Don’t let the basics overwhelm you. Here you can learn the starting points to what the game entails starting with how the field looks, to position description, the rule book and how scoring works. If you have any questions or would like additional information don’t hesitate to contact GWF!

 The Field

A standard field is 360 feet with the last 10 yards on both sides being the “end zone”. This is where a player will score points for the team. Each line is marked with a white line that is a measurement of distance. Every line is 10 yards away. Normally when you watch a game, you will notice the player is “down” around a certain line and that is where the Referree will call it and the next play will start at that location.

Positions

There are positions for both Offense and Defense. Offense is the team that has the ball and Defense is the team that is trying to stop those that have the ball and/or take the ball themselves. Both sides have 11 players each play each snap. A snap is also called a “hike” or “snapback” and is when the ball is passed backwards to the Quarterback to start the play. See below for a brief synopsis of each position.

Offense

The Quarterback (QB) is the most well known position as he is the one that gets hiked the ball and performs the plays. He can either throw the ball to a Wide Receiver or Tight End or he can pass the ball to his Running Back. This position requires accuracy in throwing and quick decision making as the Defense is coming to try to tackle him before he can get the ball passed.

The Running Back (RB) is the QB’s right hand man and does a lot of the hard work. He is interchangeable. He normally gets passed the ball and he runs with it trying not to get taken down by the defense but he can also catch the ball and help block the defense from getting to the QB. The RB has to be fast and powerful.

The Wide Receiver (WR) is one or two men who once the whistle blows, runs immediately as fast as he can towards the scrimmage line to catch the ball from the QB. These individuals need to be quick on their feet and have amazing hand/eye coordination. You will most likely see these players wearing gloves since they primarily catch the ball. They can also be used to block if needed.

The Tight End (TE) can do it all. He is there to do what the QB needs for each play. He can play as a WR but he is also one that can tackle the Defense based on his size. He helps the line block but he can also make plays by catching the ball.

The Offensive Line (OL) consists of 5 players who are the strongest on the line. From left to right they are left tackle, left guard, center, right guard, right tackle. Their main goal is to pass and block and give the QB time to make the play (either pass or throw the ball or run it themselves).

Defense

The Defensive Line (DL) like the OL consists of 4 to 5 players and their main job is to stop those that get the ball from scoring. They are super active in the game and take a ton of energy to stop the Offense.

The Linebacker (LB) consisting of 4 to 5 players, play right behind the DL and their main job is to run through the defense/offense line and stop the RB or QB from moving the ball.

The Cornerback (CB) are players that cover the WRs. They run with them trying to stop them from making the catch if the QB decides to throw to them. Because of that, they must be the fastest on the Defense.

The Safety (S) usually consists of 2 players that do it all based on the play. They primarily support covering the OL and whoever has the ball to stop them but they are also interchangeable and can be used for helping the DL as well.

Special Teams/Other Positions

The Kicker (K) is a player that is responsible for field goals and kickoffs. Whenever the OL can not get the ball to the goal within 4 attempts after making a down, they will come in and try to kick to score 3 points.

The Punter (P) is the player that punts/kicks the ball to the Offense once the teams change position.

The Return Specialist (RS) is someone on the OL that catches the ball at the start of a switch off and that player will catch and run the ball as far as he can in order to determine the starting position of the OL and where they will play.

Rules

Please review the NFL official rules handbook below for the most up to date information:

https://operations.nfl.com/media/4693/2020-nfl-rulebook.pdf

How to Score

According to NFL rules playbook: (https://operations.nfl.com/the-rules/nfl-video-rulebook/scoring-plays/)

Points are scored as follows:

1. Touchdown: 6 points

2. Field Goal: 3 points

3. Safety: 2 points

4. Try after touchdown: 1 point (Field Goal or Safety) or 2 points (Touchdown)

Touchdown:

A touchdown is scored when:

1. the ball is on, above, or behind the plane of the opponents’ goal line (extended) and is in possession of a runner who has advanced from the field of play into the end zone

2. a ball in possession of an airborne runner is on, above, or behind the plane of the goal line, and some part of the ball passed over or inside the pylon

3. a ball in player possession touches the pylon, provided that, after contact by an opponent, no part of the player’s body, except his hands or feet, struck the ground before the ball touched the pylon

4. any player who is legally inbounds catches or recovers a loose ball (3-2-4) that is on, above, or behind the opponent’s goal line

5. the Referee awards a touchdown to a team that has been denied one by a palpably unfair act

Field Goal:

A field goal is scored when all of the following conditions are met:

1. The kick must be a placekick or dropkick made by the offense from on or behind the line of scrimmage or from the spot of a fair catch (fair-catch kick). If a fair catch is made or awarded outside the inbound line, the spot of the kick is the nearest inbound line.

2. After the ball is kicked, it must not touch the ground or any player of the offensive team before it passes through the goal.

3. The entire ball must pass through the vertical plane of the goal, which is the area above the crossbar and between the uprights or, if above the uprights, between their outside edges. If the ball passes through the goal, and returns through the goal without striking the ground or some object or person beyond the goal, the attempt is unsuccessful.

Safety:

It is a Safety:

1. if the offense commits a foul in its own end zone or; when an impetus by a team sends the ball behind its own goal line, and the ball is dead in the end zone in its possession or the ball is out of bounds behind the goal line.

Try after Touchdown:

After a touchdown, a Try is an opportunity for either team to score one or two additional points during one scrimmage down.

The Try begins when the Referee sounds the whistle for play to start. The team that scored the touchdown shall put the ball in play:

1. anywhere on or between the inbound lines;

2. 15 yards from the defensive team’s goal line for a Try-kick; or

3. two yards from the defensive team’s goal line for a Try by pass or run.

https://operations.nfl.com/the-rules/nfl-video-rulebook/scoring-plays/