If you’re new to football or if you just need a quick refresher, we’ve put together this article to introduce you to the game of football.
Over the past 30+ years, youth football has surged in popularity, with more young athletes participating in tackle football leagues nationwide, building skills, teamwork, and a love for the game that starts at an early age.
Welcome to the world of football—often called “American football” by those outside the United States. If you’re new to the sport, you might feel a bit overwhelmed by all the rules, positions, and terms. But don’t worry! By the end of this guide, you’ll have a solid understanding of the basics and maybe even start to see why so many people are passionate about this game.
American football and soccer, though both widely popular and often referred to as “football,” are distinct in their rules, gameplay, and global cultural significance. American football, primarily played in the United States, involves two teams of 11 players each, who compete on a rectangular field with the objective of advancing an oval-shaped ball into the opposing team’s end zone. The game emphasizes strategic planning, physical contact, and the use of both running and passing plays. Scoring can be achieved through touchdowns, field goals, and safeties, with the team accumulating the most points by the end of the game declared the winner.
In contrast, soccer, known as “football” in most countries outside the United States, is a global sport played with two teams of 11 players each on a rectangular field with a goal at each end. The primary objective is to score goals by getting a round ball into the opponent’s net, using any part of the body except the hands and arms (with the exception of the goalkeeper, who can use their hands within the penalty area). Soccer is renowned for its fluid gameplay, where continuous movement and passing dominate, and goals are often celebrated as rare and crucial moments. Unlike American football’s start-stop rhythm and frequent substitutions, soccer is played in two 45-minute halves with limited interruptions, making it a fast-paced and endurance-driven sport.
At its core, football is a team sport played between two teams of 11 players each on a rectangular field. The goal is to score points by advancing a ball into the opposing team’s end zone, either by carrying it or catching it. The team with the most points at the end of the game wins. Sounds simple enough, right? But there’s a lot more to it than just running and throwing.
The sport of football, particularly what is known as American football today, has its roots in the various forms of football played in England during the 19th century. These early games were a blend of soccer and rugby, with teams trying to advance a ball into the opponent’s goal by kicking or carrying it. As the game migrated to the United States, it began to evolve, particularly at universities such as Harvard, Yale, and Princeton. The first intercollegiate football game in the U.S. took place in 1869 between Rutgers and Princeton, which more closely resembled soccer. However, the influence of rugby gradually shaped the rules, and by the 1880s, the game had evolved into a distinct sport with a unique set of rules, thanks in large part to Walter Camp, often referred to as the “Father of American Football.” Camp introduced key elements such as the line of scrimmage, the system of downs, and the concept of the quarterback position.
As American football developed, it gained immense popularity in colleges and eventually at the professional level. The National Football League (NFL) was established in 1920, and over the years, it grew into one of the most powerful sports organizations in the world. Football became deeply ingrained in American culture, with the Super Bowl, the NFL’s championship game, becoming an unofficial national holiday in the United States. The sport’s combination of strategy, physicality, and entertainment value has made it a beloved pastime, drawing millions of fans across the country and even gaining international attention. While American football remains distinct from other forms of football played globally, its rich history and cultural significance have solidified its place as a cornerstone of American sports.
The football field is 100 yards long and 53.3 yards wide. At each end of the field, there’s an “end zone,” which is where teams try to score. There’s also a goalpost in each end zone, which is used for kicking field goals and extra points.
The game starts with a kickoff, where one team kicks the ball to the other, and the receiving team tries to run the ball as far back down the field as possible. From there, the offense (the team with the ball) has four tries, called “downs,” to move the ball at least 10 yards. If they succeed, they get a new set of four downs to try to go another 10 yards. If they don’t make it 10 yards in four downs, the other team gets the ball.
If a team chooses to, Punting in football is a strategic play typically used on fourth down when the offense is too far from the end zone to attempt a field goal but too close to risk turning the ball over on downs. Teams usually punt from around their own 30- to 50-yard line, aiming to kick the ball deep into the opponent’s territory, forcing them to start their next possession as far back as possible and improving the punting team’s defensive position.
There are a few different ways to score in football:
Each player on a football team has a specific role. Here are some of the key positions:
A football game is divided into four quarters, each lasting 15 minutes. The clock stops frequently for various reasons, so games usually take about three hours. At the end of the first two quarters, there’s a halftime break, which lasts about 12 minutes. During this time, teams regroup, strategize, and make adjustments for the second half.
