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.