Introduction to the Rules and Basics of American Football
This article provides a comprehensive overview of American football, detailing game rules, roles, timings, field dimensions, and scoring. Perfect for beginners, it highlights the main aspects of gameplay, including offense and defense, match structure, and key field features. Learn the basics to understand and enjoy American football more deeply.
American football features two teams of 11 players, sharing a similar team size to European football, but the gameplay and strategies differ considerably. The team with possession of the ball is called the offense, aiming to advance the ball down the field by running or passing. Scoring occurs when a player crosses into the end zone. The opposing team, known as the defense, attempts to prevent scoring by regaining possession and stopping the offensive movement.
The game involves alternating roles between offense and defense, switching when the offensive team loses possession. The match is divided into four 15-minute quarters, with a 12-minute halftime after the second quarter. Between quarters, short breaks of 2 minutes occur, and the game resumes with a kickoff. The clock stops for out-of-bounds plays or penalties, resuming once the ball is spotted. Teams have 40 seconds to execute plays, and if tied after four quarters, extra time of 15 minutes, called sudden death, determines the winner, with possession decided by a coin toss.
The field measures 100 yards long and 53 yards wide, featuring yard markers for tracking the ball. Crucial is the end zone, located at each end of the field, where crossing into it results in a touchdown, earning points and ending the play.
