Among the world’s most popular sports, football is played on a large rectangular shaped field, with two goal posts on either side. The objective is to score more points than the other team. Each team has 11 players on the field at all times. The players vie for the ball, by tackling the opponents. The game is played for a set amount of time, usually a half or quarter. The referees blow a whistle whenever a player is tackled.
Each team has a playbook containing dozens of plays. Most of these are rushing or passing plays. Some have the potential to score long gains. There are also trick plays that can confuse an opponent. These are high risk plays, but if the opposition realizes you are trying to cheat them, you can end up in big trouble.
In most games, the quarterback is the most important player on the field. The quarterback is the person who leads the offensive team, passing the ball to running backs and receivers. Most teams will have at least one quarterback on the field at all times. If they do not, a different person may take the position. A linebacker will often line up in between the defensive line and the defensive backs. The linebackers will try to halt the quarterback and the other players on the defensive line. The linebackers will also cover any potential receivers. A wide receiver is the player who specializes in catching passes. A tight end is a player who is sometimes used as a running back. Tight ends create space for runners.
A rushing play is a less risky alternative to a passing play. A player rushing the ball can run with the ball until he or she is tripped up. If the runner makes it to the end zone, the team will score a touchdown. A kicking play is a different story. The offensive team tries to kick the ball into the opponent’s goal post.
There are various rules to follow. For instance, the goalkeeper is limited in what he or she can do with the ball, including stopping it with hands. However, the goalkeeper is only allowed to stop the ball in a restricted area near the goal post.
There are some passing plays that are designed to mimic a running play. Other plays are more elaborate, such as a trick play. For instance, a football play that is the “Mirror, Mirror, on the wall” has two parts: a pass and a fumble. The fumble is picked up by a defensive player. The play will be over when the ball is returned to the receiving team.
The NFL uses a 15-minute quarter. For the playoffs, each team has three or four possessions. The team with the fewest penalties generally wins the game.
The other thing that can be considered a football “moment” is the “targeting” rule. This rule protects the player from head injuries, but can lead to an ejection if the player hits a defenseless opponent.
