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Football For Dummies and Mommies
Football For Dummies and Mommies
There is absolutely nothing more frustrating than watching football from the sidelines and not understanding what is
happening. You feel left out when everyone else around you seems to know what is going on. The information that
follows is to help all spectators (moms, grandparents, friends, cheerleaders, some dads and even a person with
“blonde” colored hair) understand the basic game of football. The game of football can be extremely complicated,
but I have attempted to translate the concept of the game for you in the simplest manner. Please be patient as this
is a work in progress.
WHAT'S NEEDED?
A football (an oval or elliptical ball streamlined for forward passing), football jersey and pants, cleats, certified
helmet with chin strap and face mask, protective pads for shoulders, hips, tailbone, thighs, and knees and a mouth
guard. Some players opt for an athletic supporter with cup. Unlike other forms of football played around the world,
the very distinctive aspect of American football is that the players are oddly attired in helmets and padding that
gives their shoulders the appearance of supermen.
THE FIELD
The field is a rectangle measuring a total of 120 yards long (playing field is 100 yards long) and 53 yards wide.
There are stripes running across the field at five-yard intervals. The short white markings (referred to as yard
markers or hash marks) are marked at one-yard intervals and help the players, officials, and the fans keep track of
the ball. More trivia… all these markings form a grid pattern, hence the term "Gridiron". The numbers on the field
indicate the number of yards to the nearest end zone. On each end of the playing field is the end zone which
extends ten yards. Located on the very back line of each end zone is a goal post. The spot where the end zone
meets the playing field is called the goal line. The yardage from the goal line is marked at ten-yard intervals, up to
the 50-yard line, which is in the center of the field. After reaching the 50-yard line, the yard markers start to
descend (40, 30, 20, 10) every ten yards until they reach the opposite goal line.
ON YOUR MARK, GET SET… GO!
Two teams of eleven players each are on the field at one time. The team in possession of the ball plays offense
while the other team plays defense. Both teams line up over the “line of scrimmage”. The line of scrimmage is the
imaginary line along the field where the play begins. Each team has its own line of scrimmage, separated by the
neutral zone. To advance the ball, the offensive team can either run or pass. Each play begins with the snap and
ends when the ball is dead. At the line of scrimmage, the quarterback loudly calls out a play (which is always in
code) and the player in front of him (the center) passes, or “snaps”, the ball under his legs to the quarterback. From
there, the quarterback can either throw the ball or hand it off to a teammate, or run with it himself. The offensive
team must have at least seven players on or within a foot of the line of scrimmage. No player is allowed to cross
this line before the snap.
Substitution of players may take place any time the ball is not in play. Unlimited substitution has caused the game
to revolve around specialized units, the offense, the defense, special teams for kicking situations (punts, field goals,
and kickoffs) and special defenses (short yardage, long yardage, etc.). (Again, the game of football can be
extremely complicated.)
All progress in a football game is measured in yards. Every offensive play, from the line of scrimmage, is called a
“down”. Each time the offense gets the ball, it has four downs (or chances) to try to advance the ball at least ten
yards. If the offensive team successfully moves the ball ten or more yards, it earns a “first down” and the offensive
team gets four more tries to gain another ten yards. However; if, after three downs, the offense does not think it will
reach the first down marker, it may choose to “punt” the ball. If the offensive team succeeds and scores a touch
down or if the offensive team fails to gain ten yards, the offensive team must switch roles and possession of the
football is then turned over to the defensive team.
Determining whether a team has moved the football the required 10 yards for a first down takes speed,
choreography and precision (and two sticks with a chain between them). The “chain gang” consists of three
people: two people hold the chains and the third person (sometimes referred to as the “box man”) marks the
approximate spot of the ball after each play with a down marker. (The term “box man” refers to a cube that once
sat atop the marker and was rotated after each play to reflect the down. Today, a dial flips the numbers, 1 through
4.) On first downs, the box man estimates the spot, using the ball placed on the field or the foot of a side judge as a
gauge. One end of the chains is placed on the same spot, the other stretched 10 yards upfield. The chain gang can
be seen constantly moving up and down the field wherever the ball is placed. If a measurement is needed to
determine whether the football has been brought far enough forward to warrant a first down, the chains will be
brought out to where the football is. One of the refs will pick up the chain at an exact yard line (five yard
increments) on the sideline and then place it on that corresponding yard marker out on the field and then the other
end of the chain will be stretched taut. To determine a first down, the football will need to be located at the end of
the stretched chain or beyond. The chains, it seems, are viewed as accurate arbiters of distance, just as they have
been for more than 100 years.
