To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.

GREENSBORO -- They tackle, they run, and they certainly don't throw like a girl.

More than 1,600 women across the country are taking part in tackle football as part of the Independent Women's Football League.

"We play by NFL rules," said quarterback Jennifer King. "The only difference is we can't block below the waist, which helps save knees, and one foot in bounds on catches, not two like the NFL."

"Being an athlete is being an athlete, and it's the same hit, the same block, the same tackle," said head coach, Tim Holmes. "An 'A' gap is still an 'A' gap, a '44' blitz is still a '44' blitz."

The Carolina Phoenix's 29 players come from all walks of life: teachers, police officers and former college athletes like Terah James, who played basketball at N.C. State under Kay Yow.

"It's a great feeling when you go up and get the ball and you run through defenders. It's like a high," said James.

In their fourth season, the Carolina Phoenix are one of the most successful of the 51 teams in IWFL, making it to the national semifinals the last two seasons.

This season, their goal is to be even better.

"You want to win the Super Bowl, you want to win the NCAA Tournament," said James. "Our goal is to win the whole thing, the IWFL Championship."

More importantly, the team is leaving a legacy by breaking boundaries.

"Little girls can see women being strong, and that's always a good thing," said Coach Hodges. "For other women, it just tells you that no matter what it is, no matter what barrier's placed there, with perseverance you can work your way through it and get it done."

"Me, growing up, I always liked the guys because that's all I had to see," said King. "Now there's actually women playing and playing it well."