Book Review: A Sportscaster's Guide to Watching Football by Mark Oristano

As you all know, we're anti-resolutions on this blog, and rather make small changes
so this week I'm showcasing some books and products that can help you make the
small changes in your life, that may lead to larger ones! ENJOY!

We really don't think of our marriages as changes/resolutions, but this new book is an idea you might want to consider! Why would a football book help your marriage you ask? Well how well do YOU, being female, know the game?

If you grew up in football country (aka SEC country), then you probably know everything in this book. But if football wasn't your thing, but hubby was a football player, you can see where maybe knowing more about the sport he loves might win you some points when watching the games together!

Synopsis: Veteran broadcaster Mark Oristano says most fans make the mistake of keeping their eye on the ball when a play begins, don't understand the strategies of the game such as clock management, and could use some help in impressing friends with their knowledge of America's favorite game."I wrote my book for those who want to know more about the game and with just a little more knowledge will fall in love with football.

One of those secrets is to keep your eye on the center and two guards when the ball is snapped and you will know immediately if the play will be a pass or run and which way the run will go. "If you've ever been embarrassed by what you've said or done while watching a game, "then this book's for you!" A Sportcaster's Guide offers inside tips about how to watch football, including stories from Oristano's 30-year NFL career; a look at offense, defense and special teams; and cool things to say during the game to sound like a real fan.

About the author:A graduate of Texas Christian University with a communications degree, Mark started out as a student working for famed broadcaster Verne Lundquist in Dallas, spent a year as a news co-anchor with Oprah Winfrey in Nashville, and then on the Dallas Cowboys Radio Network, Houston Oilers Radio Network, for NFL Films, and then in the Cowboys' public relations department. Besides authoring a book, Oristano also works as a public speaker giving talks on the game of football and his stories generated from his illustrious career.

Review: Oristano equates football to a game of Chess to make it more understandable. he explains how the plays are like known chess moves. You know what will happen when the play is started, but a bad throw, a slip on the grass, or someone moving out of where they should be can alter what should have been a touchdown. He even shows you how a side line route pass can be a perfect math example of a right triangle/geometry problem! Who knew? Impress your hubby by explaining why that pass is the HARDEST in a QB's repertoire!

I have to give Oristano props for picking my fellow USF alumae, Pete Rozelle, as the number one most important figure in football history! if you don't know why, you need to read this book! i'd love to have seen what numbers 11-20 were, to see if i agreed with them as well!

Did you know that the kicking style of football has changed? Do you know what type of kickers we have know? I can proudly say that the record for a field goal distance is held by old-style kicker Tom Dempsey of the NO Saints (who-dat!) and that I know what a straight-on kicker means versus today's soccer-type angle kicker! but if you don't the section on kickers will help you impress everybody with your old-school football knowledge!

Oristano really explains the basics of the game and provides a handy glossary of terms, for those who need definition of basic terms. His Cool Things to Say During a Game tidbits are funny and great at the same time! This is an easy book to read and I recommend it to everybody, whose football knowledge can be improved!

Disclosure / Disclaimer: I received this book from Bostick Communications, for review purposes. No other compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received or implied for this post. Nor was I told how to post about it either.