American Football For Dummies

[Peter Parka]

Ok, anyone want to explain the basic rules and ideas of American football so I can follow it? From what I can understand, you have 4 plays which at the end of you have to give the ball away, kick for a field goal (3pts) or score a touch down (6pts + 1 if you score an easy kick after). You get 2 points for something called a safety which seems to be scoring a touch down at the wrong end. Is this right? What have I got wrong and what have I missed?

 

[Sparkey Duck]

I'm a English football fan so I'm not totally sure... Would like an American to totally clear things up also...

My grasp of it...

You have 4 downs to get 10 yards, by foot or by air, then another 4 if you make it and then if you fail you have to get rid of the ball.

I think the pitch(?) is 120 yards long

Penaties for offside, grabbing face mask, pass interference and the likes. Resulting in yardage penalties.

You can also get 2 points for a safety, tackling the opposition in thier own endzone.

That's about all I know.

 

[gLing]

American football = big sweaty men crashing into each other and slapping each other on the butt.

 

[skyblue]

:homo:

 

[TheOriginalJames]

Basics of American Football.​

~ You have 11 guys on each side of the ball. One side is trying to score points, the other is trying to stop them.

~ The field is 100 yards long, with two endzones on each side of the field that are roughly 10 yards long each.

~ Penalties. There are various various penalties. I'd have to find a rule book to show you instead of trying to type out everyone I can think of, it'd be a LONG list.

Scoring Points

Touchdown - 6 points.
Extra point kick (after TD) - 1 point.
OR
A team can run/throw the ball back into the endzone on a special play and receive two points instead of one.

Field Goal - 3 points.

Safety - 2 points for defensive team. A safety is basically when the Defense sacks the offenses' quarterback in his own endzone.

OFFENSE

The ones trying to score are called the offense. This side consists of a quarterback and center (The center snaps the ball off the line of scrimmage to the Quarterback - QB), running backs, offensive line (quarter back protectors... basically), full backs and receivers.

The object of the offense is to get the ball into the endzone for the 6 points. They can do this by throwing (to the receivers) or running the ball (via a handoff from the QB to the running back/fullback).

The main objective is to drive at least 10 yards for each play. Each ten yards gained gives you a new set of downs. First down the best down, 2nd down means a play failed to gain 10 yards/Touchdown. 3rd down is after the second failed attempt, 4th down is the final play of that outting.

Most of the time, you will see who is called the Punter come out to kick the ball away to the other team. This objective drives the ball further down the field to give the receiving team a further (worse) field position. On plays where time is a factor (nearing end of game or 2nd quarter in some cases), teams may go for a play to reach 1st down while on their 4th down. If they fail to get their first down, it's called a turnover on downs. The opposing team gets the ball at the previous line of scrimmage.

DEFENSE

The Defenses' goal is to stop the offense from getting first downs leading to a touchdown/field goal by any legal means necessary (legality as in courts and NFL rules).

A QB sack is when the QB on the offensive team is taken down behind the line of scrimmage by a defensive player.

An Interception is when a member of the defense catches the ball in the air thrown by the offenses' quarterback. He is then free to run the opposite way until he either scores or is stopped.

A Fumble is when an offensive (and/or) defensive player is running with the ball and it pops out before his knee or shoulder is on the ground. It is still a live play at this point, and whoever is downed on the field with the ball in control has the ball.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Special Teams is a division which comes out on the field to run back/block a punt, kick off or field goal.

~ On a punt or kick-off, it's the receiving teams' goal to provide blocking for their receiver (person who caught the kick) to allow him to try to run back for a better field position or a touchdown. (look up Devon Hester, he's very good at running back for TDs).

~ The kicking teams' goal is to stop the receiver of the kick as far back as possible.

~ The 20 yard lines are where balls roll out the back of or are caught in the endzone and knealed down on are spotted.

~ A kick that goes out of bounds untouched outside the endzone are spotted where it went out of bounds at. (say it went out on the 37 yard line, the line of scrimmage starts at the 37 yard line).

