EA Sports Madden NFL: Football by the Numbers Educator Companion Guide

1. EA Sports Madden NFL: Football by the Numbers Educator Companion Guide

2. Introduction Welcome to EA Sports Madden NFL: Football by the Numbers! This program is designed to help students learn about the math and science behind certain football plays, in an engaging, digital environment. With this digital interactive, students learn about football concepts as they attempt to either drive downfield for a touchdown or stop opponents in their tracks. Students learn about offensive and defensive plays while they explore math and science concepts, such as velocity, angle, probability, and force. While seat time for students will vary, the interactive is designed to take 20-30 minutes for students to complete on a first attempt and 10-15 minutes on subsequent attempts. This educator guide includes background information about the topics covered and guidance on how to use the tools and assessments in a one-to-one or one-to-many environment.

3. Overview EA Sports Madden NFL: Football by the Numbers focuses on different types of football plays. It is designed to be used as a self-paced module with interactive features that enhance the experience for visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners. The content is divided into two main topics, each with three sections: • Offense Pathway: An introduction to the role of the team on offense. Basic rules of the game are explained with an introduction to different offensive positions and types of passes. • Explore: Explore the different types of passes and the distinct characteristics and purpose of each. • Learn: Learn how the velocity and angle of a pass affects the distance the football will travel. • Play: Apply what you have learned as you drive downfield to score the game winning touchdown. • Defense Pathway: An introduction to the role of the team on defense. Different types of defensive lineups are introduced, along with different types of defensive coverages that can be deployed. • Explore: Explore different types of defensive coverages and the distinct characteristics and purpose of each. • Learn: Learn how defensive coordinators use probability to determine the type of coverage to use and examine the role of force in tackles. • Play: Apply what you have learned as you stop the offense from moving downfield. As students navigate the interactive, they will encounter words highlighted in yellow. When students hover over a highlighted word, a definition will pop up. Clicking on the screen will close the definition box.

4. Materials To help students navigate the interactive, you will need: • A computer or other device with Internet access and a web browser • A projection device to display the web pages (if using with a group)

5. Procedure This module is designed to be used by individual students in a self-paced setting or, if technology is limited, in a one-to-many environment. If using the module as a presentation in a one-to-many environment, the instructor can use the navigation features of the module to present the content to students and to set the pace of interaction. By eliciting group responses, the instructor can facilitate engagement between students about their experiences and ideas and initiate small group discussions. This interactive may be used independently or with lessons that address the following content standards: Common Core Math Standards • CCSS. Math.Content.7.G.B: Solve real-life and mathematical problems involving angle measure, area, surface area, and volume • CCSS. Math Content.5.NBT.A: Understand the place value system • CCSS.Math.Content.7.SP.C: Investigate chance processes and develop, use, and evaluate probability models • CCSS. Math Content.5.NBT.B: Perform operations with multi-digit whole numbers and with decimals to hundredths Next Generation Science Standards: • MS-PS2-1: Apply Newton’s Third Law to design a solution to a problem involving the motion of two colliding objects. • MS-PS2-2: Plan an investigation to provide evidence that the change in an object’s motion depends on the sum of the forces on the object and the mass of the object

6. Using the Educator Guide The EA Sports Madden NFL: Football by the Numbers interactive follows two pathways – offensive and defensive. This Educator Guide is organized as follows: • Section 1: Game Description and Winning Drive Examples • Section 2: Choose Your Path and Conference • Section 3: EXPLORE: OFFENSE PATH • Section 3: EXPLORE: DEFENSE PATH • Section 4: Learn – Offense Path • Section 4: Learn – defense Path • Section 5: GAME PLAY – OFFENSE PATH • Section 5: GAME PLAY – DEFENSE PATH

7. Section 1: GAME DESCRIPTION AND WINNING DRIVE EXAMPLES Estimated time to complete: 3–5 minutes Get Started Students are introduced to the module EA Sports Madden NFL: Football by the Numbers. Student Login Students enter their names to get started. Game Description This section provides an overview of the interactive and introduces students to the concept of the module. As students explore the offense path, they will learn three main types of passes – lob, bullet, and touch. They will also learn about the role of velocity and angle in offensive pass plays. As students explore the defense path, they will learn about man-to-man coverage, zone coverage, and the blitz. They will also learn about the role of probability and force in defensive plays. Winning Drive Examples On these screens, students see examples of winning drives. Students view three videos highlighting the three types of passes and one video highlighting man-to-man coverage.

