The GameThe Game

GENERAL RULES: GENERAL RULES: The team with possession (legal control of the ball) is the offensive team. Normally, The team with possession (legal control of the ball) is the offensive team. Normally,

five players are the interior linemen (a center, two guards, and two tackles), two are five players are the interior linemen (a center, two guards, and two tackles), two are ends (split or tight ends), one is a quarterback and three are backs (running backs or ends (split or tight ends), one is a quarterback and three are backs (running backs or wide receivers). wide receivers).

The defensive team is usually made up of three or four down linemen (ends, tackles, The defensive team is usually made up of three or four down linemen (ends, tackles, guards), three or four linebackers (left, middle, right or inside and outside guards), three or four linebackers (left, middle, right or inside and outside combinations), and the defensive backs, the secondary (corner backs, free and combinations), and the defensive backs, the secondary (corner backs, free and strong safeties). strong safeties).

Special team players include a punter (who drops the ball and kicks it before it Special team players include a punter (who drops the ball and kicks it before it touches the ground) and a place kicker (who kicks the ball off the ground for a touches the ground) and a place kicker (who kicks the ball off the ground for a kickoff, field goal or extra point after a touchdown) and a specialist in returning kickoff, field goal or extra point after a touchdown) and a specialist in returning kickoff or punts. kickoff or punts.

The team with possession of the ball must have at least seven players on or within a The team with possession of the ball must have at least seven players on or within a foot of the line of scrimmage and four players at least one yard behind the line. foot of the line of scrimmage and four players at least one yard behind the line.

The neutral zone is the space the length of the football between the two scrimmage The neutral zone is the space the length of the football between the two scrimmage lines. Only the center can have any body part in the neutral zone but cannot go lines. Only the center can have any body part in the neutral zone but cannot go beyond it. beyond it.

Defensive players can line up anywhere behind their scrimmage line. Defensive players can line up anywhere behind their scrimmage line. Any player can run with the ball: only the two ends and the backs are eligible Any player can run with the ball: only the two ends and the backs are eligible

receivers, permitted to catch a pass (a ball thrown by one player to another). receivers, permitted to catch a pass (a ball thrown by one player to another). Substitutions are unlimited. Players can only enter the game when the ball is dead; Substitutions are unlimited. Players can only enter the game when the ball is dead;

players leaving the game must come off the field on their own team's side between players leaving the game must come off the field on their own team's side between the end lines before the next play begins. the end lines before the next play begins.

ScoringScoring Points are scored in the following ways:Points are scored in the following ways: Touchdown – 6 points – made when an offensive player Touchdown – 6 points – made when an offensive player

carries the ball across their opponent’s goal line or when an carries the ball across their opponent’s goal line or when an offensive player receives a pass behind the goal line. A offensive player receives a pass behind the goal line. A defensive player can score a touchdown by recovering a defensive player can score a touchdown by recovering a fumble or intercepting a pass and taking across the offenses fumble or intercepting a pass and taking across the offenses goal linegoal line

Field Goal – 3 points – an offensive player makes a place kick Field Goal – 3 points – an offensive player makes a place kick that passes entirely between the goal poststhat passes entirely between the goal posts

Safety – 2 points- this is awarded to the opposing team if a Safety – 2 points- this is awarded to the opposing team if a defending team sends the ball into its own end zonedefending team sends the ball into its own end zone

Extra Point – after a team scores a touchdown, they can try Extra Point – after a team scores a touchdown, they can try to score again. An extra point that is kicked between the to score again. An extra point that is kicked between the uprights is worth one point. The offensive team may elect to uprights is worth one point. The offensive team may elect to attempt a two point conversion. The 2 point conversion is an attempt a two point conversion. The 2 point conversion is an offensive play that occurs from the three yard line and if the offensive play that occurs from the three yard line and if the ball is run or thrown complete into the end zone it is worth ball is run or thrown complete into the end zone it is worth two points.two points.

Team/PositionsTeam/Positions

Each team plays with 11 players on the field at a Each team plays with 11 players on the field at a timetime

OFFENSE (11)- OFFENSE (11)- 5 Offensive Lineman (Right 5 Offensive Lineman (Right Tackle, Right Guard, Center, Left Guard, Left Tackle, Right Guard, Center, Left Guard, Left Tackle), 1 Quarterback, 1 Half Back (HB or Tackle), 1 Quarterback, 1 Half Back (HB or Running Back), 2-3 receivers (Wide Receiver) and Running Back), 2-3 receivers (Wide Receiver) and 1 Tight End (TE) (if only 2 receivers), Fullback (FB)1 Tight End (TE) (if only 2 receivers), Fullback (FB)

