The Game GENERAL RULES: GENERAL RULES: 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 ends (split or tight ends), one is a quarterback and three are backs (running backs or wide receivers). 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 ends (split or tight ends), one is a quarterback and three are backs (running backs or wide receivers). 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 combinations), and the defensive backs, the secondary (corner backs, free and strong safeties). 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 combinations), and the defensive backs, the secondary (corner backs, free and strong safeties). 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 kickoff, field goal or extra point after a touchdown) and a specialist in returning kickoff or punts. 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 kickoff, field goal or extra point after a touchdown) and a specialist in returning kickoff or punts. 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. 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. 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 beyond it. 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 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 receivers, permitted to catch a pass (a ball thrown by one player to another). 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). 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 the end lines before the next play begins. 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 the end lines before the next play begins.

Scoring Points are scored in the following ways: Points are scored in the following ways: Touchdown – 6 points – made when an offensive player carries the ball across their opponent’s goal line or when an offensive player receives a pass behind the goal line. A defensive player can score a touchdown by recovering a fumble or intercepting a pass and taking across the offenses goal line Touchdown – 6 points – made when an offensive player carries the ball across their opponent’s goal line or when an offensive player receives a pass behind the goal line. A defensive player can score a touchdown by recovering a fumble or intercepting a pass and taking across the offenses goal line Field Goal – 3 points – an offensive player makes a place kick that passes entirely between the goal posts Field Goal – 3 points – an offensive player makes a place kick that passes entirely between the goal posts Safety – 2 points- this is awarded to the opposing team if a defending team sends the ball into its own end zone Safety – 2 points- this is awarded to the opposing team if a defending team sends the ball into its own end zone Extra Point – after a team scores a touchdown, they can try to score again. An extra point that is kicked between the uprights is worth one point. The offensive team may elect to attempt a two point conversion. The 2 point conversion is an 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 two points. Extra Point – after a team scores a touchdown, they can try to score again. An extra point that is kicked between the uprights is worth one point. The offensive team may elect to attempt a two point conversion. The 2 point conversion is an 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 two points.

Team/Positions Each team plays with 11 players on the field at a time Each team plays with 11 players on the field at a time OFFENSE (11)- 5 Offensive Lineman (Right Tackle, Right Guard, Center, Left Guard, Left Tackle), 1 Quarterback, 1 Half Back (HB or Running Back), 2-3 receivers (Wide Receiver) and 1 Tight End (TE) (if only 2 receivers), Fullback (FB) OFFENSE (11)- 5 Offensive Lineman (Right Tackle, Right Guard, Center, Left Guard, Left Tackle), 1 Quarterback, 1 Half Back (HB or Running Back), 2-3 receivers (Wide Receiver) and 1 Tight End (TE) (if only 2 receivers), Fullback (FB)

Team/Positions DEFENSE (11)- 3-4 Defensive Lineman (2 Defensive Ends, 2 Defensive Tackles), 1-3 Linebackers (Outside Linebacker, Middle Linebacker, Outside Linebacker), 4 Defensive Backs (Strong Safety, Free Safety, 2 Corner-backs). This example is a 3-4 defense because there are 3 defensive linemen (T-N-T) and 4 linebackers. DEFENSE (11)- 3-4 Defensive Lineman (2 Defensive Ends, 2 Defensive Tackles), 1-3 Linebackers (Outside Linebacker, Middle Linebacker, Outside Linebacker), 4 Defensive Backs (Strong Safety, Free Safety, 2 Corner-backs). This example is a 3-4 defense because there are 3 defensive linemen (T-N-T) and 4 linebackers.

Field Dimensions The field is 120 yards long from end line to end line and 100 yards from goal line to goal line. The field is 120 yards long from end line to end line and 100 yards 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 goal line. There are yard lines at 5-yard intervals, which are parallel to the goal line. Hash marks are at one-yard intervals from goal line to goal line on the right and left side of the field. Hash marks are at one-yard intervals from goal line to goal line on the right and left side of the field. Numbers indicating yard lines in multiples of ten, marked 12 yards from the sideline. Numbers indicating yard lines in multiples of ten, marked 12 yards from the sideline. 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 diameter and extend 20’ above the crossbar 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 diameter and extend 20’ above the crossbar

Field Dimensions

Definition of Terms Defensive team- the team not in possession of the ball. Defensive team- the team not in possession of the ball. Down- 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 advance it that far, they lose possession of the ball Down- 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 advance it that far, they lose possession of the ball End Line- the boundary line that runs the width of the field along each end. End Line- the boundary line that runs the width of the field along each end. Flag- when a team commits a penalty the referee will throw a 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 move on to the next down. Flag- when a team commits a penalty the referee will throw a 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 move on to the next down. Fumble- when a ball carrier loses possession by dropping the ball or having it knocked away before a play ends. Fumble- when a ball carrier loses possession by dropping the ball or having it knocked away before a play ends.

