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A review by endovelico
Take Your Eye Off the Ball 2.0: How to Watch Football by Knowing Where to Look by David Seigerman, Pat Kirwan
3.0
You will see this book mentioned frequently - either in online communities or algorithmically - as a book that will kickstart your understanding of the folk science of Giridon. It's a rather ubiquitous mention that makes it seem like it is loved by all NFL enthusiasts, Which is why I was surprised to find that as an intermediate watcher of the game, the vision of this book misses on delivering a coherent, robust read to any potential intended audience.
Don't get me wrong; You will surely be entertained (not a herculean task when you have a passion for the game), but you are guaranteed to be frustrated by unanswered questions and concepts you came to the book to find.
It is NOT a book for beginners, as no preparation for the reader is done in terms of rules and roles - Why would we need to read about the difference between a Tuesday and Wednesday in training camp when we haven't been breached on the difference between a halfback and a fullback? Can you explain what a legal formation is? How about touching upon all the flags and penalties we see every Sunday?
It's not for the intermediate as it often excuses itself from detailing crucial concepts such as formations and routes - Can we talk about a bit even about Sail, Post, and Corner concepts? (While we are it wildcat, pistol is mentioned without little nuance other than the obvious distance between personnel) before attacking the nuances of 4-3 vs. 3-4 defenses?
It's not for the advanced as it meanders in very basic or outright superfluous topics too often - Do advanced readers really need to have explained to them the difference between 11 and 12 personnel? Is there really that much ground to break on the Combine and Draft day?
The Q&A, adds levity to the reading; however, it fails to do anything that couldn't be done in pure prose, perhaps in fewer lines.
It tries to serve every level of the reader's knowledge - from the nascent to the savant - and fails to deliver a robust product to any. If you understand this and unsheath the cover, knowing you're getting a somewhat-reference table book, it is a serviceable read. Otherwise, I would avoid this book and give another oft-suggested book, such as Blood, sweat, and Chalk.
Don't get me wrong; You will surely be entertained (not a herculean task when you have a passion for the game), but you are guaranteed to be frustrated by unanswered questions and concepts you came to the book to find.
It is NOT a book for beginners, as no preparation for the reader is done in terms of rules and roles - Why would we need to read about the difference between a Tuesday and Wednesday in training camp when we haven't been breached on the difference between a halfback and a fullback? Can you explain what a legal formation is? How about touching upon all the flags and penalties we see every Sunday?
It's not for the intermediate as it often excuses itself from detailing crucial concepts such as formations and routes - Can we talk about a bit even about Sail, Post, and Corner concepts? (While we are it wildcat, pistol is mentioned without little nuance other than the obvious distance between personnel) before attacking the nuances of 4-3 vs. 3-4 defenses?
It's not for the advanced as it meanders in very basic or outright superfluous topics too often - Do advanced readers really need to have explained to them the difference between 11 and 12 personnel? Is there really that much ground to break on the Combine and Draft day?
The Q&A, adds levity to the reading; however, it fails to do anything that couldn't be done in pure prose, perhaps in fewer lines.
It tries to serve every level of the reader's knowledge - from the nascent to the savant - and fails to deliver a robust product to any. If you understand this and unsheath the cover, knowing you're getting a somewhat-reference table book, it is a serviceable read. Otherwise, I would avoid this book and give another oft-suggested book, such as Blood, sweat, and Chalk.