Basics

The basics are the complex of elementary football notions and rules explaining the sport principles. These are field measurements, playing mechanisms, base defenses, offenses, etc.

The game is held on a field similar to a soccer one. The rules allow 11 players per team on the field simultaneously. Two teams usually play a 60-minute game divided into four quarters, 15 minutes each.

It starts from the kickoff. One team kicks the ball while their opponents receive it. After that, the receiving team becomes the offense. They have four attempts to gain 10 yards from their initial line of scrimmage. That point is called the first down line. If they succeed in this goal or gain more yardage, they continue their attack till they reach the goal line marking the inner border of the opponent’s end zone. In the opposite case, they lose the ball and change roles with another team.

The end zone is the scoring area. That means the ball must stop there so the team can score. Touchdown is the highest among these results. It costs six points. To score a touchdown, the ball carrier must cross the goal line with the ball in possession without a tackle from the defender or throw it there. If the defender tackles the offensive player in the end zone, that brings two points to the team.

Point after a touchdown is the kick or play bringing up to two points. That may be a 15-yard kick costing 1 point or a conversion from the two-yard line equal to two points.

Field goal is common in fourth down when the team needs to keep the ball any legal way, and the distance to first down is 5 yards or higher. The optimal distance for successive FG is 35 yards, but some experienced kickers score it from a longer distance. The made kick adds three points and changes the possession.

American football is a risky sport causing injuries. Thus, the players need to wear protective ammunition. These are helmets to protect the face, pads covering different body parts. For example, the pads are obligatory on ribs or shoulders. Mouth guards need to protect the teeth.

Of course, there may be penalties. The players know and keep the game’s rules, but the real situation often needs partly illegal actions like holding or interference. The referee stops the game and announces the decision. Penalties usually suppose the yardage sanction when one team loses gained yards. But if the intentional player’s actions lead to equipment damage or health concerns, temporary ejection or long-term disqualification are possible. The regular violence initiators get a permanent ban from the sport.

These are American football basics. Study the NFL glossary section to learn more about the sport.