Ever wondered about the intricate dance of strategy and athleticism that defines American Football? Dive into the heart of this exhilarating sport and unravel its complexities, from the gridiron to the glory. This comprehensive guide illuminates every facet of the game, offering a clear and concise understanding of its fundamental principles. Discover the roles and responsibilities of each player, from the Quarterback orchestrating the offense to the formidable defense tasked with protecting their end zone. Explore the nuances of the playing field, decipher the intricate rules that govern gameplay, and gain insight into the crucial role of the referees in maintaining order and fairness. Whether you're a novice seeking to grasp the basics or a seasoned fan looking to deepen your knowledge, this book provides an accessible and engaging exploration of American Football, covering key aspects such as scoring, penalties, and game management. Learn about the offensive formations, defensive strategies, and special teams plays that make each game a captivating spectacle. Uncover the secrets behind successful plays, understand the significance of first downs, and appreciate the art of field goal kicking. Delve into the world of the NFL and college football, and witness the passion and dedication that drive players to push their limits on the field. From the history of the sport to its modern-day evolution, this book offers a complete overview of American Football, making it the perfect resource for anyone eager to experience the thrill and excitement of this iconic game. Gain a competitive edge in understanding the sport, impress your friends with your newfound knowledge, and fully immerse yourself in the action-packed world of American Football. Master the terminology, appreciate the strategy, and celebrate the athleticism that defines this beloved national pastime, making you a true aficionado of the sport.
Content
1. Main idea of Football
2. The Team
3. The Field
4. The Rules
5. The Referee
6. Word From The Author
1. Main Idea Of Football
American Football, the well known full-contact sport is followed from the English Rugby in the 19th century. The aim of the game is to bring the ball across the field into the opponents end-zone.
Today football is one of the most popular sports in America, right behind baseball. Every year the Super-Bowl is a big event like the World Cup.
2. The Team
A entire football team consist of more than 40 men. But only 11 men are allowed to play at the same time for their team. There are several positions in a football team. There is a offensive team and a defensive team. The offence includes two Wide-Receivers, their job is to get the ball passed and make the points, two Running-Backs, who have to make the running- game, that’s when they get the ball handed by the Quarterback, who is the head of each team, he organize the whole offence and is always in direct contact to the coach. There are also two Tackles, two Guards and a Center. Their job is to protect the Quarterback from getting tackled by the opponent. Also is there another player in the Line of Scrimmage, that is how the first line of offensive-players is called: the Tide End, he is a special player who can be used to block or to catch the ball.
Then there is the defensive-team, consisting of two Ends, two Tackles, three Linebackers, two Cornerbacks and to Safety. All those players have a simple job, to stop the opponents from getting in the end-zone an pointing. They are allowed to use all kinds of techniques to prevent the opponents from getting in their end-zone. (More in “4. The Rules”)
A special player is the Kicker, whose only job it is to kick the ball between the two bars at the end of the field, to earn a point.
3. The Field
The regular field measures 120 x 53 1/3 yards. It is divided into two end- zones, a playfield witch is sided on both sites by the team-zones, where the not playing team-members and the coaches have to wait. From one end-zone to the other it takes 100 yards.
The playfield itself is divided into many short marks, which are important for the following rules. (see 4. The Rules)
In every end-zone there are two straight-up standing bars, a bit different than the soccer goal but it has nearly the same use.
4. The Rules
Most people think there are not many rules to play that game, but they fail. This game is not just about taking the ball from one end to the other, trying not to get smashed by a big guy whose only job it is to break your bones, it is just more than that.
To get clear about all those rules it has to take more than just 2 or 3 pages, so I give you a short summary of the most important rules of American Football.
Each team has 4 tries to bring the ball to the first down. That’s 10 yards. If they succeed they get another 4 tries. The aim is to get the ball to the end-zone, that gives 6 points and a bonus kick. This kick, called field-goal gives another
1 point.
If one team is not able to make a down (4 tries) they just got one chance to point with a field-goal. (That’s the situation the Kicker is involved in the game) This field-goal is worth about 3 points.
These opportunities are all just for the offensive team. The defensive team is also able to point, by a so called Safety. That is when the defence stop the opponent in their own end-zone. 2 points.
These are the main chances to point in this game.
Football is a full-contact sport and so you are allowed to use all kinds of tricks to stop your opponent, e.g. jump on him, slide between his legs, cling to him…
Still one point, the offence decides when to start the game, and so all players have to stand still, to that point the offensive Center hands the ball to his Quarterback. If anyone moves to quick the referees throw little flags on the playfield and the game stops.
In the past football was to hard, so hard that some guys died in fact of this full contact. So the NFL and all other leagues improved their rules to protect their players from getting real smashed. There are also the helmets, and this other stuff to protect bones, legs and especially the genitals.
5. The Referee
In a football game there are 4-7 referees who make sure that all rules are followed. One of them referees, has a microphone to announce the decision, for the coaches, the teams and also for the audience.
The referees have to interact when this happens:
- Time Out
- Touchdown, Extra point, Field goal
- Personal Foul (forbidden holding below the belt or grabbing into the mask)
- Illegal Use Of Hands
- Offside
- Illegal Motion
- Holding
- First Down
- Illegal Contact
- Delay Of Game
- Pass Interference
- Incomplete Pass...
6. Word From The Author
One last word:
Frequently Asked Questions About Football
What is the main idea of American Football?
American Football is a full-contact sport derived from English Rugby. The goal is to advance the ball into the opponent's end-zone.
How many players are on a football team?
A football team consists of more than 40 players, but only 11 are allowed on the field at a time.
What are the different teams in a football game?
There is an offensive team and a defensive team, each with specialized roles.
What are some of the key offensive positions?
Key offensive positions include Wide Receivers, Running Backs, Quarterback, Tackles, Guards, Center, and Tight End.
What are some of the key defensive positions?
Key defensive positions include Ends, Tackles, Linebackers, Cornerbacks, and Safeties.
What is the role of the Kicker?
The Kicker's primary role is to kick the ball through the uprights (bars) at the end of the field to score points.
What are the dimensions of a football field?
The standard football field measures 120 x 53 1/3 yards and includes two end-zones. The distance between end-zones is 100 yards.
How does a team score points in football?
A team can score points by getting the ball into the end-zone (Touchdown), kicking a field goal, or through a Safety by the defense.
What is a "down" in football?
Each team has 4 "downs" (tries) to advance the ball 10 yards. If they succeed, they get another 4 downs.
What happens if a team fails to make a first down (advance 10 yards in 4 tries)?
If a team fails to make a first down, they can attempt a field goal for 3 points.
What is a "Safety" in football?
A Safety is when the defense stops the opponent in their own end-zone, scoring 2 points.
Are there rules to protect players?
Yes, rules have been implemented to protect players from serious injuries, and protective equipment like helmets are used.
What is the role of the referees in a football game?
4-7 referees ensure that all rules are followed and announce decisions via a microphone.
What are some common referee calls?
Common referee calls include Time Out, Touchdown, Extra Point, Field Goal, Personal Foul, Illegal Use Of Hands, Offside, Illegal Motion, Holding, First Down, Illegal Contact, Delay Of Game, Pass Interference, and Incomplete Pass.
- Quote paper
- Sebastian Scheidt (Author), 2000, History and Rules of American Football, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/98729
