Football is a team sport, with each side having 11 players that are split into strict roles. There is a defense and an offense, with the goal of moving the ball into the opposition’s end zone. This can be done by running with the ball until tackled or by passing it to a teammate to get closer. The game is very physical and there are many rules to ensure safety and fair play.
The first step in understanding football is to learn the basic principles of the game. Each play of the game is called a “down,” and it ends when either the ball touches the ground or the person holding the ball is tackled and any part of his body other than his feet or hands touches the ground. When this happens, an official (called a referee) places the ball on a yard marker, which marks how many yards a team needs to gain to have a new set of downs.
During each down, the offensive team has four chances to advance the ball 10 yards from a marked spot on the field. If they fail to do so within those four downs, the other team takes over possession.
Each play is started when the center snaps the ball to the quarterback. From there, the quarterback can pass or hand off the ball to a wide receiver or tight end. The receivers and tight ends can also run with the ball or catch passes. Meanwhile, the defensive players try to stop the offensive team from advancing the ball by tackles and other tactics.
In addition to the three phases of the game, American football has special teams that change field position. The first of these special teams is the punt team, which can punt the ball long distances to change field position. The second is the kickoff team, which is responsible for kicking the ball as far as possible after a touchdown or field goal.
For those who have cut the cable cord and want to watch American football, there are several options for streaming NFL games. The two most popular services are FuboTV and Sling TV, both of which offer NFL packages for around $20 per month. Both companies have good reviews, but they do not offer all of the channels that you may find on a traditional television subscription. This is a big drawback for those who only want to stream NFL games. However, they both offer a free trial, so you can try them out before making a decision. Whether you choose to subscribe or not, it is important to know the basics of football so that you can enjoy watching games this season!