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Line of Scrimmage

Team/PositionsTeam/Positions DEFENSE (11)-DEFENSE (11)- 3-4 Defensive Lineman (2 Defensive Ends, 3-4 Defensive Lineman (2 Defensive Ends,

2 Defensive Tackles), 1-3 Linebackers (Outside Linebacker, 2 Defensive Tackles), 1-3 Linebackers (Outside Linebacker, Middle Linebacker, Outside Linebacker), 4 Defensive Backs Middle Linebacker, Outside Linebacker), 4 Defensive Backs (Strong Safety, Free Safety, 2 Corner-backs). This example (Strong Safety, Free Safety, 2 Corner-backs). This example is a 3-4 defense because there are 3 defensive linemen (T-is a 3-4 defense because there are 3 defensive linemen (T-N-T) and 4 linebackers .N-T) and 4 linebackers .

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Field DimensionsField Dimensions

The field is 120 yards long from end line to end line and 100 yards The field is 120 yards long from end line to end line and 100 yards from goal line to goal line.from goal line to goal line.

The width of the field 53 1/3 yards The width of the field 53 1/3 yards

There are yard lines at 5-yard intervals, which are parallel to the There are yard lines at 5-yard intervals, which are parallel to the goal line. goal line.

Hash marks are at one-yard intervals from goal line to goal line on Hash marks are at one-yard intervals from goal line to goal line on the right and left side of the field. the right and left side of the field.

Numbers indicating yard lines in multiples of ten, marked 12 yards Numbers indicating yard lines in multiples of ten, marked 12 yards from the sideline. from the sideline.

Goal posts are positioned on the end line with a cross bar 23’ 4” Goal posts are positioned on the end line with a cross bar 23’ 4” long and 10’ above the ground. The uprights must be 3-4” in long and 10’ above the ground. The uprights must be 3-4” in diameter and extend 20’ above the crossbardiameter and extend 20’ above the crossbar

Field DimensionsField Dimensions

Definition of TermsDefinition of Terms Defensive team-Defensive team- the team not in possession of the ball. the team not in possession of the ball.

Down-Down- attempt or try to move the ball ten yards. Offense gets four attempt or try to move the ball ten yards. Offense gets four downs or chances to move the ball ten yards. If they don’t downs or chances to move the ball ten yards. If they don’t advance it that far, they lose possession of the balladvance it that far, they lose possession of the ball

End Line-End Line- the boundary line that runs the width of the field along the boundary line that runs the width of the field along each end.each end.

Flag-Flag- when a team commits a penalty the referee will throw a when a team commits a penalty the referee will throw a yellow flag as an indicator of the penalty. A team can choose to yellow flag as an indicator of the penalty. A team can choose to accept the penalty and redo the down or decline the penalty and accept the penalty and redo the down or decline the penalty and move on to the next down. move on to the next down.

Fumble-Fumble- when a ball carrier loses possession by dropping the ball when a ball carrier loses possession by dropping the ball or having it knocked away before a play ends. or having it knocked away before a play ends.

Definition of TermsDefinition of Terms

Goal Line-Goal Line- a line drawn across the width of the field, 10 yards inside a line drawn across the width of the field, 10 yards inside each end line, which a team must cross with the ball to score a each end line, which a team must cross with the ball to score a touchdown touchdown

Holding-Holding- a foul where a player impedes the movement of an a foul where a player impedes the movement of an opponent by grasping or hooking any part of his body or uniform; opponent by grasping or hooking any part of his body or uniform; punishable by a penalty : 10 yards if against the offense, 5 yards (10 punishable by a penalty : 10 yards if against the offense, 5 yards (10 yards in college) plus a first down if against the defense.yards in college) plus a first down if against the defense.

Interception- Interception- a pass caught in the air (picked off) by a defender a pass caught in the air (picked off) by a defender whose team immediately gains possession of the ball and becomes whose team immediately gains possession of the ball and becomes the offense. the offense.

Line of Scrimmage-Line of Scrimmage- an imaginary line which no player may cross an imaginary line which no player may cross before the snap; each team has its own line of scrimmage, before the snap; each team has its own line of scrimmage, separated by a neutral zone which is the length of the football as it separated by a neutral zone which is the length of the football as it lies on the ground.lies on the ground.

Offensive team-Offensive team- the team in possession of the ball. the team in possession of the ball.

Definition of TermsDefinition of Terms Offside-Offside- when any part of a player’s body is beyond his line of when any part of a player’s body is beyond his line of

scrimmage when the ball is snapped; a foul punishable by a 5 yard scrimmage when the ball is snapped; a foul punishable by a 5 yard penalty. penalty.

Special Teams-Special Teams- the group of players who participate in kicking the group of players who participate in kicking plays. plays.