8. Section 2: CHOOSE YOUR PATH AND CONFERENCE Estimated time to complete: 1-3 minutes Choose Your Path Students begin their exploration of the interactive by selecting the offense or defense path. After completing the first path, they will automatically begin the second path. Introduction to Offense Students are introduced to offensive players and learn the object of the team on offense and the role of the offensive line. Students learn that the skill players consist of multiple arrangements of offensive players, each of which is eligible to handle and advance the ball. Introduction to Defense Students are introduced to defensive players and different defensive formations. Students learn that the goal of the defense is to stop their opponent from scoring, either by forcing them to punt on 4th down, or by causing a fumble or interception. Choose Your Conference Students choose to play as the AFC or the NFC. Students may also select Read More to learn more about each conference and view a highlight video. If students select the AFC, they will see some of the AFC teams and players highlighted in the interactive. If students select the NFC, they will see some of the NFC teams and players highlighted in the interactive.

9. Section 3: EXPLORE: OFFENSE PATH Estimated time to complete: 5-10 minutes In the Explore section for offense, students explore three types of passes – lob, bullet, and touch. Offense: Explore Lob Pass Students learn about the lob pass and view a highlight video featuring a successful lob pass. Students begin to think about the velocity and angle associated with lob passes. Offense: Explore Bullet Pass Students learn about the bullet pass and view a highlight video featuring a successful bullet pass. Students begin to think about the velocity and angle associated with bullet passes. Offense: Explore Touch Pass Students learn about the touch pass and view a highlight video featuring a successful touch pass. Students begin to think about the velocity and angle associated with touch passes.

10. Section 3: EXPLORE: DEFENSE PATH Estimated time to complete: 5-10 minutes In the Explore section for defense, students explore three types of defensive formations – man-to-man, zone, and blitz. Defense: Man-to-Man Students learn about man-to-man defense and view a highlight video featuring a successful play using man-to-man defense. In man-to-man coverage, each defensive player has the responsibility of covering one offensive player. Students learn the advantages and disadvantages of this type of coverage. Defense: Zone Students learn about zone defense and view a highlight video featuring a successful defensive play using zone coverage. In zone coverage, each player has the responsibility to cover a portion of the field. This allows the defenders to share responsibility and prevent long passes downfield. Students learn the advantages and disadvantages of this type of coverage. Defense: Blitz Students are introduced to the blitz and view a highlight video featuring a successful blitz play. The blitz is used to pressure the quarterback for a loss of yards or a loss of downs. Students learn the advantages and disadvantages of this type of coverage.

11. Section 4: LEARN – OFFENSE PATH Estimated time to complete: 5-10 minutes Offense: Introduction to Learn SectionStudents are introduced to the math and science concepts that will be explored in this section. This section deals primarily with the trajectory of a football when it is thrown by a quarterback, which has been broken down into horizontal motion and the vertical motion. Horizontal motion is explored through the concept of velocity. The vertical motion is explored through the concept of angle.  Educator Note: For more advanced learners, consider exploring the effect of gravity on projectile trajectory. Offense: Learn VelocityStudents are introduced to definition of velocity as the term used to describe both the speed and direction of a moving object. The game of football is not linear, so the direction in which the ball is thrown can make a difference in the overall yardage that is gained when the quarterback throws the football. Educator Note: For more advanced learners, consider exploring the concepts of speed, velocity, acceleration. Offense: Learn AngleStudents are introduced to the relationship between the angle at which a football is thrown and the distance that football will travel. Students also learn the football concepts intentional grounding and hang time and their relationship to throwing angle. Students are presented with three throwing angles and asked to select the angle that would result in the football traveling the greatest distance down the field. Once students select the correct response (45o), they advance to the next screen. Educator Note: For more advanced learners, consider introducing the concepts of congruent triangles to investigate how an object thrown at Angle A will travel the same distance as an object thrown at Angle B, as long as the velocity remains constant.

12. Section 4: LEARN – OFFENSE PATH Offense: Learn Lob Pass – Practice Students apply what they’ve learned to try to “throw” a successful lob pass. Students are provided with a description of a lob pass and learn the range of values for angle and velocity associated with the lob pass. Lob passes are thrown at a high angle (45o or greater) and a high velocity (typically, greater than 45 mph). Lob passes are often thrown great distances with the goal of making significant gains in yardage. After moving the sliders to choose the desired angle and velocity, students select “Test Pass” to see if they have selected an angle and velocity that will result in a successful lob pass. If students select appropriate values, they will see a completed pass. If the selected values are incorrect, the pass will be incomplete (or possibly intercepted). Offense: Learn Bullet Pass – Practice Students apply what they’ve learned to try to “throw” a successful bullet pass. Students are provided with a description of a bullet pass and learn the range of values for angle and velocity associated with the bullet pass. Students also learn the types of defense against which the bullet pass works best. Bullet passes are thrown at a low angle (lower than 45o) and a high velocity (typically, greater than 45 mph). Bullet passes are thrown with power and precision. After moving the sliders to choose the desired angle and velocity, students select “Test Pass” to see if they have selected an angle and velocity that will result in a successful bullet pass. If students select appropriate values, they will see a completed pass. If the selected values are incorrect, the pass will be incomplete (or possibly intercepted). Offense: Learn Touch Pass – Practice Students apply what they’ve learned to try to “throw” a successful touch pass. Students are provided with a description of a touch pass and learn the range of values for angle and velocity associated with the touch pass. Students also learn the types of defense against which the touch pass works best. Touch passes are thrown at a low or high angle (15o-75o) but with a low velocity (typically, lower than 45 mph). Touch passes are thrown with finesse, rather than power. After moving the sliders to choose the desired angle and velocity, students select “Test Pass” to see if they have selected an angle and velocity that will result in a successful touch pass. If students select appropriate values, they will see a completed pass. If the selected values are incorrect, the pass will be incomplete (or possibly intercepted). Once students have successfully completed the practice section for defense, they will proceed to GAME PLAY – OFFENSE.

