Football Basics
The Goal
Two teams of 11 players try to move the ball down a 100-yard field and into the opposing end zone. Points come from touchdowns, field goals, extra points, two-point conversions and safeties. The team with more points at the end of the game wins.
Only one team has the ball at a time. The team with the ball is the offense; the team trying to stop it is the defense. Teams switch between offense and defense whenever possession changes.
Game Format
A game is played in four quarters with a halftime break after the second quarter. The clock stops for incomplete passes, plays that go out of bounds, penalties, scores and timeouts, so a game usually lasts well over two hours of real time.
If the score is tied at the end of the fourth quarter, an overtime period is used to decide the winner under the league's competition rules.
Downs
The offense gets four attempts, called downs, to move the ball at least 10 yards. If it succeeds, it earns a new set of four downs. If it fails, the ball is turned over to the other team.
Most teams use their fourth down to punt (kick the ball away) or attempt a field goal rather than risk losing the ball close to their own end zone. You will hear situations described as "third and 4" — third down with 4 yards still needed for a first down.
Scoring
- Touchdown (6 points)
- Carrying the ball into the end zone or catching it there.
- Extra point (1 point) / Two-point conversion (2 points)
- After a touchdown, the offense either kicks the ball through the uprights from close range or runs one play to get the ball into the end zone again.
- Field goal (3 points)
- Kicking the ball through the uprights from the field, usually on fourth down.
- Safety (2 points)
- Awarded to the defense when it tackles the ball carrier in her own end zone.
Positions
- Quarterback (QB)
- Leads the offense, takes the snap and either hands the ball off, runs it or throws it.
- Running Back (RB)
- Carries the ball on running plays and often catches short passes.
- Wide Receiver (WR) / Tight End (TE)
- Run routes and catch passes; tight ends also block.
- Offensive Line (OL)
- Center, guards and tackles who protect the quarterback and open running lanes.
- Defensive Line (DL)
- Line up across from the offensive line to stop the run and pressure the quarterback.
- Linebacker (LB)
- Play behind the defensive line and are usually the team's leading tacklers.
- Defensive Back (DB)
- Cornerbacks and safeties who cover receivers and defend against the pass.
- Kicker (K) / Punter (P)
- Kickers handle field goals, extra points and kickoffs; punters kick the ball away on fourth down.
Turnovers
A turnover is when the defense takes the ball away. An interception is a pass caught by a defender; a fumble is a ball that the carrier drops and the defense recovers.
Turnovers are among the most important plays in football because they end a drive and hand the other team a fresh set of downs.
Penalties
Officials throw a yellow flag when a rule is broken. Most penalties move the ball 5, 10 or 15 yards against the offending team; some also award an automatic first down.
Common penalties include false start, offside, holding, pass interference and unnecessary roughness.
Football Terms Dictionary
- Blitz
- A defensive play where extra players rush the quarterback.
- Drive
- A series of plays by the offense that ends in a score, a punt or a turnover.
- Line of Scrimmage
- The imaginary line where the ball is placed before each play.
- Pick Six
- An interception returned all the way for a touchdown.
- Red Zone
- The area inside the opponent's 20-yard line, where scoring chances are highest.
- Sack
- Tackling the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage before she can throw.
- Snap
- The center passing the ball back to the quarterback to start a play.
- Special Teams
- The units on the field for kickoffs, punts, field goals and extra points.
- Two-Minute Drill
- A fast, no-huddle offense used late in a half to score before time runs out.