Abstract:
A football board game and method of playing are disclosed. The football caricatures are provided on a chess-like board with each caricature having designated to it chess-like maneuvers. Scoring and methods of winning are also disclosed.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to a board game utilizing football caricatures that move about a chess-type board. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The game board of the present invention has a total of 72 squares, 9 wide and 8 deep. In the middle of the board, a goal line separates the two opposing teams. Outside squares are provided, preferably darker than those on the inside, defining a “red zone.” 
   The game method of the present invention has two ways to win. First, the first player to get his quarter back over the goal line is a winner. Second, if the opposing quarterback is sacked, a winner is declared. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
       FIG. 1  is a top view of a board game and football caricatures of the present invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structure. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a top view of the game board  10  and caricatures of the present invention. During use, preferably two players manipulate players  20   a  and  20   b  through  30   a  and  30   b , players  20   a – 30   a  representing a first team and players  20   b – 30   b  representing a second team. 
   The Game Board 
   Referring to the game board  10 , the board has a goal line  12  bisecting the board  10 . The board  10 , referring to two like sides  10   a  and  10   b  bisected by the goal line  12 , has 4 rows designated r 1 – 4  on both sides and 9 columns designated c 1 – 9  on both sides. The outside squares (all of row  4  on both sides-columns  1 – 9 , and all of columns  1  and  9 -rows  1 – 4  on both sides) are preferably darker than the other squares. The “red zone” is defined by the outside squares identified above. This area of the board will be discussed again under “How Players Move.” 
   The Players and Initial Positioning 
   Now referring to the players and how they are initially set, there are three down linemen  20   a  on one team, and three down linemen  20   b  on the other team. These players are initially set in row  1 , columns  4 – 6  as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
   Next, there are two defensive ends/wide receivers  22   a  on one team, and two defensive ends/wide receivers  22   b  on the other team. These players are initially set at row  2 , column  2 , and row  2 , column  8 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
   Next there are two tackle/defensive backs  24   a  on one team, and two tackle/defensive backs  24   b  on the other team. One tackle/defensive back  24   a  is positioned at row  2 , column  7 , and the other tackle/defensive back  24   a  is positioned at row  4 , column  4 . The positioning of the second teams tackle/defensive backs  24   b  is at its teams row  2 , column  3 , and at row  4 , column  6  as shown. 
   Next, each team is provided with a quarterback,  26   a  and  26   b , positioned at row  2 , column  5  as shown. 
   Next, each team is provided with a tailback,  28   a  and  28   b , positioned at row  3 , column  5  as shown. 
   Last, each team is provided with two linebacker/offensive backs  30   a  for the first team and  30   b  for the second team. The first teams linebacker/offensive backs  30   a  are positioned at row  2 , column  3 , and at row  4 , column  6 . Likewise, the second teams linebacker/offensive backs  30   b  are positioned at its row  2 , column  7 , and at row  4 , column  4  as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
   The Object of the Game 
   There are two ways for a team to win. First, a quarterback  26   a  or  26   b  may cross the goal line  12 . The other way for a team to win is to sack the opposing quarterback  26   a  or  26   b , described later. 
   How Players Move and Scoring 
   Referring now to the three down linemen  20   a  on one team, and three down linemen  20   b  on the other team, down lineman can move one space forward at a time and they can move one diagonal space forward to attack their opponent. The down lineman  20   a  and  20   b  can also attack diagonally backwards one space. They cannot, however voluntarily move straight back. Once a down lineman  20   a  or  20   b  has been taken, the player is removed from the board  10 . However, an opposing player must capture all three down lineman  20   a  or  20   b  to be able to count them toward the final score. 
