Evolution of the Game: A Chronicle of American Football

Football is America's most popular sport: the nation is obsessed with it, and the game has spawned millions of fans worldwide.

Filled with facts, figures, and formations, Evolution of the Game chronicles the why, when, and how the game of American football developed.

With chapters such as "Origins of the Game," "The Aerial Circus," and "Development of the Contemporary Game," this unique resource traces the growth of football from its Chinese origins to the fast-paced, no-huddle game of the present.

With over 345 annotations and 380 diagrams, author Frank Francisco expertly analyzes the most innovative and lasting offensive and defensive ideas in the history of the game. Lively and informative, this text also explores the unique American design, the game's steady growth, and how technologies are changing the sport at every level.

For admirers of works by Bill Arnsparger, Allison Danzig, Vince Lombardi, and Fritz Shurmur, this book is the perfect addition to the library of any fan of the gridiron, whether they're a veteran coach, sold-out fanatic, or casual spectator.

Frank Francisco has been coaching football for over forty years. He has a deep love of the game, and studying its development has been a lifelong endeavor. Francisco began his career coaching high school freshmen tailbacks in the single wing and ended it coaching college quarterbacks in the spread formation, making him exceptionally qualified to write about the evolution of the sport.

Francisco is the father of two grown sons, and he and his wife, Joyce, spend summers in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania and winters in Florida.