13. Section 4: LEARN – DEFENSE PATH Estimated time to complete: 5-10 minutes Defense: Introduction to Learn Section Students are introduced to the math and science concepts that will be explored in this section. This section examines the kinds of decisions defensive coordinators must make and how the defensive implements plays. The decision-making process will be explored through understanding the concept of probability. The formula for force – F=ma – is examined to show how defensive players use their mass and acceleration to tackle opponents. Defense: Learn Probability and Defensive Plays On these screens, students learn how probability is used to select defensive plays. Probability can be expressed on a scale between impossible and certain and as a percentage between 0% and 100%. Students are advised that defensive coordinators weigh a number of factors when selecting defensive plays. This situation is highly flexible and depends on many variables, so it is important that students understand there is no specific formula for selecting defensive plays. In this interactive, probability is used to help describe the process of making defensive decisions based on those many variables. To help students understand the role of probability in selecting defensive coverages, they explore sample game play scenarios and the types of coverages that have a higher likelihood of success in those situations. Students see sample scenarios for man-to-man coverage, zone coverage, and the blitz.

14. Section 4: LEARN – DEFENSE PATH Defense: Learn Tackling with Force On these screens, students learn about the role of force in making successful tackles. The formula for force is given as F=ma, or the product of the player’s mass multiplied by his acceleration at the point of contact. Students build understanding of what happens in a tackle before and after the initial collision. Students are asked to find the force applied from a 100 kg cornerback accelerating at 8.5 m/sec2 and choose the correct answer from three options. Once students select the correct response (850 kg-m/sec), they advance to the next screen. Defense: Learn Coverage 1-3 Students apply what they have learned. Students are presented with a game play scenario and must select the defensive coverage with the highest probability of success (based on that scenario). Once the appropriate coverage is selected, students are presented with the mass and acceleration of a defensive player and calculate the force of a tackle (based on those variables). After moving the Force slider to the correct answer, students select “Test Coverage.” If students’ calculations are correct, they will see a successful defensive play.  Once students have successfully completed the practice section for defense, they will proceed to GAME PLAY – DEFENSE.

15. Section 5: GAME PLAY – OFFENSE PATH Estimated time to complete: 5-10 minutes In this section, students apply what they have learned. Students are presented with a game play scenario featuring NFL teams and players (either AFC or NFC, depending on students’ conference selections at the beginning of the interactive). Students attempt to successfully complete each type of pass as they move their team down the field for a game winning touchdown. After moving the sliders to choose the desired angle and velocity for the pass described in the scenario, students select “Run Pass” to see if they have selected an angle and velocity that will result in a successful pass. If students select appropriate values, they will see a completed pass. If the selected values are incorrect, the pass will be incomplete (or possibly intercepted). For each type of pass, students have three opportunities to throw a completed pass. If students are unable to successfully throw a pass, they will be given the option to try again or to revisit the Learn section of the interactive. Once students have successfully completed the Offense Game Play section, they will be directed to begin the defense path.

16. Section 5: GAME PLAY – DEFENSE PATH Estimated time to complete: 5-10 minutes In this section, students apply what they have learned. Students are presented with game play scenarios featuring NFL teams and players (either AFC or NFC, depending on students’ conference selections at the beginning of the interactive). Students attempt to successfully implement each type of defensive coverage as they stop their opponents from making a first down or scoring. Students must select the defensive coverage with the highest probability of success (based on the given scenario). Once the appropriate coverage is selected, students are presented with the mass and acceleration of a defensive player and calculate the force of a tackle (based on those variables). After moving the Force slider to the correct answer, students select “Test Coverage.” If students’ calculations are correct, they will see a successful defensive play. For each type of coverage, students have three opportunities to calculate force and stop their opponents in their tracks. If students are unable to successfully calculate force, they will be given the option to try again or to revisit the Learn section of the interactive. Once students have successfully completed the Defense Game Play section, they will be directed to begin the offense path. After completing both paths, students are congratulated on successfully completing the EA Sports Madden NFL: Football by the Numbers interactive.