A game of football consists of two teams, the offensive team and the defensive team. The players on the offensive team try to move the ball closer to the end zone and score points, while the players on the defensive team attempt to prevent the offense from scoring points. Each team has four chances to move the ball 10 yards, but if a play is successful, the offense is awarded a first down. If the offensive team fails to move the ball 10 yards, the ball is kicked out of play, giving the other team a corner kick, goal kick or throw-in.
Players on each team are classified by position. The offensive team is led by a quarterback, who is a strong, fast player with good hands. The quarterback is responsible for calling plays and passing the ball to the running back or receiver. The quarterback must be accurate in his passes and have good field vision in order to accurately read the defense. The defense tries to prevent the offense from advancing the ball, while the special teams are responsible for kicking plays to move the ball.
The offensive team tries to move the ball 10 yards to the opponents’ end zone in four downs. On fourth down, the team may try to kick a field goal to get two points. This is called a conversion. A successful kick through the goal post earns one point. Alternatively, a team can try to stop the opposing team’s kicker and run or throw the ball into the end zone. Going for two points is more difficult than kicking an extra point.
The football field is approximately 120 yards long and 53 1/2 yards wide. Its goal line is at the center of the field, where it meets the end zone. Yardage markers are located at ten-yard intervals around the field, between the middle of the field and the opposite goal line. The goal line marks the center of the field, and the short axis is about eleven to thirteen yards long. It is a combination of offensive linemen and receivers.
On offense, the quarterback (or “quarterback”) passes the ball to a running back player. The running back tries to gain yards by escaping the defense. The quarterback may also run with the ball. This process is called a snap. The play continues as long as the quarterback successfully calls the play. The game consists of four quarters of 15 minutes, with a halftime break between the second and third quarters. With this, the team on offense and defensive team can change roles as necessary.
On defense, the football game is a great spectator sport. Some football fans even form rivalries, particularly between teams that play in neighboring cities. They can cheer loudly when their team scores, or gloat when they lose, while complaining loudly when their team does not win. You can watch the game in the comfort of your own home, or get together with your friends at a local bar. It is an excellent way to spend your weekend.
