Football is the most popular team ball game in the world and can be played almost anywhere. Its simple principles and essential equipment mean it can be played by people of all ages, on any surface, including official football playing fields (pitches), gymnasiums, playgrounds, school grounds, streets, parks and beaches.
The game consists of two opposing teams of eleven players, moving the ball between goals at opposite ends of a rectangular field. Outside the United States, the sport is known as soccer or rugby; in England, it is called football.
No one knows exactly how football came to be, but it is believed that the game originated in the mid-19th century in England. Private schools at that time needed team activities to occupy their boys after lessons, and they began to develop a game that would eventually be called football.
A football game starts with a kickoff, with the special teams players for both teams on the field. The team that kicks off will be on defense, and the other will play offense. The offense will have a series of four chances, called downs, to move the ball forward at least ten yards. If they are unable to do so, they must turn the ball over to the defense.
After a team has scored a touchdown, they can try to add on extra points. These are scored by kicking the ball through upright posts at either end of the field – similar to a conversion in rugby. The teams that have the most points at the end of the game win.
The main objective of a football team is to score as many points as possible. The easiest way to do this is by crossing the opposition’s goal line while the ball is in their possession. This is called a touchdown, and it counts as six points. A team can also earn three points by kicking the ball through the upright posts after a defensive touchdown, which is called a safety.
A quarterback, or QB, plays the offensive part of the game. The QB snaps the ball to the center, and then tries to pass or hand off the ball to a running back or wide receiver to get yards down the field. The wide receivers are the fastest players on the team and can make big catches. The fullbacks block and take handoffs from the running backs to run for yardage, and they are also good at tackling.
Football is a very physical game and can lead to injuries. Players must wear protective equipment, including shin guards. It is important to warm up before the game, and it is not allowed to tackle players while they have the ball. Players can be substituted during the course of a match if they become injured or tired. The maximum number of players per team is 11. This article has been adapted from an original version by FourFourTwo.