Football is a team sport that involves running with a ball and scoring points. Points can be scored by advancing the ball down the field and into the end zone for a touchdown (TD, worth six points) or by kicking the ball through the opponent’s goal post for a field goal (three points). The team with the most points wins the game. In addition to being fun and exciting, playing football has many physical benefits that improve health and help players excel in other sports, school, work, and life.
Unlike basketball, which relies on jumping and the upper body for much of its skill, football requires the use of the lower body and especially the feet. This helps develop strength and balance. It also requires quick changes of direction and pace, which help build agility and coordination. Additionally, the repeated acceleration and sprinting required to play the game builds endurance.
While the early form of the game was extremely violent, new rules and safety precautions have helped reduce the number of injuries associated with football today. Despite these advances, the game continues to be a very physical sport, and players should always take care to protect themselves from injury.
The game of football is governed by a set of rules called the NFL’s Official Rules of Football. These rules are designed to ensure fair and safe competition for all participants. They cover a wide range of topics, from the basic rules of the game to more complex issues such as player safety and ejection procedures.
To play the game, teams of eleven players each line up on opposite sides of a 100-yard field. At the start of each play, the center snaps the ball to the quarterback, who then tries to run, throw, or catch the ball to gain yards down the field. The quarterback is protected by the offensive line, which consists of the left tackle, left guard, right guard, and center. This group “blocks” the opposing defense to allow the quarterback and running back to make plays.
Wide receivers are primarily responsible for catching passes. They can also run and block, but are not as fast as the running backs or fullbacks. The kick returner is the team’s main kickoff specialist and often one of the fastest runners on the field.
In addition to the traditional live TV providers, a number of streaming services offer NFL games. While YouTube TV and Sling TV are cheaper options, DirecTV Stream is the best choice for fans who want to cut the cord and still watch every NFL game. It costs $90 a month and includes the entire NFL package of regular season games, playoffs, and Super Bowls. It’s available on a wide range of devices including smart TVs, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV. It’s also compatible with most major streaming media apps including HBO Go and Hulu.