Spiral-Spiral- a ball or kick with a spin which propels it further with more a ball or kick with a spin which propels it further with more accuracy; the ball points the same direction throughout its flight.accuracy; the ball points the same direction throughout its flight.

Tackle-Tackle- a player position on the offensive and defensive lines; there a player position on the offensive and defensive lines; there is usually a left and right offensive tackle, and a left and right is usually a left and right offensive tackle, and a left and right defensive tackle. It is also the act of a defensive player taking an defensive tackle. It is also the act of a defensive player taking an offensive player to the ground.offensive player to the ground.

Touchback-Touchback- when a player who gains possession of a ball in his own when a player who gains possession of a ball in his own

end zone kneels to the ground and automatically starts the next end zone kneels to the ground and automatically starts the next play at his own 20-yard line; also award if his opponent kicks the play at his own 20-yard line; also award if his opponent kicks the ball across the end line. ball across the end line.

PenaltiesPenalties Delay of game- 5 yardsDelay of game- 5 yards False start- 5 yardsFalse start- 5 yards Encroachment- 5 yardsEncroachment- 5 yards Grasping the opponents face mask -15 yardsGrasping the opponents face mask -15 yards Illegal formation, shift, motion- 5 yardsIllegal formation, shift, motion- 5 yards Offside- 5 yardsOffside- 5 yards Running into the kicker- 5 yardsRunning into the kicker- 5 yards Throwing a forward pass from beyond the line of scrimmage- 5yards and Throwing a forward pass from beyond the line of scrimmage- 5yards and

loss of downloss of down Offensive and defensive holding- 10 yardsOffensive and defensive holding- 10 yards Fair catch interference- 15 yardsFair catch interference- 15 yards Unsportsmanlike conduct- 15 yardsUnsportsmanlike conduct- 15 yards Clipping- 15 yards Clipping- 15 yards Unnecessary roughness- 15 yards plus an automatic first downUnnecessary roughness- 15 yards plus an automatic first down Removing helmet on the playing field- 15 yards plus an automatic first Removing helmet on the playing field- 15 yards plus an automatic first

downdown Roughing the passer- 15 yards plus an automatic first downRoughing the passer- 15 yards plus an automatic first down Roughing the kicker- 15 yards plus an automatic first downRoughing the kicker- 15 yards plus an automatic first down

Line Of ScrimmageLine Of Scrimmage There are 7 players on the offensive team who There are 7 players on the offensive team who

must be on the L.O.S. at the start of every play. must be on the L.O.S. at the start of every play. In this example the 7 players in black are on the In this example the 7 players in black are on the line while the 4 players in red are off the lineline while the 4 players in red are off the line

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Line of Scrimmage

Line of ScrimmageLine of Scrimmage

The end man on each side of the formation who The end man on each side of the formation who are on the L.O.S. are eligible to catch a pass. The are on the L.O.S. are eligible to catch a pass. The 4 players who are off the L.O.S. are also eligible 4 players who are off the L.O.S. are also eligible to catch a pass. In this example the 6 players in to catch a pass. In this example the 6 players in blue are all eligible to catch a pass.blue are all eligible to catch a pass.

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Line of Scrimmage

SkillsSkills Forward pass: Throwing the ball forwards. Legal only once per play; must be Forward pass: Throwing the ball forwards. Legal only once per play; must be

thrown from behind the line of scrimmage and caught only by an eligible thrown from behind the line of scrimmage and caught only by an eligible receiver.receiver.

Kickoff: The way that play is begun to start both halves and after every score.Kickoff: The way that play is begun to start both halves and after every score. Long Snap: A method of centering the ball to the quarterback, holder for a Long Snap: A method of centering the ball to the quarterback, holder for a

place kick or punter. The typical distance between the center and player place kick or punter. The typical distance between the center and player receiving the ball is 7 yards for quarterback and holder for place kick and13 receiving the ball is 7 yards for quarterback and holder for place kick and13 yards for punter. yards for punter.

Place Kick: One player places the ball on the ground, end first, and holds it Place Kick: One player places the ball on the ground, end first, and holds it lightly with the hand or fingers. His teammate tries to kick it between the lightly with the hand or fingers. His teammate tries to kick it between the uprights of the goal post. uprights of the goal post.

Punt: A type of kick where the kicker drops the ball through the air and kicks it Punt: A type of kick where the kicker drops the ball through the air and kicks it before it hits the ground. * A punt will usually occur on a fourth down when the before it hits the ground. * A punt will usually occur on a fourth down when the offensive team is not in position to score or chooses not to go for a first down. offensive team is not in position to score or chooses not to go for a first down.

Receiving: Catching the ball either as an offensive receiver, defender or a Receiving: Catching the ball either as an offensive receiver, defender or a special team player on kick return or punt return. special team player on kick return or punt return.