Football

History Football as it is played today is derived from soccer and rugby. In 1869 football became a formulized sport. Before this Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Rutgers universities played the game, however, it was pretty much just like a gang fight over a round ball. Rutgers defeated Princeton 6 goals to 4 in the first recorded football game. In 1932, the Intramural Sports Section of the College Physical Education Association adopted rules for school and college play.

History (Continued) National Football League (NFL) officially formed with 11 teams in 1920. In 1950 the Committee of the College Physical Education Association submitted questionnaires to more than 100 schools concerning the rules and recommended their standardization. These recommendations were then approved by the Intramural Sports Section of the College Physical Education Association and the first rule book was published in 1952.

Offense Has possession of the ball. The offense has 4 downs to move the ball 10 yards. Once the 10 yards is gained the down starts at one again. They do this until they score or fail to gain the yardage. Consists of 3 main sections. Offensive Line Backfield Receivers

Offensive Line Center- The offensive lineman who hikes (or snaps) the ball to the quarterback at the start of each play. The center lines up in the middle of the offensive line, between the offensive guards. Guards- A member of the offensive line. There are two guards on every play, and they line up on either side of the offensive center. Tackle- A member of the offensive line. There are two tackles on every play, and they line up on the outside of the offensive guards.

Offensive Line (Continued) Tackle- A member of the offensive line. There are two tackles on every play, and they line up on the outside of the offensive guards. Tight End- An offensive player who serves as a receiver and also a blocker. The tight end lines up beside the offensive tackle either to the right or to the left of the quarterback.

Backfield Quarterback- The player who receives the ball from the center at the start of each play before either handing it to the running back, throwing it to a receiver, or running with it himself.The quarterback is usually the player in charge of running the offense on the field. He is also the guy that usually informs the offense of the play while in the huddle. Halfback- An offensive player who lines up in the backfield and generally is responsible for carrying the ball on run plays. A running back's primary role is to run with the football, he is also used as a receiver at times.

Backfield (Continued) Fullback- An offensive player who lines up in the offensive backfield and generally is responsible for run-blocking for the halfback and pass-blocking for the quarterback. Fullbacks are usually bigger than halfbacks, and also serve as short-yardage runners.

Receivers Wide Receivers- An offensive player who lines up on or near the line of scrimmage, but split to the outside. His primary job is to catch passes from the quarterback. A receivers also has to block on run plays.

Defense The goal of the defense is to stop the offense from scoring but also to not let the offense gain 10 yards in 4 downs. Also has 3 main sections. Defensive Line Linebackers Defensive Backs

Defensive Line Defensive Tackle- These are the two interior players in the defensive line. Their task is mainly to cause the opposing quarterback problems, and force him into making a mistake. They can do this by rushing the quarterback, if they can manage to get past the offensive linemen blocking him. Nose Guard- He is directly facing the attacking team's center, and is one of the optional defensive football positions. His job is to stop any runs progressing down the middle, and to help out the down linemen in double teaming opposition players.

Defensive Line (Continued) Defensive End- On either flank of the down linemen, are the Defensive Ends. Their task is to prevent attackers from running down his outside. He must either tackle them, or divert them back to the middle, where the down linemen can tackle them. The faster defensive end is usually on the right hand side, as he can usually attack a right-handed quarterback on his blind side (his left side).

Linebackers These are the most important defensive football positions. There are usually three linebackers present. The strongside LB, the middle LB, and the weakside LB. The Middle LB has the task of organizing the entire defensive line, and is sometimes also called the quarterback of the defense.

Defensive Backs Cornerbacks- They have to ensure that the wide receivers do not receive any passes from the Quarterback. Interceptions are what they excel at, and it goes without saying, that they must be very quick and agile, in order to perform their task efficiently. Safety- Two of them. The Strong Safety (SS) primarily focuses on tackling opposing players, that are running with the ball, and are therefore bigger and stronger than the Free Safety (FS). The FS is smaller and faster, and helps out the cornerbacks in intercepting passes. Being the last line of defense, the safeties cannot let an attacker cross them under any circumstance.

Playing Field 120 yard length and 53 one-third width. Included in this are the 10 yard end zones. Goal line to goal line is 100 yards. Goal posts are at the back of each end zone. NFL/College posts are 10 feet high and 18 feet 6 inches wide. High School posts are 10 feet high and 23 feet 4 inches wide.

Playing field (Continued) The field is marked every 5 yards, however, is labeled in increments of 10. Hash markings measure every single yard and are put going down the middle of the field separated by 18 feet 6 inches in the NFL, 40 feet in college, and 53 feet 4 inches in high school.

The Game Length NFL and college have 15 minute quarters with a 2 minute break between the 1st and 2nd quarters and 3rd and 4th quarters. Halftime (between the 2nd and 3rd quarters) is 12 minutes in the NFL and 20 minutes in College.

The Game Starting Team Captains meet in the middle of the field with the officials. A coin flip occurs and the home team gets to call heads or tails while the coin is in the air. Winner of the coin flip gets to decided if they would like to kick, receive, or defer. After the choice is made the kickoff occurs and the game begins. 11 players are on the field for each time. (22 players in all)

The Game Scoring. Touchdown- A score made when player has possession of the ball across the opponents' goal line. 6 points. Field Goal- A score made by kicking the ball between the opponents' goal posts. 3 points. Extra point- A made field goal following a touchdown. 1 point.

Scoring (Continued) Conversion- Following a touchdown the team starts from the 2 yard line (NFL) 3 yard line (college) and a player has possession of the ball across the opponents’ goal line. 2 points. Safety- A defensive player tackles an opponent in possession of the ball in his own end zone or the ball goes through the offensive end zone and out of bounds. 2 points.

Special Teams They come into play on 4th down, after a touchdown, or at the last second of the game. Kickoff Kickoff Return Punt Punt Return Field Goal

Special Team Players Place-kicker- Kicks field goals, extra points, and most of the time kicks the kickoff as well. Punter- Player who receives the snapped ball directly from the line of scrimmage and then punts (kicks) the football to the opposing team so as to limit any field position advantage. Does this on 4th down.

The Game Overtime- Score is tied when the 4th quarter ends. NFL- Coin toss determines who will get the ball first. They play sudden death. Unless first team with possession kicks a field goal. College- Coin toss also determines who gets the ball first. Both teams get an offensive possession per overtime period.

The Game They people who enforce the rules and maintain order in a football game are called officials. There are 7 officials for each game. Referee Head Linesmen Line Judge Umpire Back Judge Side Judge Field Judge

Penalties Penalty- Sanction called against a team for a violation of the rules. Signaled by the throwing of a yellow flag by an official. 5 yards- Delay of game, false start, or illegal motion. 10 yards- Holding, tripping, or illegal procedure. 15 yards- Personal foul, face mask, or offensive pass interference. Spot fouls- Defensive pass interference and holding or clipping on a kicking play.

Details of Game Timeouts Substitutions Each team is allowed 3 timeouts per half lasting 1 minute a piece. Substitutions Players are allowed to substitute between plays. However, the offense can only break their huddle with 11 players. Defense can only substitute if the offense substitutes.

Details of the Game Fumble- Occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it. The ball is now in possession of whatever team recovers it. Interception- an interception occurs when a forward pass is caught by a player of the opposing team. This leads to an immediate change of possession during the play. Turnover- Fumble,interception, or failure to convert on 4th down.

Equipment Helmet with facemask and chin strap. Mouthpiece. Shoulder pads. Thigh pads. Hip and tailbone pads. Knee pads. Cleats.