PLAYERS/POSITIONS/TASKS
THE OFFENSE
The offensive team tries to advance the ball down the field-by running with the ball or throwing it, and ultimately
score points by crossing the goal line and getting into the end zone. The offense consists of an offensive line, a
backfield, and wide receivers. The offense works together to advance the ball toward the end zone.
Center: Lines up in the middle of the offensive line. He “snaps” the football between his legs to the quarterback
and then “blocks” the defensive line.
Guards: Line up on either side of the center. They block on passing plays and try to push back the defensive line
to open holes for the running backs.
Tackles: Positioned outside of the guards on the offensive line. Their main objective is to block on running plays,
and protect the quarterback on passing plays.
Tight Ends: Fill out the end of the offensive line. They act as blockers and also as pass receivers.
Wide Receivers (or Wide-Outs): Usually the fastest players on the team. They line up wide of the offensive line
toward the sidelines, and run patterns to catch passes from the quarterback.
Running Backs (Halfbacks and Fullbacks): Positioned behind the quarterback in the offensive backfield. As the
teams’ primary ball carriers, they use speed and strength to “rush” the ball downfield.
Quarterback: Stands directly behind the center. As the offensive leader on the field, he calls the plays, takes the
snap, and then runs, passes, or hands off the football to a running back.
THE DEFENSE
The defensive team tries to prevent the offensive team from advancing the football toward their end zone by
employing the tackle (bringing the ball carrier to the ground). The defense consists of a defensive line and a
“secondary.”
Nose Guard: Plays directly opposite the offensive center. His primary job is to prevent runners from advancing
through the middle of the defensive line.
Defensive Tackles: Line up on either side of the nose guard. They try to pressure and tackle the quarterback on
pass plays and stop running plays up the middle.
Defensive Ends: Positioned on either side of the defensive tackles. Ends try to stop ball carriers from moving to
the outside and also rush the quarterback on pass plays.
Linebackers: Play in the secondary behind the defensive line. Linebackers fill any holes that an advancing ball
carrier might slip through and will also “blitz” (see glossary) the quarterback on some passing plays.
Defensive Backs (Deep Backs, Safeties, and Cornerbacks): Part of the defensive secondary. They are the last
line of defense before the end zone and thus cover long running and pass plays.
Extra Point: A point-after-touchdown for one point is awarded for a “place kick” through the goal posts.
Field Goal: Three points are awarded for a place kick from the line of scrimmage that goes over the crossbar
between the uprights of the opponent’s goal post. Field goals are used on fourth down (when the offensive team is
close to the end zone) or on any other down when time is running out.
Point-After-Touchdown (PAT): One point is awarded for a place kick taken from the opponent’s two-yard line
(three-yard line in college). This is awarded to a team that has just scored a touchdown if it goes through the goal
posts.
Safety: When a player carrying the ball is tackled in his own end zone after bringing the ball there under his own
power, the defense is awarded two points and receives a free kick from the offense’s own 20-yard line.
Touchdown: A touchdown is worth six points when a player carries the ball across the opposing goal line, catches
a pass in the opponent’s end zone or recovers a loose ball in the opponent’s end zone.
Two-Point Conversion: Two points are awarded when a team, that just scored a touchdown, starts a play at the
opponent’s two-yard line (three-yard line in college) and runs or passes the ball over the goal line. When
successful, it looks just like a touchdown. A little trivia… this was first introduced to the NFL in 1994.
PENALTIES
Any violation of the rules results in a penalty and/or a loss of a down. To signal that a penalty has occurred, the
referee tosses a yellow flag on the field. The penalty flag is a yellow cloth used to identify and sometimes mark the
location of penalties or infractions that occur during regular play. It is usually wrapped around a weight, such as
sand or beans so it can be thrown with some distance and accuracy.
