Football is one of the more underrated sports outside of the United States and Canada. Some sports are familiar to everybody because they are just that popular. Soccer is one of those sports. Everybody knows the rules. Basketball is another. Tennis might be familiar to some but arguably, the most popular sports are the most well known ones. It is what attracts countless fans to watch the games, or bet on them, just like online casinos attracts new members with bonus codes.
If one wanted to watch football but they were unfamiliar with the rules, the best place to start is to learn the rules. This does not have to be a daunting or boring task so without further ado, here are the rules of football.
The Goal of the Game – Pun Intended
Football is one of those simple games where you need to have a better score than your opponent in order to win.
Getting that score can be done in more ways than one.
If one gets to the end zone with the ball or receives the ball from a pass while in the end zone, they score a touchdown. Touchdowns are worth 6 points. The team which scored (the attacking team), has another opportunity to score after a touchdown, by kicking the ball through the large goal posts, earning another point.
If the defending team successfully tackles a player in their own end zone, they earn 2 points. This is called safety. 3 points are scored whenever the ball is kicked through the goa, also known as a field goall, other than after a touchdown.
The Players and Game Rules
There are 11 players for each team on the field. However, there are plenty of players in reserve, ready to be substituted whenever necessary. There are up to 45 players on each football team, which is somewhat standard. The field is 100 yards long and around 60 yards wide, usually. The yards are marked with numbers and lines, due to the following rules.
Every team gets 4 downs for each 10 yards. Moving another 10 yards into the opposing team’s field resets the downs. They have 4 attempts to move the ball 10 yards. If they fail, the other team gets possession of the ball, meaning it is their turn to try for another 10 yards, or a touchdown, depending on the skill and circumstances.
There are many fouls in football, the penalties for which is a reduction of yardage, from 5, 10 to 15 yards, depending on the severity of the foul.
Equipment and Time
The game is played in four quarters, each lasting 15 minutes. There is a two minute break between every quarter, except the second and third, the half-time, which lasts for 12 minutes. The game is fast paced with lots of aggressive plays. Due to the nature of the sport, tackling particularly, the athletes wear shoulder pads, a helmet, elbow, thigh and knee pads, gloves and cleats. They also wear a jersey.
Football is a simple game, like most sports games and its rules are not as difficult, when boiled down to the basics. Now, knowing what you know, go enjoy some fast-paced football action.
