Football is a game of running, passing and kicking that requires a lot of movement. This movement helps strengthen the muscles of the legs and improves balance, coordination and speed. It also promotes cardiovascular health, and can reduce stress and anxiety. In addition to its physical benefits, football encourages teamwork and communication. Its strategic nature can help develop concentration and decision-making skills, and may even lead to improved cognitive function over time.
The goal of the game is to advance the ball down a 100-yard field until it reaches the end zone of the opposing team. A team scores points by either running with the ball or throwing it to a receiver, or by kicking the ball through a structure called the goal posts. Getting the ball into the opponent’s end zone earns six points (a touchdown), and kicking the ball through the goal post after scoring a touchdown gives a team three points (a field goal).
Before a play begins, the players on each team line up in a formation. The seven players closest to the ball, including the quarterback and the tight ends, form a group called the offensive line. The other ten players, known as the secondary, line up about 10 yards behind the offensive line. The secondary includes the wide receivers, cornerbacks and safeties. The defensive linemen and linebackers on the defense side of the ball are referred to as “the box” and are typically located about 10 yards deep.
During each down, the offensive team must make at least 10 yards in order to gain a first down. The number of yards to be made is displayed on the scoreboard as “1st and 10, 2nd and 7, 3rd and 4,” etc. After each down, the officials must use chains to measure the distance traveled by the offensive team. If the officials determine that the offensive team did not make at least 10 yards, they will give the ball to the other team.
In addition to measuring the distance, the chained ball is used to track the position of a player who is carrying the ball. A runner is considered out of bounds if any part of his body touches a line or other object beyond the end zone or the sideline. A fumble in the end zone results in two points for the defending team, and a safety is awarded if a defender causes a ball to become dead in his own end zone while tackling a player who has the ball.
The game is played in four quarters of 10 minutes each. During the first half, each team has the option to take a timeout if it wishes. The clock does not stop if a timeout is taken, but the official will signal that it has stopped. This is done to ensure the accuracy of the measurement of distances. Officials may also halt the clock for other reasons, such as administering a penalty or taking a player out of the game.
