Ikenna Ike- How American football teams are made.

American football is one of the most popular sports in the United States, attracting millions of fans and generating billions of dollars in revenue every year. But how does an American football team come into existence? What are the steps and processes involved in forming a successful football team? In this article, we will explore the basics of how an American football team is formed, from the initial concept to the final roster.

American football originated from rugby and soccer, where teams compete for control of a ball. The first American football game was played in 1869 between Rutgers and Princeton, with 25 players per team. Collegiate play continued, and in 1873, representatives from Yale, Columbia, Princeton, and Rutgers created a standard set of rules for all schools. Harvard abstained from the conference due to their preference for a rugby-style game. After playing McGill University, Harvard players preferred the Canadian style with 11 men on the field and an oblong ball.

In 1875, Harvard-Yale athletes introduced rugby-style rules to Princeton, leading to the formation of the Intercollegiate Football Association. Yale joined in 1879, and Walter Camp, known as the "Father of American Football," later improved rules in 1880. The Oneida Football Club, formed in 1862, is considered the first known football club in the United States.

How teams are made:

The first step in forming an American football team is to have a clear vision and a strong leadership. A team needs to have an owner, who is the person or entity that owns the rights and assets of the team, and a general manager, who is the person responsible for overseeing the operations and personnel of the team. The owner and the general manager need to have a common goal and a shared philosophy on how to run the team and what kind of players and coaches they want to have.

The second step in forming an American football team is to hire a head coach, who is the person in charge of the on-field performance and strategy of the team. The head coach is usually hired by the general manager, with the approval of the owner. The head coach needs to have a proven track record of success, a compatible style and vision with the general manager and the owner, and a strong leadership and communication skills. The head coach also needs to assemble a staff of assistant coaches, who are responsible for coaching specific positions or aspects of the game, such as offense, defense, special teams, quarterbacks, running backs, etc.

The third step in forming an American football team is to acquire players, who are the athletes that play on the field. There are several ways to acquire players, such as drafting, signing, trading, or claiming. Drafting is the process of selecting new players from college or other leagues, usually based on a predetermined order that depends on the previous season's performance and other factors. Signing is the process of agreeing to a contract with a free agent player, who is a player that is not under contract with any team. Trading is the process of exchanging players or draft picks with another team. Claiming is the process of acquiring a player that has been waived or released by another team.

The fourth step in forming an American football team is to evaluate and develop players, who are constantly competing for a spot on the final roster. A team can have up to 90 players during the offseason and training camp, but it has to reduce its roster to 53 players before the start of the regular season. The evaluation and development of players are done through various methods, such as practices, scrimmages, preseason games, film study, meetings, drills, etc. The coaches and the general manager need to assess the strengths and weaknesses of each player, as well as their fit with the team's scheme and culture.

The fifth step in forming an American football team is to manage and maintain players, who are subject to various changes and challenges throughout the season. A team needs to deal with injuries, suspensions, trades, releases, signings, etc., that may affect its roster and performance. A team also needs to keep its players motivated, disciplined, healthy, and happy, by providing them with adequate facilities, equipment, medical care, nutrition, compensation, incentives, recognition, etc.

These are some of the basic steps involved in forming an American football team. Of course, there are many more details and nuances that go into each step and each situation. Forming an American football team is not an easy task; it requires a lot of planning, coordination, decision-making, execution, and adaptation. However, it can also be a rewarding and fulfilling experience for those who are passionate about the sport and willing to work hard for their goals.