Thanksgiving American Football

[jhetfield0816]

Ok, I really want to start to organize an Thanksgiving American Football game for around thanksgiving time (for a day when most people are available). First off, I would really like to see who's interested in playing. Secondly, does anyone have any suggestions for location of the game (Noto, Nanao area, Kz)? Third, how do I go about reserving somewhere to play once we decide on that? I know Shaffer, Lorna, and others have reserved venues before. Last, there has been discussion as to whether the game should be tackle or two-hand touch. Although I know some people will vehemently disagree, I think it should be two-hand touch to accommodate the variety of people that may be playing. But I guess we can discuss that later.

Anyway, please let me know if you're interested for sure. And if anyone is interesting in playing American football at other times give me a yell. It would be nice to get at least a 4 on 4 or 5 on 5 game going. People who don't understand the rules that well are also welcome.

[shafferinburkina]

I'm definitely in.
I'm going to post about a possible November footie game, though the 25 and 26th (Thanksgiving Weekend) I'll be working the Togi English Camp, so won't be able to make it. It might be a bad weekend for others as I think (you included) people are taking Friday off and using the 4 days to take a trip somewhere. You might have the same problem with the first weekend as it's a 3 day. I'd say Dec 2,3 is also a possiblity. Something about playing football on that first crisp December weekend that apeals (as long as it doesn't snow).

As for fields, I think it might depend somewhat on how many people and where they're coming from. We have a sweet grass field up the hill in Shika, so sweet though that I don't know if it's possible for us to use it. I could make some enquiries. If we wanted to do a party slash/football game, I'd be down, though that might be more than people could handle. Basically the best way to reserve a field is talk to your supervisor or a japanese friend in the know.

As for two hand or tackle, I'd imagine that two hand is the way to go. Though I'm sure there's many a lady in the kawa that would like to get their paws all over Jordan. During one of our field days at school, they had a game where they stole flags (streamers) off each other, I could see about borrowing those and we could do flag football.

[paceandbounce]

Doesn't American football require us all to wear suits of armour or something?

[shafferinburkina]

Only if we're really fit and plan to do a lot of damage to the other team.

[jhetfield0816]

Weekend of Dec 2 and 3rd sounds good, as yes, I am going on a trip at well on Thanksgiving weekend. Also, if we can play in Shika that might be good, as it will enable people from the upper Noto to more easily come as well (I'm looking at you, Alex). I think we will end up having enough people to play, because I think that a lot of guys on the soccer team who don't really post on here want to play as well. So we should try to spread the word at soccer practice. Shaffer, I don't know if there's anyone you can talk to about using that field in Shika, or if you'd rather I do it, if there's contact info you can give me.

[shafferinburkina]

I'll ask around and see what I can find out. Would we want to do it on Saturday or Sunday? If we have it on Saturday, we could party afterwards, then everybody goes home. Or there's something just pure American about Sunday football. I guess those that wanted to could party at my house the night before, then we wake up and play.
The only draw back to playing in Shika is that there's no Eki. There is a handy bus that goes from KZ to Shika that I've heard is pretty good. But hopefully those with cars can pitch in and give rides.
But lets not get our hopes up, like I said, the pitch is really nice, so they might not let us use it. I do think that where ever we end up, it should definitely be grass, as I'm sure, two hand touch or not, there will be some tumbles.

[travisp]

im down, but im sure that if we play tackle, Damo will pound my ass in the ground hard, so im up for Two hand or flag. However i didnt know THanksgiving weekend was a 3 day weekend... mmm

early december sounds fine to me as long as the weather holds out for it.

The T`ster

[jhetfield0816]

Just don't let Damo catch you and you'll be fine.

[kernowboy]

The only American football I've ever played was 2 on 2 with Nate, Andy and Pete on Uchinada beach. It was great fun, not least because Andy and I kicked ass and the beach seemed an ideal location. If no other venues are easily obtainable, I reckon a crisp autumn afternoon on the beach would be a whole lot of fun. Be warned, I have an uncanny ability to catch things arriving directly over my head!

[n4c0n]

...Damo will pound my ass in the ground hard...

i like you and would hate to see you get hurt again, so don't worry about a thing.

Just don't let Damo catch you and you'll be fine.

you will eventually have to come near me, and i promise that you will go down faster than your momma on a saturday night at the drive-in after a single bartles & jaymes...

I reckon a crisp autumn afternoon on the beach would be a whole lot of fun.

i was thinking the same thing, but was waiting for somebody else to say it first...that might be the most japanese thing that i've done in a long time...but yeah, we don't have to do it all the way down in uchinada. there are beaches in shika and hakui too, right? i don't know about as spacious as apre but...

[jhetfield0816]

The beach actually isn't a bad idea if all else fails. I don't know...APRE would be a pretty nice beach to play on though because of it's spaciousness. If we play on another beach, we'd have to make sure to find a spot that isn't covered with rocks.

[kernowboy]

Guys, that beach isn't actually called Apre, that's just the name of the bar there! It's Uchinada beach. If the bar was still open, this would be a no-brainer, but it's long since closed for the winter.....

It's not a bad idea, as anyone can get there by train and we could party in KZ after. If not, I suggest a Shika beach and a big party at Shaffer's house! I haven't been there since before it was Shaffer's house, but remember it being a fine party venue.

[n4c0n]

Guys, that beach isn't actually called Apre, that's just the name of the bar there! It's Uchinada beach.

my bad, i've always heard it called apre...the more you know.

...we could party in KZ after. If not, I suggest a Shika beach and a big party at Shaffer's house!

either sounds good, but i'm sure shaffer would love to play host to a bunch of sandy people.

[n4c0n]

oh, i totally forgot, we have a rather large grass field in nakanoto-machi. they use it sometimes for soccer games. i could check about it. plus the train comes right to our town. the only problem is about where to party. the closest thing we have is nanao (~15 mins). you can easily catch a cab back after a night out. i can fit a number of people in my apartment too. i have an extra room i'm not even using; except to store some boxes. plus i have two couches, one which folds out (big ups to keith). people would just have to bring a pillow and maybe a bed sheet (i only have one blanket). i don't know how many people intend to play, but maybe there would be another person to offer tatami space to sleep on...i can think of a couple people who live near me...

[jhetfield0816]

people can sleep in my place.