Kicking & Screaming is a 2005 American sports comedy film directed by Jesse Dylan and written by Leo Benvenuti and Steve Rudnick.

Ditka introduces Phil to two exceptionally talented Italian boys working in a local butcher's shop.

Meanwhile, Ditka also introduces Phil to coffee, which rapidly changes him from a mild-mannered caring dad to an obnoxious, egotistical, over-competitive coach, not unlike his father, abusing kids and parents alike.

The team rallies and produces a spectacular team performance to win 4–3, with Sam scoring the winning goal against his uncle Bucky, (Buck's child from his second wife and Phil's younger half-brother, who was born on the exact day as Sam) using a move that he practiced when his dad benched him in the semi-finals.

The film ends with an adapted version of the "He's Got Balls" commercial originally produced by Buck.

In it, the entire Tigers and Gladiators team appear, announcing the merger of Phil's vitamin shop—Phil's Pills—and Buck's Sporting Goods Store.

In April 2003, it was reported Universal Pictures had bought a soccer themed pitch from writers Leo Benvenuti and Steve Rudnick starring Will Ferrell citing the success of Old School as a reason for the swift acquisition.

[2] Marco Schnabel, who had previously worked as a second unit director for Jay Roach on the Austin Powers films and Meet the Parents, was initially hired to make his directorial debut with the film but was ultimately replaced with Jesse Dylan and Schnabel instead making his directing debut with 2008's The Love Guru.

The web site's critical consensus reads, "The script is mediocre and fails to give Ferrell a proper comedic showcase.

[9] Scott Foundas of Variety called it "An immensely likable, funny comedy that finds a novel approach to that familiar combo of kids and sports.