The Ultimate Quick Guide to American Football for Beginners: Everything You Need to Know

American football, often referred to simply as football in the United States, is a team sport played on a rectangular field with goalposts at each end. The objective of the game is to advance an oblong ball down the field into the opposing team's end zone by running or passing it. The team with the most points at the end of the game wins.

A Quick Guide to American Football

by Alexander Luchina

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Language	:	English
File size	:	519 KB
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Print length	:	5 pages

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History of American Football

American football evolved from a combination of rugby and soccer in the late 19th century. The first American football game was played in 1869 between Rutgers and Princeton Universities. The game quickly grew in popularity, and by the early 20th century, it was one of the most popular sports in the United States.

Rules of American Football

American football is a complex game with many rules, but the basic rules are as follows:

• The game is played on a rectangular field 100 yards long and 53 yards wide.
• The field is divided into 10-yard sections called yards.
• Each team has 11 players on the field at a time.
• The game is played in four quarters, each of which is 15 minutes long.
• The team with the ball (the offense) tries to advance the ball down the field into the opposing team's end zone.
• The team without the ball (the defense) tries to stop the offense from advancing the ball and to take possession of the ball.
• The offense can advance the ball by running it or passing it.
• The defense can stop the offense by tackling the ball carrier or by intercepting a pass.
• The team that advances the ball into the opposing team's end zone scores a touchdown, which is worth 6 points.
• The team can also score points by kicking the ball through the goalposts, which is worth 3 points.

Positions in American Football

There are many different positions in American football, each with its own unique role. Some of the most common positions include:

• Quarterback: The quarterback is the leader of the offense. He is responsible for calling the plays and making sure the offense is in the right position to execute them.
• Running back: The running back is responsible for carrying the ball and advancing it down the field. He can also catch passes out of the backfield.
• Wide receiver: The wide receiver is responsible for catching passes from the quarterback. He can also block for the running backs.
• Tight end: The tight end is a hybrid position that can play like a wide receiver or a lineman. He can catch passes, block for the running backs, or even rush the passer.
• Offensive lineman: The offensive lineman is responsible for blocking for the quarterback and the running backs. He also helps to protect the quarterback from being sacked.
• Defensive lineman: The defensive lineman is responsible for trying to sack the quarterback or tackle the running back. He also helps to stop the offense from advancing the ball.
• Linebacker: The linebacker is responsible for covering the receivers, tackling the running backs, and sacking the quarterback. He is also responsible for making tackles on special teams plays.
• Cornerback: The cornerback is responsible for covering the receivers and preventing them from catching passes. He also helps to tackle the running backs and make tackles on special teams plays.
• Safety: The safety is the last line of defense. He is responsible for covering the deep receivers and preventing them from scoring touchdowns. He also helps to tackle the running backs and make tackles on special teams plays.

Strategies in American Football

There are many different strategies that can be used in American football. Some of the most common strategies include:

• Running the ball: Running the ball is a conservative strategy that can help to control the clock and keep the defense honest. It can also be effective in short-yardage situations.
• Passing the ball: Passing the ball is a more aggressive strategy that can be used to gain yards quickly and score points. It can also be effective in long-yardage