American Football for Dummies

Dr. Giganto

In case any of you non-North Americans *cough Bulldog cough*, or North Americans who don't know about football wanted to know the basics of the game, I'll give it a try. Bear in mind, it is a very complicated game...

The game is played 11-on-11. There are four quarters of 15 minutes each. The clock runs continuously, except in the instances that I will explain later. The field is 100 yards long, and 40 yards wide. At the end of each end of the field are the end zones, whcih are where each team is trying to score. These are 10 yards long and 40 yards wide.

Offense

These are the positions...Quarterback (QB), Running Back (RB), Fullback (FB), Wide Reciever (WR), Tight End (TE), and the Offensive Line, which consists of one Center (C), two Guards (G), and two Tackles (T)

The basic formation, if you're looking from above, looks like this:

WR----------T G C G T TE----------WR
-----------------QB

-----------------FB
-----------------RB

You can also vary the formation, such as having 3 Wide Recievers, Two Tight Ends, 4 Wide Recievers, etc. The only requirement is that you have a quarterback and the five offensive linemen.

The primary goal is to move the ball 10 yards within 4 plays. If this does not occur, the other team recieves possession of the ball. If the team does gain the 10 yards, it is called a first down. After the first play, the next down is called second down, then thrid down, and fourth down. After fourth down, either the other team gets the ball or a first down is achieved

Each play begins with the ball placed at the line of scrimmage, and the center snapping the ball between his legs to the quarterback. Now, there are two basic plays that you can run

A running play generally involves the quarterback simply turning around and either handing the ball off to the running back or gently tossing it backwards to him. Also, the quarterback may occasionally run forward with the ball, or he may hand it off the fullback, or to a wide reciever, but usually it is just a hand-off to the running back.

On a running play, it is the job of the offensive line to block the defensive players so the runner can gain more yards. The tight end and fullback will also block. Since the fullback starts the play a few yards behind the line of scrimmage, he can get a running start on his block, and he tries to clear a path for the runner.

A passing play involves the quarterback taking a few steps back and throwing the ball forward to any of the offensive players besides the offensive line, but usually to the wide recievers. He may occasionally throw the ball to the tight end, running back, or fullback, but it usually is to the wide recievers.

On a passing play, it is the job of the offensive line to keep the defenders from getting to the quarterback. The tight end, running back, and fullback have the option of either staying in to help protect the quarterback, or running out to try to catch a pass.

Each play is over when one of four things happen:

1. Any part of the ball-carriers body besides his feet or hands touches the ground.

2. The ball-carrier steps out of bounds.

3. The quarterback's pass is not caught

4. The ball-carrier scores a Touchdown

A touchdown happens when the person carrying the ball makes it all the way to the end zone.

Also, the clock only stops running if the runner goes out of bounds late in the game, a pass is incomplete (not caught), a time out is called, one team scores, or the teams are switching possession of the ball.

Defense

The defensive positions are: Defensive Tackle (DT), Defensive End (DE), Linbacker (LB), Cornerback (CB), and Safety (S).

If the offense is moving in the same direction as in the diagram above, this is what the basic defensive formation would look like:

------------------ S -------S

----------------LB--- LB --- - LB
CB ----------DE -- DT------DT-----DE -------------CB


A team may choose to alter their defense, such as playing with three cornerbacks, or one safety, or 4 linebackers, etc. There are no requirements, and defensive players may position themselves wherever they want, as long as they are behind the line of scrimmage and there are no more than 11 men on the field

The cornerback (CB) is responsible for covering the wide recievers when they run out to catch a pass. The Defensive Ends and Defensive Tackles comprise the Defensive line, whose job on running plays is to try to stop the runner, or at least slow him down so somebody else can tackle him. On passing plays, the defensive line tries to get to the quarterback before he can make the pass. The linebackers make most of the tackles on running plays (since the Defensive line is being blocked by the offensive line), and on passing plays, they may either rush after the quarterback, or drop back to try to protect against a pass play. The safeties are the last line of defense.

If a defensive player catches a pass, he is allowed to run with it until he is tackled by one of the offensive players. This is called an interception. After an interception, the team who intercepted the ball recieves possession.

Also, if a defensive player knocks the ball out of an offensive player's hands, it is called a fumble, and whichever team is the first to pick up the ball gains possession.

Also, if a defensive player tackles the ball-carrier in the opposing end zone (the one behind the direction of the play), it is called a safety.

Special teams

There are a few times that one team will kick the ball rather than run regular plays. These are called special teams plays.

