American Football 101

History of Football
1896 First college football game (evolved
from Rugby)
1920 National Football League founded
1939 First Football game televised
1967 First Super Bowl (Green Bay vs Kansas
City
1991 Celebrity half time show introduced
2011 Super Bowl becomes most watched TV
event in US (#2 in world)
NFL Today
32 Teams play
16 regular season games
Single-elimination playoffs end
with Superbowl

The Rules
Aim
Move the ball towards the opposition's end zone and into their end
zone (touchdown).
Run with the ball until tackled or throw the ball down field to a team
mate.
Downs
The offense moves the ball forward in sections of at least 10 yards
(9.14 meters).
They have four chances (or downs) to gain those 10 yards.
Each time the ball is advanced at least 10 yards within their four
chances, another first down is earned, with four more chances to go a
further 10 yards.
If the offensive team fails to move 10 yards within four downs,
possession is surrendered.
Timing
Four 15min quarters
Three time-outs per half for each team
12min half-time

The Field
120 yards
long and 160
feet wide. The
actual playing
field is 100
yards.
There is one
end zone at
each end of
the field.

1 yard = 3 feet = 0.91 meters

There is a
goal post in
the back line
of each end
zone.

Scoring
Touchdown (6 points)
The player must carry the ball across the other team's
goal line, or he must catch a pass in the end zone.
Extra Point Conversion (1 point)
One extra point to the team who scored to
touchdown. The point is granted if the team
can kick the ball through the goal posts from
the two yard line.
Field Goal (3 points)
In a fourth- down, the team can attempt to
kick a field goal between the goal posts in the
other team's endzone.
Safety (2 points )
Tacking an opponent
who has the football
in their end zone.

Two-Point Conversion (2 points)

After scoring a touchdown, if the team decides
to go for 2 extra points, they will line up at the
two yard line and make one attempt to run or
pass the football into the end zone.

The Team
Defense 11 on the field

Offense- 11 on the field

Defensive tackle: The inner two members of the

defensive line, whose jobs are to stop a running play or
run through a gap in the offensive line to pressure the
quarterback.

Quarterback: The leader of the team. He calls plays

and puts the ball into play by running or throwing.

Defensive end: The outer two members of the

defensive line. Overcome offensive blocking and meet in
the backfield, where they combine to tackle the
quarterback or ball carrier. On running plays they're
responsible for forcing the runner out of bounds or to a
tackle.

Center: The player who snaps the ball to the

quarterback.
Running back: A player who runs with the football.
Fullback: Blocks for the running back and protect the
quarterback.

Linebacker: the team's best tacklers.

Wide receiver: A player who uses his speed and

quickness to trick defenders and catch the football.

Safety: The players who line up the deepest in the

secondary the last line of defense.

Tight end: A player who serves as a receiver and also

as a blocker.

Cornerback: The players who line up on the wide parts

of the field, generally opposite the offensive receivers.

Left & right guard: The inner two members who block
for and protect the quarterback and ball carriers.
Left & right tackle: The outer two members of the
offensive line.

The Rituals
Tailgati
ng

Cheerleader
s

Mascots
Marching Band
Marching
Bands

34 teams play in 2 Conferences (American

Football Conference and National Football
Conference)

Where do the NFL teams play?

Where do the NFL teams play?