~ Field goals usually are spotted at the 29 yard line (19 yard line + the 10 yards distance the endzone covers). However, on 4th down situations, the ball is spotted at the current line of scrimmage where the offensive had failed to move the downs closer to their endzone (goal line).

A team will have both a Punter and a Kicker on their special teams.

Example: Indianapolis Colts punter/kick off guy is Hunter Smith and their Field goal kicker is Adam Vinatieri.

I have personally seen 60 yard field goal kicks go right down the center of the uprights. (that is one HELL of a kick)


Anything else, just ask. Donnie, me and probably a few others will be able to answer anything.

 

[Peter Parka]

Ah thanks James, I'll probably watch the Superbowl this year so at least now I have a rough idea as to what is going on!

 

[Sparkler]

So basically its 11 totally unfit guys against another 11 unfit guys playing for 10 to 15 seconds then resting for a minute or two before making another play all the while wearing full body armour.
Talk about being very girly.

Real men play Rugby



minus the girly body armour

 

[TheOriginalJames]

So basically its 11 totally unfit guys against another 11 unfit guys

If by totally unfit guys you mean, as an example, a 300 lb center who can bench 450+ lbs, then fucking whatever you say.

Lets not turn this thread into a shitty debate because you decided you wanted to. If you have nothing productive to say, I don't understand why you hit reply.

 

[debbie t]

American football = big sweaty men crashing into each other and slapping each other on the butt.

well in that case ill watch the super bowl too

 

[gLing]

who can bench 450+ lbs,

A human being can really lift that much!? :eek

 

[TheOriginalJames]

A human being can really lift that much!? :eek

Ever watch the world wrestling entertainment program? They have a few 350 lb, 400-450 lb and 500 lb guys on there that could pick up one side of a small car with ease.

 

[Peter Parka]

well in that case ill watch the super bowl too

Yeah, thats why I'm watching it!:24:

 

[Sparkler]

If by totally unfit guys you mean, as an example, a 300 lb center who can bench 450+ lbs, then fucking whatever you say.

Lets not turn this thread into a shitty debate because you decided you wanted to. If you have nothing productive to say, I don't understand why you hit reply.

First and foremost James how long does the average play take in a game of American football?Maybe a minute if youre really on a long play??

Then you stand around for a few minutes while the time outs and next plays are called,thats really energy sapping just standing there.
Now in rugby you get hit pick yourself up run some more make hits/runs for nearly 65minutes of an 80 minute game.All without rests of 10 to 15 minutes while your offence/defence takes the pitch or the benefit of padding which practically amounts to full body armour.Obviously not much stamina required standing on the touchline watching either.

The vast majority from what I've watched over the last 20 years comes down to sporadic shows of strength or speed maybe accounting for maybe 15 minutes of action in an hour game.
I just dont believe American footballers are among the greatest athletes on the planet like they are portrayed to be,when length of time on the pitch,stamina and adaptability are taken into the equation, in comparisson to other team field sports.

Also so big deal if somebody can bench press his body weight and half as much again,taking it down it is only the equivalent of a 100lb man lifting 150 lbs at the end of the day.Not what I'd call totally spectacular feat of strength.

Now why did I hit reply???? Hmmmm

I wonder???

Was it because I was bored? maybe I was just in an argumentative mood?? or is it I'm sick of hearing that American Footballers are such great athletes when relatively speaking they spend less time actually playing than they do sitting watching or standing around waiting for play to resume in comparisson to other team sports.

 

[Peter Parka]

First and foremost James how long does the average play take in a game of American football?Maybe a minute if youre really on a long play??

Then you stand around for a few minutes while the time outs and next plays are called,thats really energy sapping just standing there.
Now in rugby you get hit pick yourself up run some more make hits/runs for nearly 65minutes of an 80 minute game.All without rests of 10 to 15 minutes while your offence/defence takes the pitch or the benefit of padding which practically amounts to full body armour.Obviously not much stamina required standing on the touchline watching either.

The vast majority from what I've watched over the last 20 years comes down to sporadic shows of strength or speed maybe accounting for maybe 15 minutes of action in an hour game.
I just dont believe American footballers are among the greatest athletes on the planet like they are portrayed to be,when length of time on the pitch,stamina and adaptability are taken into the equation, in comparisson to other team field sports.

