American football is played on a 100 yard field with end zones at each end where touchdowns are scored. The game consists of four 15 minute quarters with a halftime break between the second and third quarters. Teams score points through touchdowns worth 6 points, extra points worth 1 point, or field goals worth 3 points. Each team has 4 downs to advance the ball 10 yards before losing possession. Players line up based on the line of scrimmage and aim to move the ball down the field through passing and running plays utilizing different positions like quarterback, receivers, running backs, and linemen on both offense and defense.

1. American Football:
The Basics

2. The Field
 The football field is 100 yards long.
 On both ends there is an End Zone where all touchdowns
are scored.
 In each end zone there is also a Goal Post for kicking
extra points and field goals.

3. Game Duration
A Football game is played in four, 15 minute
quarters.
Players switch sides on the field after every
quarter.
Between the first two and last two quarters
there is a 15-20 minute half-time.

4. Points System
A touchdown is worth 6
points.
Every time a touchdown is
scored the team gets to
kick and extra point for 1
point.
Field Goals can also be
kicked for 3 points if a
team can’t score a
touchdown.

5. Downs
Football is run in a series
of plays called Downs.
When on offense, each
team is given 4 downs to
move the ball 10 yards.
Each 10 yards the
offense gains results in 4
more opportunities to
move the ball down the
field.

6. Line of Scrimmage
The Line of Scrimmage
is based on where the
ball is placed for each
down.
This is where players on
both sides line up for
the next down.
The line of scrimmage
cannot be crossed by
players before the play
begins.

7. Positions
There are many different positions for
players in Football:
Quarterback
Linemen
Wide-Receiver
Running Back
Kicker

8. Quarterback
The quarterback (QB) is the
leader of the offensive
team.
He is responsible for calling
the play in the huddle, and
cueing the other players to
begin the play by yelling
“Hike!”
Huddle: When the team
gathers around in a tight
circle to discuss the next
play.

9. Linemen
Linemen are the largest
players on a football
team.
They line up on the line
of scrimmage to block
defenders from tackling
the Quarterback.
Offensive Line: group of
linemen on the offense.
Defensive Line: group of
linemen on the defense.

10. Wide-Receiver
The Wide-Receiver is one of the fastest and
most agile players on the offense.
They receive the majority of the throws from
the quarterback and score many of the
touchdowns for the team.

11. Running Back
The Running Back is a
versatile position.
Running Backs are expected
to:
Receive hand-offs from the
QB
Catch Passes
Block
Hand-Off: When the QB
hands the ball directly to
the running back.

12. Kicker
The Kicker is responsible for kicking extra
points, field goals and kick-offs.
Today many use a kicking stance similar to
soccer.
Kick-Off: When one team kicks the football to
the other team to begin a new set of plays.

13. Vocabulary
Interception: When a pass
thrown by the QB is
received by the opposing
team.
Fumble: A dropped ball
that is picked up by a
defensive player.
Incomplete Pass: A ball
that is thrown out of
bounds or doesn’t reach
the intended receiver.