If you've ever wondered what the basics are for playing American football, you're not alone. American football can seem like a sport where a group of opposing players keep crashing into each other repeatedly until you understand some of the basics and actually start noticing what strategies are being put in place.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Understanding Rules and Terminology
Step 1. Understand the main goal of the game
The purpose of American football is to score points by taking the ball from a starting point to a special 10-yard (9m) deep area called the end zone, located at each end of a 120-yard (110m) long field, and 53.3 yards (49 m) wide. In order to score, each team must be able to reach the end zone of the opposing team and prevent the other from advancing and do the same. Each try has a Y-shaped structure positioned on the edge, called a goal post, used to score the points scored with a set piece.
- The end zone that is defended by a team is considered the "end zone" of the team itself.
- Teams share possession of the ball according to very strict rules. The team in possession of the ball is considered "in attack", the opposing team defends.
Step 2. Learn the time divisions
American football is divided into 4 halves of 15 minutes each, with a break between the second and third called "halftime" lasting 12 minutes. While the timer is running, the game is divided into even shorter segments called "play" or "down".
- An action begins when the ball is moved from the playing court to a player's hands; ends when the ball touches the ground or the player holding it is tackled and his knee or elbow touches the ground. When the action is over, the referee places the ball on the line of the yard that corresponds to the spot where, in his judgment, the player in possession of the ball was stopped. Each team has 4 downs available to try to conquer 10 yards from the starting point. If the attacking team fails to do so, possession of the ball is ceded to the opposing team. Otherwise, he will have 4 more downs to try and advance another 10 yards. The team has 30 seconds to prepare and begin the next attack.
- Playing time can stop for several reasons. If a player leaves the field of play, a penalty is called, or if a pass is not taken by anyone, the timer will stop until the referees resolve the situation.
- Penalties are signaled by the referees, who usually throw a yellow flag on the ground when they see a violation, so everyone on the field knows that a penalty has been called. Usually the penalties consist of the loss of ground (5 to 15 yards) of the attacking or defending team. There are several penalties, but the most common are: "offside" (someone was on the wrong side of the starting line when a player was tackled), "holding" (someone grabs a player with their hands, and neither has the ball, instead of tackling it correctly), "Unsportsmanlike conduct" (unsportsmanlike conduct) and "clipping" (illegal blocking from behind at the height of the legs).
Step 3. Learn the flow of the game
American football is made up of two structural elements that support the game. This is the kickoff and the down system.
- Kickoff: At the start of the match, the team captains flip a coin to decide who will kick the ball to the other team, starting the game. This first action is called a kickoff and usually involves a long kick of the ball across the pitch from one team to another, with the kicking team pouncing on the receiving team to prevent it from approaching their end zone. After the halftime there is a second kickoff by the team in possession of the ball.
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Down: The word "down" is synonymous with "chance" in American football. The attack is granted 4 downs to gain at least 10 yards towards the opponent's end zone. Each action ends with a new down. If the goal of 10 yards from the first down is reached before the fourth, the count resumes from the first down and the attacking team is in the condition of "First and Ten", indicating that there will be a new attempt to gain another 10. yards. If not, the ball passes to the other team.
- This means that a team that moves the ball at least 10 yards in a single action will never get to the second down. Whenever the ball moves more than 10 yards in the right direction, the next action will always be a first and ten (first down, 10 yards to reach).
- The distance required to reset the first down is cumulative, so running 4 yards in the first down, 3 yards in the second and 3 yards in the third is enough for the next action to be a new first down.
- If an action ends with the ball behind the line of scrimmage, the difference in yards is added to the total number of yards required for a first down. For example, if the quarterback is tackled 7 yards behind the line with the ball in his hands, the next action will be called "Second and 17", because you will have to run 17 yards over the next three actions to reset a first down.
- Instead of playing for all 4 downs, the offense may decide to perform a punt, i.e. a long kick that transfers control of the ball to the other team, forcing them to retreat.
Play American Football Step 4 Step 4. Understand the composition of a team
Each team has 11 players on the field. Team members may have different positions and functions in the field. The most competitive ones usually consist of three teams of players who enter the field in rotation to perform a certain task.
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There attack team includes these players:
- The quarterback, who throws or passes the ball to the runner
- The offensive line, consisting of the center, two defenders and two offensive tacklers, who together defend the other players by blocking the opposing defense while the ball is passed or thrown.
- The wide receiver (catcher) who runs behind the defense and catches the ball if it is thrown.
- The running back, who takes the ball from the quarterback and runs towards the opponent's end zone.
- Tight end, which helps defend outside lines and can catch the ball in case of a pass.
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There defensive team is made up of these players:
- Linebacker (second line of defense), defending against passing actions and charging the line to tackle the quarterback.
- The defensive line, which keeps the offensive line under pressure.
- Cornerback and safety, which defend players who try to receive a pass or move the ball across the field across the defensive line.
- The third team is it special team used every time the ball is to be kicked. Their job is to allow the kicker to perform a clean kick without being disturbed by the opposing team.
