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FOOTBALL BASICS |
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Basics |
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Two teams of eleven players are on the field at one time. The team in possession of the ball plays offense, the other plays defense. Both teams line up over the "line of scrimmage" across from each other. Substitution of players may take place any time the ball is not in play. |
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Football teams move a ball along a field using passing, catching, running, and kicking skills in an effort to score points. Points are earned by scoring a touchdown (six points), an extra point (worth one or two points), a field goal (three points), or a safety (two points). A touchdown is scored when a player carries the ball or catches a pass over the opponent?s goal line in the end zone. The team scoring the greater number of points in the allotted time wins the game. |
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How Long Is A Game? |
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A game is generally divided into four quarters. Each quarter lasts fifteen minutes. There is a break at halftime. To start a game a coin is tossed to determine which team "kicks off" first. Teams switch sides after every quarter, and each side is permitted three time-outs per half. If the game ends in a tie, teams may play an overtime period of sudden death; the team to score first wins. |
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Get Down! |
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Every offensive play from the line of scrimmage is called a "down." The offense gets four downs to try to advance the ball at least ten yards. If successful, a "first down" is awarded, and the offensive team gets four more tries to gain ten yards. If, after three downs the offense does not think it will reach the first down marker it may choose to "punt" the ball. Possession of the football is then turned over to the defensive team. |
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THE OFFENSE |
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Consists of an offensive line, a backfield, and wide receivers. The offense works together to advance the ball toward the end zone. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Tight Ends - Fill out the end of the offensive line. They act as blockers and also as pass receivers. |
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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. |
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Running Backs (Halfbacks/Tailbacks 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. |
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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. |
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THE DEFENSE |
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Consists of a defensive line and a "secondary." Defenders try to prevent the offense from advancing the football toward their end zone. |
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Nose Tackle - Plays directly opposite the offensive center. His primary job is to prevent runners from advancing through the middle of the defensive line. |
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Defensive Tackles - Line up on either side of the nose tackle. They try to pressure and tackle the quarterback on pass plays and stop running plays up the middle. |
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Defensive Ends - Positioned on either side of the defensive tackles. Ends try to stop ballcarriers moving to the outside and also rush the quarterback on pass plays. |
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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" the quarterback on some passing plays. |
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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. |
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