American football: Difference between revisions

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'''American football''', known simply as '''football''' in [[North America]], is a sport that originated in the [[United States of America]].  The game is played on a 100 yard field with two [[endzone]]s that are 10 yards deep.  The goal of the game is to score the most points in the alloted time, primarily by advancing the ball into the opponent's endzone.
'''American football''', known simply as '''football''' in [[North America]], is a [[sport]] that originated in the [[United States of America]].  The game is played on a 100 yard field with two [[endzone]]s that are 10 yards deep.  The goal of the game is to score the most points in the alloted time, primarily by advancing the ball into the opponent's endzone.


The [[National Football League]] is the premier football league in the world, with all it's teams located in the United States.   
The [[National Football League]] is the premier football league in the world, with all it's teams located in the United States.   


==Methods of Scoring==
===Methods of Scoring===
There are many different ways in which a team may score in football.  There are touchdowns, field goals, and safeties.
There are many different ways in which a team may score in football.  There are touchdowns, field goals, and safeties.


===Touchdown===
====Touchdown====
A touchdown is scored when a player has possession of the ball in the opposing team's endzone.  When this is accomplished, the team that scored the touchdown is awarded 6 points.
A [[touchdown]] is worth 6 points.  A touchdown is scored when a player has possession of the ball and the ball crosses the goal line of the opposing team's endzone.  Touchdowns can be scored on offense, defense, and special teams.


*;Offensive Touchdown
====Point After Touchdown====
On offense this can be accompished when a player runs across the goalline with the ball in his hands or when a player throws the ball to another player in the endzone.
A point after touchdown (PAT), or extra point, is worth 1 point.  A team can elect to attempt a PAT after they score a touchdown.  A PAT is scored when the football is kicked between the goalposts, which stand directly behind the endzone.  The [[line of scrimage]] is placed at the 2 yard line for a PAT, and the ball is kicked from the 9 yard line.


*;Defensive Touchdown
====2-Point Conversion====
On defense a player can score a touchdown by either catching a ball thrown by the offense and running it back into their endzone or by recovering a fumbled ball and running it into the opposing teams endzone.
A 2-point conversion is an alternative to the PAT that is worth 2 points.  After a touchdown, the scoring team can execute 1 offensive play attempting to cross into the endzone. The line of scrimage is the 2 yard line.


===Point After Touchdown===
====Field Goal====
After a team scores a touchdown, it has the option of kicking for a PAT.  If the kicker gets the ball between the goalposts then the team is awarded 1 point.  This is also refered to as an "extra point."
A field goal is worth 3 points, and is scored when the offensive team kicks the ball between the goalposts.  This can be attempted anywhere on the field.


===2 Point Conversion===
====Safety====
After a touchdown, the team that scored has the option of going for a 2 point conversion rather than a PAT.  A 2 point conversion can be acheived in any of the same ways that an offensive touchdown is.
A safety occurs when a defensive player tackles an offensive player in their own endzone and are worth 2 pointsThe team scoring the safety is also awarded the ball on the following kickoff.
 
===Field Goal===
Field goals are accomplished on offense when a player kicks the ball over a set of goalposts.  When this is accomplished, the team is awarded 3 points.
 
===Safety===
Safeties are accomplished on defense by tackling an offensive player in his own endzone.  Safeties result in 2 points for the defense.


==Positions==
==Positions==
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===Offense===
===Offense===
*'''Quarterback'''
*'''Quarterback'''
*'''Halfback'''
*'''Halfback''' - (also known as a '''Runningback''')
*'''Fullback'''
*'''Fullback'''
*'''Tackle'''
*'''Tackle'''

Revision as of 10:01, 31 July 2007

American football, known simply as football in North America, is a sport that originated in the United States of America. The game is played on a 100 yard field with two endzones that are 10 yards deep. The goal of the game is to score the most points in the alloted time, primarily by advancing the ball into the opponent's endzone.

The National Football League is the premier football league in the world, with all it's teams located in the United States.

Methods of Scoring

There are many different ways in which a team may score in football. There are touchdowns, field goals, and safeties.

Touchdown

A touchdown is worth 6 points. A touchdown is scored when a player has possession of the ball and the ball crosses the goal line of the opposing team's endzone. Touchdowns can be scored on offense, defense, and special teams.

Point After Touchdown

A point after touchdown (PAT), or extra point, is worth 1 point. A team can elect to attempt a PAT after they score a touchdown. A PAT is scored when the football is kicked between the goalposts, which stand directly behind the endzone. The line of scrimage is placed at the 2 yard line for a PAT, and the ball is kicked from the 9 yard line.

2-Point Conversion

A 2-point conversion is an alternative to the PAT that is worth 2 points. After a touchdown, the scoring team can execute 1 offensive play attempting to cross into the endzone. The line of scrimage is the 2 yard line.

Field Goal

A field goal is worth 3 points, and is scored when the offensive team kicks the ball between the goalposts. This can be attempted anywhere on the field.

Safety

A safety occurs when a defensive player tackles an offensive player in their own endzone and are worth 2 points. The team scoring the safety is also awarded the ball on the following kickoff.

Positions

Standard American football is played with 11 players on offense and 11 players on defense.

Offense

  • Quarterback
  • Halfback - (also known as a Runningback)
  • Fullback
  • Tackle
  • Guard
  • Center
  • Tight End
  • Wide Receiver

Defense

  • Defensive Tackle
  • Defensive End
  • Outside Linebacker
  • Inside Linebacker
  • Cornerback
  • Strong Safety
  • Free Safety

Organizations

NCAANCAA Home
NFLNFL Home