The game can feel a bit slow at first because of all the pauses between plays, but each play is like a mini-battle. Teams line up, execute a plan, and then reset. The strategy involved is one of the things that makes football so fascinating.
Football is often described as a game of chess played on a field. Coaches spend hours devising strategies and plays to outsmart the other team. Each team has a playbook filled with different plays designed for various situations. Some plays are designed to gain a lot of yards, while others might be short but safe. The quarterback often has the freedom to change the play at the line of scrimmage based on what the defense is showing.
Football isn’t just a sport; it’s a cultural event. In the United States, Sundays are synonymous with football, especially during the fall. Fans gather to watch games, wearing their team’s colors and cheering loudly. The Super Bowl, the championship game, is one of the biggest sporting events in the world, drawing millions of viewers and often featuring elaborate halftime shows.
People love football for different reasons. Some enjoy the strategy, others the physicality, and many appreciate the sense of community it brings. For players, it’s a chance to push themselves physically and mentally. For fans, it’s a way to connect with friends and family, cheering for a common cause. And for everyone involved, there’s the thrill of the big play—the long touchdown pass, the game-winning field goal, or the crucial defensive stop.
Football might seem complicated at first, but once you start to understand the flow of the game, it becomes a lot more enjoyable. It’s a sport full of passion, strategy, and excitement. Whether you’re watching a high school game on a Friday night or the NFL on a Sunday afternoon, there’s always something to love about football. So grab a snack, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the game—because once you catch the football bug, it’s hard to let go!
We’ve put together a list of some of the most common terms used in football to describe the game and establish how it’s played.
Down: One of four opportunities the offense has to advance the ball 10 yards. If successful, the team earns a new set of downs.
End Zone: The scoring area at each end of the field where touchdowns are made.
Field Goal: A scoring play worth three points, where the ball is kicked through the goalposts.
First Down: A new set of four downs earned by advancing the ball at least 10 yards.
Fumble: When a player loses possession of the ball before being downed, potentially allowing the opposing team to recover it.
Interception: A pass caught by a defensive player, giving possession of the ball to the opposing team.
Line of Scrimmage: The imaginary line where the ball is placed at the start of each play, separating the offense and defense.
Offside: A penalty called when a player crosses the line of scrimmage before the ball is snapped.
Pocket: The protected area formed by the offensive linemen around the quarterback during a passing play.
Punt: A strategic kick made on fourth down to push the opposing team back down the field.
Red Zone: The area of the field between the opponent’s 20-yard line and the end zone, where scoring opportunities are more likely.
Sack: When a defensive player tackles the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage before the ball is thrown.
Safety: A scoring play worth two points, awarded to the defense when they tackle an offensive player in their own end zone.
Snap: The action where the center hands or passes the ball between their legs to the quarterback to start a play.
Touchdown: The main scoring play, worth six points, achieved by carrying or catching the ball in the opponent’s end zone.
Two-Point Conversion: An alternative to the extra point after a touchdown, where the offense tries to score from the 2-yard line for two points.
Blitz: A defensive strategy where additional players rush the quarterback to try and disrupt the play.
Play Action: A passing play where the quarterback fakes a handoff to the running back to deceive the defense.
Kickoff: A play that starts each half and follows a score, where one team kicks the ball to the other.
Extra Point: A kick through the goalposts worth one point, attempted after a touchdown.
False Start: A penalty where an offensive player moves before the ball is snapped.
Holding: A penalty where a player illegally holds an opponent, preventing them from moving freely. Holding penalties are most often called against the offense.
Incomplete Pass: A forward pass that hits the ground before being caught, resulting in the next down being played from the same spot.
Turnover: When the offense loses possession of the ball to the defense, either through a fumble or interception.
Drive: A series of plays the offense uses to advance down the field, aiming to score.
Huddle: A brief meeting where the players gather to discuss the next play.
Audible: A change in the play called by the quarterback at the line of scrimmage based on the defense’s formation.
Neutral Zone: The area between the offense and defense at the line of scrimmage, where no player may enter before the snap.
Timeout: A stoppage in play requested by a team to pause the game clock and discuss strategy.
Game Clock: The official timekeeping device that counts down the minutes and seconds of each quarter of play.
