How to Play Football

Step 1: The Object of the Game

* In the game of American football, two teams compete to score points by moving a ball into the end zones of their opponents—either passing the ball from one player outside the end zone to another who's inside, running the ball from the playing field into the end zone, or sometimes kicking the ball through an end zone's goal posts. But more on scoring later.

1. Each team has 11 players on the field.
* Smaller teams or leisure players may compete with eight or fewer participants.
2. The team with the ball at any given time is called the offense.
3. The other team, which tries to stop the offensive advance and "defend" its end zone, is called the defense.

Step 2: The Set Up


1. Regulation football fields (minus the end zones) are 100 yards long. Each end zone contains a goal post and is 10 yards long. Yards are measured from each respective end zone's goal line, beginning with 1, until yard markers meet in the middle at the 50 yard line.
2. Though all yards are measured with "hash marks" or white lines on the sidelines, plus a line extending across the width of the field every five yards. Only every 10th yard line (10, 20, 30, etc.) is labeled with a numeral.

Play time:
1. The length of a football game is divided between two halves, each with two quarters. In professional football (NFL), along with college (NCAA) and arena football, each quarter in a game is 15 minutes long with a 12-minute half time between the second and third quarters. High school teams, however, play 12-minute quarters in a 48-minute game. Participants in amateur leagues or friendly games may shorten these periods.
2. When there are two minutes of play remaining before the end of each half, respectively, officials signal for a "two-minute warning." This stops the clock and serves as a free timeout for the teams.
3. An additional overtime play period is added if the teams are tied at the close of the fourth quarter.
4. To stop the clock, teams are allotted a number of timeouts (three per half in the NFL). In addition, some plays, such as running the ball out of bounds or scoring, can stop the clock (Arena Football has exceptions to this rule).

Kickoff:
1. At the beginning of each half, and after every time a team scores, that team kicks the ball at their own 30-yard line to the receiving team. The receiving team, or offense, can then run the ball as far as they can toward the defensive team. The play ends either when the player who caught the ball is stopped by the defense or if he scores.
2. It is illegal to kick the ball outside the lines of the playing field, so consequently, when that happens, the receiving team automatically gets to start their possession on the field where the ball went out of bounds or 30 yards from where it was kicked off.
3. If the ball is kicked into the receiving team's end zone, the receiver can either run the ball or go down on one knee. When he does this, it's called a touchback. It means the play is over and the ball will be placed at the 20-yard line for the next series of plays. A touchback is also the result of kicking the ball out of bounds in the end zone.

Step 3: The Players


* It's a lot easier to understand how points are scored once you get to know the players and their positions. The lineup of these positions is not static and coaches often will change the numbers of players in certain positions to achieve a certain outcome. But here is a general outline of a team's lineup:
The offense

1. Quarterback: Often at the center of attention on a team is the quarterback, whose job it is to call plays for the offense. He's also the play maker because he's the one who must either pass/throw the ball to another player after it's snapped to him, hand it off to a fellow player or hang onto the ball and run it up the field himself.

2. Center: Aptly named, the center is the player who crouches in front of the quarterback before a play and then snaps the ball back through his legs to his quarterback.

3. Running back: A running back is typically the one who is handed the ball by the quarterback if a running play is called, but also can be called upon to block and throw or receive passes. He can be either a fullback or a halfback (AKA tailback), depending on the type of offense being played, and is extremely versatile.

4. Guards: The guards (right and left) flank the center player and their job is to block (not tackle) their defensive counterparts in order to keep the ball moving forward.

5. Tackles: The tackles (right and left) line up on the outside of the respective guards and join them in their efforts to protect the ball and keep defenders at bay.

6. Tight end: This player can double as a receiver or blocker, depending on the play call, and may line up on either end of the offensive line.

7. Wide receivers: The fast players are usually sent down the field to catch the football when a pass is called for by the quarterback. It's their job to get on a good running route and stay open to catch the ball. On running plays, they may help with blocking duties.

Step 4: Scoring




Touchdown

1. A touchdown is worth six points. It is the result of the offense getting the ball into their opponents' end zone—either by way of a caught pass in the end zone or a run into the end zone.

