Four years ago the electric Arizona Cardinals slugged it out with the hardened Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII. There were explosive tackles, jaw-dropping catches and miraculous turn arounds. The Steelers prevailed 27-23 and I was left hooked by American football. I urge you to give the sport a chance on February 3rd, when the San Francisco 49ers play the Baltimore Ravens on what is the most vaunted date on the American sports calendar.

Before looking ahead to the game itself, a brief introduction to the fundamentals of American football for those who are less familiar. Each team comprises 53 players that play in three units: offence, defence and special teams. The game is played in drives; the offense must drive the ball at least ten yards in four attempts to keep the drive alive. If the defence stops them, the other team takes possession. The end goal is to score a touchdown (seven points with a conversion) or a field goal (three points), but often even a yard or two prove the hardest to gain. The tactics are deciding whether to have the quarterback throw the ball to a sprinting receiver, or give the ball to a running back who can pound through the linemen or bounce around tackles.  It’s stop-start gameplay, but each play is so intricately designed that calling the wrong formation can be disastrous.

The Super Bowl is about as American as apple pie and New York based sitcoms. The basic premise is that the champions from the two National Football League (NFL) conferences play each other for the Lombardi Trophy and a place in history. From the sentimental national anthem to the tears of joy hours later, the event is an epic of American culture and will be the defining moment in many of the players’ lives. This year the game has the added spice of brothers John and Jim Harbaugh clashing as opposing head coaches.

The San Francisco 49ers will play as National Football Conference (NFC) champions. ‘The Niners’ were a game away last year, and are notable for a physical and punishing defence. Midway through the season, Jim Harbaugh made the controversial decision to replace quarterback Alex Smith with Colin Kaepernick. An athletic second year who runs with ferocity, Kaepernick’s combination of quick feet and strong throwing arm ended the Green Bay Packers season a few weeks ago.

Opposite the 49ers are the Baltimore Ravens, representing the American Football Conference (AFC). The Ravens were floundering late in the season, but the team has since been energised after the announcement that Ray Lewis, a veteran linebacker of sixteen years, would finally retire this year. Besides being an excellent defender, Lewis has been celebrated as an inspirational figure and mentor for players across the NFL. The knowledge that each game could be Lewis’s last has sparked the offense and tightened the defence, earning them this spot after defeating the New England Patriots. 

The Super Bowl is a war of attrition for both players and fans. The game will traditionally last three or four hours, even though each quarter is fifteen minutes. But if you can settle in with the rhythm of the game you will experience a festival of high drama played out on a majestic scale. Head to the Union with a group of friends, have a few drinks and watch the Ravens and 49ers play their hearts out in a strategic but ruthless exhibition of American sport.

The Cambridge Union Society is hosting a Super Bowl party on Sunday 3rd February, in partnership with the Cambridge University Pythons American Football Club (CUPAFC). Doors open at 8.00pm and kick-off is at 11.30, with hotdogs, popcorn and drinks on sale throughout the evening. 

Tickets: £4.00 (members) £5.00 (non-members)