The Basics



Each American Football game lasts 60 minutes, split up into four quarters of 15 minutes. Each half begins with a kickoff. Each team is made up of three main parts: offense, defense and special teams. The offense's aim is to score points by scoring field goals or touchdowns. The defense's aim is to stop the offense from scoring. The Special Teams do the kicking. The offense has four downs to travel 10 yards. On the fourth down, they have the option of punting or going for a field goal. If they don't travel the ten yards, the ball is given to the defending team. The quarterback has to work the ball down the field by passing the ball or handing it to the running back. Usually, he only has three downs to work the ball ten yards. Why? Because most coaches would rather punt on the fourth down so that they don't risk giving the ball away in their current position - they would rather gain yards. If they are within the opposition's half, they often go for a field goal. The only way the defense can score points is by scoring a safety - tackling a member of the offense in their own end zone. After a touchdown, a team has two options - an extra point worth one point where the kicker kicks a goal right in front of the posts, or a two point conversion. This is taken from the 2-yard line, and to score the two points the team must score another touchdown. Points are as follows.

Touchdown - 6 points

Field goal - 3 points

Safety - 2 points

Extra Point Conversion - 1 point

Two Point Conversion - 2 points