Originally known as “kick-and-carry”, football has evolved to include various rules and strategies. The main object of American football is to advance a pointed oval-shaped ball into the opponents end zone. The game is divided into three quarters and the winner is the team that catches the ball in the end zone. There are several penalties and safety that can affect the outcome of the game. The game is played on a field that has clearly marked yardage lines. There are three different units: the offensive, defensive, and special teams. Each unit has a playbook of dozens to hundreds of plays.
The team with possession is called the “offense” while the team against which the play is played is called the “defense”. In NFL games, each team has a total of 11 players on the field at any given time. These players can vary from offensive linemen to wide receivers and tight ends. Tight ends can be used to block, create space for runners, and protect the quarterback.
The game is timed and each team has limited time between plays. This is known as “downs.” The offense advances the ball by running, kicking, or passing, and must advance at least 10 yards each time it goes through a down. If the offense fails to advance the ball, it turns it over to the defense. If the offense does advance the ball, it is given four more chances to advance it. In NFL games, the defense tries to prevent the offense from scoring. If the offense does score, the ball is given to the offense at the spot where the previous play began. If the team gives up two points, they punt or kick the ball from their own 20-yard line.
A successful 10 yard advance earns the team four more downs. On the fourth down, an offensive team may attempt to kick a field goal or punt the ball to the defense. The offensive team can also attempt to score by advancing the ball through goal posts. Depending on the rules, the offense can also be penalized for failing to advance the ball. A kick that is kicked within 20 yards of the end zone moves the ball to the opponent’s 20-yard line.
In addition to the four downs, each offense has three time-outs during each half. After a time-out, the team has a short period of time to recover before the next play. If the team fails to recover, they lose possession of the ball and must start the next play from the point where the last play ended.
There are four different types of penalties. The most common is pass interference. This occurs when the defender contacts the pass receiver after the ball has been in the air. Some penalties also give the offense automatic first down. Other penalties are safety and block.
The offensive ballcarrier can lose the ball by tumbling out of bounds or being tackled in the end zone. The ball may be tipped or intercepted by a defensive player. A player recovering the fumble can run with the ball until he is tackled.
