What is American Football? How to Play and Rules
If you are having questions about this sport and want to know about American football, then you are at the right place, so let’s see What is American Football? How to Play Rules.
This game is known for its physical and strategic gameplay. It requires a combination of athleticism, skill, and intelligence to win.
It is majorly popular in the United States, with the National Football League (NFL) being the most popular professional league.
(Most of the time American football is referred to as ‘Football’ and the football we know is known as ‘Soccer’. Just to avoid any confusion ahead in this.)
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History of American football
American football has its roots in several sports played in the United States in the 19th century, including rugby and football. It took shape in the late 19th century with the formation of various university football teams and the first official set of rules.
In 1869, the first intercollegiate football game was played between Rutgers and Princeton, and football became a popular sport in the 1880s.
At the beginning of the 20th century, important changes were made to the rules of football, which are very similar to today’s game.
The introduction of the forward pass in 1906 was the most significant change, as it allowed teams to move the ball down the field more quickly.
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Over the next few decades, football continued to evolve, with the introduction of new strategies, formations, and equipment. In the 1950s, it became one of the most popular games in the country.
Today, football is an integral part of American culture, with millions of people watching games at the professional level.
The National Football League (NFL) is the most popular professional league, while the NCAA oversees college football.
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How to Play
American football is a well-liked sport in the country and is frequently played between two teams of 11 players each.
The goal of the game is to advance the ball into the opposing team’s end zone, either by running with it or by throwing it.
Phases of Game:
Formation: The offensive team lines up in a formation with the quarterback behind the center and other players spread around him. The defensive team lines up in a formation designed to stop the offensive play.
Snap: The center passes the ball to the quarterback, who can run, pass, or hand it off to another player.
Play: The offensive players try to move the ball down the field by running, passing, and using various strategies to beat the defense. The defensive players try to stop the offensive team and prevent them from scoring.
Tackling: If a player with possession of the ball is tackled by an opposing player, the play ends. The ball is placed where the player was tackled.
Downs: If the offense moves the ball 10 yards down the field, they get another set of four downs. If they fail, possession of the ball goes to the other team.
Scoring: To score points, either carry the ball into the opposing team’s end zone (a touchdown, worth 6 points) or kick the ball through the opponent’s goalposts (a field goal, worth 3 points). They score points by tackling opposing players in their own end zone (a safety worth 2 points).
Match Details:
Two Halves: 30min each (4 Quarters – 15min each)
Total Match duration: 60min
Halftime: 10min
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Positions of players in American Football
Offensive Positions
1. Quarterback: The quarterback is typically the team’s leader and is responsible for calling plays, receiving the snap, and either handing off the ball or passing it downfield.
2. Running back: The running back’s primary job is to carry the ball and gain yardage by running down the field. They may also catch passes or block for the quarterback.
3. Wide receiver: The wide receiver is responsible for catching passes from the quarterback and gaining yardage down the field.
4. Tight end: The tight end is a hybrid position that combines the roles of a lineman and a receiver. They are responsible for both blocking and catching passes.
5. Offensive lineman: The offensive lineman’s job is to protect the quarterback and create holes for the running back to gain yardage. There are typically five offensive linemen on the field at a time.
6. Fullback: The fullback is a position that has declined in popularity in recent years, but it is still used by some teams. Fullbacks are similar to running backs, but they typically focus on blocking for the running back rather than carrying the ball themselves.
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Defensive Positions
1. Defensive lineman: The defensive lineman’s job is to stop the offense by getting past the offensive line and tackling the ball carrier.
2. Linebacker: The linebacker is a versatile defensive player who is responsible for both stopping the run and covering receivers on pass plays.
3. Cornerback: The cornerback is responsible for covering wide receivers and preventing them from catching passes.
4. Safety: Safety is the last line of defense and is responsible for preventing long passes and tackling the ball carrier if they get past the other defensive players.
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Special positions
1. Kicker: The kicker is responsible for kicking the ball during kickoffs, field goal attempts, and extra point attempts after a touchdown.
2. Punter: The punter is responsible for punting the ball down the field on fourth down, typically when the team is too far away from the end zone to attempt a field goal.
3. Long snapper: The long snapper is responsible for snapping the ball to the punter or kicker during special team plays.
4. H-back: The H-back is another hybrid position that combines the roles of a fullback and a tight end. They are responsible for blocking, catching passes, and running with the ball.
5. Nickelback: The nickelback is a defensive player who comes onto the field in certain situations, typically when the offense is using a passing-heavy strategy. The nickelback is responsible for covering receivers and preventing big passing plays.
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Rules of American football
American football is a complex and dynamic sport with a wide range of rules and regulations. Here are some of the key rules of American football:
1. Each team has 11 players on the field at a time from which the team with possession of the ball is on the offense, while the other team is on the defense.
2. Points can be scored by carrying the ball into the opposing team’s end zone (a touchdown, worth 6 points), kicking the ball through the opponent’s goalposts (a field goal, worth 3 points). In defense, they score points by tackling an opposing player in their own end zone (a safety, worth 2 points).
3. Each team gets four attempts (or downs) to move the ball 10 yards down the field. If they succeed, they get another set of four downs. But if they fail, possession of the ball goes to the other team.
4. Each play must be within a certain amount of time, as determined by the play clock. If the offense fails to start a play in time, they are penalized.
5. Before each play, the ball is placed on the line of scrimmage, which is an imaginary line that runs across the field at the point where the ball was last downed.
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6. Any offensive player can throw the ball down the field to a teammate but the ball must be thrown from behind the line of scrimmage and can only be thrown once per play.
7. A player with possession of the ball can be tackled by an opposing player. Tackles must be made within the rules of the game and with a focus on safety.
8. Each team is allowed a certain number of timeouts per game, which can be used to stop the clock and regroup.
9. If a team commits a penalty, they are penalized with a loss of yardage.
10. If the score is tied at the end, the game goes into overtime. Each team has an opportunity to score, and the team with the most points at the end wins the game.
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11. Players must wear a variety of protective equipment, including helmets, pads, and mouth guards.
12. Players can be substituted in and out of the game at certain points, such as during timeouts or after a change of possession.
13. The game begins and restarts after scores with a kickoff, where one team kicks the ball to the other team. The receiving team can attempt to run the ball back down the field for a better starting position.
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Top 10 Best Players of American Football
Emmitt Smith
Peyton Manning
Johnny Unitas
Reggie White
Walter Payton
Joe Montana
Jim Brown
Lawrence Taylor
Jerry Rice
Tom Brady
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What is American Football? How to Play
What is American Football? How to Play