Play American Football Step 5 Step 5. Keep track of your points
The aim is to get more points than the other team. In the event of a tie, an overtime of 15 minutes is played. It is marked like this:
- A touchdown, when the ball is brought into the end zone by a player (or caught by a player in the end zone) it is worth 6 points.
- A extra point, when a player kicks the ball through the goal post after his team scores a touchdown it is worth 1 point. When the touchdown action is followed by a pass to the end zone and not a kick, the action is called two point conversion and is worth 2 points.
- A field goal, when a player kicks the ball through the goal posts but his team did not make a touchdown in the previous action it is worth 3 points. Field goals are usually used as last minute tactics when the game is about to end.
- A safety, when a player is far back on the court that he is in his end zone and is tackled while holding the ball, he is worth 2 points.
Part 2 of 3: Learning the Basics of the Game
Play American Football Step 6 Step 1. Make your way onto the pitch with offensive actions
Usually the most common action in football is just this. Racing earns you fewer yards per play than passing, but at least you don't run too much of the risk of letting the other team control the ball. Also, they have the advantage of getting the ball out of the quarterback's hands very quickly, before an aggressive defense reaches its position and costs the team extra yards. If the ball falls during this type of action, it is called a fumble. In this case the other team can pick it up and take possession of it.
- The quarterback usually passes the ball to a teammate (the running back), but he can also choose to take the action himself. Being able to think fast and assess the situation is a vital skill for a quarterback - it will help him decide when to take action alone or pass the ball.
- Attack actions have the advantage of being difficult to see in detail from the defensive lines. Often, the offense tries to fool the defense by pretending to pass the ball between two or even three different players. When the trick works, the only runner who actually has the ball can break the opponent's lines before they realize what happened and score a very easy touchdown.
Play American Football Step 7 Step 2. Punch the defense with passing actions
Just less common than attacking actions, passing actions are a good way to lose yards quickly… if the pass is incomplete. Short passes are often used in conjunction with offensive actions to keep the defense on edge. The great advantage of passing actions is that they are able to completely evade even the strongest defense. Incomplete passes (those in which no one catches the ball after it has been thrown) stop the timer and end the action.
- The quarterback usually needs more time to pass the ball than an attacking action, so the offensive line must be absolutely compact as the quarterback searches for a free catcher and avoid being the victim of a sack (tackled behind the line of scrimmage while still holding the ball). Once the catcher is located, the quarterback has to calculate how far to throw the ball in order for the teammate to catch him while he is in motion.
- If a pass is taken by the defense, it is called an interception. As with the fumble, when a pass is intercepted, the defense takes control of the ball (and becomes an attack). Most importantly, the action does not end when the ball is intercepted. The defense player who intercepted him can (and often does) turn around and run to the end zone for a thrilling touchdown.
Play American Football Step 8 Step 3. Combine attacking and passing actions
Your offensive team must be able to balance both actions to keep the defense busy. Practice with different formations on your team and learn how to put them into action on the pitch.
- The quarterback should especially practice throwing the ball accurately, as well as trying fake passes to runners.
- As a golden rule, it's safer to start with a couple of offensive actions until the team understands how defense works. A defense that is very good at intercepting balls may not be as good at blocking the ground and vice versa.
- Balance actions appropriately. If you are defending, observe the positions of the players carefully and try to anticipate their attacking actions, short or long passes in order to defend yourself as well as possible. And remember, nothing stops action faster than a quarterback sack, so if you see an opening, go for it.
Play American Football Step 9 Step 4. Train hard
The best way to improve at football is to train constantly. The game uses a number of skills that aren't used in everyday life, so constant work is needed to improve the way you play.
- Train with your team if possible. Practice carrying, grabbing and running with the ball; practice watching other players so that you can change what you are doing based on what is happening on the pitch.
- Strength and endurance are very important.
- Don't forget to train all together strategically and for special actions, such as field goals, so that you can take the field and work as a smart unit when match day comes.
Play American Football Step 10 Step 5. Study the strategies
This guide lists only the basic elements of the game. The trainings and strategies go far beyond the information we have given you. Dig deeper and think about how your team can take advantage and use certain strategies on the pitch.
Part 3 of 3: Positions
Play American Football Step 11 Step 1. Quarterback
The backbone of the attack. The quarterback is the player who receives the ball at the start of the action. This player often has to decide whether to pass the ball to one of the running backs, risk the play himself or pass the ball to a teammate.
Play American Football Step 12 Step 2. Running back
The running back is tasked with bringing the ball into running games or helping to block opposing players to defend the quarterback's passes. For this position a player must be very fast and be able to distance himself from the opposing defenders.
Step 3. Wide receiver
A quick and snappy player who uses his speed to evade opposing defenders and catch the ball. Teams use two to four wide receivers in each action.
Advice
- Grab the ball by holding it away from your body, with your hands, and then bring it closer. This will prevent it from bouncing off the body when you try to grab it.
- Stretch before training.
- To keep the ball safe while running, place the palm of one hand on one tip of the ball, and tuck the other tip under your elbow so that it is snug against your body. When you are about to be hit by another player, put your free hand over the ball and squeeze it. It is better to lose yards and keep the ball than fumble.
