Objectives (5 - 7 minutes)

1. Introduction to American Football: The teacher will introduce the students to the basic rules, history, and culture of American football. Students should develop an initial understanding of how the sport is played and how it differs from other sports.

2. Understanding Player Positions and Functions: The teacher will detail the different positions and functions of players in American football. Students should be able to identify key positions and the responsibilities of each player during the game.

3. Knowledge of Tactics and Strategies: Students should be able to understand and discuss the tactics and strategies used in American football. The teacher should highlight how coordination between players and reading the game are essential for the team's success.

Secondary Objectives:

• Understanding of Equipment Used: Students should be able to identify and understand the function of the different equipment used by American football players, such as helmets, shoulder pads, and cleats.

• Application of Knowledge in Practical Situations: The teacher can promote a practical activity, such as simulating a tabletop American football game, so that students can apply what they have learned about the rules, tactics, and positions of the sport.

Introduction (10 - 15 minutes)

1. Review of Previous Concepts: The teacher should start the lesson by reminding students about team sports and their characteristics, such as the importance of teamwork, position division, and the need for strategies. This will help students make connections with the new content that will be presented.

2. Problem-Solving Scenarios:

   • The teacher can propose the following scenario: "Imagine a sport where players wear helmets, shoulder pads, and cleats, and the goal is to advance with an oval ball to the opponent's scoring zone. How do you think the game would be and what strategies would be used?" This question should spark curiosity among students and prepare them for the introduction to American football.

   • A second scenario could be: "Have you ever seen on TV or in movies that sport where players run with the ball, but stop at every moment and reorganize? Have you ever wondered why they do that and how they can remember so many different plays?" This scenario should provoke a discussion about the tactics and strategies of American football.

3. Contextualization: The teacher should then explain that American football, although not widely practiced in Brazil, is one of the most popular sports in the United States, with a large fan base and a multimillion-dollar industry. Furthermore, the sport has a rich history and culture, with the Super Bowl, the championship final, being one of the most-watched events of the year.

4. Engaging Students' Attention:

   • The teacher can share interesting facts about American football. For example, they can mention that the sport originated from a variation of rugby, and that the oval ball was adopted to facilitate its throwing. Another curiosity is that the sport is known for its cheerleaders, who are dance and cheer groups that encourage the crowd during games.

   • Another way to engage students' attention is by sharing videos of amazing American football plays, such as interceptions, touchdown runs, and field goal kicks. Students will surely be impressed by the speed, strength, and skill of the players.

Development (20 - 25 minutes)

1. Theory Presentation (10 - 12 minutes):

   • Basic Rules: The teacher should start by explaining the basic rules of American football. This includes the goal of advancing the ball to the opponent's scoring zone, the different ways to do so (running with the ball, passing the ball to a teammate), and defensive strategies (blocking the run, intercepting the pass).

   • Game Time: The teacher should explain that the game is divided into four quarters of 15 minutes, with a 12-minute break between the second and third quarters (known as the Super Bowl halftime).

   • Possession of the Ball: The teacher should clarify that each team has four plays (called downs) to advance the ball at least 10 yards. If the team succeeds, they gain a new set of downs. If they fail, possession of the ball is reversed to the opponent.

   • Scoring: The teacher should explain that a team can score points in various ways: by taking the ball to the opponent's scoring zone (touchdown, worth 6 points), kicking the ball between the opponent's goalposts (field goal, worth 3 points), or holding the ball in their own scoring zone while being tackled by the opponent (safety, worth 2 points).

   • Penalties and Punishments: The teacher should discuss the most common penalties in American football and their corresponding punishments. For example, holding (holding an opponent player to prevent them from advancing) results in a 10-yard penalty.

2. Practice Presentation (5 - 7 minutes):

   • Player Positions: The teacher should present the different player positions in American football, explaining the responsibilities of each. This includes the quarterback (the player who initiates each play), the wide receivers (players who run routes to receive passes), the running backs (players who run with the ball), the offensive linemen (players who protect the quarterback and open the way for the running back), the defensive linemen (players who try to tackle the quarterback or stop the running back), the linebackers (players who help stop the run and cover the wide receivers), the cornerbacks (players who cover the wide receivers), and the safeties (players who help cover the wide receivers and stop the run).