Also so big deal if somebody can bench press his body weight and half as much again,taking it down it is only the equivalent of a 100lb man lifting 150 lbs at the end of the day.Not what I'd call totally spectacular feat of strength.

Now why did I hit reply???? Hmmmm

I wonder???

Was it because I was bored? maybe I was just in an argumentative mood?? or is it I'm sick of hearing that American Footballers are such great athletes when relatively speaking they spend less time actually playing than they do sitting watching or standing around waiting for play to resume in comparisson to other team sports.

Trust me dude, this has been done and it really isn't worth getting into again! (I agree with you by the way!)

 

[debbie t]

Trust me dude, this has been done and it really isn't worth getting into again! (I agree with you by the way!)

it even starts my husband off and hes not on the computer

and nobody appreciates vinny jones either

 

[TheOriginalJames]

First and foremost James how long does the average play take in a game of American football?Maybe a minute if youre really on a long play??

Then you stand around for a few minutes while the time outs and next plays are called,thats really energy sapping just standing there.
Now in rugby you get hit pick yourself up run some more make hits/runs for nearly 65minutes of an 80 minute game.All without rests of 10 to 15 minutes while your offence/defence takes the pitch or the benefit of padding which practically amounts to full body armour.Obviously not much stamina required standing on the touchline watching either.

The vast majority from what I've watched over the last 20 years comes down to sporadic shows of strength or speed maybe accounting for maybe 15 minutes of action in an hour game.
I just dont believe American footballers are among the greatest athletes on the planet like they are portrayed to be,when length of time on the pitch,stamina and adaptability are taken into the equation, in comparisson to other team field sports.

Also so big deal if somebody can bench press his body weight and half as much again,taking it down it is only the equivalent of a 100lb man lifting 150 lbs at the end of the day.Not what I'd call totally spectacular feat of strength.

Now why did I hit reply???? Hmmmm

I wonder???

Was it because I was bored? maybe I was just in an argumentative mood?? or is it I'm sick of hearing that American Footballers are such great athletes when relatively speaking they spend less time actually playing than they do sitting watching or standing around waiting for play to resume in comparisson to other team sports.

This isn't a discussion, nor is it a debate about American Football vs Rugby.

Editing out the rest of this. You know what? you're not even worth my time if all you're going to be is off topic.

 

[Sparkey Duck]

I posted in another thread how good it was to see that an American was being unbiased about football (soccer) , and then an European comes and lets the side down. They're all different sports!!!!! I could easily say Rugby rubbish, now a horse weighs 1200lbs and can run 3 mile in little under 6 minutes, a rugby player can't do that, but I don't because... why? ...different sports, and horses aren't people, remember that...

ANYWAYS, thank you for the outline of the rules, it's always good to actually know what you're looking at, and understanding.

 

[Cotton]

lol at Rugby even being in the same league as American Football... Superbowl is the biggest sporting event in the world... How's the Rugby championship.... Does it even exist?

Football is not only a physical grueling sport its also a mental challenge between coaches. Rugby is just a mad cluster fuck of smeer the queer.

 

[skyblue]

lol at Rugby even being in the same league as American Football... Superbowl is the biggest sporting event in the world... How's the Rugby championship.... Does it even exist?

Football is not only a physical grueling sport its also a mental challenge between coaches. Rugby is just a mad cluster fuck of smeer the queer.

the way i see it this is the problem.......you've just shown your knowledge of world sport in one post.......yes,rugby does have a world championship......unlike american football

and believe me......the superbowl isn't watched by anywhere as near as many people as the football world cup final is

as for it being the biggest sporting event in the world......are you serious?.....what about the olympics for starters?

 

[Cotton]

the way i see it this is the problem.......you've just shown your knowledge of world sport in one post.......yes,rugby does have a world championship......unlike american football

and believe me......the superbowl isn't watched by anywhere as near as many people as the football world cup final is

as for it being the biggest sporting event in the world......are you serious?.....what about the olympics for starters?

The olympics??? :24::24: Are you serious? Check ratings of the one night of the Superbowl compared to days worth of the Olympics.