Are you new to the world of football? Maybe your child is playing on a team for the first time, or you’d just like to understand the game a little better when you are watching with family or friends?

Don’t worry! I’ve got you covered, with a guide to help you understand the basics and follow along!

The Basics

What is the objective?

The purpose of the game is to carry the ball into the opposite team’s end zone in order to score.

The offense attempts to advance down the field by running with or passing the ball, while the defense aims to stop them and take over control of the ball.

What is the field?

The field is 100 yards long and 53 yards wide with white markings on the field called yard markers to help keep track of the ball. However, the most important parts of the field are the end zones, which extend the field another 10 yards past the goal lines for a total length of 120 yards. The end zones are also where you see the goal posts (or uprights).

How long does it take to play a game?

Each game consists of four 15-minute quarters (12 minutes for high school games), with a break for halftime. But the games take longer than 60 minutes, because the clock is stopped for halftime, every incomplete pass, a player going out of bounds, a team calling a time-out or when there’s a penalty.  And if score is tied at the end of the game’s 60 minutes, the game goes into overtime.

Players and Positions

An NFL team has 53 players in total on the roster, while college teams are usually between 60 and 70 players. But there are only 11 players from each team on the field at any one time.

Teams are split into two units; offense and defense.

The Offense

Whichever team has control of the ball has their offense on the field, attempting to move the ball forward and score touchdowns. While there are 11 offensive players on the field, only the quarterback, the wide receivers, tight ends, and running backs can legally handle the ball.

The Defense

The team that does not have control of the ball will have their defense on the field, and it is their job to stop the offense from advancing toward the end zone they are defending.

Game Play

The offense gets 4 chances to move the ball 10 yards, either by running or passing it. These attempts are knowns as “downs.” If they are able to move the ball at least 10 yards, they earn another first down, and 4 more chances to move another 10 yards.

If they fail to achieve these 10 yards within four downs, possession is given to the opposing team. Often the ball is kicked on the fourth down if they’re yet to achieve 10 yards.

Yards and downs are tracked closely during the game, and at the beginning of every play, you’ll see what down it is and how many yards the offense needs to get to earn another first down. For example, if a team moves the ball 4 yards on their first down, then its 2nd and 6, meaning its second down with 6 yards remaining to get the next first down.

Scoring

Touchdown (six points)

A touchdown is scored when a team crosses the opposition’s goal line with the ball, or catches or collects the ball in the end zone.

Extra point (one or two points)

A point is earned by kicking the ball through the uprights after a touchdown. Two points are earned by running or passing the ball into the end zone again.

Field goal (three points)

These are usually attempted on fourth down if the kicker is close enough to the end zone to kick the ball through the goal posts, or uprights.

Safety (two points)

A safety is awarded to the defensive team when a member of the offensive team is tackled with the ball in his own end zone.

Other Key Terms

A Turnover occurs when the ball is accidentally lost by the offense and the defense gains control. This can be a result of the following:

A Fumble occurs when the person carrying or passing the ball drops it. Any player on either team can recover it once it’s fumbled, and then has possession of the ball.

An Interception occurs when the defense catches a pass meant for a player on the offensive team.

Substitution of players can be made between downs, allowing coaches to choose the best suited player for that particular play.

Wow! That’s a lot of information! I hope that helps you understand the game a little bit better! Be sure to check out part 2, The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide To American Football Vocabulary, for more helpful information.

See you soon,

Carrie