The NFL playoffs and of course the Super Bowl, usually attract the attention of millions of people around the worldWell, it’s a good time to hang out with our family and friends, in addition to enjoying matches with a high level of competitiveness.
The Super Bowl halftime show has also become a unmissable event for music fans, so it represents a moment of fusion between both worlds.
Thus, it is understandable that many people do not understand the basic rules of American footballSo if you are one of those only watch the NFL to live, but you do not know the concepts of sport, here we present a guide so you can survive this event without teasing.
How is American football played?
- An American football game is played between two teams. with 11 players on offense and 11 on defense.
- It is played in a 100 yard course divided into segments of 10 and at each end of the field there is a end zone and a three-post arc.
- It is played with a oval ball, called ovoid, which is used to be easily thrown into the air.
- Is played in four periods (quarters) of 15 minutes each, divided in two by each half. The clock time is counting down.
Basic guide to american football
The goal of each team is score the most points with touchdowns or field goals.
-In the NFL rules, If at the end of the four periods, the score is still tied another quarter of fifteen minutes is played, called extra time, in which the tiebreaker will be sought.
The offensive team has four chances (downs) to advance at least 10 yards, if he succeeds, he gets another four chances, until he gets close to the end zone or scores.
-When the team manages to reach the last 10 yards before the end zone, the name of the last four opportunities changes to ‘goal’ (goal) and it no longer matters how many yards they have to advance, since the objective is to score. For example, if a team is on the opposing team’s 8-yard line on their second down, it would be called 2nd down.
-If the offensive can’t get to the end zone The fails to advance 10 yards after his opportunities, should deliver the ball to the opposing team, which usually happens in the fourth down with a punt if it is considered that it is far from achieving a field goal.
-If a team uses all four chances and fails to go 10 yards or score, hands the ball to his opponent from the position on the field where his offense was left. For example, if the Patriots’ offense failed to pass the 50-yard line and did not punt on the fourth down, the Cowboys’ offense will start from the 50-yard line.
During the game, the clock stops several times:
- When a player with the ball leaves the field.
- When there is an incomplete pass.
- When a team calls time out (they have three in each half).
- When the change of offense happens.
- When a team scores.
- When a referee calls a penalty.
- When the coach calls for a play review (may do so twice in each half).
- In the two-minute break, which happens in the second and fourth quarters of every game.
- At the end of each quarter. After the second quarter there is a 15-minute break.
For this reason the American football games usually last up to three hours.
What are the scores?
Once the team has reached the opponent’s end zone – all it takes is for the ball to cross the white line that marks the goal – receives 6 points for the touchdown.
After the goal, the team has the opportunity to make 1 extra point, What is it when the kicker gets the ball through the Y-shaped posts.
The team also has the option to go by 2 points after scoring, which is called ‘colon conversion’, in which the team must cross the goal again, but from the 2-yard line.
- Field Goal
is when a kicker manages to get the ball through the inside of the three Y-posts. the field goal worth 3 points and can be attempted from any yard, but is normally only executed closer to the end zone and on fourth down.
The Safety, that worth 2 points, happens when the offense is usually locked in its own field (from the 10 yard back).
It can be given in several ways:
- When a defensive player knocks down the offensive player with the ball in his own end zone.
- When there is a bad center and the ball goes out the end zone.
- For an offense penalty
- If a player were to shoot or get the ball out of the end zone.
After a safety, the team that got the two points receives the ball again.
Interception and fumble
The defensive work, in addition to stop the offensive, is steal the ball to get your team back in possession, this can happen in two ways that are often very exciting.
- interception: When the quarterback passes the ball on the spur of the moment, but a rival manages to intercept the shipment without letting it fall to the grass. Sometimes the defensive player who stole the ball can run the other way and carry it into the end zone, scoring a touchdown for his team. This event is usually known as ‘Pick Six‘.
- Fumble: A player in possession of the ball you can lose it due to carelessness or a blow from an opponent, this event is called ‘Fumble‘ and the ball will be free for any player to take it, if it is taken by a defensive player and he has not yet touched the grass or is knocked down by an offensive player, he has the opportunity to run the opposite way and score a touchdown.
What are the penalties in American football?
There is one wide variety of punishments in american football which are signaled when an umpire throws a ball onto the field yellow handkerchief and can be for offensive, with which the team loses yards and even ‘downs’, and for the defensive with which he gives yards and even ‘downs’ to the offensive.
The commanding officer usually announces the penalty with his microphone and whether the team receiving the ‘benefit’ accepts or rejects it, that’s part of the strategy used by head coaches.
The main punishments are:
- Holding (grabbing or holding)
When an offensive or defensive player hold on to a rival. Players can only block their opponents, but cannot pull them by the jersey.
- False Start
When a offensive player jumps or moves before the play starts. It also happens defensively, but it’s called Off-Side.
When an offensive or defensive player hinders the receiver with physical contact.
- Roughing the Passer
When a defensive hits the quarterback very hard or is hit when he no longer has the ball in his possession.
when a player grabs his rival’s helmet bar.
Penalties are usually penalized with 5, 10 and 15 yards or in some cases possession of the ball is awarded at the place where the foul was committed, so an offense could advance to the opponent’s 1-yard line.
