure have been described with emphasis, it should be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention can be practiced other than as specifically described herein.

Claims

1. A method of playing or conducting or organizing a game or sport of American football, the method comprising:

using at least two balls simultaneously as part of the game or sport, on a playing field, wherein scoring using one ball results in a different score than scoring using at least one other ball; and

the said at least two balls are simultaneously in motion for at least a fraction of the duration of the game or sport; and

determining a starting position for at least one attempt to advance at least two balls in the game or sport, based on an ending position of at least one ball at the end of a previous attempt to advance at least two balls; and

advancing at least two balls from the starting position, wherein advancing one ball from the starting position results in different advantage than advancing at least one other ball from the starting position.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the game or sport of American football is played between two teams, each team comprising of at least one player, and wherein the objective of the game or sport is to score higher number of points by attempting to advance at least two balls towards or into an opposing team end zone or an opposing team goal area.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the attempt to advance at least two balls towards or into the opposing team end zone or the opposing team goal area comprises carrying at least one ball, throwing at least one ball by at least one hand, passing at least one ball by at least one hand, kicking at least one ball, or combinations thereof.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein each team receives at least one attempt to advance at least two balls by a pre-defined distance towards or into the opposing team end zone or into the opposing team goal area, each attempt comprising:

determining a first team and a starting position from where the first team begins to advance at least two balls;

opposing the first team from advancing at least two balls, a second team trying to gain possession of at least one ball and advance at least one ball;

displacing at least one ball from the starting position to an ending position anywhere on the playing field, by the first team or the second team, and bring the first team attempt to advance at least two balls to a complete stop;

determining the team that will advance at least one ball for a subsequent attempt;

deriving displacement data of at least one ball from the starting position to the ending position on the playing field, in the first team attempt to advance at least two balls;

determining or computing the starting position for the subsequent attempt to advance at least one ball by using a mathematical formula, which uses the derived displacement data of at least one ball in the first team attempt to advance at least two balls; and

tracking the scores for the first team and the second team.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein one ball has a different or varying levels of advantage, disadvantage or weightage, for distance gained or lost from the starting position, as compared to at least one other ball.

6. The system of claim 17, wherein the ball location capturing system captures the locations of at least two balls photographically; and the ball displacement computing system uses the pixels by which the at least two balls have been displaced in the photograph from a previously saved starting position of the attempt to advance at least two balls.

7. The system of claim 17, wherein the starting position for the subsequent attempt to advance at least one ball is computed by the game computing system, using a weighted average mathematical formula, wherein each ball has an assigned weightage; and wherein gained ground displacement is entered as a positive number and lost ground displacement is entered as a negative number.

8. The system of claim 17, wherein the game computing system is preset with assigned scores and weightages for each ball used in the game or sport, before the beginning of the game or sport.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the game or sport is conducted at the direction of one or more sports organizing bodies or governing bodies as a local, regional, national or international sporting event or tournament.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the sports organizing body or governing body could be National Football League (NFL).

11. The system of claim 26, wherein the simulated balls used as part of the simulated game or sport are rendered in different colors or patterns for easy visual distinction to at least one player.

12. (canceled)

13. The method of claim 28, wherein each team playing the game or sport needs at least one additional player and at least one additional umpire per each additional ball used in the game or sport, beyond the one ball.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the number of balls used in the sport need an equal number of players to manually deliver or snap the balls to an equal number of other players or quarterbacks, to begin the attempt to advance at least two balls.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the rules for attempts to advance at least two balls and the game or sport are based on one of: Gridiron football, American football, college football, high school football, fantasy football, professional football played by NFL (National Football League) or woman's American Football.

