Football is a popular sport that’s easy to learn and play. It’s also a great way to bond with your kids and stay fit at the same time. In fact, it’s one of the healthiest sports you can play.
The Rules
In football, two teams of 11 players each play on a 120-yard, rectangular field with goal lines on each end. Each team has control of a cowhide-covered ball called the “football.” The offensive team tries to advance the ball down the field by running with it or passing it to another player who runs with it. The defense aims to stop the offense’s advance and get the ball back before they can score.
The Game
The game of football has rules that are set by the referees and coaches. These rules make it fair for everyone to play. The rules vary from region to region. However, most games follow these basic rules.
Players must line up at the line of scrimmage, which is the point on the field where a play starts. They must then face their defensive players. Once the players are lined up, the offensive player who is at center snaps the ball between his legs to the quarterback. The quarterback then calls out a play in code and the center passes or snaps the ball to the next player. The next player can then either run with the ball or hand it off to a running back, who tries to gain yardage by escaping the defense.
A Fumble happens when the ball carrier or passer drops the ball before they are tackled. Any player can recover the ball by diving on it or they can run with it.
Interceptions happen when the defense catches the ball, intercepting a pass intended for an offensive player who is running with the ball. Unlike a fumble, which gives the team that recovers the ball possession, an interceptions carries over to the end zone and scores points.
The Game
In football, the teams are given four downs during which they must advance 10 yards. If they fail to do so, the ball is turned over to the other team.
They must also have a successful passing play on their next down to receive another set of four downs to complete a play. During these plays, each team has 40 seconds to complete them. If a play fails to start, they are penalized by the refs and the clock is stopped until it re-starts.
There are some other important things to remember about the game of football. These include knowing how to be gracious in victory and modest in defeat, treating your teammates with respect and humility.
Learning the Rules
The rules of football are written on a chart that is placed at each end of the field. The ball is marked on the field with stripes running at 5-yard intervals, and shorter lines, called hash marks, are spotted every single yard down the field.