Whether you play football, or you are watching it, you have probably noticed that there are a lot of rules and regulations. These rules vary by level and level of play. They can also be quite confusing, but they are intended to keep the game fair and fun. The goal is to score more points than your opponent in a 90-minute game. You will also want to understand that each team has a playbook of dozens to hundreds of plays, so there is plenty of strategy to be found.
The most basic play is the pass, which is a forward pass that touches the ground before being caught. The most complex play is the punt, which is an attempt to kick the ball through the goal posts. This play is generally used on fourth down. On a fourth down, the team is in the middle of its own field. On this play, the offensive team has four chances to gain 10 yards. If they fail to do so, the ball is kicked to the opposing team. Alternatively, the offensive team can pass the ball or run it with the ball.
Other plays are the fumble, which is a thrown ball that is recovered by the defensive team. If a fumble is recovered, the team can run with the ball until it is tackled. Another play is the pass interference, which is an illegal contact with the opponent. In this play, the defensive player intentionally pushes an opposing player into the back.
The game is divided into four quarters. Each quarter is usually 15 minutes long, with a long break in between the second and third quarters. Each half is usually 45 minutes long. After the second quarter, there will be injury time, which is added on to each half. The game will then be played again after a 15-minute break.
The field is divided into two ends, each 10 yards apart. The goal posts are located at the back of each end zone. The goal of the game is to move the ball into the opponents’ end zone. The goal posts are marked on the field with hash marks. The ball is placed on these hash marks at the beginning of the game. The field is 120 yards long, 53-1/2 yards wide, and has a goal line about 100 yards from each end. Each team has a position on the field, called the “line of scrimmage”. This position defines the sides of the ball.
Another rule is to not use your hands when playing the ball. If a player is holding the ball, this is called an illegal grip on the ball. A player may also be considered to be “offsides” if he is on the opposite side of the ball. A forward pass that is caught on the wrong side of the ball is known as an incomplete pass. A touchdown is scored when the offensive team catches the ball and crosses over the opponents’ goal line.