The Rules of Football

football

Whether it is football, rugby, Gaelic football or association football, the game is a sport with a long history. The game is played by two teams, known as an offensive and a defensive team, that take turns trying to advance the ball. The goal is to score a touchdown. The offense is usually led by a quarterback, who tries to throw the ball to a teammate. The defensive team tries to prevent the offense from scoring. There are many rules to follow. Those rules can vary depending on the level of play.

The field of the football is 53 1/2 yards wide and has two goal lines. Each end zone is 10 yards apart. The goal posts are located in the back of each end zone. When the ball passes through the goal posts, the team that scored is called the winner. The team that failed to score is called the loser. The offense then receives the ball at the spot where the previous play began.

The offensive line is made up of five players. The quarterback and other running backs will run with the ball while the other three players block members of the defense. They also set the field, which means that they clear the way for other runners. The offensive line is also used to protect the passer. The offensive line is a key part of the offense. When the offensive player is tackled in the end zone, the offensive player is deemed a fumble. The player that picks up the fumble is allowed to run with the ball until he or she is tackled. If the fumble is recovered, the defending team takes possession of the ball.

The offensive ballcarrier may commit penalties in the end zone. These include pass interference, which is an illegal contact with the opponent to prevent a forward pass. Another penalty is an illegal block in the back. This occurs when a player deliberately pushes an opposing player in the back. Often, this penalty gives the offense automatic first down.

There are also several plays that have the potential to be safe. These are those that do not involve a penalty. These include the kickoff, field goal, and touchdown conversion. A kickoff is a special play in which the kick returner tries to catch the ball. In the NFL, the kicking tee is made from the team’s 30-yard line. In college football, the kicking tee is placed at the team’s 35-yard line.

If the kick is unsuccessful, the kicker attempts extra points. The ball is then returned to the original line of scrimmage. The defensive team takes possession of the ball at the spot where the kick was made. In most cases, the offensive team is awarded a “first down” if they advance 10 yards. The offense is then given four more downs if they continue to advance. In some cases, the offense is awarded a safety if the defensive team fails to get the ball into the end zone.