Football is an exciting sport that gets you working out, improving your skills, toning up and building a healthy body. It also helps you improve your coordination and flexibility!
You can play football as an individual or with a team. It’s a great way to stay in shape and meet new people!
The game begins with the snap, where the center of the field hands or tosses the ball between their legs and then runs to the quarterback, holder on a kick attempt, or punter. After the snap, the quarterback takes a quick decision to either run or pass the ball and continue the drive.
Each team gets four chances (downs) to advance the ball ten yards before they turn it over. If they fail to do so, they lose the ball and the defense takes over the play.
Points are scored primarily by advancing the ball into the end zone of the other team for a touchdown or kicking the ball through the goalposts for a field goal. A team that scores more points wins the game.
Fouls and penalties: Fumbles, interceptions and lost fumbles are all fouls. A player can receive a warning or a red card depending on the severity of the foul.
False start: An offensive player lines up on the wrong side of the field at the beginning of a play. This is called an illegal start and is penalized by the referee.
Offsides: A defensive player is on the wrong side of the ball at the beginning of a play. This can be penalized by the referee, who gives a whistle to alert the other team that the play has begun.
Holding: Illegally grasping or pulling an opponent other than the ball carrier. It’s also referred to as a block in the back.
Pass Interference: Illegally contacting an opponent to prevent him from catching a forward pass. It’s a penalty that can result in the other team getting possession of the ball and taking over the play.
Delay of Game: Failure to begin a play after a certain time from the end of the last one. It’s a penalty that can cost the offense the game.
Illegal block in the back: A player who pushes another player from the opposite team in the back, which can result in the opposing team being given the ball and starting a new play.
Fouls and penalties: In addition to a player being sent off, a foul can cause him to miss a down or a play. A foul could be a false start, a holding, or a pass interference.
Sack: When a defensive player tackles the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage for a loss of yardage, it’s called a sack.
Safety: When a defensive player tackles an offensive player in the offensive team’s own end zone, it’s called a safety.
Extra Point or Two-Point Conversion: A team can kick the ball through the goal posts for 1 extra point or run/pass the ball into the end zone for 2 extra points.