Whether you’re an avid fan of the game or have never watched a game, there are some things you should know about the game. You’ll learn about the game’s rules, professional football, amateur football, and European football.
American football
Developed in the early 20th century, football is played at all levels. It is one of the most popular sports in America, and is governed by the National Football League (NFL).
The object of American football is to move the ball into the opposing team’s end zone. Points can be scored in a variety of ways. Typically, the offensive team scores the first down. After that, the defense does its job and prevents the offense from scoring.
European football
Often called “the beautiful game,” European football has become the most popular sport in almost all countries. Despite its popularity, the sport has also become a vehicle for social cleavages and political ambitions. As European football deepens and widens simultaneously, the sport’s historical development and cultural values have been impacted.
The sport’s history stretches from modernization to nationalism. A major change came in the 1930s, when England declined to play international matches. After World War II, England rejoined the international game. However, the English Football Association refused to allow Chelsea to participate in the 1955 European Cup. It was not until 1992 that a ground-breaking deal was reached between the EFA and Rupert Murdoch’s Sky Sports channel. This contract made a massive extra profit for both clubs and UEFA, but it also became a model for the rest of Europe.
Professional football
Despite a lack of proper organizational structures, professional football was a popular sport in the early 1900s. A few athletic clubs in Pennsylvania, Ohio and other western states engaged in intense competition. As players were hired and salaries escalated, the leagues struggled to attract the talent needed to win games.
The first organized pro football league, called the Allegheny Athletic Association, was formed in 1896. Its members included the Canton Bulldogs and Dayton Triangles. It hired professional players and played two games.
Amateur football
Basically, Amateur football is the sport of the amateurs. The heyday of amateur football in the UK was a time when amateurs played for the love of the game rather than the monetary rewards. Mostly university educated men, the “gentlemen of the football field” were not snobs or elitists.
Fortunately, the Amateur Football Alliance is a member of the Federation of Association Football (The FA), and as such is bound by its tenets. This includes a league comprising full and associate member clubs, and a set of rules and regulations designed to promote competitive football among its members.
Rules of the game
Whether you are new to the sport or just looking for an explanation of the rules, there are a few things you need to know about the rules of football. Football is a team sport played on a rectangular field, usually measuring 120 yards by 53 1/3 yards. Traditionally, the field is made up of natural grass. However, some recreational matches are played on dirt ground.
The goal of the game is to score more points than the opposition. The scoring is done through passing the ball down the field or kicking it into the opposition’s end zone.