Definition of Terms Goal Line- 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 touchdown Goal Line- 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 touchdown Holding- a foul where a player impedes the movement of an 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 yards in college) plus a first down if against the defense. Holding- a foul where a player impedes the movement of an 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 yards in college) plus a first down if against the defense. Interception- a pass caught in the air (picked off) by a defender whose team immediately gains possession of the ball and becomes the offense. Interception- a pass caught in the air (picked off) by a defender whose team immediately gains possession of the ball and becomes the offense. Line of Scrimmage- an imaginary line which no player may cross 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 lies on the ground. Line of Scrimmage- an imaginary line which no player may cross 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 lies on the ground. Offensive team- the team in possession of the ball. Offensive team- the team in possession of the ball.

Definition of Terms Offside- 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 penalty. Offside- 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 penalty. Special Teams- the group of players who participate in kicking plays. Special Teams- the group of players who participate in kicking plays. Spiral- a ball or kick with a spin which propels it further with more accuracy; the ball points the same direction throughout its flight. Spiral- a ball or kick with a spin which propels it further with more accuracy; the ball points the same direction throughout its flight. Tackle- a player position on the offensive and defensive lines; there 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 offensive player to the ground. Tackle- a player position on the offensive and defensive lines; there 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 offensive player to the ground. Touchback- when a player who gains possession of a ball in his own 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 ball across the end line. Touchback- when a player who gains possession of a ball in his own 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 ball across the end line.

Penalties Delay of game- 5 yards Delay of game- 5 yards False start- 5 yards False start- 5 yards Encroachment- 5 yards Encroachment- 5 yards Grasping the opponents face mask -15 yards Grasping the opponents face mask -15 yards Illegal formation, shift, motion- 5 yards Illegal formation, shift, motion- 5 yards Offside- 5 yards Offside- 5 yards Running into the kicker- 5 yards Running into the kicker- 5 yards Throwing a forward pass from beyond the line of scrimmage- 5yards and loss of down Throwing a forward pass from beyond the line of scrimmage- 5yards and loss of down Offensive and defensive holding- 10 yards Offensive and defensive holding- 10 yards Fair catch interference- 15 yards Fair catch interference- 15 yards Unsportsmanlike conduct- 15 yards Unsportsmanlike conduct- 15 yards Clipping- 15 yards Clipping- 15 yards Unnecessary roughness- 15 yards plus an automatic first down Unnecessary roughness- 15 yards plus an automatic first down Removing helmet on the playing field- 15 yards plus an automatic first down Removing helmet on the playing field- 15 yards plus an automatic first down Roughing the passer- 15 yards plus an automatic first down Roughing the passer- 15 yards plus an automatic first down Roughing the kicker- 15 yards plus an automatic first down Roughing the kicker- 15 yards plus an automatic first down

Line Of Scrimmage There are 7 players on the offensive team who must be on the L.O.S. at the start of every play. In this example the 7 players in black are on the line while the 4 players in red are off the line There are 7 players on the offensive team who must be on the L.O.S. at the start of every play. In this example the 7 players in black are on the line while the 4 players in red are off the line

Line of Scrimmage The end man on each side of the formation who 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 to catch a pass. In this example the 6 players in blue are all eligible to catch a pass. The end man on each side of the formation who 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 to catch a pass. In this example the 6 players in blue are all eligible to catch a pass.

Skills 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 receiver. 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 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 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 yards for punter. 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 receiving the ball is 7 yards for quarterback and holder for place kick and13 yards for punter. 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 uprights of the goal post. 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 uprights of the goal post. 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 offensive team is not in position to score or chooses not to go for a first down. 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 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 special team player on kick return or punt return. Receiving: Catching the ball either as an offensive receiver, defender or a special team player on kick return or punt return.