Football is a team sport in which players use their feet to move the ball down the field. The game has hundreds of rules and different versions are played across the world. The most popular version is Association football, also known as soccer. Other games include rugby, American football and Canadian football. All of these games follow the same basic rules but have different scoring systems.
The goal of football is to score more points than the other team. Points are scored by running, throwing or catching the ball. A touchdown is worth six points and a safety is two points. The first team to reach the end zone wins the game.
Each team has four attempts (downs) to advance 10 yards down the field. They can run or pass the ball, but once they fail to gain the necessary yardage they lose possession of the ball. The team with the ball starts each play by lining up on one side of the line of scrimmage, an imaginary line that runs across the center of the field. The center snaps the ball to the quarterback to start the play.
Offensive linemen block players from the defense to give the quarterback time to make plays. There are three positions on the offensive line: the left guard, left tackle and right tackle. They may either “pass block” to protect the quarterback when he is attempting to throw the ball, or they can “run block” so that a running back or fullback can run for yards.
After each play the officials determine how many yards a team has gained or lost (a player can lose a yard if he is tackled behind the line of scrimmage). The officials then spot the ball between the hash marks, a 10-yard-long area at both ends of the field. This mark sets the line of scrimmage, the point where a team must advance 10 yards to earn a first down.
The offensive team has several options on fourth down: they can punt the ball to the other team or try a field goal. A field goal is worth three points and must be kicked over an upright bar at the back of the end zone.
A player can also get a touchback if the ball lands in the end zone on a kickoff. Touchbacks are worth 25 yards for the attacking team.
The modern game of football was first formally established in 1863 when the first Football association was formed in England. Before this, teams had developed their own unofficial rules. The new rules included a requirement that carrying the ball with your hands was not allowed. These changes revolutionised the game and made it what it is today. There are now many different types of football including beach soccer, freestyle football and street football. But all of these variations are based on the same basic rules of Association football.