Football is a game in which two teams compete against each other to score points. The team with the most points at the end of the game wins. Points are scored primarily by advancing the ball down the field and into an area called the end zone, but can also be scored by kicking the ball through the opposing team’s goalposts for a field goal. The game is played with 11 players on each team. The team that has possession of the ball is called the offense, and tries to move the ball down the field by running or throwing it. The other team is called the defense and tries to stop the offensive team from advancing the ball, either by tackling the ball carrier or intercepting passes.
Each team has four tries, called downs, to advance the ball at least 10 yards towards their opponent’s end zone. If they do not succeed, they must turn over the ball to the defense. However, if they make it to the end zone, they earn a “first down” and the number of downs is reset.
The players on the offensive side of the ball must line up in a certain formation behind a line of scrimmage that is set at the 20-yard line. The quarterback will then snap the ball (move it back and forth through his hands quickly) to one of the other players in the offensive backfield, who will hand off the ball to a running back or look for an open receiver to throw the ball to. The quarterback must keep his hands away from the defense when he is snapping the ball to avoid getting tackled and losing possession of the ball.
When a play is over, the nearest official blows his whistle to signal that the down has ended and the next play is ready to start. The clock stops when the ball is snapped, during incomplete pass plays, when a player goes out of bounds, when a penalty is called or if the team calls a timeout. The clock starts again when the ball is spotted by an official.
After a touchdown, the attacking team can kick for an extra point. The ball must be kicked between the upright posts to succeed.
If a team misses the extra point, they lose one point. A team can also choose to go for two points by running or throwing the ball into the opponent’s end zone, but this is rarely done. Regardless of what points are scored, the team that wins will have to focus on its strengths, and not waste energy on things that won’t help it win. This is why it’s important to learn as much about the sport as possible, such as how the leagues are structured and what clubs are ranked in each league. You can also tune in to a sports network or scan the sports section of your newspaper to stay up to date on the latest developments.