2. In order for a touchdown to count, a player must be inbounds, be in full possession of the ball and the ball must break the plane of the goal line.

Extra point(s)
1. After a touchdown, the team with the ball has the opportunity to kick it through the goal posts from the 2-yard line for an additional point.

2. Or they can opt for a two-point conversion, which is scored the same way as a touchdown, also set up at the 2-yard line.

3. Because the two-point conversion is riskier, most teams only use it at a crucial point in the game and/or if a successful conversion will put them in the lead. For instance, if the clock is winding down and the touchdown-scoring team is trailing by two points, the coach is likely to call for a two-point conversion. If the team is successful, it will at least tie the game before time runs or at most put players in the position of winning (as long as they can keep their opponents from scoring on the next possession).

4. Touchdown-scoring teams that are in the lead, or are one or more points behind with ample time on the lock, will rarely "go for two" because a kick attempt is considered the safer move.

Field goal

1. A field goal is worth three points. It is the result of the offensive team's kicker kicking the ball between the goal posts of the opponents' end zone.

2. This is usually done when the offense is close enough to the end zone for its kicker to be in range (typically within 40 or so yards) and either a touchdown is not needed to secure a victory or the players have failed to convert a third down into a first down.
Safety

1. A safety is worth two points. It is the result of a defensive player tackling an offensive player who's in possession of the ball in his own end zone.

2. The scoring team then gains possession of the ball.


Step 5: Penalties

1. Despite how it appears sometimes, football is not a free-for-all. There are a number of penalties a team can incur, each of which almost always result in a loss of yardage for the offending team (typically 5-10 yards if they aren't personal fouls, which cost the team even more yardage).

2. From time to time, the opposing team may opt to decline a penalty and its benefits when the outcome of the play itself is more desirable than the penalty's consequences (i.e. if offsides is called on the defense during a long pass play, but the result of the penalty for the offense is fewer yards gained than the result of the completed pass, the offense will decline the penalty and thus start a new series of downs at the place where the receiver ended the play).

3. Teams can choose to "challenge" a penalty.
* The number of challenges a team's coach is allowed to make per game differs depending on the level of play: one in collegiate competition and two in professional competition (if the first two penalties are overturned as the result of an NFL coach's challenge, then a third challenge is allowed).

* A college coach makes a challenge during a timeout. An NFL coach, however, may challenge between plays and is only charged with a timeout if the ruling is not reversed.

* A "booth review" of a penalty can be called for by an off-field official at any point during the game. In professional play, a coach may throw his challenge flag at any point, except after the two-minute warning in each half.

* Officials review the play on the sideline on an instant replay screen.

* Some non-penalty calls can be challenged, as well.

4. When a penalty is committed in a non-amateur game, one or more of the game's officials will pull a yellow flag out of his pocket and throw it on the field as he blows his whistle. This stops the clock and—usually—one of the following general penalties is cited

Step 6: Turnovers

* Staying in possession of the football for as long as possible means more opportunities to score. So players should beware of the following blunders that mean turning the ball over to the other team.

1. Interception: A defensive player may intercept a pass in mid-air between the quarterback and an intended receiver, after which he'll run as far as possible (perhaps even into the end zone) without getting tackled. The offense must then surrender the ball and their field position as the opponents start a set of downs at the location where the ball died, except in the case of defensive touchdown.

2. Fumble: Dropping a football while in play is called a fumble. The player who dropped the ball, or one of his teammates, may recover the fumble. But if a defensive player gets his hands on it first, the football is his and that team takes possession at the location where the ball died, except in the case of defensive touchdown.

3. Downs: If the offense fails to move the ball 10 yards after three downs, it may be forced to punt kick to the other team. (This happens at the location of the last play and, if the kick goes out of bounds, the receiving team must take possession at the yard line where the ball was kicked out.) However, if after three downs the offensive team decides to go for it on the fourth down and misses again, they turn the ball over to the defense at the location of the last play.

4. Missed field goal: No matter where they are on the field or which down they're at when a field goal is attempted, offensive players automatically lose possession if the kicker misses the goal.
5. Safety: When the offensive team has been pushed back into its own end zone by the defense, a defender cannot only earn two points for tackling the offensive player who has the ball, but he wins back immediate possession of the football when the tackled team is forced to punt.

