On Sunday, February 7, I will be live-blogging the Super Bowl. Although I'm not an expert in American football (cricket is my passion), I am conversant in the subject. Last night, I forwent a dalliance with Salome to immerse myself in the intricacies of the sport. Today, as a preview, I am sharing my insight with those who may be joining me on Sunday. I hope this introduction will enhance your appreciation of the match.  

Unlike European ball games, American football is played with an ovoid ball, which is easier to carry and toss than its spherical counterpart. This "football" must be moved by various methods to a predetermined area known as an end zone (a region beyond the finish line). Like cricket, football is a team sport. (If you are unfamiliar with cricket, imagine a Brahms sextet with six instrumen-talists playing harmoniously. Football is similar, except that each team has eleven performers.) 

Each performer is charged with transporting the ball in a designated direction toward a finish line. This is not an easy task because the opposing team (there are two teams in a match, though there are many teams in a "league"-- but we are getting ahead of ourselves) – is charged with thwarting his efforts. Should the opposing team be so fortunate as to claim the ball, it will attempt to trans-port it in the opposite direction toward a different, albeit complementary, finish line.   

You may be inclined to ask, how may a ball may be transported against such opposing force? Here lies the challenge! Each team has four "chances" to trans-port the ball a specified distance: 9.1 meters (roughly ten yards). Each chance is called a "down." Should the team succeed, it is awarded four additional chances; should it fail, it must relinquish the ball to the opponent. If a member of a given team crosses the finish line, the team is awarded "points."  ("Points" are awarded to teams, not individuals -- a rare example of socialism in America.)  The team with the most points wins the match. 

How is the ball transported? Generally, there are two methods. The ball may be carried by hand or transferred from one individual to another. Transfer is often achieved by tossing the ball in the air. If a performer chooses to carry the ball, he must be prepared to withstand the brute force of a rival who seeks to restrain him and bring him forcibly to the ground. (Think: Mercutio and Tybalt without swords.) (Incidentally, this event, known as a "tackle," has no equivalent in cricket.) If he tosses the ball, he risks having it seized by a rival. Such an event is called an "interception."  (Note: four-syllable words are rare in football.) 

How is a team organized to achieve its goals? The answer is complex and beyond the scope of this introduction. Just as an opera utilizes sopranos, tenors, baritones, and basses, so a football team employs performers with unique talents. Each performer has a "position," which specifies his role on the team. I will not intimidate you with terminology; suffice it that there are throwers, catchers, runners, pushers, pullers, and kickers. Before each "down,"  members of a team converse with their leader (the so-called "quarterback"; think: maestro) to discuss a plan of execution. The conversation is brief and occurs in a "huddle," a circular arrangement of team performers.  

As in most operas, each football match is comprised of two acts separated by an intermission. The acts are further divided into scenes. The acts are called "halves"; the scenes are called "quarters." (Unlike opera, football intermissions feature music from the contemporary repertoire.) Because football is popular, professional matches are held in "stadiums,"  theatres larger than La Scala and the Metropolitan combined. Aficionados, called “fans,” may observe the match in a stadium or with a television machine. 

During the football season (the term "season" applies equally to opera and football), many teams compete with each other. The two with the best perfor-mance are invited to participate in the most august tournament of all -- the Super Bowl.  

This Sunday, Americans everywhere will be celebrating Super Bowl XLIV. (Roman numerals indicate continuity with the games of the Roman Colos-seum.) The two featured teams will be the “Colts” and the "Saints."  (Each team is linked with an American city to nurture civic pride. None of the performers actually hail from these cities). The victor will receive thunderous applause and accolades beyond measure. (Think: Radames’s return to Egypt in Aida.)

Please join me on Sunday for this extraordinary event. Whether you’re an aficionado or sociologist, the tournament is guaranteed to delight.  

*Update (Feb. 6, 2010): Tomorrow's live-blog has been canceled. I need to go grocery shopping.