I've played this little gem I don't know how many times to keep my kids from going schizoid in a restaurant. Remember the paper football game you played in school as a kid? Works great if you're not packin' a bunch of board-games in your hip pocket when you're out on the town. All you need is a ubiquitous, restaurant paper napkin; fold it into the familiar, small triangular "football," lay down the ground rules and go APE! Here's how we (the kids and I) play:
"Kickoff" is done by placing a triangle tip over the edge of the kicker's side of the table. The "kicker" then flicks his/her finger upwards, launching the ball to the receiver. Cock-ups call for a do-over. (No penalty... you'll be there all night.)
The receiving player has four downs (flicks) to force the tip of the football to partically extend beyond the kicking team's edge of the table without it going off. NO PUSHING! Must be a tap or a flick. Judge close calls by running a butter knife (spoon handle, finger, etc.), along hte edge of the table. If the football moves, the recieving player scores six points. The usual PAT follows, (see following "field goal" procedures for the mechanics). Receiving player may opt on third down to kick a field goal. The defensive player makes a "goal" by touching forefingers horizontally and extending thumbs vertically, while resting the bottoms of his/her fists on his/her edge of the table. Age variations in hand size make for fair handicaps. The defending player is on the honor system as far as calling made or missed goals, since it is his or her fingers. Remember, you'll be flickin' goals too, so keep it honest.
After either scoring or flubbing his/her four downs, the receiving player kicks off, and you repeat the whole magilla until the food gets there... highest scoring player wins. (Arrival of rolls/breadsticks &/or drinks don't count. Game termination must be heralded by the arrival of an entr�e. Continue to play right through apetizers). Getcha game face on.
powwowdancer out |