A kickoff occurs at the beginning of each half, and after a team scores. This involves a team kicking the ball off the ground to the other team, and the other team running forward as far as they can before the ball-carrier is tackled.

A punt occurs if a team has fourth down, and is not close enough to try to score. Since the other team would be close to the end zone if they try a play and fail, the team will punt the ball away to the other team. The ball is snapped to the punter, who may recieve a running start before kicking the ball away. The other team is permitted to try to run after the punter to try to block the kick, and they may also advance the ball after it is caught or blocked, until the ball-carrier is tackled.

A field goal occurs when a team is close enough to kick the ball to the end of the field, but not close enough to score a touchdown. The ball is snapped to a player, who catches it and places it on the ground for the kicker, who then runs up and kicks the ball. The defense is allowed to try to block the kick, and advance the ball if they can pick it up. The ball must be kicked through the goal posts, which are placed at the very back of the end zone. The goal posts are probably about as wide as a soccer goal, and the bottom part is about 10 feet off the ground

Scoring

A touchdown is worth 6 points. After a touchdown, the ball is placed two yards from the end zone. The team may then elect to kick an extra point for one additional point. This is basically just a very short field goal. Or, the team may try to run a play to get into the end zone again. This is called a 2-point conversion, and as the name implies, it is worth 2 points. Thus, a touchdown may be worth 6, 7, or 8 points, depending on if the team tries for a kick or a conversion, and if they are successful or not.

A field goal is worth 3 points.

A safety is worth 2 points.

Whoever has accumulated the most points at the end of the game wins. If the game is tied, they play one additional 15-minute period, and the first team to score wins. If there is no score in that 15 minutes, the game remains tied.

That's the basics. It's a lot to take in, but if anybody is confused, I'll try to answer any questions

The Phantom

Oh thanx D, I might read that later.

Tyler Durden

Reps for the post Mister D, much appreciated.

A positive rep for the post and a negative one for the "dummies" suggestion.

Danny Diamond

Founder/Admin

D, did you right that whole thing out yourself?

My goodness.

Invictus

I knew all of that.

Dr. Giganto

I only used the "dummies" term because there's a series of books here in the States called "[fill in the blank] for dummies". It's basically an introductory book on a subject for people who know little about that topic

For instance: Investing For Dummies, Poker for Dummies, Picking Up Fat Drunk Chicks at Last Call for Dummies, etc.

Tyler Durden

I did actually know that. Another neg rep for assumptions...lol !!

Dr. Giganto

shit...i can't win with you!!!

Tyler Durden

Okay, first batch of questions!!

1 - You say,
"You can also vary the formation, such as having 3 Wide Recievers, Two Tight Ends, 4 Wide Recievers, etc. The only requirement is that you have a quarterback and the five offensive linemen"
If you have four wide receivers how can you keep the five offensive linesman who I take it are the centre, two guards and two tackles. The obvious one you drop out I guess is the tight end, is that right? Who else do you drop out, one of the full back or running back, is that right?

2 - I take it the team on defense knows what the formation of the team on offense is taking up before they make a play. So for example, if a team lines up on offense and has three wide receivers out there, then the team on defense can say "oh I get'cha, well in that case we're going to have three cornerbacks to mark you bastards"

3 - Explain the "safety" points again, is this if you are on defense but you somehow tackle your opponent in their own end zone?

4 - If the game goes to extra time you say the first team to score wins. Does it matter what they score. Could it just be a field goal?

5 - Is there any way that you can get sent off for ill discipline on the field? Are you then able to replace that guy if that can happen, or do you have to play with one less guy.

6 - How many time outs can each team call?

7 - Do teams usually go for the 2 point or the 1 point conversion?

8 - Explain the leagues to me. Are there two of them? How does that work. Is it the same teams each year in each league? Is there a play off to lead towards the Superbowl?

9 - So there are 11 players on the field from each team. 11 defense players and 11 offense players. How many other players are on the bench, for example are there 44 players in total or something just in case you need replacements on?

10 - How does the draft thing work? The best players from collegiate teams go to the Pros or something?

11 - How many points do you get for a win in your league? Do you get any bonus points for losing?

12 - Do some players multitask. For example is it uncommon to see a player who's a wide receiver one day become a tight end or a full back?

13 - Which team should I support!?!?!?

Mr. Kennedy

Sorry if I wasn't much help, I tried to answer them as well as I could.

You can also check out the official website of the NFL for info on almost everything including footbal basic and the beginner's guide to football. http://www.nfl.com/features/rulebook

Visit and shop for video games at my Amazon-based store, also get discounted HD DVDs while they last.