American football's fundamentals are similar to any team sport.
Two teams go head-to-head over 60 minutes with the winner being the team which scores the most points.
However, to someone who has never watched the sport before, there are a whole myriad of rules being implemented and DAZN breaks down the rules below.
How long is an American football game?
An American football game is scheduled to last 60 minutes in total and is split into four 15 minute quarters.
What are the rules of an American football game?
- Two teams of 11 players are on the field at any one time (one on offence and the other on defence) who compete over four 15 minute quarters.
- Each team is given three 'time-outs' per half with a 12 minute half-time interval.
- The objective of the offence is the move ball down the field and score points by reaching the opposition's 'end zone' or scoring a field goal by kicking the ball through the uprights and over the crossbar.
- The objective of the defence is stop the opposing offence from reaching a scoring position and regain possession of the ball.
While there may be 22 players on the field, a typical American football team is made up of 48 players.
What are downs?
The term 'downs' is a vital phrase used in an American football, but to newcomers to the sport, it can be a little confusing.
However, below is the simplest way to explain the meaning behind the word 'downs'.
- The offence, who will be in possession of the ball, need to move the ball by at least 10 yards and will have four chances or downs to make the 10 yards.
- If the offence manages to gain 10 yards within those four downs, the count resets and they are given another four chances to advance another 10 yards.
- If the offence fails to move 10 yards within four downs by the defence, the ball will be given to the team playing defence and they will be given a chance to score points.
How to score points in an American football game?
As mentioned previously, the winning team in an American football game is the one who can score the most points and points can be scored in a number of ways.
Touchdown (6 points)
A touchdown is scored when the offence crosses the opposition's goal line by catching or running the ball into the end zone.
Field Goal (3 points)
If the offence believes they are close enough to the uprights, they will bring out the kicker who will attempt to kick the ball through the upright posts and over the crossbar.
Extra Point (1 or 2 points)
Teams can score an extra point by kicking the ball through the uprights after a touchdown.
Two points are scored if the offence can take the ball into the end zone for a second time after a touchdown, but this is more difficult.
Safety (2 points)
The defence can score two points if they tackle the member of the opposing offence with the ball in their own end zone.