Football Field
Field of Play
The football field measures 120 yards in length and 52 yards in width. The goal lines are 100 yards apart at each end of the field. The end zone is the extra 10 yards at each end. A yard line separates the field every 5 yards. The 50 yard line is the middle yard line marker. Rows of hash marks go parallel to the side lines. At the start of each play, the football is always placed on or between the hash markers. This allows the teams to line up on both sides of the football field. The “line of scrimmage” refers to the football position that defines the ball’s sides. Goal posts can also be seen at the back of each football end zone. Kicking the ball through the goal posts is one way to score. The ball must pass through the crossbar and between the uprights. Out of Bounds occurs when any part of a player with the football touches the sidelines or the end zone.
Format of the Game
Football is a sport that has a set time limit. The game is won by the team with the most points at the end of the time period. The game is arranged into four quarters, with a long “halftime” between the second and third. Time is kept track of while the plays are in progress and occasionally between them (i.e. time continues after a running play where the player was tackled in bounds, but stops on an incomplete pass). The offence has a set amount of time (called the play clock) between plays to keep the game moving.
Players of American football
Football rules enable each team to have eleven players on the field at any given moment. There are no limits on teams substituting players between plays. On their side of the ball, each team must begin a play. The defensive players are free to occupy any position they wish and move freely around their side of the field prior to the play. There are no formal regulations defining defensive positions or roles, despite the fact that some defensive positions have become more frequent throughout time. The offensive players, on the other hand, are bound by a set of rules that define their place and role in the offence. On the line of scrimmage, seven offensive players must be set up. At least one yard behind the line of scrimmage, the other four players must be lined up. With the exception of one of the four backs, who may move parallel or away from the line of scrimmage, all offensive football players must be set, or stationary, before the play begins. Only the four backs and the players at each end of the line of scrimmage are allowed to catch passes or run the football, according to the regulations.
The Game of Football
The offence is the team that has possession of the football. On plays, the offensive seeks to move the ball forward. The defence attempts to keep the offence from scoring or moving the ball forward. The down system is as follows: Every four plays or downs, the offensive must gain at least 10 yards. When the offence successfully advances the ball 10 yards, they are awarded four more downs, or a “first down.” If the offence fails to gain 10 yards in four plays, the ball is turned over to the opposing team at the current line of scrimmage. The offence can purposely punt (kick) the ball to the opposing team to prevent them from gaining strong field position. When the offensive is outside of field goal range on 4th down, this is frequently done. On downs, offensive plays begin with a snap. This is when the offensive backs pass the football between their legs to the centre (usually the quarterback). The ball is moved forward by either running with the football (known as rushing) or passing it. When 1) the player with the football is tackled or goes out of bounds, the football play is over. 2) a pass that is incomplete 3) There is a point total.