Football

For other versions, see Soccer.

Football is a sport consisting of two opposing teams with 11 players each. The game is played on a field 360 feet (120 yards/109.7 m) long by 160 feet (53.3 yards/48.8 m) wide. Each team tries to advance the ball into the end zone of the opposing team to score. Advancement occurs when a team either carries the ball or throws it to a teammate (called a running or passing play respectively). Points, also referred to as goals, are scored by either: carrying the ball in to the opposing team's end zone, tackling an opposing player carrying the ball in his own end zone, catching a pass from behind the goal, or kicking the ball through the goal posts of the opposing team.

The game itself is divided into two halves and/or four quarters, each quarter lasting 15 minutes in length, but due to commercials and clock stops after certain plays (not to mention the half-time intermission,) the game can take up to 3 hours. To decide which team has the opening kick off and goal assignment, a coin is tossed. The winning team then has three options. They can either a) choose which goal to defend, b) either kick off or receive the opening kick-off, or c) defer to the other team and have the first choice for the second half. The options will be presented again at the second half.

The team that starts first maintains possession of the ball unless one of the following occurs:

- The offense scores a touchdown or field goal.

- A defensive player makes an interception, where he catches a forward pass and runs with it until he either scores, is tackled, or runs out of bounds.

- A fumble occurs, in which case the same rule applies as with an interception

- The possessing team fails to make the first down

- The offense misses a field goal attempt

- The ball carrier is tackled, is forced or loses the ball out of bounds, or a penalty is committed by the offense in his own end zone. Also referred to as a safety, and is a rare occurrence.

- The defense receives the ball through a punt by the offensive

- The ball goes out of bounds when the ball carrier fumbles it in the end zone. Also referred to as a touchback and, like a safety, is rare.

For scoring possibilities, see points.

Created by: HeatherAkena Last edited by: Premier League