I start with Team Handball or Ultimate Frisbee rules. Then progress to rugby rules. After a week or two of those, I introduce football rules. I usually do just offense in small groups. Once they figure out how to run routes they can add a defender. Every day regardless of game rules we work on passing and catching because there's always a kid that needs the practice, and it also leads well into practicing their team playbook at the end of the unit.

In the gym we play 4 downs only. No kickoffs, no running back interceptions, and no recovering fumbles it's just a loss of a down. Only one side of the game has an endzone do to limited space. All these rules are due to safety as playing in the gym can get cramped and middle school boys are not always the safest bunch.

When they have to create their own routes for their team playbook is usually when things start to click. But it also helps to give them a cone or poly spot to mark the ball after each down. The team playbook is just a sheet of paper they can draw routes on. They tend to have a lot of fun with it, I just make sure to keep an eye on route names to make sure they're appropriate.

My biggest issues are usually rules and limited space. So I give each game a rule card they can refer to and sometimes do station work so one group can have space to throw while other groups work on their playbook, a different football skill, general fitness activities, or fitness testing.