Football Essentials
How many people are on a football team?
It depends. If you're in the NFL there is a 53 man roster and only 45 of them dress, only what is considered your active roster. In college football they will have over 100 players on their roster. It just depends on which league you are in. In arena football there are only 24 men on the team so it just depends which league your are in and whether it is college or pro or whatnot.
How long is a football game?
15 minute quarters, depending on which league you play in. So it's a 60-minute game. And most coaches will say you have to play a full 60-minute game, so that's definitely important.
When does the clock stop in football?
The clock stops on change of possession, whenever a player runs out of bounds, incomplete pass, time outs on either side, and also end of the half, ends of the game, and the two minute warning.
What is a 'play clock'?
A play clock is a separate clock from the game clock. It basically gives the offense a 25-second clock. And once that clock hits zero, you are flagged for a delay of game. So the 25-second clock was put in place to speed the game up.
What equipment do football players wear?
Football players wear helmets, shoulder pads, thigh pads, knee pads, butt pads, mouth pieces, cleats, that's pretty much mixed up their equipment. Also some players wear gloves too.
How big is a football field?
A football field is 100 yards in American football. Canadian football it's 110. American football it's also fifty three and a half yards wide, which makes up the football field.
What is the 'end zone'?
The end zone is the point at the end of the field where if you're an offense and you get in there, as an offensive defensive player, you get six points and it's the furthest you can get on a football field. And if you do this more than your opponent, you win the game.
What's a 'line of scrimmage'?
It's the point where the offense and defensive line meet. When the quarterback's passing the ball, he can't run past the line of scrimmage before throwing the ball. Also, it's where the big boys play.
When does a play start and stop?
It starts when a centre snaps the ball to the quarterback, and either if he passes it or he runs it until the player is down by contact and a referee blows the whistle.
What is a 'touchdown'?
A touchdown is when an offensive or defensive player with the ball in his hand crosses the opponents end zone. When that happens the team receives six points. What follows the touchdown is called a PAT, point after touchdown. That's when the field unit team comes out and kicks a field goal for one point. Also, depending on the situation of the game, a team can go for two. Usually that happens late in the game when a team is down by eight, they'll score their six points and they'll leave their offensive team on the field and go for two in order to tie the game, or go ahead.
What is a 'turnover'?
A turnover can happen a lot of different ways. It usually happens on offense, but it also has happened on special teams. A turnover is when the running back fumbles the ball, the quarterback throws interception, or is hit by a defensive player and fumbles the football, and the defensive team recovers it. That's what is called a turnover.
What is a 'two minute warning'?
A two minute warning is the final two minutes of the half in a game and basically when the clock hits two minutes, the whistle blows and we have what's called a "TV time out" and the play stops until they return from, usually commercials. If you're on defense and you only have one time out, you want to kind of manage the game the right way as far as calling your time out, because if there's 2:20 on the clock and they run the ball, you should call your time out. Because you'll get another stoppage when the clock hits two minutes so it kind of helps give you an extra time out on defense and on offense if have no time outs and you're getting close to scoring when the clock hits two minutes it's an extra time out for you too.
Where is the 'Red Zone' on a football field?
Red Zone is twenty yards in on each side of the field and that's where all the scoring happens in football, so it's really important for the offensive team to get points when they're in the "Red Zone"