   Next, referring to the two defensive ends/wide receivers  22   a  on one team, and the two defensive ends/wide receivers  22   b  on the other team, these players can move in an L type pattern—two spaces forward, and one to the right or left; or two spaces backwards, and one space to the right or left; two spaces sideways and one space either forwards or backwards. The two defensive ends/wide receivers  22   a  and the other two  22   b  can jump over other players provided, where he intends land is either vacant or occupied by an opposing player. If a defensive end/wide receiver  22   a  or  22   b  is blocked or removed from the board the value is one point. These are the only players who can jump any other players. 
   Next, referring to the two tackle/defensive backs  24   a  on one team, and the two tackle/defensive backs  24   b  on the other team, these players can move either forward or sideways as many spaces as are available in front of the player in that movement of direction, and may block any opposing player by the same movement. If these players are removed from the board during play their value is one point. 
   Next, referring to the quarterbacks  26   a  and  26   b , these players can be moved one space in any direction (forward, backward, diagonal). The red zone mentioned earlier was created specifically for the quarterback. Once the quarterback  26   a  or  26   b  is anywhere in the red zone the player may at their option move the quarterback  26   a  or  26   b  two spaces in any direction. This allows the quarterback  26   a  or  26   b  to be more mobile. If the quarterback  26   a  or  26   b  can cross the goal line  12  prior to being sacked by an opponent, he scores 6 points and the game is over. If however, the quarterback  26   a  or  26   b  is captured or in our game sacked by an opponent, the opponent scores 6 points for the sack. If at anytime the quarterback  26   a  or  26   b  could be taken by any opposing player the quarterback  26   a  or  26   b  must move to a safe position. If there is no safe position, then he&#39;s been sacked and the game ends. 
   Next, referring to the tailbacks,  28   a  and  28   b , these players can move in any direction forward or backward vertically, horizontally, diagonally provided he is not blocked by any other player on the team and the space is available. These players attacks in the same method and if either of these players is taken from the board during play the value is 3 points. 
   Last, referring two the two linebacker/offensive backs  30   a  for the first team and  30   b  for the second team, these players can move diagonally either forward or backward provided the player is not blocked by one of his own players and he attacks opposing players in this same manner. The value of this player if taken from the board during play is 1 point. 
   How to Play 
   The players are placed in their initial positions as described above, called the set position shown in  FIG. 1 . Just as in football, every game preferably begins with the toss of the coin and the winner may elect to begin or chose his opponent to go first. However, whoever starts has a number of options before his first offensive move in the form of man in motion. 
   Man in Motion 
   If the first player chooses to use man in motion, the second player may do likewise, before play begins. The only players not subject to man in motion move are the 3 down linemen  20   a  and  20   b.    
   The remaining players can move in the following manner. A first player can move a single piece two moves simultaneously so long as the moves don&#39;t cause a player to cross the goal line. Alternatively, a player can move two different players one move each. If the first player declines to place a player in motion, the second player cannot place a player in motion. Regarding the quarterbacks  26   a  and  b , the only man in motion alternative is to move a tailback  28   a  or  28   b  one move while the quarterback  26   a  or  26   b  moves back to the tailback initial set position, row  3  column  5 . 
   How to Score 
   A game consists of for quarters or in this case 4 separate games. When the quarterback  26   a  or  b  crosses the goal line  12  or is sacked the game ends. Players then count their points  6  points for a touchdown or a sack plus the value of any player or players blocked or taken during play as described above. The tailback  28   a  or  b  counts  3  points. All down lineman  20   a  or  b  must be blocked or taken from board for their scores to count. The score is tallied after each game and the final score will be the total of 4 complete games. If overtime is required, there may be an additional game. 
   Rules of Passing 
   If a quarterback  26   a  or  b  has an open lane to a receiver  22   a  or  b  who is over the goal line  12 , and that receiver  22   a  or  b  is open a pass can occur. This is the only time that a quarterback  26   a  or  b  is allowed to move beyond two spaces. A pass cannot occur if the quarterback  26   a  or  b  is about to be sacked or if the receiver is covered by an intervening player. 
   The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.