1-
History & Object of the
Game
2- The Essentials (Offense
& Defense, Scoring, etc.)
3- Fouls
4- Field
Diagram & Positions
5- Glossary
of Football Terms
The Essentials
Game Length
A football game is divided
into four 12- to 15-minute quarters,
depending on the level. A game
clock counts down the time left
in each quarter and temporarily
stops when a player throws an
incomplete pass or runs out-of-bounds.
Additionally, a play clock counts
down the time that the offense
has to start the next play after
the end of a play. With the
clock stopping after certain
plays and the breaks between
quarters, a football game typically
lasts about two hours. If the
score is tied at the end of
play, professional teams play
an extra period called “sudden
death,” in which the first
team to score wins. Alternatively,
high school and college games
provide each team a possession
to attempt to score. If the
score remains tied after both
attempts, the process is repeated.
Start of the Game
At the start of each half and
after points are scored, a “kickoff”
signals the start of action.
Teams line up on opposing sides
of the field and the “kicking
team” kicks the ball to
the “receiving team.”
If the ball is kicked into the
end zone, the receiving team
may decide on a touchback,
otherwise it must run the ball
up the field as far as possible,
while trying to avoid being
tackled. The return ends where
the player with the ball is
tackled or goes out of bounds;
the team then goes on the offensive
in pursuit of points.
Offense
At the start of each possession,
the offense receives four downs,
or chances, to score points
(touchdown or field goal), or
to advance the ball 10 yards
and receive a first
down, which gives
the offense another set of four
downs. The center starts each
play by snapping the ball to
the quarterback. The quarterback
advances the ball by executing
a “passing play”
or a “running play.”
During a passing play, the quarterback
throws the ball to a receiver,
who runs a predetermined “route”
to become open for passes; during
a running play, the quarterback
either runs the ball himself
or hands the ball to a running
back, who runs plays that exploit
holes created by blockers.
Each play starts from the line
of scrimmage, and
a new line is established where
the previous play ended. Failure
to score or advance the ball
10 yards in four downs results
in a change of possession. When
scoring or achieving a first
down seems doubtful on a fourth
down, the offense often elects
to punt the ball to the opposing
team so that the opponent does
not start its possession with
good “field position.”
Defense
The mission of the defense
is to prevent the opposition
from scoring. One method is
to stop the offense from gaining
10 yards on the first three
downs and force a punt on fourth
down. On running plays, the
defense attempts stop the run;
on passing plays, it rushes
and blitzes
the quarterback to put pressure
on him, and “covers”
receivers to stop them from
receiving passes. The defense
ends each down by tackling the
ball carrier, forcing the player
out of bounds, or causing an
incomplete
pass. The defense
can also gain possession of
the ball by creating a “turnover.”
A turnover occurs when a defender
recovers a fumble or catches
a pass for an interception.
Defenses are either man-to-man
or zone coverage. In man-to-man
coverage, players match up with
specific receivers; in zone
coverage, defenders cover a
certain area of the field and
cover players entering their
area.
Scoring
Points are accumulated in four
ways:
Touchdown:
(six points) Possession of the
ball in the opponent’s
end zone is a touchdown.
Extra point(s):
(one or two points) An attempt
for additional points follows
a touchdown. Most often an extra-point
kick through the goalposts for
one point, but sometimes a two-point
conversion by running or passing
the ball into the opponent’s
end zone.
Field goal:
(three points) A kick that passes
over the crossbar and between
the opponent’s goalposts
during a field goal attempt.
Safety: (two
points) The defense can score
two points by tackling the opposition
in its own end zone or forcing
the ball out of the end zone.
Equipment
In the early years of football,
little equipment was used besides
the ball. However, in an effort
to prevent injuries, protective
equipment has increased. Football
equipment now includes: a football;
helmet; mouth guard; neck roll;
shoulder, knee, hip, thigh,
and elbow pads; flank jacket;
jersey; pants; and cleats.
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