Football is a game played between two teams of eleven players on a field one hundred yards long with a goal at each end. The objective is to score points by running or passing the ball into the opponent’s end zone or between the goal posts. Teams compete in a series of four plays called downs. A successful play results in a first down, allowing the team to continue trying to advance the ball for 10 yards before the clock expires. A touchdown scores six points, while kicking a field goal scores three points. The first team to reach ten points wins the game.
Each team is allowed to have 11 players on the field at any time. If more than 11 are present, the game is penalized. During a play, players are allowed to move around the field as long as they do not enter the neutral zone, a boundary line in which any contact with an opposing player results in a penalty for that team. Typically, the quarterback and one or more running backs are the primary ball-handlers for the offense. The quarterback passes the play call in a huddle before each down and calls the snap count for the ball to be hiked into play. The quarterback then attempts a pass or handoff to one of the running backs, or runs the ball themselves.
The defensive team tries to stop the offense from moving forward by tackling ball carriers, breaking up passes, and intercepting balls. They also try to cause the offense to fumble or drop the ball so that they can pick it up and run it toward their own end zone for a change of possession and, possibly, a touchdown.
In addition to the center referee, there are usually two assistant referees who officiate from the sidelines and may advise the referee on issues like whether a player is offside or has touched an out-of-bounds marker. The fourth official stands off the field in between the benches and controls substitutions.
A football match is typically divided into two 45-minute halves. A team’s score at the end of the second half determines whether or not the game will go into overtime. If the game is still tied at the end of overtime, there will be penalty shootouts. In most cases, the teams will change ends of the field at the start of extra time and the longer side of the field will be considered the attacking team for that period of play. However, some leagues have different rules for this. There are several streaming services that provide access to live NFL games. These include ESPN+, Peacock, and Paramount. All offer monthly fees that are significantly cheaper than a subscription to a live TV service. A digital antenna can also be used to receive free local broadcasts of NFL games. However, this solution is not as reliable as a streaming service.