   • Tactics and Strategies: The teacher should discuss some of the tactics and strategies used in American football. This may include specific plays (like the Hail Mary pass, a desperate attempt at a long pass), formations (like the spread formation, which spreads players across the field), and concepts (like zone coverage, where defensive players cover a specific area of the field instead of a specific player).

   • Protective Equipment: The teacher should explain the function and importance of protective equipment in American football. This includes helmets (to protect the head), shoulder pads (to protect the shoulders), and other protective gear (like padded vests and mouthguards).

   • Practical Activity (Simulation of a Tabletop American Football Game): The teacher can then conduct a practical activity where students, divided into teams, will simulate a tabletop American football game. This will allow them to apply what they have learned about the rules, positions, tactics, and equipment of the sport. Additionally, this activity will promote cooperation, communication, and decision-making in a group, important skills in American football and other team sports.

Feedback (10 - 15 minutes)

1. Group Discussion (5 - 7 minutes):

   • The teacher should initiate a group discussion where students will have the opportunity to share their insights, reflections, and doubts about the content presented. The teacher can start the discussion by asking open-ended questions, such as: "What did you find most interesting about American football?" or "Which American football rules do you find most challenging?".

   • The teacher should encourage all students to participate in the discussion, ensuring that each voice is heard and respected. This can be done through strategies like using discussion cards (where students write their answers on cards and then share them with the class) or using online discussion forums.

2. Learning Assessment (3 - 5 minutes):

   • The teacher should then assess students' learning by asking specific questions about the lesson content. This can be done through a short quiz, a fill-in-the-blanks activity, or a question-and-answer game.

   • The teacher should pay attention to students' responses, identifying any misunderstandings or areas of confusion. If necessary, the teacher should revisit these topics, re-explaining or demonstrating them again.

3. Individual Reflection (2 - 3 minutes):

   • The teacher should then ask students to reflect individually on what they learned in the lesson. This can be done through questions like: "What was the most important concept you learned today?" or "What questions have not been answered yet?".

   • The teacher should give students a minute to think about their answers. Then, students can be invited to share their reflections with the class, if they wish.

4. Feedback and Closure (1 - 2 minutes):

   • Finally, the teacher should provide feedback to students, praising their efforts, addressing any remaining questions, and offering suggestions for future improvements.

   • The teacher should then conclude the lesson by summarizing the main points discussed and explaining how they connect to the next topic. The teacher should also reinforce the lesson objectives and encourage students to continue exploring American football outside the classroom.

Conclusion (5 - 7 minutes)

1. Content Recap (2 - 3 minutes): The teacher should summarize the main points discussed during the lesson, reminding students about the basic rules of American football, the different positions and their respective functions, common tactics and strategies, and the protective equipment used by players. This recap helps consolidate the acquired knowledge and prepare students for the next lesson.

2. Connection between Theory and Practice (1 - 2 minutes):

   • The teacher should explain how the lesson connected theory (the rules, positions, tactics, and strategies of American football) to practice (the simulation of a tabletop American football game). The teacher should emphasize that understanding the theory is essential to be able to apply it in practice.

   • Additionally, the teacher can highlight how the lesson helped develop important skills, such as cooperation, communication, and decision-making in a group, which are useful not only in American football but in many other aspects of life.

3. Suggestion of Extra Materials (1 minute):

   • The teacher can suggest reading materials, videos, and online games for students who wish to deepen their knowledge of American football. For example, the teacher can recommend reading articles about the history and rules of the sport, watching full games or highlights on YouTube, and participating in online tabletop American football games.

   • Additionally, the teacher can suggest that students watch an American football game on TV, paying attention to player positions, plays, and strategies used.

4. Importance of the Subject (1 - 2 minutes):

   • Finally, the teacher should explain the importance of American football, despite not being a very popular sport in Brazil. The teacher can emphasize that American football is a highly appreciated sport in many countries, especially in the United States, where it has a large fan base and a multimillion-dollar industry.

   • The teacher can also highlight that American football, like any other sport, can teach many valuable lessons, such as the importance of teamwork, discipline, and respect for the opponent. Additionally, the teacher can explain that American football offers an excellent form of physical exercise, helping to improve the players' strength, endurance, and coordination.