Step 7: Play at Home


* Football needn't be a spectator sport. All you need to enjoy the fun is a few friends and some open space. There are a few different ways to go about organizing your own game.

* No matter which of the following varieties you opt for—touch, flag or tackle—any open space can be the field. Since it's difficult to find 100 yards of play space, not to mention cover it with as few as four players, you will likely need to redefine first down (i.e. a number of completed passes instead of a distance) or eliminate it altogether. It's also a good idea to simplify the player positions to accommodate smaller teams. In addition, many leisure players choose not to kick field goals or extra points because there are most likely no goal posts.

* The important thing to remember when playing with friends is that it's about having fun. There is no right or wrong way to determine how scoring, timing, etc. will play out in your game. Simply get together before "kickoff" and agree on some guidelines.

Touch football

* The major difference between this type of game and the ones you see on TV is that "tackling" is done by a defender merely touching the ball carrier with either one or two hands—hence the one-hand or two-hand touch versions of playing. Any number of participants can play as long as the sizes of the teams are equal. If the number of players isn't even, try appointing a single player as the quarterback for both teams. Touch football is a safe option for young people, especially those who don't have protective gear.

Flag football

* As in touch football, flag football's "tackling" is accomplished in a much different way than organized football: Defenders must grab the flag from a ball carrier's belt to stop the play. In general, flag football has more uniform rules than its one- or two-hand touch counterpart. Of course, games can by played as casually as a touch contest, but there is a United States Flag Football Association with its own rule book.

Tackle football

* Tackle football is essentially good ol' fashioned, no-holds-barred American football, with or without protective equipment. Play at your own risk!

Field

The field is rectangular with a maximum dimension of 110mts x 75mts and a minimum dimension of 100mts x 64mts. The field is marked with distinctive lines (not more than 5 inches in width), the longer boundary lines being called the touch lines and shorter lines the goal lines. A halfway line is marked out across the field of play. The center of the field is indicated by a suitable mark and a circle with a 9.15m radius marked round it.

The Goal

Goal is a pair of posts linked by a cross bar, forming a space into which the ball has to be sent to score. The goals must be equidistant from the corner flags. The width and depth of the goal posts and cross bars should not exceed 12cms. The goal posts and the cross bars will have the same width. Nets are attached to the posts, cross bars and ground behind the goals. Goal posts and cross bars must be made of wood or metal. The goal posts should be painted white.

Goal Line

There is a line between the posts of a goal called goal line which is extended from the end boundary of the field of play. The goal line is marked with same width as the depth of the goal posts and the cross bar so that the goal line and the goal posts will conform to the same interior and exterior edges.

The Goal Area

At each end of the field of play two lines are drawn at right angles to the goal line, 6 yards from each goal post. These is extend into the field of play for a distance of 6yds and is joined by a line drawn parallel with the goal line. Each of the spaces enclosed by these lines and the goal line are called a goal area.

The Penalty Area

The ground in front of the goal is called Penalty area. It is marked with the two lines at each end of the field of play at right angles to the goal lines, 18yds from each goal posts. These are extend into the field of play for a distance of 18yds and are joined by a line drawn parallel with the goal line. Each of the spaces enclosed by these lines and the goal line is called a penalty area. A suitable mark is made within each penalty area, 12yds from the mid point of the goal line, measured along an un-drawn line at right angles. These are the penalty kick marks. From each penalty kick mark an arc of a circle having a radius of 10yds, is drawn outside the penalty area.

The Corner Area

From each corner of the field a quarter circle, having a radius of 1yd is drawn inside the field of play. A flag is posted at each corner.

Players equipment

The Ball

The ball is spherical. The outer casing is of leather or other approved materials. The circumference of the ball should not be more than 27-28 inches. The weight of the ball at the start of the game must be within 14-16oz. The ball should not be changed during the game unless authorised by the referee.

Other equipments

The basic equipments of a player consist of a jersey or shirt, shorts, stockings, shin guards and footwear. Shin guards which is covered entirely by the stockings, is made of a suitable material like rubber or plastic. The players shall not wear anything which is dangerous to another player.

The goal keeper has to wear colours which distinguish him from the other players and from the referee.

