Football is a sport played by two teams. The goal of the game is to get the ball into the other team’s end zone. There are several strategies to accomplish this. You can either kick the ball, run the ball into the end zone or pass the ball.
There are eleven players on the offensive side of the field, and eleven players on the defensive side. Generally, the offensive team has a quarterback and an offensive centre. The quarterback and centre are responsible for moving the ball down the field. They are also responsible for making plays that will advance the ball. A centre is in charge of passing the ball between his legs to a teammate.
If the offensive team fails to score a touchdown, they have to punt the ball. However, the team can also try to kick the ball through the goalposts. This is called a “field goal” and is worth three points.
In the NFL, a team’s defense can attempt to block the ball. Occasionally, a defensive player will rush the quarterback or cover the receiver. When this happens, the ball is usually returned to the original line of scrimmage.
The goal of the defense is to stop the offense from scoring. Sometimes this is accomplished through a combination of tackling the opponent in the end zone and blocking the ball. Other times the defensive player can pick up a fumble, and run with the ball until he or she is tackled.
A penalty is a violation of the rules. Common penalties include holding, safety and pass interference. Some penalties give the offense automatic first down. Several other penalties move the ball away from the defense’s end zone.
A safety is scored when the offensive player is tackled in the end zone. Safety is worth two points. Similarly, an interception is scored when a defensive player picks up the ball and runs with it until he or she is tackled.
Unlike other sports, football is timed. The game is divided into four periods, each lasting fifteen minutes. Each period has a two-minute break. These breaks allow the offensive team and the defense to regroup. During these breaks, the offense has a limited amount of time between plays to advance the ball.
Another feature of the game is the number of yards that the team must gain before they are able to regain possession. For example, the offense must make 10 yard advances in four different plays to be able to regain the ball. After the fourth play, the downs will reset and the offensive team will have another chance to move the ball 10 yards.
Field goals are a common option for teams that are not in the end zone. To make a field goal, the offensive team must place the ball inside the opponent’s 20-yard line.
Other possible ways to score are through safety, a conversion, or a kick through the goalposts. These options are generally not attainable in the NFL.