Did you know?... The idea for the penalty flag came from Coach Dwight Deede of Youngstown State. Prior to the
use of flags, officials used horns and whistles to signal a penalty. Official adoption of the use of the flag occurred at
the 1948 American Football Coaches rules session. The NFL first used flags on September 17, 1948 when the
Green Bay Packers played the Boston Yanks.
What follows is a few illustrations of football gestures or signals you may see a referee do.
Clipping
Clipping is when a player blocks an opponent below the waist from behind. This illegal block is a personal foul and
is punishable by a 15-yard penalty.
Delay of Game
This may look like “I Dream of Jeannie”, but it is actually Delay of Game. This is a penalty called on a team for
either letting the play clock expire before snapping the ball, having too many players on the field, or calling a time
out after having already used all they were allotted by rule. A delay of game infraction results in a five-yard penalty
against the offending team.
Encroachment (or Offside)
Not to be confused with the Macarena… Encroachment or Offside is when a player goes past the line of
scrimmage and hits someone before the ball is snapped or if a player (besides the center) is in the neutral zone
and crosses the neutral zone prior to the ball being snapped. This violation costs the defense five yards.
Face Mask
(No illustration Available at Time of Posting)
A Face Mask occurs when a player grabs an opponent’s face mask. The resulting penalty is fifteen yards, unless it
is deemed unintentional, then it is only five yards.
False Start
Before the ball is snapped, the offensive linemen must assume a set position. If a lineman jerks his body in any way
or when a player goes past the line of scrimmage without touching someone before the ball is snapped, the offense
is penalized five yards.
First Down
First Down is the first play of every series. The offense must gain ten yards or more in four downs to be awarded
another first down.
Holding
No, the referee’s wrist is not injured… Holding is when a player uses his hands to impede the movement of an
opponent by grabbing onto any part of his body or uniform. If the penalty is against the offense, it is a ten yard
penalty. If the penalty is against the defense, the penalty is five yards (10 yards in college) plus an automatic first
down.
Illegal Motion
Illegal Motion is an illegal movement when two or more offensive players are in motion at the same time before the
ball is snapped. It is a five-yard penalty.
Intentional Grounding
Intentional Grounding is when the quarterback still in the area between the tackles (in the “pocket”) and he
purposely throws the ball out of bounds or into the ground to avoid taking a sack (or being tackled). This results in
a ten-yard penalty and loss of down for the offense.
Interference
(No illustration Available at Time of Posting)
A player may not bump, grab, or hinder the progress of another player attempting to catch a pass. This violation
may be called against an offensive or defensive player. It yields a yardage penalty or the ball is placed at the spot
where the penalty occurred.
Loss of Downs
Again, not to be confused with the Macarena… A penalty usually consists of some sort of loss of yardage by the
offending team, but it can also include losing a down on certain penalties.
Pass Interference
Pass Interference is when a defensive player interferes with an offensive player who is trying to catch the ball.
Defensive pass interference awards the offensive team to place the ball at the spot of the foul and an automatic first
down. Offensive pass interference results in a 10-yard penalty against the offense.
Personal Foul
A personal foul is a foul that might cause injury to another player. When a player intentionally commits a serious
penalty, it is punishable by a 15-yard penalty.
Safety
Walk like an Egyptian?? No, a Safety is when a defensive player tackles an opponent in possession of the ball in
his own end zone. The defensive team is awarded two points. A safety is one of the rarest ways to score.
Time In
When time has elapsed during a time out and play commences.
Time Out
A Time Out is when there is a break in the action requested by either team or one of the officials.
Touchback
A Touchback occurs when the ball is ruled dead on or behind a team's own goal line. This generally occurs after a
kickoff, punt, interception, or fumble. After a touchback, the ball is spotted on the offense's 20-yard line.
Touchdown
A Touchdown is a scoring play in which any part of the ball, while legally in the possession of a player who is in-
bounds, crosses the plane of the opponent's goal line. A touchdown is worth six points, and the scoring team is
given the option of attempting to add one or two bonus points on the next play.
Tripping
No, the referee is not dancing an Irish Jig… Tripping is when a player uses his leg or foot to trip another player.
Tripping results in a 10-yard penalty against the offending team.
Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Unsportsmanlike Conduct is a dead-ball foul in which a player (in the judgment of an official), taunts or otherwise
acts in an unsportsmanlike manner. It is a personal foul and results in a 15-yard penalty against the offending
team.