Players

A match is played by two teams each team consisting of ten outfield players (defenders, midfielders and strikers) and a goal keeper. Substitutes may be used in any match played under the rules of a competition subjected to the authority of the international association or national association. The team is not permitted to use more than two substitutes in any match unless the teams reach an agreement or the referee is informed. The substitute will not enter the field of play until, the player he is replacing has left and then only after having received a signal from the referee. He shall enter the field during a stoppage in the game and at the half-way line. A player who has been replaced shall not take any further part in the game.

Any of the other players may change places with the goal keeper and the referee is informed before the change is made.

About Football

Football is a team sport in which players attempt to score goals by passing and dribbling the ball down the field past opposing defenders and kicking or heading the ball into the goal net, outwitting the defending goalkeepers.

At the beginning of the game, choice of ends and the kick off is decided by the toss of a coin. The team winning the toss will have the option of choice of ends or the kick off. The referee having given a signal the game is started by a player taking a place-kick (i.e. a kick at the ball while it is stationary on the ground in the centre of the field of play) into his opponents half of the field of play. Every player is in his own half of the field and every player of the opposing team of the kicker remains not less than 10 yards from the ball until it is kicked off. The kicker will not play the ball a second time until it has been touched or played by another player.

After a goal is scored, the game is restarted in like manner by a player of the team losing the goal.

After half-time, when restarting, ends is changed and the kick off is taken by a player of the opposite team to that of the player who started the game.

Duration of the Game

The duration of the game is divided into two equal periods of 45 minutes each unless otherwise mutually agreed upon, subject to the following.

Allowances are made in either period for all time lost through substitution, the transport from the field of injured players, time-wasting or other cause, the amount of which matters for the discretion of the referee.

Time is extended to permit a penalty kick taken at or after the expiration of the normal period in either half.

At half time the interval is exceed five minutes except by consent of the referee.

Ball in and out of play : The ball is out of play, when it has wholly crossed the goal line or touch line, whether on the ground or in the air and when the game has been stopped by the referee.

The ball is in play at all other times from the start of the match to the finish including if it rebounds from a goal post, cross bar or corner flag post into the field of play; off either the referee or linesman when they are in the field or in the event of a supposed infringement of the laws until a decision is given.

Rules of Football

Free Kick

Free-kicks shall be classified under two headings. Direct (from which a goal can be scored direct against the offending side) and Indirect (from which a goal cannot be scored unless the ball has been played or touched by a player other than the kicker before passing through the goal).

When a player is taking a direct or an indirect free kick inside his own penalty area, all the opposing players are at least 10 yards from the ball and remain outside the penalty area until the ball has been kicked out of the area. The ball will be in play immediately it has traveled the distance of its own circumference and is beyond the penalty area. The goal keeper will not receive the ball into his hands, in order that he may thereafter kick it into play. If the ball is not kicked direct into play, beyond the penalty area, the kick is retaken.

When a player is taking a direct or an indirect free kick outside his own penalty area, all of the opposing players are at least 10 yards from the ball, until it is in play, unless they are standing on their own goal line between the goal post. The ball will be in play when it has traveled the distance of its own circumference.

If a player of the opposing side encroaches into the penalty area or within 10 yards of the ball before a free kick is taken, the referee may delay the taking of the kick, until the law is complied with.

The ball must be stationary when a free kick is taken and the kicker will not play the ball a second time until it has been touched or played by another player.

Notwithstanding any other reference in these laws to the point from which a free kick is to be taken.

Any free kick awarded to the defending team, within its own goal area may be taken from any point within that half of the goal area in which the free kick has been awarded.

Any indirect free kick awarded to the attacking team within its opponents goal area was taken from that part of the goal area line which runs parallel to the goal line, at the point nearest to where the offence was committed.
Penalty Kick

A penalty kick is taken from the penalty mark and when it is being taken, all players with the exception of the player taking the kick, properly identified, and the opposing goal keeper, is within the field of play but outside the penalty area, and at least 10 yards from the penalty mark. The opposing goal keeper must stand (without moving his feet) on his own goal line, between the goal posts, until the ball is kicked. The player taking the kick must kick the ball forward. He will not play the ball a second time until it has been toughed or played by another player. A goal may be scored directly from a penalty kick. When a penalty kick is being taken during the normal course of play or when time has been extended to half time or full time to allow a penalty kick to be taken or retaken, a goal will not be nullifies if, before passing between the posts and under the cross bar, the ball touches either or both of the goal posts or the cross bar or the goal keeper or any combinations of these agencies, providing that no other infringement has occurred.

