All you need to play
Paper Playmakers is
a pair of dice and two
game pieces. One will
keep track of where the
ball is on the field. You
can cut out the football right here or you can use
something like a paper clip or a coin. And you’ll
need something to keep track of the down.
Before the game starts, you and your opponent
need to decide when the game will end. Playing
until one team gets to 35 points is a good idea, but
you can adjust that, or set a time limit, or agree to
play a certain number of possessions.NOW YOU’RE READY TO KICK OFF. Each player
rolls a die. Whoever has the higher roll gets the ball
first. From there, the rules are simple:- At the start of the game, and after the opposing
team scores, the offense takes over with the ball on
their own 20-yard line. - Each player (offense and defense) rolls a die.
If the offense rolls higher than the defense, they
get a first down and move the ball down the field
10 yards. - If the defense rolls higher than or equal to the
offense, they stop the play for no gain. Move the
down marker up one. - Two consecutive tied rolls result in a turnover,
and the defense takes over the ball where the
offense was. - If the offense is on the opposing team’s
10-yard line, rolling higher than the defense results
in a touchdown (seven points). - On fourth down, a team can go for it, punt, or
attempt a field goal. (See table below.) If they go for
it and don’t make a first down or score a touchdown,
the defense takes over where the ball is. - For a punt, move the ball 40 yards downfield.
The defense then takes over.
It’s not always possible
to organize a big football
game with your friends.
Here’s the next best thing.
By Ethan Thomas
If the offense rolls a 6 and the
defense rolls a 1, the play
goes for a touchdown. But if
the defense rolls a 6 and the
offense rolls a 1, the D scores a
touchdown on a turnover.Big Play
Bonus