...for a few UK buddies at another board. Those poor Brits don't understand football. This is what I typed. How did I do?
The game is started by a coin toss to determine who receives the ball first in the game. The winner can either choose to have the other team kick the ball to them, and their offence takes the field first. OR, the can choose to kick the ball to the other team, putting their defense on the field, and they will have the possession first after halftime. Halftime is after 30 minutes of play. The whole game is 60 minutes plus overtime if necessary.
The teams line up, and the kicking team kicks the ball from a tee to a receiver who is usually in or around the end zone. The receiver can do one of 2 things. He can signal for a fair catch before he catches the ball, which means that no one can touch him. OR, he can run with the ball to pick up yardage, which means he is fair game.
Then, the offensive team takes the field. The offence is 11 players..(There can be any combination of runningback, fullback, tight end, or receiver on the field. However, the offensive line and quarterback always stay the same.)
Quarterback (receives the snap of the ball and either hands it to a runningback, passes it to a receiver, or runs with the ball himself)
Runningback/fullback (Sets up to the right, left or behind the QB and is handed the ball and runs, or he can receive a pass, or he can serve as an extra offensive lineman.)
Receivers.. Runs out to receive passes from the QB.
Tight end...A receiver, but part of his duty is to be an extra blocker to keep the QB safe.
Offensive line...5 men. 2 on the left, 2 on the right, one in the center. Their job is to protect the QB and open holes in the defense for the runningback. The center has initial possession of the ball and snaps it to the QB.
Defense:
Also 11 players, but from the opposing team.
Their job is to stop whatever the offense is doing.
Defensive lineman...4 or 3 huge mean men who's job is to plow over the offensive line to tackle (sack) the QB or stop his pass, or to stop the runningback before he gets started, and to cause fumbles*
Linebackers...3 or 4 mean men, but faster than the defensive linemen who are there to catch runningbacks who broke through the defensive line, and receivers who catch a short pass, and also to sack the QB, cause fumbles* and intercept the ball**
Defensive backs...4 quick men, 2 on each side of the field who's job is to break up QB passes to the receivers, and intercept** the ball. On some occasions, they will go after the QB and try to sack him and/or cause a fumble*
* Fumble...When an offensive player with possession of the ball drops it, the defensive player can pick it up, and that will give the ball to his team's offence.
** Interception...When a defensive player catches an opposing QB's pass. This will also give his team's offence the ball.
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Object of the game...Start from your own territory and drive into the opposing's territory and end zone to score a touchdown,
Each play starts from the "line of scrimmage" where the QB calls for the ball. The center ofensive lineman "snaps" the ball to the QB. At that point, the defensive and offensive lines crash together, both trying to meet their objective.
There are 4 downs (oppourtunities) in which the offence must either score a touchdown or a first down. The offence must advance 10 yards for a first down. They can do it by running the ball or passing it to a receiver. If they run 3 downs, and cannot get a first down, they have 3 choices on 4th down. 1, field goal. The kicker comes out and the ball is held on the ground for him to kick. This is done if they are "within field goal range" which means well into the opponent's side of the field. The kicker kicks the ball through the uprights in the opponent's end zone. *** However, "fake field goals" are possible, where the player holding the ball for the kicker gets the ball from the center offensive lineman, jumps up, and throws it to a receiver. These plays are rare, and rarely successful when attempted.
(***see scoring and kickoff)
Their second option if they cannot make a first down is to punt. Punting is when the center snaps the ball to a kicker on 4th down, he catches it, and kicks it, giving possession to the other team, but pinning them back as far as he can so the opposing team will have the farthest distance possible to score. Fake punts are also possible, but rare.
The third and most risky option on 4th down is to "go for it" where the offence remains on the field and runs a play to try to get the first down. If this play is stopped short of the first down, the other team's offence takes over from the spot of the play.
Scoring and kickoff...
Field goals are 3 points (kicked through the opposing teams goal post)
Touchdowns are 6 points (scored by running the ball into, or catching the ball in the opposing team's end zone)
Point after touchdown (PAT) is one point (kicker lines up at the 10 yard line and kicks the ball through the goal post. One shot. You miss it, you don't get another shot.)
2 point conversion (instead of PAT, the offence lines up at the 2 yard line, and runs a usual play. Still, like the PAT, if you miss it, that's it)
Safety 2 points AND the ball (The offence is backed up to their own goal line, and a defensive player tackles a QB, runningback or receiver behind the goal line.) If a safety is scored, the offensive team's punter must come to their own 35 yard line, and punt the ball to the opposing team.
Kickoff...
After a touchdown or field goal, the team that scored the points must kick the ball off to the other team, and the process repeats.
Ties...In the event of a tie at the end of the game, the teams flip the coin again, and the process repeats. This starts "overtime."
The first team to score in overtime wins.
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