16. The system of claim 26, wherein the simulated game or sport is played or conducted on internet.

17. A system for providing directions for playing or conducting a game or sport of American football, by using at least two balls which are simultaneously in motion for at least a fraction of the duration of the game or sport, on a playing field, wherein the said at least two balls have varying or different advantages in the game or sport, the system comprising:

a game computing system configured to:

control a camera based ball location capturing system;

receive location information of at least two balls on the playing field from the ball location capturing system;

transmit the captured location information of at least two balls on the playing field, to a ball displacement computing system;

receive the ball displacement data of at least two balls, from the ball displacement computing system; and

compute the starting position for a subsequent attempt to advance at least one ball, using a mathematical formula based in part on the ball displacement data of at least two balls on the playing field at the end of the attempt to advance at least two balls.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the game computing system is implemented or configured to compute and track the scores by each team, based on distances advanced or lost per ball from the starting position.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the game computing system, the ball location capturing system, the ball displacement computing system, a display or broadcast system, a specialty lighting or laser system, or combinations thereof communicate and interact with each other in a wired or wireless mode, and comprise of electronic, electrical, mechanical, electromechanical, computer program, visual media, computer software or application systems or combinations thereof.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the ball location capturing system comprises a camera based system, which in turn comprises of at least one camera positioned at an elevation above the playing field, to photographically and simultaneously capture the location or ending position data of at least two balls and transmit it to the game computing system.

21. The system of claim 17, wherein the ball location capturing system comprises a sensor based system, which in turn comprises of one or more proximity or location sensors built into the balls, one or more receptive sensors along sidelines of the playing field, which collectively and simultaneously capture the location or ending position data of at least two balls and transmit it to the game computing system.

22. The system of claim 17, wherein the ball location capturing system comprises of GPS (Global positioning) system, which in turn comprises of GPS (Global positioning system) electronic chips built into the said at least two balls, which simultaneously and electronically transmit their location or ending position data to the game computing system.

23. The system of claim 26, wherein the simulated game or sport of American football is based on rules of at least one of American Football, Gridiron football, college football, high school football, fantasy football, professional football as played by NFL (National Football League) or woman's American Football.

24. The system of claim 17, wherein the starting position of the attempt to advance at least two balls and the computed starting position for the subsequent attempt to advance at least one ball are communicated to the specialty lighting or laser system, which projects one or more laser beams or specialty lighting beams onto the playing field, to indicate the two starting positions distinctly.

25. The system of claim 17, wherein the sport of American football includes at least one of American Football, Gridiron football, college football, high school football, fantasy football, professional football played by NFL (National Football League) or woman's American Football.

26. A system for playing a simulated game or sport of American football that uses at least two simulated balls which are simultaneously in motion for at least a fraction of the duration of the simulated game or sport, on a simulated playing field, wherein the said at least two simulated balls have varying or different advantages in the simulated game or sport, the system comprising:

an electronic device configured to:

host at least one operating system, host at least one executable computer program, host at least one software application, embed at least one sensor, network with at least one peripheral device, communicate with at least one hand held device, or combinations thereof;

enable one or more users to experience playing the simulated visual game or sport of American football that uses at least two simulated balls which are simultaneously in motion for at least a fraction of the duration of the simulated game or sport, on the simulated playing field wherein the said at least two simulated balls have varying or different advantages in the simulated game or sport.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the electronic device further communicates or interacts with one or more other electronic devices, hardware devices, electrical devices, mechanical devices, display devices, visual media devices, virtual simulation devices, peripheral devices, software programs or applications, or combinations thereof, in a wired or wireless mode.

28. A method of playing or conducting or organizing a game or sport, the method comprising:

using at least two balls simultaneously as part of the game or sport, on a playing field or a playing area, wherein scoring using one ball results in a different score than scoring using at least one other ball; and

the said at least two balls have varying or different advantages in the game or sport; and

the said at least two balls are simultaneously in motion for at least a fraction of the duration of the game or sport.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein each person playing the game or sport needs at least one additional body protective gear such as helmet, gloves, elbow guard, knee guard, shin guard or combinations thereof, during active play.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein the rules for the game or sport are based on one of American Football, Australian Football, Badminton, Bandy, Baseball, Basketball, Canadian Football, Cricket, Field Hockey, Gaelic Football, Handball, Hurling, Ice Hockey, Korfball, Lacrosse, Netball, Polo, Racquetball, Roller Hockey inline, Roller Hockey Quad, Rugby League, Rugby Union, Soccer, Softball, Squash, Table Tennis, Tennis, Throw ball, Volley ball, Water polo, Gridiron football, college football, high school football, fantasy football, professional football played by NFL (National Football League), professional football played by CFL (Canadian Football League), woman's Football, Rugby world cup, Rugby League world cup, Soccer world cup, Soccer leagues, Slam ball or other ball based similar games or sports.