Ever wonder what it takes to play in the LFL? Well, wonder no more. Each week we at LFL360 will provide you with insights into each and every position on the field, courtesy of the ladies that play them. With the Lingerie Football League season starting Friday night when the Los Angeles Temptation travel to the ShoWare Center to face the underdog Seattle Mist, it seems appropriate that our examination should start with the first person to touch the football.
The center.
Nobody can line up until the center marks the ball. Where she sets her feet will determine where the rest of the line sets theirs. The quarterback won’t know where to stand until the center is over the ball, and the running back won’t know where to line up until she sees where the quarterback is standing. Once everyone is lined up and set, nobody can cross the line until the center snaps the ball. The world revolves around the line, and the line revolves around the center.
It is the responsibility of the players on the line to keep the other team from coming across it, because if the defense gets across that line, there’s a good chance it is going to disrupt whatever play the offense is trying to do. For the defense, if the ball carrier gets across, then the defense loses ground, and if the defense loses enough ground, it’ll lose the game. The line is where outcomes are determined.
Nobody knows that better than Natalie Jahnke, the best center in the Western Conference. She’s also an All-Fantasy player and LFL champion as a member of the Lingerie Bowl victors – the Los Angeles Temptation. Facing off against her on Friday night will be Danika Brace of the Seattle Mist, an outstanding rookie expected to anchor her team’s line and bring a strong presence to the league, and who just happens to be the sister of LFL veteran Amanda Brace.
Very impressive credentials for both players.
Ring the bell, because class is in session.
Down. Set. Hike.
1) What do you consider to be the most challenging aspect of playing on the line?
Natalie: For me, as a center, the most challenging aspect would be snapping with your head up. Keeping your head up and snapping the ball takes a lot of practice. When you have mastered this technique, then – and only then – do you have the confidence within yourself to know that the play will start successfully.
Danika: Playing on the line is difficult because you have to see everything that is happening on the field, but also know what is going on behind you. We are there to protect our most important player – our QB – but at the same time we are responsible for opening up the gaps on the field for our running backs to get into the open field.
2) What advice would you give to someone trying to play your position?
Natalie: Practice, practice, practice. You will not master being a center without continuous repetition. You have to be strong and crazy enough to put yourself on the line to protect your quarterback.
Danika: I can’t give too much away to the other team’s line, but it is important to understand where your offensive players will all be on the field and what is going on in the play so that you can create opportunities for larger gains when the time comes.
3) Why is the line so important to the success of the team?
Natalie: The center is one of the most important players on the team; if not the most important. The center begins each play and without a great snap the rest of the play will falter. As the center I know my responsibility and the dependence my team has on me. The center is the key component to any successful play.
Danika: Plain and simple, the game is won on the line. Without pass protection, the QB wouldn’t have the opportunity to make that precise throw, and the running backs would get blown up and stopped short of a first down. On the defensive side of things, the line is so important because we are the ones who get in and sack their QB, which will be done this year plenty! We also prevent the runs for any gains and provide pressure to force the other team to make the mistakes.
4) Of the following, what single trait does a player playing on the line absolutely need to have to be successful: speed, strength, intelligence, agility, control, hand-eye coordination.
Natalie: Control. By far the center needs to be in control of herself, the
ball, the offense, and the defensive linewoman that she is about to
attack. Her team needs to trust in her ability and be able to focus on
their assignments instead of worrying about the centers.
Danika: Most important is strength, because without it you will get blown over. Intelligence is always important; you have to know what’s going on at all times. This is not just “models playing football in lingerie” – we are intelligent athletes who just happen to be hot at the same time. :-) Finally, patience is important because we have to be up and blocking immediately at the snap. Timing is key at this position.
5) What have you learned about football since joining the LFL?
Natalie: The LFL is a league of its own. There is no other organization like it. I have learned that being beautiful isn’t enough anymore. It’s about athleticism, brains, and the ability to adjust in whatever situation you’re thrown into. Football is a complex sport that takes focus and, most of all, heart. Having a love for the game only makes you that much better of a player. Playing for Coach Biz has taught me that football is not just a man’s sport. Football is a sport that can be mastered by women, too.
Danika: I have always been a huge football fan and grew up understanding and being able to recognize different sets and plays on the field, but I never knew how many different kinds of plays there were. Thanks to our amazing coaching staff we have one of the biggest and most difficult playbooks in the league. Coach Chris has taught all of us so much about the game and I feel so lucky to have such a smart, creative coach.
6) What is your greatest weakness?
Natalie: My greatest weakness is being a perfectionist. If I create an error during practice or a game I am really hard on myself. Football is my life therefore I feel I put so much effort towards it that I should hit every block and make every tackle.
Danika: My weakness is that this is a new position for me. I am used to having the ball in my hands so there has been a lot for me to learn and understand about blocking and creating a pocket for the QB, but I enjoy a challenge and am having fun with it.
7) What player do you admire most on your team, and why?
Natalie: Its really difficult to pick out a specific player on my team. I admire each and every teammate of mine for the effort that they put in every day coming to practice. Each player holds attributes both on and off that field that make them dear to my heart. We all share the same love; the love to play tackle football in our underwear. :-) It takes a lot of work to put your everyday life aside and get to practice. These ladies are strong, beautiful, and know how to hit. I would say that’s pretty sexy and something to admire.
Danika: I admire Natasha, our QB, because it takes a lot to fulfill that position. She has a great read on the field and is so good at making a quick decision based upon where the defense is playing. As a point guard in basketball for many years, I know how it feels to have the entire team relying on you to deliver, and it takes a talented, gifted, hard-working person to be in that position. I also admire my big sister Amanda. I feel so lucky to be playing along side of her as she is the most focused and driven person I have ever met. She works harder than you can imagine and really keeps our team together and gets us pumped up and focused.
8) What is your predicted score for the game?
Natalie: I predict LA 18 Seattle 12. I have to give them some points because I know Coach Michealson has some tricks up his sleeve. I did play for him in the All-Fantasy game, so I know how he coaches.
Danika: Let me throw a quick disclaimer in here first by saying that it is going to be a very good game and an incredibly hard fight. However, the Mist is going to come out on top, with a score of 35-14. Another quick note on this… all this smack talkin’ and “predictions” and rankings have done nothing but get us even more hyped, so thank you to the LFL website for giving us even more motivation to work harder and show you guys what the Seattle Mist is really capable of. WE’RE READY! And you better believe we will make it rain on ‘em.
Thank you, ladies.
And for the students of the game, you just got schooled.
Teams: Los Angeles Temptation at Seattle Mist
Game Time: August 27, 2010, 9pm Pacific
Place: ShoWare Center in Kent, Washington
Surface: Indoors, artificial surface
For team rosters, game information, souvenirs, and more, visit http://www.lflus.com
Tags: Danika Brace, football, Los Angeles, Mist, Natalie Jahnke, Seattle, Temptation, Troy Whigham
