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American Football, known as football in America, is the most played sport in the country. A survey was conducted in which most Americans considered football to be their favorite sport.
The TV viewership rating of football is higher than any other sport in the country. In America, football is played on almost all levels, from primary to high schools and the professional leagues.
History of American Football:
American football was introduced in 1869. At that time, it was known as a “soccer football game.” Walter Camp revised the rules for the game, and he is known as the father of American football.
In 1922, NFL was introduced, which then laid the foundation of the “American Football League” which was founded in 1926. The NFL and AFL were the top-rated leagues. The leagues merged in 1970, now known as the modern National Foundation League.
How is American football played?
Two teams play against each other in a football game. An American football team consists of 45 players, even though there are only 11 players from both teams on the ground at any given time. When in the game, a football team is divided into three groups: the offensive, the defensive, and the special teams. Each group in the team is assigned special duties.
The Offensive:
The offensive team players are the fastest and stronger plays who are stronger and include the quarterback. The quarterback runs the ball and passes to teammates.
The Defensive:
This group consists of more powerful players who are intended to stop players from running.
Both offensive and defensive sides have the same number of players, i.e., 11.
The Special Team:
This group in a football team kick and punts the side of the game. It also has stronger players.
Field of American football:
An American football field is 60 yards wide and 100 yards long. To mark how many yards each team needs to go before they reach the end zone, lines are painted on the field every ten yards.
At each end of the field, end zones are added and measure around 20 yards apiece. Additionally, there are posts at each end of the field where the kickers kick off the ball.
The goal is to outscore the opponents in the allowed time. Each football match is divided into two halves, and every half is of 30-minute half broken down into four 15-minute quarters.
In order to accomplish this, they must advance the ball down the field in successive phases of play before finally putting it in the “end zone” for a touchdown. Football players can attain the target by either passing the ball to a teammate or jogging while carrying it.
Both teams have four opportunities to throw the ball ten yards. These opportunities are known as “down” in a football game. Once the players have gone the additional 10 yards, their downs are reset, and they re-start.
The ball will be turned over to the defensive team after four downs have gone and they have not gained the necessary 10 yards.
Scoring of the game:
A score is given to the team when:
- Six points are awarded for a touchdown (TD). This score is given when a player carries the football into the end zone of the opponent’s and receives a pass there.
- The scoring team tries a conversion following a touchdown. The other team’s 3-yard line is where the ball is placed. The team can try to kick it through the goalposts and over the crossbar to score a field goal for one point. This is called an extra point or point after a touchdown (PAT). The team can also run or pass it into the end zone to score two points. This is known as two-point conversion.
- Three scores are awarded for a Field goal. A field goal (FG) is a kick that goes through the goalposts and over the crossbar. When a teammate holds the ball vertically against the ground, they can place-kick the field goal or drop-kick it (extremely uncommon in the modern game). When the ball is near the opponent’s goal line or when there is little to no time remaining to score by other means, a field goal is typically attempted on fourth down rather than a punt.
- A field goal (FG) is a kick that goes through the goalposts and over the crossbar to score three points. When a teammate holds the ball vertically against the ground, they can place kick the field goal or drop-kick it. When the ball is near the opponent’s goal line, or there is little to no time remaining to score by other means, a field goal is typically attempted on fourth down rather than a punt.
- The team that has scored the highest at the end of the game is the winner. But if both teams score equal points, they will play an additional quarter until there is a winner.
There may be many ways to score points in football, but make no mistake; it is not easy. When you get that sweet touchdown it’ll feel like winning the casino jackpot!
Referees in the game:
There are a total of seven referees’ is the American football field. The reason is that American football is not only a fast-paced sport but also a large number of players playing at one time.
The names used for them are referee, umpire, Line Judge, Head Umpire, Field Judge, Side Judge, and Back Judge. All seven referees have different responsibilities and areas of functions to look over the match,
Equipment required by the players:
This is a fast-paced football game, so the players must protect their hands and faces from hard hitting. For this purpose, American football players wear different items of protective gear.
Evert American football players will wear pads along with a special helmet. At the same time, most of the players wear gear for maximum protection.
The major protection equipment other than helmets and pads for playing American Football are:
- Mouth guard
- Knee and neck pads
- Braces for elbow, knee, shoulder, and ankle.
Rules of American Football:
The game has a certain set of rules, which are:
- The game starts with a coin toss. The toss determines which team will receive the ball first and where they will start on the field.
- The game starts with a kick-off.
- There are four 15-minute quarters in each game. Between the first and second and third and fourth quarters, there are two-minute breaks, and the second and third quarters have a fifteen-minute break.
- Each side has four opportunities to gain 10 yards or more. To gain yards, they can either toss or run with the ball. The downs and yardage are reset as soon as the team accumulates the necessary yards. A turnover will occur if the yardage is not made after four attempts.
- The offense has two options on fourth down: attempt to gain the lost yardage or kick the ball. If the team chooses to kick, they can attempt a field goal or punt. Typically, a player’s position on the field will determine how they play. Anywhere roughly 40 yards from the opposition’s goalposts will result in a field goal attempt. The punt option will probably be used if they are further back.