Throw in

When the whole of the ball passes over a touch line, either on the ground or in the air, it is thrown in from the point where it crossed the line, in any direction, by a player of the team opposite to that of the player who last touched it. The thrower at the moment of delivering the ball must face the field of play and part of each foot shall be either on the touchline or on the ground outside the touch line. The thrower uses both hands and deliver the ball from behind and over his head. The ball is in play immediately, it enters the field of play, but the thrower will not play the ball again until it has been touched or played by another player. A goal will not be scored direct from a throw in.
Goal Kick

When the ball passes over the goal line, excluding that portion between the goal posts, either in the air or on the ground, having last been played by one of the attacking team, it is kicked direct into play beyond the penalty area from a point within that half of the goal area nearest to where it crossed the line, by a player of the defending team. A goal keeper will not receive the ball into his hands from a goal kick in order that he may thereafter kick it into play. If the ball is not kicked beyond the penalty area i.e. direct into play, the kick is retaken. The kicker will not play the ball a second time until it has touched or been played by another player. A goal is not scored direct from such a kick. Players of the team opposing that of the player taking the goal kick remains outside the penalty area until the ball has been kicked out of the penalty area.

Corner Kick

When the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, excluding that portion between the goal posts, either in the air or on the ground, having last been played by one of the defending team, a member of the attacking team shall take a corner kick, i.e. the ball is placed within the quarter circle at the nearest corner flag post, which must not be moved and it must be kicked from that position. A goal may be scored direct from such a kick. Players of the team opposing that of the player taking the corner kick will not approach within 10 yards of the ball until it is in play nor the kicker play the ball a second time until it has been touched or played by another player.
Off Side

A player is in an off side position if he is nearer to his opponents goal line than the ball, unless there are at least two of his opponents nearer their own goal line than he is. A player is only declared off side and penalized for being in an off side position.

If a player is declared off side, the referee awards an indirect free kick, which is taken by a player of the opposing team from the place where the infringement occurred.

Origins of Football

The Origins of football can be found in every corner of the Globe. Civilizations throughout history all played ball games and many of these can be considered forerunners to the modern game, which was established in England in the late nineteenth century.

Ball games were first played in Egypt as early as 1800 BCE. However there are claims that suggest ball games were played even earlier in Ancient China, maybe as early as 2500 BCE. There is evidence to show that ball games in Egypt were linked to fertility rites and religious ceremonies. These ball games involved large numbers of people and records indicate that these games were sometimes used as an exercise to till the soil.

In addition to the Egyptians; the Greeks, Romans and Chinese (as well as others) all played football games, which are considered to be the forerunners of modern football.

History of Football

The game of football generally flourished in England from around the 8th Century onwards. The game was incredibly popular with the working classes and there were considerable regional variations of the game throughout the country. Games were normally violent and disorganised affairs with any number of players - it was not uncommon for 1000 people to play in a single game. By the 11th Century, games were often played between rival villages and the 'pitch' could be an incredibly large area. The 'pitch' was not a defined size with a parameter, but included streets, fields, village squares and anything else that got in the way!

The level of violence within the game was astonishing. Players were kicked and punched regularly by opponents. In addition to any personal injury that occurred, countless property items were destroyed in the course of a match. Fields were often ruined, as were fences and hedges. Damage also occurred to people's houses and businesses within the main streets of the village (or wherever the game travelled in its course).

For people living within the cities, football was still an alien concept and considered to be a 'rural custom'. However in the second half of the 12th Century football had established itself in London. By 1175 an annual competition had been established in the capital and every Shrove Tuesday the game created huge interest and gained further popularity.

The future development of the urban game is not well known but some early records do mention the violent nature of the game within cities - there is even a mention of a player being stabbed to death by an opponent! Records also point to women being involved in the game during the 12th Century.