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A Fan's Guide To The Game Of Football |
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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. 
Referees govern the game to ensure fair and safe play. One major role of the referee is to signal action on the field. Some of the more common signals include a successful score (signaled by both hands straight in air), first down (signaled by arm movement pointing forward), and incomplete pass (signaled by arms waved back and forth). Referees also enforce the rules of the game by calling penalties. Common defensive penalties include offsides and pass interference. Common offensive penalties include false start and holding. Other penalties include delay of game, facemask, clipping, illegal formation, intentional grounding, and tripping. During most penalties, the referee throws a yellow flag and play continues until the whistle is blown so as not to take away an advantage from the team that was fouled. When play stops, the team can either “accept” or “decline” the penalty—whichever is the most advantageous. Accepting the penalty usually results in the replay of the down and a movement of the ball a certain distance from the line of scrimmage (or the infraction)—usually 5 or 10 yards. Serious violations of the rules for unnecessary roughness or unsportsmanlike conduct are personal fouls that result in a 15-yard penalty. Declining the penalty allows the result of the play to stand as is. |
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The following players are “eligible” receivers who can catch passes or run with the ball. The Quarterback is the captain on offense who throws passes to receivers and hands the ball to running backs. Running Backs are versatile players who run the ball, receive passes, and block. Wide Receivers are tall, quick players who are the main targets of pass attempts. Tight Ends are used to block, but are also eligible to catch passes. Offensive linemen are “ineligible” receivers—they cannot catch passes unless the ball is tipped and cannot run the ball unless it is fumbled by another player. The offensive line consists of one Center who delivers the snap to the quarterback, two Guards and two Tackles. Offensive linemen are blockers who protect the quarterback on passing plays and create holes for running backs on running plays. The defensive line includes Defensive Tackles, who try to negate forward progress in the middle of the field and Defensive Ends, who defend the outside edges against runs and are the primary players who rush the quarterback on pass plays. Other defenders include: Linebackers, the primary tacklers on running plays who can also blitz the quarterback or drop into coverage to defend against pass attempts; Cornerbacks, who cover receivers during passing plays and assist on running plays; and Safeties, who form the final line of defense, aid in coverage of receivers, or jump into the action to stop running plays. In addition to the offensive and defensive teams, there are also “special teams” that are used for specific types of plays, including field goal attempts and blocks, punts and punt returns, and kickoffs and kickoff returns. |
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Blitz: To rush linebackers, cornerbacks, or safeties into the backfield. Down: One of the four opportunties the offensive team has to score or advance 10 yards. False start: Penalty for illegal movement by offense prior to the snap. First down: Term used when a new set of downs is achieved. The “line-to-gain” is the line that must be reached for a first down and is marked on the sidelines by the first down marker (colored stick and chain). Forward pass: Occurs from from behind the line of scrimmage and is thrown farther up the field than the thrower. Fumble: A “live” ball that is dropped can be recovered by either team. Holding: Penalty for holding a player to impede progress. Huddle: Inbetween plays, members of a team gather in a circle to receive instructions for the upcoming play. Incomplete pass: A forward pass that is not caught. Interception: A pass that is caught by the defense. Lateral: A ball thrown to the side or backward. A lateral that is not caught is a fumble, not an incomplete pass. Line of scrimmage: The yard line at which a down begins. Offsides: Penalty for team members not on their own side of the line of scrimmage during a snap. Onside kick: When the kicking team tries to field its own kickoff after the ball travels 10 yards. Pass interference: Penalty for illegal contact on a pass play. Play action pass: When a quarterback fakes a handoff for a running play before passing the ball. Used to deceive the defense. Punt: Kick to the opponent on a fourth down when scoring or achieving a first down is unlikely. Rush: Attempt to sack the quarterback or force the pass attempt earlier than desired. Sack: To tackle the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage for a loss of yards. Snap: Transfer of the ball from center to quarterback that starts each play. Also called a “hike.” Tackle: Forcing a ball carrier to the ground. Touchback: Balls recovered in team’s own end zone during kickoffs, punts, and turnovers can be “downed” and the team then starts the first down at the 20-yard line. |
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